Your advice please - Yosemite in November

Hi Folks, reading the messages with great interest and hoping you can offer me some advice please. We are an English family who are planning a touring holiday in California this November. My wife Jacqui, our fun loving six year old daughter Gemma and myself, Mark. The plan is San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Santa Barbra, Disneyland, Yosemite and back to San Francisco.

We will be driving from Anaheim to Yosemite on 15th November. We%26#39;ve initially booked a night in Oakhurst that night (long drive and didn%26#39;t want to drive to the Valley after dark). Then we have a full day in the park on the 16th and a reservation at Yosemite Lodge that night, drive to San Francisco the following day.

Problem is the potential weather conditions. I%26#39;ve since read that we appear to need tire chains to drive into the valley in November - and my Alamo Rental car doesnt allow tire chains to be fitted. I%26#39;m considering changing the night in Oakhurst to Mariposa instead as the route into the valley from there seems less inclined to be closed or restricted, and the YARTS service gives us an alternative to driving in bad weather.

Your advice please -

Is this a good plan?

Obviously if there are chain restrictions in place we%26#39;ll take the bus, but if the weather is OK will we still need to carry tire chains (that we can%26#39;t use) to enter the park. Will anyone check and turn us away?

If this is likely to be a problem then I might consider cancelling the night at Yosemite Lodge in favour of 2 nights in Mariposa and a ';day trip'; by car or bus to the valley.

Any advice would be appreciated, I%26#39;m really looking forward to this part of the holiday as I loved Yosemite on a very brief visit many years ago and have always wanted to return. I want to get the planning right!

Thanks,

Mark

Your advice please - Yosemite in November

If chain controls are not in effect no one will ask to look at your chains. November is that shoulder season where most of the time you would not need chains between oakhurst and the valley and then out. YOu%26#39;ll be able to see closer to your trip and can always cancel your reservations. Don%26#39;t do 2 nights in Mariposa over what you%26#39;ve planned. Check the cancellation policy, I think they are pretty reasonable.

Your advice please - Yosemite in November

I agree- your plans right now are perfect, and I think you will enjoy the Yosemite Lodge. Our anniversary is in late Nov., and we%26#39;ve spent it in Yosemite Valley a number of times, and have never seen any snow, even driving over 120 and 41. While mother nature can always play tricks on us, I think you%26#39;ll be fine.

Thanks very much for your advice, I really appreciate it. I think we will change the first night to Mariposa (instead of Oakhurst) as this gives us the option of hiring some chains (from a town we can return to on our way out of the park to San Francisco) or using the YARTS if the weather is unkind. I%26#39;ll definitely keep the night at Yosemite Lodge following your messages.

Any ';must sees'; for a day in November? I assume the waterfalls will be virtually dry. We are a gentle stroll rather than serious hike family! I quite like the sound of the tour of the valley floor.

Cheers,

Mark.

I have recently discovered that more cars come with a warning not to install tire chains, because if they become loose, they can cause damage to the vehicle. But if you get tire cables, then it would be okay as they don%26#39;t cause damage. Even though tire chains are recommended as the best for traction, I buy tire cables as they are also easier to install. See if you can rent tire cables. If not, consider buying them as they may not be very expensive for some cars like sedans. Plus, you won%26#39;t have to return them either and you can keep your trip in Oakhurst the first night. This will save you about 40 minutes of driving. One more thought. If you are lucky, you won%26#39;t need them - but you would satisfy the ';must carry tire chains because snow and ice can exist on park roads at any time'; law should you be asked.

By the way, if you stay in Mariposa, I recommend Mariposa Lodge. No, I don%26#39;t know the owners, so I am not biased.

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