Things to do / Travel Guide
High Sierra Family Vacation in Yosemite National Park
The breathtaking views of Yosemite are sure to attract the attention of every member of the family. The first view of Half Dome or El Capital should be enough to get the kids to pause the in-car DVD player. Getting out of the car, the alpine meadows, high waterfalls and massive granite rock walls can be explored on several family-friendly hikes.
The Nature Center at Happy Isles was designed for children, educating them on the geology, flora and fauna of the park, through both exhibits and nature walks.
High Sierras Family Travel
Experiencing the sequoia trees is a highlight of any kids (as well as any adults) trip to California. The biggest trees on earth are in the old-growth High Sierra Nevada forests. Popular spots include:
- Mariposa Grove right near Yosemite National Park's south entrance
- Giant Forest, in Sequoia National Park, home of the General Sherman tree
- The General Grant Grove section of Kings Canyon National Park. Don't be put off by the name – the Robert E. Lee tree is here, too, as is the Lincoln.
Travel with Kids in California Gold Rush Country
Even kids who don't usually pay attention in history class will want to learn about the 1848 California Gold Rush and visit some of the authentic sites in the area. Sutter's Mill was ground zero for the Gold Rush and is now part of the Marshall Gold Discovery Historic Park in Coloma, California. Visitors pan for gold, visit the historic buildings, hike along the scenic river and picnic in the forest.
Columbia State Historic Park is a very well-preserved section of the town of Columbia dating back to the Gold Rush. All family members will enjoy the historical re-enactments and period costumes and Grandpa may be interested to know that scenes from High Noon with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, were filmed in Columbia, California.
Family Travel to Sierra Nevada Ghost Towns
In the competition between various ghost towns in California the winner is Bodie. Once home to 65 saloons, a solvent bank, more newspapers than Denver in 2008, a Methodist Church and a Taoist temple – it has been called a ghost town since 1915. Over 170 buildings are preserved in a picturesque setting in the Bodie State Historical Park. The town of Bodie is located north of Mono Lake, near the Nevada border and quite far from the major tourist areas (2.5 hours from Yosemite Village).
Family Vacation Ideas in Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yosemite, Sequoia, in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains
Family-Vacation-Ideas
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