Yosemite Valley may have the famous sites - Half Dome, El Capitan, and of course the waterfalls. But it also has the tourist hordes and the intense heat. It shouldn't be missed but once you've been and seen, head out of the valley and then north-east toward Tuolumne Meadows. About an hour's drive through the spectacular Sierra Nevada scenery, the road skims the shores of Lake Tenaya. Instead of passing it by like the majority of the park's visitors, park your car and get out. The clear mountain air and almost complete absence of sound or other human presence, makes this remote, crystalline lake a supremely tranquil location. I visited in late summer, when the valley was suffocating in 100-degree heat, but Lake Tenaya, at a considerably higher altitude, was pleasantly warm, and it's shallow waters cool but not freezing. Standing waist-deep in its waters, surrounded by white-sand beaches, pine forests and silver mountains, I could not imagine anywhere closer to paradise.

Yosemite National Park, ask at the visitor centre for a map and/or directions.

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If you fancy a stay in a "log cabin in the woods for city slickers" then Evergreen Lodge is for you. It's in the forest area just outside the park and close to "Hetch Hetchy" gate on the west side of Yosemite and is a well laid-out complex of very comfortable accommodation with a central restaurant/bar/shop.

The prices are very reasonable and for Brits, with the exchange rate as it is, well, say no more. There is, of course, the whole of Yosemite to go at.

www.evergreenlodge.com/
Check out my site: ttp://www.broadjam.com/delton
and listen to Looking For America - Land of The Free for the full story and some more tips.

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To escape the bustle of the city, take a day trip (or longer if you are able) to Yosemite National Park. It's a long day but one of the most sensational days I've ever had. The memories of this astounding place live with me every day and I'm planning my next trip to do some serious hiking! Awesome - the highlight of our trip to the city.

Driving distance from San Francisco is approximately four hours;
www.yosemitepark.com

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