Yosemite Valley

The first time you drive through the Tunnel View opening and the whole valley spreads out in front of you — El Capitan on the left, Half Dome straight ahead, Bridalveil Fall threading down the right wall — you will probably just sit there for a minute. Most families who pass through spend at least a few hours on the valley floor. The walk from the Bridalveil Fall trailhead over to Cook's Meadow is flat enough for kids and gives you a close look at the fall and a wide open view of the meadow with Half Dome in the background. If you have more time, the Mirror Lake Loop on the eastern end of the valley is another easy one — mostly flat, quiet, and a little removed from the main crowds. For a longer stop, Glacier Point Road takes you up above the valley to a viewpoint where you can look straight down at the whole thing from 3,200 feet up. For food, most people grab lunch at the Village Grill Deck or pick up something from Degnan's Kitchen in Yosemite Village, and if you are staying the night, The Ahwahnee Dining Room is worth the reservation. If you are coming in from the east on US-395, the Mono Lake Café in Lee Vining is a solid stop before you hit the park. If you are building a California road trip and wondering whether to route it through the valley, the answer is almost always yes.