Yosemite is the most famous of California parks. It is about 3½ hours drive
from San Francisco.
Early European-Americans first used the term "Yosemite" to refer to
the Indian people who were reported to live in a yet-undiscovered mountain
stronghold. Only in 1851, when the Mariposa Battalion first entered the Valley
in search of the Yosemite Indians, did they coin Yosemite as a place name.
Yosemite is derived from a Miwok word "Yehemite," which has been
translated as "some among them are killers". Oso-meti of the Yosemite
Bear People suggests the correct translation is "the killers" or
"the grizzlies" (see comments below).
Yosemite was set aside as a natural preserve in 1864 when Abraham Lincoln
signed the Yosemite Grant, which gave guardianship of Yosemite Valley and the
Mariposa Grove to the State of California.
Yosemite is a large park, but the main tourist sights are concentrated in the
Yosemite Valley. A paved road circles around the valley. Most tourists simply
drive around the road and take pictures of the main sights. At present, cars are
allowed within the Park. A free voluntary shuttle bus system is available to
many areas throughout Yosemite Valley. Entrance fees are collected at all
entrance stations.
Yosemite Valley: Google Earth
Natural Attractions
Half Dome (Yosemite's most distinctive
feature)
Upper Yosemite Falls (among the tallest
waterfalls in the world)
El Capitan (single largest block of
granite in the world)
Mariposa Grove (huge sequoia trees)
Mirror Lake (mirror reflections of
Tenaya Canyon)
Wild bears
Human Attractions
Lodges
Camping
Hotels
plus Visitor Centre,
painting, skiing, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, sailing, horse riding...
