Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of the most famous U.S. national parks, so make sure to reserve your spot early! The ideal time to go is in spring or early summer when the falls are at their peak. It's a spectacular show of water, sound, and the sheer force of nature. There's also free bus service to take you to the different points of interest in the park. We spent three full days hiking and there were lots of different routes to choose from ranging from simple strolls to challenging trekking and even rock climbing. It's all very well put together and visitor-friendly, but there is still plenty of spaces where you can be alone and enjoy the silence and tranquility of nature.

Yosemite is a vast natural park most famous for its impressive glacial valley surrounded by the largest granite faces in the world. The are lots of different routes that wind through the valley, but choose wisely: the valley trails tend to be either very easy and flat along the valley floor or very difficult and steep up the granite walls. Personally, I'd suggest the latter as you can get some unbelievable views of the falls, especially in springtime when they're swollen from the melted snow.

I'd also recommend spending at least two nights inside the park. For one thing, it takes a good while to reach the park, especially if you're coming from San Francisco. Secondly, there's just so much to see (for nature-lovers, at least). Like all national parks, it's perfectly set up for visitors and there are free buses that can take you from point to point and all the maps and information points are free.

Glaciers have never carved a valley has remarkable as the beauty it left in Yosemite Valley in northern California. Sheared granite cliffs that extend out of alpine forests - some stark and straight like El Capitan and some much smoother like the curves of Half Dome - each allowing the seasonal water flows to tumble over the edges. This glaciated valley is nature's most beautiful and stunning accomplishment.

Yosemite National Park is a magical place with tons of beautiful spots to explore. You obviously have lots of options for hiking and climbing, but I'd recommend visiting Mirror Lake, checking out the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove, and having a snowball fight at Glacier Point!

The view of Yosemite Valley is spectacular made only more sublime with the clouds. February is a great time to visit when the crowds are small. It inspires me to return in summer to hike the high country and appreciate the granite domes of California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

Majestic - one of many views of yosemite undefined

I have been to some natural parks in Arizona and California that are really impressive sites. The first surprised me by being so different from what I'm used to, and the second was just so big and spectacular ... highly recommended.