The Yosemite Holiday Visitor's Guide: Eat, Play and Stay local. Experience Yosemite Like a Local

The holidays in the Yosemite Region are peaceful, sparkling, and wildly underrated. Between crisp morning air, quiet trails, cozy Groveland restaurants, and thoughtful local services, winter is one of the easiest—and most magical—times to explore.

As locals, we spend winters bouncing between Groveland comforts and Yosemite adventures. This guide gives you an itinerary-style look at exactly how we recommend you spend your time here: where to eat, where to explore, what to expect on winter roads, and how to give your dog their own Yosemite adventure while you are away!

Whether you're visiting for the holidays, planning a getaway with friends, or building new winter traditions, here's how to do Yosemite like a local.

DAY ONE | Groveland Breakfast → Snowshoeing the Giant Sequoias → Ice Cream → Tapas Dinner

Start in Groveland: Breakfast at Lucky Buck Café

Begin your day with a classic diner breakfast at Lucky Buck Café, only minutes from Yosemite Basecamp. This is the kind of hearty fuel you want before a snowshoe trek—eggs, hot coffee, and a warm welcome that sets the tone for your adventure.

If you're staying at Yosemite Basecamp, enjoy a slow morning enjoying your Light Hiker's Breakfast, pack your layers, and head into the park through the Big Oak Flat Entrance, just 24 miles up Hwy 120.

Morning Adventure: Snowshoe Among the Giant Sequoias

Winter is one of the best times to wander among Yosemite’s giant sequoias. The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, located off Hwy 120 just inside the Big Oak Flat Entrance, is the most accessible grove for winter visitors coming from Groveland.

Why locals love this winter hike:

• Snowshoeing or walking through quiet forest roads

• Towering, ancient trees dusted with snow

• A peaceful, family-friendly adventure

• Incredible photo opportunities

• No summer crowds

Reminders:

• Tire chains may be required; so you are required to carry them even if you have AWD.

• The first part of the trail descends—you’ll climb back up on the return.

• Bring layers; Yosemite’s winter weather changes fast.

• Check conditions before heading out or grab last minute gear like warm socks or YakTraks at the Yosemite Basecamp Outfitter

• Book with Echo Adventure Cooperative if you would rather let someone else do the driving while you enjoy a full day in Yosemite

Afternoon Sweet Stop: Grove Mercantile

After a day in the snow, head back toward Groveland for a well-earned treat at Grove Mercantile & Microcreamery. Ice cream tastes shockingly good after winter adventures, and locals swear by their rotating seasonal flavors.

Evening: Tapas Dinner in Groveland

Gateway Tapas & Spirits provides the perfect post-adventure meal. Warm lighting, shared plates, and a relaxed atmosphere inside of one of our oldest hotels makes it a favorite for cozy winter evenings.

After dinner, head back to your cabin at the Yosemite Basecamp and enjoy hot cocoa and microwave popcorn while you watch netflix on the large screen. Winter evenings at Basecamp are simple, grounding, and full of small comforts.

DAY TWO | Ice Skating in the Sierra → Yosemite Falls Stroll → Cozy Night at Yosemite Basecamp

Morning: Curry Village Ice Rink

Location: Yosemite Valley

Season: Typically late November–February (weather + staffing dependent)

Skating at Curry Village is classic Yosemite winter magic—picture yourself gliding under granite cliffs with views of Glacier Point and Half Dome.

Local Tip: Curry Village Ice Rink is beloved but unpredictable. Always check current status the morning of, as storms affect operations.

Afternoon: Walk to Lower Yosemite Fall

From your own winter blogs:Lower Yosemite Fall is one of the easiest, most beautiful winter walks in the Valley and takes you to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America!

Why locals recommend it:

• Paved and accessible even after storms

• Flat, short, and family-friendly (1-mile loop)

• Stunning winter light

• Frozen mist and “snow cone” formations

• Much quieter than summer

• Perfect for kids, grandparents, and casual walkers

Pro-Tip: Bring microspikes/YakTraks if the forecast calls for freezing temperatures—shaded parts of the trail can get slick.

DAY THREE | Enjoy Downtown Groveland → Afternoon Hike or Rent a Bike→ Grab a Pizza to Go!

After two full days of Yosemite winter magic, Day Three is your “slow + local” day — the perfect time to enjoy Groveland, get outside without crowds, and wrap the trip with something comforting and delicious from Two Guys Pizza Pies.

☕ Mountain Sage Coffee

Beautiful garden, warm drinks, art gallery energy. Perfect slow morning.

🛍 Yosemite Basecamp Outfitter & Fly Shop

Used + new apparel, cold-weather essentials, and holiday gifts.

🤠 Ranch Revived Decor

More than ranch vides, Ranch Revived Decor is curated antiques by a local rancher

🌲 Historic Downtown Groveland

A mile of boutiques, antiques, gift stores, and friendly faces.

It’s a simple day, but one that always feels like the heart of a Yosemite trip.

Here are two great options depending on weather, mood, and road conditions:

OPTION A: Rent a Bike + Explore the Ferretti Trails

If you want to stay close to town, stretch your legs, and enjoy some of the best community-built trails in the Sierra, head to the Ferretti Trails — just minutes from Yosemite Basecamp.

Built and maintained by the Groveland Trail Heads, this network offers:

• Family-friendly forest loops

• Beginner and intermediate mountain biking trails

• Winter-friendly terrain (usually rideable unless it’s storming)

• Gorgeous views + quiet forest vibes

• A perfect local adventure without the drive into the park

You can rent bikes from Echo Adventure Cooperative or bring your own — and the locals will tell you that the Ferretti Trails are one of Groveland’s best hidden gems.

Local Tip: Even if you’re not a biker, the trails are perfect for an easy forest walk.

OPTION B: Hetch Hetchy & Wapama Falls (Weather Dependent)

If conditions allow, winter is a spectacular time to visit Hetch Hetchy — one of Yosemite’s least crowded and most dramatic landscapes.

From the O'Shaughnessy Dam, you can hike the classic Wapama Falls Trail, a safer winter alternative to many higher-elevation trails.

Why locals love this hike in winter:

• Lower elevation means minimal snow compared to Tuolumne or the Valley rim

• Incredible granite walls, blue reservoir water, and peaceful vibes

• A well-maintained trail with just enough adventure

• Winter waterflow at Wapama Falls can be stunning

• Fewer people = quiet nature experience

Local Safety Reminder:Storms can close the Hetch Hetchy Road with little notice. Always check Current Conditions before leaving Groveland.

ProTip: Book with Echo Adventure Cooperative if you would rather let someone else do the driving while you enjoy a full day in Yosemite

After Your Adventure: Grab a Pizza from Two Guys Pizza Pies

Once you’ve biked the Ferretti Trails or taken in Hetch Hetchy, head back to town for the one meal everyone agrees on after an adventure:

Two Guys Pizza Pies.It’s local, it’s comforting, it’s delicious, and it’s the perfect end to a winter trip. Call ahead, grab a hot pizza to-go, and enjoy it back at your lodging!

DOG-FRIENDLY PLANS: Yosemite Tails & Trails

Since Yosemite’s winter rules limit where dogs can go, Yosemite Tails & Trails gives your pup a safe, enriching alternative.

They offer:

• Winter hikes

• Social play

• Cozy boarding

• Tired, happy pups at pickup

Locals rely on them year-round—it’s how dog parents make Yosemite trips stress-free.

WINTER DRIVING + CHAIN FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

See More in “Tire Chains 101” blog:

• You must carry tire chains in Yosemite in winter—even if you have 4WD or AWD.

• Practice putting them on before you need them.

• Expect icy mornings on Hwy 120; shaded corners stay frozen all day.

• Screenshot or save driving directions—cell service drops quickly.

• Check:

  • NPS Road Conditions

  • CalTrans Chain Controls (Hwy 120)

  • Yosemite Basecamp Outfitter

• Weather changes quickly—Plan B options are your best friend.

This is why staying in Groveland works so well: you can adapt your plans without being locked into Valley closures.

SUMMER ADVENTURES TO BOOK NOW (TRUST US)

Even while it’s snowing, summer bookings are already filling up and we know you'll want to come back!

• Sierra Mac River Trips (Tuolumne, Cherry Creek, Merced)

• Miller’s Off-Road Adventures (family-friendly Jeep tours)

• Echo Adventure Cooperative (fly fishing, guided hikes, backpacking)

Don’t wait until spring—locals and repeat visitors always book early.

A Yosemite Basecamp Gift Card makes this easy: Give now, choose the adventure later!

WHY GROVELAND MAKES THE PERFECT WINTER BASECAMP

• Quick access to Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance

• Lower elevation = fewer travel disruptions

• Grocery, restaurants, and shops close to lodging

• Local trail systems

• Amazing services that can help you make the most of your time.

• Helpful humans who actually live here

• More flexible lodging options than inside the park

• Great for families seeking predictability

Groveland is a gateway community that still feels like a real community.

OTHER OPTIONS TO EXPLORE DURING YOUR VISIT

Hotels

• Yosemite Basecamp

• Groveland Hotel

• Blackberry Inn

Resorts

• Chicken Ranch Casino

• Firefall Resort

Food

• Priest Station

• Iron Door Saloon

• Cocina Micheocana

READY TO PLAN YOUR WINTER GETAWAY?

Explore more winter itineraries, adventure ideas, and local insider tips:👉 YosemiteBasecamp.com/LikeALocal👉 WhatToDoInYosemite.com

If you need help planning routes, finding dog care, understanding chain requirements, or choosing the right adventure—just ask us. We love helping people experience Yosemite the way locals do.