Yosemite + Fresno: A 4-Day Nature Recharge 🌲✨🚗

Last week, we took a road trip to Yosemite — hiking, picnicking, stargazing, and wandering through forests, creeks, meadows, and waterfalls. Felt like free little monkeys 🐒💨. This trip was incredibly calming — returned feeling recharged and renewed. Being offline for three days made life feel beautifully simple. No outside noise, no pressure — just pure, worry-free joy 🌌🧘‍♀️. Quick Itinerary Breakdown: Day 1 ☀️ Left the Bay Area in the morning → stopped in Gilroy for cherry picking 🍒 🦒 Afternoon in Fresno → visited Fresno Chaffee Zoo (giraffe feeding was so therapeutic!) 🍢 Highly recommend J Pot in Fresno for dinner — way better than BBQ spots in the Bay! 🌙 Stayed overnight in Oakhurst Day 2 🚗 Drove toward Yosemite (took longer than expected with a stop at the Historic Center + park entrance wait 🚦) 📸 Entered around 5 PM → scenic drive with stops: Tunnel View Bridalveil Fall Yosemite Chapel Swinging Bridge Picnic Area 🏨 Stayed at Yosemite Valley Lodge Day 3 🚌 Took the shuttle to trailheads (waited 30 mins — busy but worth it!) 🥾 Hiked Mist Trail (bring waterproof gear! 🌧️ Absolutely stunning — highly recommend!) 💧 Also did Mirror Lake — nice but not as impressive after Mist Trail Day 4 🌊 Took the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail (easy & beautiful — huge waterfall views right near the lodge) 🍽️ Dinner at The Mountain Room — steaks were perfect, apps and entrees all delicious 😋➕cozy atmosphere! Yosemite right now is like something out of a dream 💫 — the waterfalls are roaring, the greens are glowing… totally recommend visiting this season! #Yosemite #YosemiteTravel #NationalParks #CaliforniaRoadTrip #NatureEscape #HikingAdventure #FresnoZoo #TravelDiary