California Trip Sep 2023

Plan - 7 days trip to California

Details - San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe

DAY 0

 So, the day kicked off at a pretty relaxed 11am. We hopped in the car, and after about 1.5 hours on the road from Fremont, we landed right in San Francisco. First things first, we hit up Lombard Street – you know, that super curvy one that's practically an urban roller coaster. It's like the city's way of saying, "Buckle up for some zigzags!"

Then, we moseyed on over to Pier 39 – a total hive of activity. Sea lions, tourists, street performers – you name it, they've got it. By this point, our stomachs were calling the shots, so we stopped by Boudin. Now, those sourdough bowls filled with Clam Chowder and Tomato Basil? Let's just say they hit the spot. Unfortunately, the chicken sandwich didn't quite make the cut, but hey, not every bite can be a winner. Stomachs satisfied, we went for a leisurely stroll along Piers 39 through 45. And whoa, talk about Snack Central! Street vendors were dishing out everything from juicy fruits to cool drinks – and yep, they even had some boozy options for those feeling a little adventurous. Next up, we cruised over the Golden Gate Bridge. Now, here's where things got a bit tricky. The bridge was playing hide and seek with the clouds – seriously, they were like clingy friends just hanging around the bridge. Not much bridge-viewing luck for us. But you know what they say about silver linings? The view from the other side was off-the-charts gorgeous. San Francisco's downtown skyline was strutting its stuff against the backdrop of clear skies. A cloudy bridge might've been a miss, but the city's skyline was definitely a hit.

Once we made it back from the bridge into the heart of San Francisco, we aimed our wheels towards the Palace of Fine Arts. A majestic palace with picturesque architecture and a serene lake backdrop. Cameras went into overdrive as we snapped pics from every angle. Parking? Well, that was a saga in itself. After a bit of a wait, luck finally smiled at us, and we snagged a parking spot. Time was creeping up, and the clock said it was about 6:30pm. Our next move? Ghirardelli Square, baby! We had one mission there: the ice cream extravaganza. Parking up near a dog park, Shanaya got a burst of excitement seeing a doggie playground. Ice cream cravings satisfied, we indulged in a Brownie Sundae that was the definition of awesome. The whole square was decked out in festive vibes, making the experience even sweeter. After soaking up the Square's atmosphere, our stomachs got back into the conversation. Dinner was on the agenda, and we figured why not go for something a bit more familiar – Indian cuisine. We had a spot in mind near Chinatown, but upon arriving, it was like the place got a "Nope, not this one" sign from us. But guess what? Our eyes caught a couple of Chinese restaurants with lines that could rival a roller coaster queue – especially the House of Nanking. The menu looked promising, but the wait was a solid hour, and our schedule wasn't feeling so patient. So, we waved goodbye to that plan and rolled up to a Nepali restaurant that was conveniently close. Dinner was a hit, and with full bellies, we made our way to our hotel for the night. Now, I'll level with you – Merced wasn't exactly the most happening place to shack up, but it was just a pit stop on our journey to Yosemite. So, a night in Merced? No biggie. 

DAY 1

Morning at the hotel brought a not-so-impressive breakfast situation – let's just say our taste buds were left unimpressed. But no biggie, we weren't exactly roaring with hunger anyway. A little nibble here, a sip of coffee there, and by 8:00 AM, we were back on the road, aiming to hit Yosemite by around 11 AM. Now, we had a hunch that traffic might want to tag along for the ride, but surprisingly, the road gods were on our side and the traffic wasn't the villain we expected.

Naturally, pit stops were part of the equation. We did the whole gas station tango, topped up the ice cooler, and cleverly packed Subway sandwiches to make sure our tummies stayed satisfied. And guess what? Our master plan worked like a charm – we rolled into Yosemite right on schedule, no delays, no detours.

So, after rolling up to our hotel, the thought of an early check-in crossed our minds – you know, to score that elusive parking spot and maybe drop our bags. They gave us the whole pre-registration spiel, but keys? Nah, those were only on the menu after 4 PM. Not the ideal news, but hey, they did drop a solid piece of info on us. Our initial grand plan involved hitting the Mist Trail on Day 3, but it turned out this trail was about to take a maintenance siesta. The catch? We could squeeze it in today if we hustled. And guess what? Hustle mode: ON.

With a quick rejig of plans, we ditched the Plan B and headed straight to the hotel. Car parked, essentials gathered, Subway sandwiches devoured, and we were ready to roll. Hopped onto the trusty Green Route bus and hopped off at Stop 16, primed for the Mist Trail. A 30-minute ride filled with fellow adventure-seekers, and man, was the park buzzing.

By the time we hit the trailhead around 12:45 PM, the sun was blazing high. The Mist Trail promised Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, with the "mist" bit being legit – the water spray from Vernal Falls likes to give hikers a cool refreshment. Now, our original game plan was to play it by ear and see if we could go all the way to Nevada Falls. The numbers? A round trip of 6.9 miles and a steep 2200 ft elevation gain – might be a bit much for Shanaya and Ishaan.

So, up we went, keeping the Merced River in sight and our cameras ready. First milestone? A bridge that gave us a distant view of Vernal Falls. We thought, "No way we're hiking up there," but we figured, let's see how far the trail takes us. Snapping photos along the way, we soaked up the glorious weather and the jaw-dropping scenery. Breaks? Yeah, we had a few – for pictures, of course.

Finally, we made it to the base of Vernal Falls, where the misty waterworks were in full swing. Of course, we couldn't resist getting up close and personal, and yep, that daring move resulted in a wet and wild adventure. Climbing up to the top of Vernal Falls, the valley view from up there was seriously next level. At this point, we were about 3.2 miles into the roundtrip – the point where turning back was an option. The kids were all ready for that choice, but not us adults.

Even though it was already 3:30 PM and the sun was slowly heading west, we had a crazy idea – let's keep going, all the way to Nevada Falls. The challenge? Making it back with enough daylight. We couldn't see Nevada Falls from where we were, but we figured, hey, let's roll the dice and take the chance. Adventure mode: LOCKED.

And now, it was time for the next level of our uphill journey. No more lingering for photos – a few snaps and videos, sure, but the priority was experiencing every step of this climb. Our mission was loud and clear: keep going until we're at the tippy-top. With Nevada Falls in our sights, distant but undeniable, we were faced with a challenge that seemed almost surreal. But quitting? Nah, that wasn't even a fleeting thought.

Neha, she was brimming with confidence. "Let's do it," she said, and honestly, she was the shot of determination we all needed. The reality hit me hard – opportunities like these aren't served on a platter every day. As we ascended, my concern floated towards Neha's heel pain. Regular check-ins were the order of the day, and thankfully, she was hanging in there.

At last, the Mist Trail bid us farewell as we approached its end. Exhausted kids? Check. Spirits unfazed? Absolutely. Reaching the top, we were a mere 0.2 miles away from Nevada Falls, on the John Muir Trail. And this stretch? It was blissfully flat. The sight of Nevada Falls from above was nothing short of breathtaking – like conquering the world. Kids, their grins were like trophies. Moments of quiet reflection punctuated our accomplishment.

Sharing the vista were some hardcore hikers who planned to conquer Half Dome. A little chat with them about their next-day plan sparked a conversation between Neha and me. My friend Praveena had tamed Half Dome, and as we pondered the challenge, we hatched a two-year plan to prepare and tackle it ourselves. Fingers crossed.

But for now, the return was on the agenda. We chose the John Muir Trail – longer but less rocky, and man, was it worth it. The route unfurled stunning valley views, and the change of scenery was a treat for the eyes. Hiking with Shanaya was like discovering a treasure trove of thoughts, tales, and laughter. No gadgets in sight – just us and the great outdoors, our minds wide open.

Getting back wasn't a walk in the park, though. Neha felt the descent was tougher than the ascent, courtesy of her nagging pain. I could see it in her eyes – discomfort, resilience, and an unspoken determination to push on. Sunset was closing in, and time was no longer a casual companion.

We kept a steady pace of around 2.5 miles per hour. Our rhythm carried us back to the trailhead just in time. Exhilarated, fatigued, but oh, what a sense of accomplishment. A bus ride back to the hotel followed, and dinner was sorted at the Basecamp Eatery right there. The menu? A good variety, and the food hit the spot. A satisfying end to a day of conquering heights and pushing limits.

DAY 2

After a marathon of a day, we hit the sheets like we were aiming for Olympic gold in sleep. The thought on our minds? Well, this marked the end of our hiking spree, and we were already plotting for a lighter day ahead. The lodge was a cozy haven, our room (number 4625, FYI) situated just a hop away from the Mountain Room restaurant. Oh, and guess what? There was a balcony too, the kind of surprise that makes you go, "Nice one, universe!"

Morning rolled in, and thanks to the magic of time zones, we sprang up early and ready for action. Day 2 was on the horizon, and we were pumped. Fresh as daisies, we wasted no time getting ready, landing ourselves at the Basecamp Eatery for breakfast. Big pancakes were on the menu, and Ishi couldn't have been happier. With our fuel tanks topped up, we were set for the adventures of the day.

Our game plan? Glacier Point was calling our names, just a 50-minute drive away. But before we tackled that, we had to make a mandatory pit stop at Tunnel View. From there, the whole Yosemite Valley was laid out like a buffet of natural beauty – Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls included. Photo frenzy? Absolutely.


Then, it was off to Washburn Point, another scenic spot that showed off Half Dome alongside Nevada and Vernal Falls. Seeing those waterfalls framed together was like an instant rewind to yesterday's big hike – a friendly reminder of what we'd achieved. And speaking of reminders, Half Dome's towering presence set the bar high for our next hiking goals.

Glacier Point took our breath away – like, literally. The view? Unparalleled. We clicked away, soaking up the grandeur, before we redirected ourselves to Sentinel Dome. Quick lunch in the parking lot, and we embarked on the hike towards the dome. A realization hit us – every upward hike seems like a monster, but they're often friendlier than they appear. Before long, we were at the base of the dome, with some sneaky black lizards around us.

Climbing up looked intimidating at first – slippery surface, no guardrails – but our trusty hiking shoes played their part. Up we went, the fear fizzling away, revealing an awe-inspiring view that included Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. Half Dome played peek-a-boo with the mountains on the other side, almost same hieght as sentinal dome and all seemed right with the world.

Rain arrived like an uninvited guest. Huddling under a tiny tree was our escape plan, and even though we got a little wet, Shanaya declared it "family bonding time." Now, with around 30 minutes shaved off due to the rain, we faced a crucial decision: hike the extra miles to Taft Point or stick with a 2.2-mile roundtrip to Sentinel Dome? Family voting time – except, it's not exactly democratic. We knew Shanaya and Ishaan would opt for the shorter option, so the challenge-loving adults usually tilted the scales toward the more adventurous choice. And this time, that meant moving on to Taft Point.

About a 3-mile trek to Taft Point, and it took us a solid 2 hours. Initially, the view wasn't much to write home about, but the closer we got, the more it hit us – the height of this place was no joke. There was this one spot, just a railing at the edge, and let me tell you, it took some courage to even peek over. We clung to each other like our lives depended on it, stepping carefully, eyes wide open. The view? Valley and Yosemite Falls on display, and boy, I don't think I've ever seen something so steep in my life. That got me thinking – am I generally scared of heights, or is this just a special case?

Back from Taft Point, we had a new goal – a spot about an hour's drive away. Time was ticking, it was nearing 6:15 PM, and Mariposa Grove was calling us with its giant Sequoias. As we pulled in, reality hit – a bus was needed to reach the grove, but the last one had already departed at 7 PM, and it was now 7:30. Major bummer alert. Just when we were about to pack up our dreams of colossal trees, we spotted a glimmer of hope – the bus was returning, dropping off its passengers. We thought, "Hey, let's roll the dice," and after a chat with the driver, he offered us an unconventional solution. We could follow his bus and make our way to the grove.

Excitement level up, we followed the bus and ended up amidst these mammoth Sequoias. They were ancient giants, some scarred by recent wildfires. We learned that Sequoias can grow up to 300 feet tall, span 35 meters wide, and reach the ripe old age of 3000 years. Most of the Sequoias in the park were a "mere" 800-1000 years old. Visiting the grove was a solid experience, but if we're honest, we did question if it justified a 2-hour round trip.

Heading back to the village, dinner beckoned, and Curry Village had our answer – pizza. With the pizza joint closing at 10 PM, it was a no-brainer. Two pizzas, one dining room, and a satisfied crew. Ice cream? Normally a hit with the kids, but after that pizza feast, they were as stuffed as a turkey on Thanksgiving.

Emerging from the dining room, darkness swallowed the parking lot – but the sky? It was a twinkling masterpiece. Stars galore. Shanaya, in her usual inquisitive style, started in with constellation questions, and while I'm no star expert, we whipped out the trusty planet app and spotted a couple of planets hanging out up there. Eventually, it was time to head back to the hotel, tuck ourselves in, and drift into dreamland. A day of adventure and exploration topped off with a side of stargazing wonder.