1. Take in the sights of Tunnel View

Tell somebody that you are going to see Yosemite National Park for the first time, and they are probably going to tell you that Tunnel View is something you shouldn’t miss.

Tunnel View is one of the most popular vista points in Yosemite. If you take in the view here, you’ll be looking at Yosemite Valley from an elevation of around 4000ft. And that’s a treat in itself. That’s not all. From here, you see many of the famous rocks of the park like El Capitan, Half Dome and Three Brothers. You will even see Bridal Veil Falls in the distance.

This famous overlook is just off Wawona Road (Highway 41). It’s by the Wawona Tunnel and there are a couple of parking lots here.

2. Pay your respects to El Capitan

And when you drive down into Yosemite Valley, make sure to stop and look up at El Capitan. Even if you’ve seen it from Tunnel View, it’s a whole different experience to see it from the valley.

El Capitan rises to a height of 3000 ft.y and is one of the most popular granites of the park. It is also said to be the ‘the tallest exposed vertical face of granite’ on our planet. And that’s just another reason to take a good look at it.

3. See how much water there is at Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is another must-see when you are in Yosemite. It is a sight to see from afar and from the valley.

This waterfall is a perennial one, however, the amount of water falling off that rock face will differ as the year goes on. Whatever the season, the water always puts on a great show, sometimes along with the wind that blows in the area.

4. Spot Half Dome

Half Dome is unmissable thanks to its unique shape. Whether you see it from Tunnel View or from Yosemite Valley, it is sure to stand out! It is that rock with one flat side and a half dome on the other side.

Being another iconic sight of Yosemite National Park, Half Dome rises a good 5000ft. from the valley, and can be seen from various parts of the park.

More things to see and do in Yosemite Valley

5. Say Hello to the Three Brothers

With so many rock formations lending uniqueness to the landscape of this National Park in California, it is such fun to look at all the rocky structures here and try to identify them.

The Three Brothers are also very recognizable for they are a set of three cliffs that peek out of the valley. You might have seen them from the Tunnel View overlook, now see the trio from the valley as you drive through South Side Drive and some of the stops you make there.

6.Catch sight of Yosemite Falls

As you drive further into the valley, look out for Upper Yosemite Falls. This fall too is visible from several places in the valley, especially towards the eastern part of it. You won’t miss it.

Making a fall from 2425 feet, this waterfall is the tallest one in Yosemite National Park and one of the tallest ones in North America. It is made up of three tiers. While the Upper Yosemite is the easiest to spot, you can easily hike to the foot of the Lower Fall. (More about that, later in the post.)

7. Step out into El Capitan Meadow

As you turn around onto Northside Drive and take in more sights from the valley, make sure to stop by El Capitan Meadow. Step out from your car a take another good look at El Capitan.

When you stand at the very foot of El Capitan, its size will fill you with awe and you’ll know why it is called what it is called. You might even see rock climbers scaling the steep sides of this monolith.

Must do in Yosemite Valley

8. Stop to take photographs at Valley View

This is another must-do as far as things to see and do in Yosemite Valley are concerned. After you spend some time in the valley and are driving out, make sure to stop at Valley View at the end of Northside Drive for another great view of the recognizable landmarks of Yosemite.

Here, you can see a good part of what you saw from Tunnel View but from another perspective — the valley view!

Easy Hikes in Yosemite Valley

9. Stroll to Bridal Veil Falls

For those of you who don’t have much time to spend in the valley but would still like to do a bit of walking, we recommend a stroll to Bridal Veil Falls. It’s an easy walk on a paved trail and so, a must-do.

Now, this trail is only around .4 miles or so from the parking lot and it takes you to the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. Depending on the season, you might see a lot of water gushing down the rock face or maybe not so much if you are there in the fall.

10. Walk up to the foot of Lower Yosemite Falls

Finally, if you are up for a walk that’s slightly longer, on this first visit to Yosemite Valley, you could hit the trail to Lower Yosemite Falls.

This trail too is paved and the hike is fairly *easy. Lower Yosemite Falls trail is a loop and it is around 1 mile in length. It is a popular trail so if you are there on a weekend or in the summer, you will encounter a lot of people along the trail and by the waterfall.

*visitors on wheelchairs might find a small portion of the trail a bit steep. If you’d like to avoid it, you could take the trail from the eastern side and take the same route back after you have spent some time at the waterfall.

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Find more info on the park’s official site