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Corlieu Falls near Tenaya at Yosemite

One Day Itinerary Sleep Late

Sleep Late and Discover a Different Way to Do Yosemite in a Day

Not every Yosemite day needs an early alarm or a packed schedule. This itinerary takes a more relaxed approach—blending time at Tenaya with nearby trails, scenic drives, and a well-timed visit into Yosemite Valley. It’s a way to experience the park that feels less rushed, more personal, and just as memorable.

LATE MORNING: EASE INTO THE DAY

A Tenaya at Yosemite guest enjoying a beverage in an Adirondack chair

Let the Morning Come to You

  • Let yourself sleep in—no alarms, no pressure. Grab a latte at Parkside Deli, linger near the lobby firepit, and breathe in that pine-scented air. Or–give yourself even more time in bed with room service.
Two kids exploring the climbing wall at Tenaya at Yosemite

The Adventure Comes Standard

  • Try your aim at on-site archery, take a mountain bike for a ride on a nearby trail, or ascend to new heights on our climbing wall—all included in your stay.

AFTERNOON: FROM WATERFALL TO WIDE OPEN VIEWS

Corlieu Falls near Tenaya at Yosemite

Choose Your Local Adventure

  • When you’re ready to roam, Corlieu Falls delivers Sierra magic. This tucked-away trail is part of Lewis Creek and offers a forested walk to a 50-foot cascade that tumbles through mossy boulders and fern-framed rock.
  • If you’d rather a scenic drive with impressive views, point your wheels toward the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway—a 90+ mile loop winding through the Sierra National Forest with sweeping vistas, granite cliffs, wildflower fields, and alpine lakes. It’s a photographer’s dream and a crowd-dodger’s paradise.
An aerial view of tree tops in afternoon light

Back to Base, Then Up

  • Make a quick stop back at Tenaya to reset—change into layers, fuel up, and grab to-go snacks from Parkside Deli. Toss a few blankets in the car; you’ll want them later. Then ease back into the day. After Corlieu Falls, wind your way up toward Glacier Point Road, where the forest thins and the air shifts.
A beautiful waterfall in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite from Above

  • Park at the Taft Point trailhead and follow the easy, 2.2-mile roundtrip path through sunlit pines. It opens suddenly—sheer cliffs, open sky, and a quieter view across to El Capitan that feels a world away from the Valley floor.
  • As you hike, keep your eyes peeled for scurrying marmots, soaring hawks and eagles, and the quick flashes of Western Fence Lizards basking on warm granite—easy to recognize by their signature blue bellies.

EVENING: STARGAZING UNDER SIERRA SKIES

A car on the road to Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park

Chasing the Last Light

  • Head back to the car and stay on Glacier Point Road to continue to the overlook. This is Yosemite at full scale—Half Dome, Nevada Fall, and the Valley stretched out below. Find a spot, take it in, and let the light do its thing. As the sun drops, the granite warms, shadows lengthen, and the day settles into something softer.
A beautiful starry sky over Half Dome in Yosemite Valley

Stay for the Stars

  • This is where those blankets come in! Settle in, let your eyes adjust, and watch the sky take over. Join a naturalist-led stargazing program or find your own quiet spot as constellations sharpen and the Milky Way begins to emerge. With minimal light and wide-open sky, the night becomes the main event.