Is one day enough at Yosemite?

Question

Hi everyone, I am visiting SF with my partner for the first time and since we might only visit once (or more depends on future), we decided we have to cover Yosemite during our trip. We are at crossroads on deciding the number of days to spend at Yosemite. We are visiting in August and since we will be remote, we decided to spend remote working days in SF and 3 vacation days in National Parks,

Tentative Itinerary:

Arrive SFO on Friday night

Day 1 (Saturday) - Cover highlight spots in Yosemite and stay at a hotel near to Sequoia National Park

Day 2 (Sunday) - Cover highlight spots in Sequoia National Park and stay at a hotel near to Big Sur

Day 3 (Monday) - Visit Big Surr and travel back to SF to spend the night

Rest of the days are for exploring the city.

We are at Crossroads of deciding whether to stay 2 days at Yosemite and 3rd at Sequoia National Park and head back to SF and skip Big Sur or go with the aboe tentative itinerary.

Any tips would be really helpful in helping us decide what should we do.

Answer

Yosemite is a vast and diverse park, and while one day is technically enough to see a few highlights, it will be very rushed, especially in August when crowds are at their peak. Your tentative itinerary is ambitious, covering multiple national parks and Big Sur in just three days, so you’ll need to balance travel time versus sightseeing.

Option 1: One Day at Yosemite (Tentative Itinerary)

This would allow you to hit the major landmarks, but keep in mind that you will spend significant time driving and dealing with parking and shuttle logistics. If you follow this plan:

Arrive early at Yosemite to maximize sightseeing before driving to Sequoia.
Focus on iconic spots that are easily accessible by car or short walks: Yosemite Valley viewpoints, Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, and El Capitan Meadow.
Skip or limit hikes, as even short ones can take time with traffic and parking delays.
Be prepared for a long day; you’ll likely leave Yosemite in late afternoon for Sequoia, which is a several-hour drive.

Pros:

Allows you to see Yosemite, Sequoia, and Big Sur in three days.
Maintains your original plan to return to SF without skipping any destinations.

Cons:

Very rushed, may feel stressful.
Limited time to truly experience Yosemite; traffic and parking delays are common in August.
Little flexibility for spontaneous stops or minor hikes.

Option 2: Two Days at Yosemite, Skip Big Sur

Spending two days at Yosemite would allow for a more relaxed pace, better chance to see high country (Tioga Road, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove if accessible), and maybe even a short hike. Then you could do one day at Sequoia and return to SF, skipping Big Sur.

Day 1: Yosemite Valley highlights, short walks, shuttle access.
Day 2: Explore more remote areas, Tioga Pass if open, Glacier Point, or other kid/family-friendly scenic stops.
Day 3: Drive to Sequoia, see the main highlights, then return to SF.

Pros:

More relaxed and enjoyable experience in Yosemite.
Allows you to see more than just the valley highlights.
Reduces risk of feeling rushed and stressed from driving long distances.

Cons:

You would need to skip Big Sur.
Requires careful planning for accommodation inside or near Yosemite.

Recommendation

If your priority is to truly experience Yosemite, it’s worth spending two days there and seeing Sequoia briefly, even if it means skipping Big Sur. One day at Yosemite is possible but very rushed and may leave you feeling like you only “ticked boxes” without soaking in the park’s beauty. Consider your tolerance for long drives and your desire for a relaxed pace versus seeing more locations.

Is one day enough at Yosemite?

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