tranzparency

Climbed shasta with my brother and a friend. Never knew how tough the Mountain would be to me. But I learned what it meant to overcome one’s self not once but hundreds of times in a day.

I’ve been here over 10 times in my life and I can’t get enough. The trick to Yosemite is to not be a camera toting tourist (if you get my drift).

Spend a day and see the Valley. Check out lower Yosemite Falls, the Ahwanee Lodge, Yosemite Village, El Capitan, and Camp 4 (where the climbers hang out). Then head up to Glacier Point and enjoy the view from 3000 feet above the valley. There are few places greater on earth to enjoy (by car) than here. It is breathtaking.

Aside from the Valley: Tuolumne meadows, the Falls Trail (valley day access), and Mirror Lake during winter (valley access) are great places to see. Don’t forget.. If you need a shower, head over to Curry Village. These people pay good money to stay there but this is nature. No hi-tech key cards needed for the showers. Just act like you belong and you’re in.

Now, the real secret of Yosemite: a wilderness permit. I have been many times. But the key to seeing yosemite is grabbing a backpack, cooking gear, food, and heading into the wilderness. You’ll need a bear canister but they will rent one to you for a could of dollars. Use this this mini-plasic keg. It will keep the bears out of your tent. Been there, done that. It sounds complicated but you’d be amazed that with a little planning enjoying Yosemite away from the crowds & the solitude of nature is super easy.. Worried about bears? If you come across a bear , act crazy and make lots of noise They will will take off quick. Believe me, I should know. I was the lone human with bear contact in the SF Chronicle one year.

I went to Yosemite on Memorial Day Weekend. They had record attendance in the park. The valley was a parking lot, like a packed freeway. We went to Wawona and got a wilderness permit. 3 hours hike, we were sitting on the top on a 500 foot waterfall while a thousand or more people were frustrated with each others presence in the valley. I think I saw 20 people the whole weekend. It was heaven!

Even on the busiest of holidays, grab the permit, and Yosemite is yours! Even locals don’t know about how easy it is to have Yosemite to yourself.

What can I say?? Growing up 45 minutes from here in Beaver Cleaverville, I didn’t waste a moment getting out to the most European city in the United States. From great food to a very open attitude toward people’s individual choice of who they want to be, I couldn’t image living anywhere else in the US, and I have..

If you are coming to the city let me know. I live in the heart of the Mission and try to offer up space once a month to travelers who need a place to stay for a couple days.