Located in Central California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park encompasses an incredible 1,170 square miles of breathtaking natural splendor, ranging in altitude from 2,000 feet to more than 13,000 feet above sea level. It's hard to believe that this tranquil oasis is just hours from bustling cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Reno. And though the pristine environment of the Yosemite Valley is passionately protected, the Park does offer a host of year-round conveniences and guest services so that visitors can make the most of their experience while still observing a respect for the land. One of the most photographed parks in the world - many people recognize beautiful Half Dome pictured above and marvel at how it changes color with the different angles of the Sun. Bridal Veil Falls (pictured below) is another awe-inspiring site.

Yosemite's first residents were Native Americans who may have first inhabited the region as many as 10,000 years ago. The area's most recent tribe, the Miwok, named Yosemite Valley "Ahwahnee" or "place of the gaping mouth," and thus they called themselves the Ahwahneechee. These American Indians had a rich culture and were frequent traders with tribes from the eastern side of the Sierra.

The Homestead B&B, Ahwahnee
private romantic cabin lodging on a picturesque mountainside.

1859 Historic National Hotel, Jamestown
One of California's finest gold country historic hotels.