The scenery in Yosemite is absolutely awe inspiring. With the magnificent views in the valley and the surrounding areas, it is no surprise that Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in the US. One side effect of this is that at times the number of park visitors can be overwhelming, not just for other visitors but for park employees, facilities and infrastructure too. The wait at the entrances can routinely be an hour or longer to get in, but we had no cars ahead of us. We we able to mitigate much of this by arriving early in the day but more importantly, by scheduling our trip after Labor Day. This cut the crowds down dramatically.
We have found that the area around Oakhurst is a great jumping off point for visiting Yosemite. There are plenty of affordable hotels and decent Air BNBs in the area. Depending upon the time of year this is about an hour to Yosemite Valley, even less for the Wawona area or Mariposa Grove. Depending upon your plans, this could allow you to bypass the valley and head to Glacier Point if so desired.
My favorite place in the valley is the Tunnel View. As the name implies, it is famour for being the view one sees immediately upon exiting the Wawona Road Tunnel. From this vantage point, Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and other landmarks are readily available. There is a trail from the parking lot which circles back to above the tunnel entrance for an even better view. Be prepared for haze if there early in the morning. It will burn off quickly though.
To view webcams and check current conditions, click the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
