Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the East-Central portion of the state of California. Although part of the park is closed by snow in the late fall to early spring, there are a number of activities that are enjoyed year around. And, although there are many different hotels and lodges in the area, they can be crowded and pricey. Researching Yosemite vacation homes for your family’s trip to the area can be a better option, putting you closer to the park itself and saving you money in the process.

While you are researching the possibility of using Yosemite vacation homes, keep in mind that you have to factor the cost of parking at the park for every day that you visit there. To cut down on some of the traffic that is coming in and out of Yosemite and therefore to reduce the amount of pollution being created, the park service created a parking fee for those who are not registered at nearby hotels. The price of the Yosemite vacation homes should be low enough that this parking fee will not matter. If you are close enough to the park however, there is an option of using one of the buses to get to and from instead of driving at all.

Many people find staying at Yosemite vacation homes a better option than staying at a hotel not only because of the price but because it more cozy and more like being at home. Since there is so much to do and to see, most people choose to stay at these vacation homes so that they can be nearer to the action and farther away from the tourist traps and the over priced merchandise which can cheapen the experience. No one wants to spend the day hiking in the splendor of nature, seeing birds, bears and waterfalls only to return to the harsh overhead lighting of a chain hotel that is the same as the one in Yuma or Boca Raton or Cleveland for that matter. They want to stay somewhere that will echo some of that natural charm and elegance of the area.

The argument can be made that for those who want to have the real experience of Yosemite that camping is the only way to go. But, not everyone is interested in staying in the camp grounds, not everyone is interested in roughing it. Think about it: there are bears in Yosemite National Park. Sure, it might be nice to see a bear in the distance, during day light hours, but to wake up with one rooting through your camp area in the middle of the night is not such a peaceful, tranquil vacation moment for most people. Choosing Yosemite vacation homes lets you be close to the action in the daytime and farther away from the danger at night so that you get the best of both possible worlds.