Northern California Vacation: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Surrounding Areas

California Highlights

Even though we got back home on Wednesday, tonight is officially our last night of vacation. We have been pretending that we have still been on vacation since then. We did such a good job of that we even forgot that everyone else was not on vacation. We were slightly embarrassed when we tried to go out to dinner at 4:30 pm on a Friday night, but the restaurant hadn’t started serving the dinner menu or specials yet. Of course not; the rest of Long Island was still at work.

Oops.

But tomorrow morning, that all comes to an end.

This is only a foreboding harbinger that is yet to come at the end of August when school starts again and vacation really ends; I am not sure which is more devastating to me.

In honor of trying to squeeeeeeeze every last minute and memory from our trip, I will share a few of the highlights that I haven’t shared before – mostly from Yosemite NP, Mono Lake, and the drive between there and Tahoe.

An amazing plot of land in God’s country.

Tranquil lake scene with reeds, wildflowers, and seagulls on the shore, surrounded by mountains, perfect for nature and outdoor photography. — Mono Lake, just east of Yosemite

Serene landscape with calm lake, distant mountains, and open skies, perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. — Mono Lake Basin

Serene landscape of Mono Lake with unique limestone formations, calm waters, distant mountains, and sparse vegetation, capturing natural beauty and tranquility. — Mono Lake Tufta

Serene wooden pathway winding through a lush green meadow with unique white rock formations under a bright blue sky and mountain backdrop. — The pathway leading away from Mono Lake

Serene mountain landscape with a calm river, lush greenery, and clear blue sky at A Hundred Affections. — Heading East from Tahoe, just before Monitor Pass

Scenic outdoor hot springs surrounded by mountains with a couple enjoying the natural setting, perfect for relaxation and connecting with nature. — Travertine Hot Springs – beautiful pools with a view of the Sierra Nevadas

Beautiful couple enjoying a scenic outdoor hot spring in nature landscape with mountains and rocky terrain, perfect for travel and adventure lovers. — A view of the hot springs looking the opposite direction

Vast mountain landscape with rolling hills, dry plains, sparse vegetation, and a winding road under a partly cloudy sky. — Along the Sierra Nevadas

Vast mountain landscape with lush green trees and clear blue sky in the background, showcasing natural southwestern scenery and outdoor beauty. — Another beautiful vista along the way

Serene mountain landscape with clear blue sky, fluffy clouds, and rustic barn in a rural setting, perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. — Ranch in the Sierra Nevadas

Vast agricultural valley seen from a mountain, with patches of green fields, scattered farms, rolling hills, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. — Crossing back into California, overlooking Carson Valley, Nevada

If all that beauty wasn’t enough, we finally were able to go into Yosemite Park. (Unfortunately, we didn’t get to spend much time there. We had to be back north and over the mountain before nightfall, and we totally underestimated how big the park was. It took us an hour and a half to just drive through the park east to west across the Tioga Pass. But here is what we did get to see. Still pretty amazing!)