Travel and Attractions
Paradise Springs is about a 4 hour drive from the San Francisco airport. There are plenty of things to do in the San Francisco and Yosemite areas. Below is a list of a few highlights and recommendations.
San Francisco, CA
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is 1.7 miles long.
San Francisco, CA
Take a tour of Alcatraz Island. The audio tour "Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour" which is included in the price of admission is highly recommended. Tickets sell out over a month in advance, so remember to book ahead of time. Tickets are $40 per person and include the boat ride and audio tour of Alcatraz.
Yosemite, CA
Yosemite Valley is located about 1.5 hours north of Paradise Springs. From the valley, see towering granite cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, rivers, and lush meadows. The park gets crowded on the weekends, so a weekday visit is advised. It is recommended to park in one of the main parking lots in the valley and take the park's free shuttle bus around the park. Stop by the Valley Visitor Center to learn how rivers and glaciers formed the valley. See stunning views of El Capitan and Half Dome. A few recommended short hikes are listed below. There is an entrance fee of $35 per vehicle; the pass is good for a week.
Yosemite National Park, CA
0.5 mile round-trip hike. Easy. Access: From shuttle bus stop no. 6, follow paved path from Yosemite Fall parking area to base of waterfall.
Lower Yosemite Fall reaches 320 ft. It is fed from above by Upper Yosemite Fall (1,1430 ft) and the middle cascades (675 ft). Yosemite Falls flows approximately November through July, so with luck it will still be flowing during the wedding.
If Lower Yosemite Fall is not flowing, consider stopping by Bridalveil Fall which flows all year.
Yosemite National Park, CA
2 mile round-trip hike. Easy. Access: Shuttle bus stop no. 17.
This paved trail climbs about 60 feet along the west side of Tenaya Creek to Mirror Lake, where you'll likely see overhanging rock formations reflected in the lake's still surface.
Yosemite National Park, CA
1.6 mile moderate round-trip hike to Vernal Fall Footbridge. 2.4 miles strenuous round-trip hike to the top of Vernal Fall. From Happy Isles (shuttle bus stop no. 16), walk to Happy Isles Bridge. Cross bridge and follow signs to the trail.
From the Happy Isles Bridge, the trail climbs 400 feet to the Vernal Fall Bridge, which offers a distant view of the Falls. From the bridge, there are two paths. We recommend taking a left to walk along the Mist Trail to the base of Vernal Falls. When you get close to the Falls, you will approach a steep climb up 500 steps to the top. You can either enjoy the Falls from below or decide to venture up to the top. The climb is wet, picturesque, and refreshing. Be careful - the rocks can be slippery.
Vernal Fall flows all year. By mid to late summer, it narrows and separates into one, two, or three as the water flow decreases.
Wine tasting is available near Yosemite National Park. A list of wineries near our wedding venue and the description of the wineries is listed on this website:
Bass Lake Boat Rentals in the town of the Pines Village offers kayak and boat rentals.
54406 Road 432, Bass Lake, CA 93604