In 2017, we took a two week long trip to California, starting in Los Angeles and driving from there to San Francisco. Along the way, we stopped in Yosemite National Park, where we stayed in a motel close to the entrance. We found out when we got there that we needed to get up super early to make sure we had a parking spot in the park.   We should have investigated finding a place to stay in the park, but it was too late for that. This park is very impressive with beautiful views and water falls but also a bit of a tourist trap due to long lines for parking and for lunch. We did make a nice walk at the end of the park and again took tons of pictures. 

Yosemite is maybe the ultimate original United States National Park of them all, it is here that John Muir convinced Teddy Roosevelt that nature needed to be appreciated and preserved.  This might not be the actual truth, but this is what I learned during our visit to this park.  This valley is majestic with tons of beautiful steep cliffs, waterfalls, hiking trails, a true natural wonder.  The downside is that it might be a bit too touristy, especially the limited access in the summer is annoying.  I need to come back and spend a night camping in the park, so I can experience the park when the tourists leave and the stars come out.