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DAY 1
Morning
Its 200 miles from the Bay Area to Yosemite. From San Francisco take the Oakland Bay Bridge Co Highway 580 east to Highway 99, turning south to Merced, then going east on Highway 140 to Mariposa, then south on Highway 49 to Oakhurst, an antiques center and busy gateway to Yosemite and the recreational lakes country.
On a quick shopping stop in Oakhurst, look for the Alko Rock Shop for crystals, minerals, fossils, and beads (40761 Highway 41; 559-683-0345). In a Victorian setting. The Purple Cow sells wood toys, tole paintings, stained glass, and cows, cows, cows (39935 Highway 41; 559-683-2112). Timberline Gallery shows works by dozens of local and nationally known artists (40982 Highway 41; 559-683-3345).
Stretch your legs on the Oakhurst River Parkway, an oak-shaded, 3-mile loop trail along the Fresno River and Oak Creek in Oakhurst Community Park (559-683-7766).
Take Highway 41 north from Oakhurst, for twenty minutes, to the right turn onto Highway 222; its now 4 miles to Bass Lake. (On the way to Bass Lake, stop in at the Old Corral Grocery and Tackle Shop for bait, rod and reel rentals and sales, fishing licenses, and picnic fare; 41872 Road 222; 559-683-7414.)
A warm-water lake that reaches seventy-eight degrees in summer, Bass Lake is good for fishing in spring and fall for trout, bass, catfish, and bluegill; it's also popular for all types of water sports and camping. You can rent sail-boards and boats for canoeing, sailing, rowing, and waterskiing. For a short, easy walk at the lake, take the 0.5-mile Way of the Mono Trail, along Road 222. You'll learn some Native American history and see some great views. Once a day in summer, the Bass Lake Queen takes fifty passengers on an open-air tour of the lake (559-642-3121). Don't miss Bullwinkel's Gifts and Antiques in Pine Village on the lake, a big antiques and country gifts emporium (54331 North Shore Drive; 559-683-2018).
LUNCH: Ducey's on the Lake, at Pine Lake; (559) 642-3131. Dine on a sunny deck overlooking Bass Lake. Grilled chicken, salads, burgers, fresh fish, pasta.
Afternoon
It's 14 miles on Highway 41 to Marriott's Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, 1122 Highway 41, Fish Camp (559-683-6555 or 800-635-5807; www. tenayalodge.com)—a destination resort overlooking forested mountains and valleys and located five minutes from Yosemite Park. The two-story atrium lobby and the restaurants, lounge, and public areas have a casual but luxurious feel and are decorated with Indian artifacts and Western-style furnishings. Tours from the hotel get you into the park and to the Badger Pass Ski Area. There are a fully staffed children's daycamp program here and, nearby, many trailheads for walks, hikes, and mountain-bike rides through pine forests and along streamsides.
Try the Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail, 5 miles south of the Yosemite Gate, a 3.5-mile path through dogwood, azalea, and pine with two waterfalls and some fishing holes in Lewis Fork Creek.
Bikes are available at the hotel. Five minutes away is a stable for guided horseback rides. You can cross-country ski right from the lodge and rent equipment here, skiing on your own or taking the guided tour.
DINNER: At the Sierra Restaurant, in the lodge. Fresh fish, local produce, California and Northern Italian cuisines, fireplace, mountain views.
LODGING: At Marriott's Tenaya Lodge. A 242-room resort hotel. The spacious, upscale rooms were delightfully renovated recently and include many amenities: ironing boards, coffeemakers, Nintendo; some have two double beds and sitting area with sofa bed. Recreational facilities include a full-service spa and fitness center, saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, and a playground. Barbecue evenings start with a horse-drawn wagon ride to the cookout, with campfire singing and marshmallow roasting with cowpokes. Kids check in at their own station at the front desk and pick up an activity pack. "Camp Tenaya" supervised play camp is popular with five- to twelve-year-olds.
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