YOSEMITE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, USA -- So you want to visit Yosemite National Park because it's one of our country's most important and visited natural resources, because of its breathtaking scenery, unlimited outdoor activities, not to mention its legendary grove of giant sequoia trees. But, you're not the outdoorsy type of person. Not to worry, you can still visit this national treasure without ever pitching a tent or unrolling a sleeping bag. Yosemite National Park offers some first class lodging options that will allow you to spend your days exploring the park, which boasts about 800 miles of hiking trails, 240 species of birds, 80 species of mammals and 1400 species of flowering plants, while spending your nights dining on gourmet food and fine wine before nestling into a warm comfortable bed.

The Tenaya Lodge

This prestigious AAA 4-Diamond hotel maintains an ambiance of rustic elegance. Natural stone and rough-hewn wood are offset by colorful Native American patterned fabrics and soft leathers, to create a comfortable home base for your Yosemite explorations. Located just two miles from Yosemite's most popular entrance, the Tenaya Lodge offers every in room amenity a modern traveler could want, including dataport telephones, on-demand movies, coffee makers, and honor bars. When you're not exploring the park, you can swim in the lodge's indoor and outdoor pools, work out in the fitness center or relax with a massage or facial in their full-service spa.

The activities staff can help you plan your days to get the most out of the Yosemite experience, including guided nature hikes, horseback riding, mountain biking, skiing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, rock climbing and more. And be sure to bring the kids along. The Tenaya's innovative kids program includes panning for gold, fishing, biking and hiking.

The Tenaya offers a wide variety of dining options -- from casual to haute cuisine. Head to Jackalope's Bar & Grill for casual and family fare or the Parkside Deli for an extensive menu and bakery for casual eating in or taking out. The Sierra Restaurant features elegant yet hearty fare and a terrific wine list. And if you time your visit right, be sure to make reservations for the Tenaya's quarterly wine dinners, where executive chef Frederick Clabaugh creates special dishes paired with featured wines for a truly memorable gourmet experience.

The Tenaya Lodge is also a great place to plan a meeting or conference, as they offer 8,000 square feet of function space with nine conference rooms including a 500-person Grand Ballroom, business center and a full-time conference concierge. Of course, with such gorgeous surroundings, it might be difficult to get much work done.

The Ahwahnee Hotel

If you've ever visited Disney's California Adventure Amusement Park in Anaheim, California, it's readily apparent that Yosemite's Ahwahnee Hotel served as inspiration for Disney's Californian Resort. But like most copies, the Disney version pales in comparison to the original. You just can't recreate the tangible aura of history the envelops the spectacular Ahwahnee, not to mention the spectacular surroundings created by Mother Nature.

Designated a National Historic Landmark, the Ahwahnee was built in 1927, but has undergone renovations throughout the years that keep this a first-class luxury hotel, while still retaining its old world charm and ambiance. The Craftsman style architecture was designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood and features a façade of granite and concrete beams stained to resemble California redwoods. Priceless paintings, photographs, Native American artifacts, stained glass windows and Oriental rugs adorn the public rooms.

Located inside Yosemite National Park, the Ahwahnee has only 123 rooms. Plan well in advance here, as visitors often make reservations up to a year in advance, especially during peak seasons. You'll be in good company as the Ahwahnee regularly plays host to celebrities, heads of state and even royalty.

The Wawona Hotel

My personal favorite place to stay in Yosemite, the Wawona is as close as you can get to actually going back in time. This historic hotel remains very much as it was in the 1870's -- with the welcome additions of electricity, modern plumbing and a swimming pool.

Only 50 of the historic hotel's 104 rooms include baths (usually claw foot bathtubs and brass shower fixtures). The remaining rooms share communal bathrooms down the hall -- much like many European hotels. Don't worry, it's not so bad as the hotel provide comfy robes to wear while enroute from your room to the bathrooms.

The rooms are furnished and decorated with gorgeous antiques and while staying at the Wawona, it's impossible not to think of all the historical characters that must have stayed there throughout the years.

One of the most pleasant ways to end a Yosemite day is to sit in a comfortable Adirondack chair on the Wawona's massive wrap around porch, sip a glass of wine or a cocktail and watch the sun set. It's not uncommon to see deer come out graze on the lawn or at the golf course just across the street.

After drinks, head to the dining room for some first class cuisine (the Cowboy Steak is one of the best beef dishes we've ever had). The breakfast buffet at the Wawona is first class, and I highly recommend it as a way to fuel up before starting a day of Yosemite adventures -- regardless of whether you actually stay at the hotel or not. If your stay includes a Saturday night during the summer, enjoy an old-fashioned lawn barbecue dinner that makes for great family fare.

Be sure to take some time to walk across the old wooden covered bridge to the adjacent Pioneer Yosemite History Center. You'll see historical buildings from the park's early pioneer days, lovingly restored, as well have the chance to take a horse drawn carriage ride.

Be sure to bring a book or a deck of cards for after dinner, as there are no TV's or phones in the rooms at the Wawona -- this is Yosemite Lodging as it was in the old days, and it's a delightful and relaxing change of pace. It's also one of the most affordable places to stay, with off-season rates being well under $100.00 a night.

Must See Sites in Yosemite

Below is a few of some of Yosemite's highlights. The list is by no means complete. The parks covers an area roughly the size of the State of Rhode Island, so naturally there is much more to see and do.

• Bridalveil Falls -- A Spectacular falls the height of a 62-story building.
  
  
• Yosemite Falls -- The two Yosemite Falls and an intermediate cascade drop of 2,425 feet make this the tallest waterfall in North America. An easy walk from Shuttlebus stop #4 will provide you with a great view.
  
  
• El Capitan -- One of the most photographed sites in North America, the massive granite monolith spans 3, 593 feet from base to summit and is a favorite of rock climbers.
  
  
• Half Dome -- Dominating most Yosemite Valley views, half dome rises to an elevation of 8,842 feet. It's other half is believed to have fallen away when the glaciers that covered the land a million years ago receded.
  
  
• Glacier Point -- A great place to look down on Yosemite Valley, 3,214 feet below.
  
  
• Tuolumne Meadows -- The largest sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada and a great place for wildflower viewing at the right time of year.
  
  
• Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias -- The largest stand of giant Sequoia trees in Yosemite and home of the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest giant sequoia trees in the entire world.
  
  
• Yosemite Village -- In the village you'll find numerous shops, as well the Yosemite Museum and Ansel Adams Gallery, where photography workshops are available, and he Yosemite Art Activity Center , featuring free informal outdoor classes in painting, photography and sketching.

Getting There

For more information about visiting Yosemite, visit their website at www.yosemitepark.com.

Many roads lead to Yosemite:

• The Big Oak Flat Entrance is 88 miles east of Manteca via Hwy. 120.
• The Arch Rock Entrance is 75 northeast of Merced via Hwy. 140.
• The Wawona Entrance is 64 miles north of Fresno via Hwy. 41.
• The Tioga Pass Entrance (summer only) is 12 miles west of Lee Vining via Hwy. 120. Yosemite is a 4 1/2 hour drive from San Francisco and a 6 hour drive from Los Angeles.

In winter, it's best to use the Hwy. 140 through Mariposa, as it is the least mountainous route and chains are rarely required, although you should always carry them, just in case.

Note: No gasoline is sold in Yosemite Valley.

By Air -- The Fresno-Yosemite airport 64 miles away is the closest airport.

Shuttle Bus Service -- The easiest and environmentally friendly way to get around the park is via the complementary shuttle bus service that runs year round to points in Eastern end of Yosemite Valley. In summer, buses also run from Wawona to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and between Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and the Tioga Pass. In winter, buses also run from valley hotels to the Badger Pass Ski area.

Tenaya Lodge -- Located 12 miles north of Oakhurst along Highway 41, and 2 miles from the south entrance to Yosemite. Call toll-free 1-888-514-2167 or visit www.tenayalodge.com.

Ahwahnee Hotel, Wawona Hotel and other hotels inside the park, call 559-252-4848 or visit www.yosemitepark.com.

Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day. To learn more about Cheri, click here.