The Best Cultural Experiences in Yosemite

Our Local Expert Says:

A must-stop in Yosemite Village

Description:

Yosemite's best known artist was trained as a classical pianist, but he married into a photography business and it is still run by the Ansel Adams family today.  The Gallery is located in Yosemite Village, right next to the Valley Visitor Center, and it's open all year.  Whether you're a photographer or not, the Gallery is worth a visit, for some unique shopping, rotating exhibits of various artists and photographers (many local), and a look at some of the master's work on display.  There is jewelry, Native American craftwork, help with camera issues, a great selection of Yosemite and other books, as well as posters, videos, postcards, fine art prints, ceramics, etc.
Free camera walks go out with a local pro each morning in spring, summer and fall; reservations are strongly advised.  High-level photography workshops are described on the Gallery's website.  Ansel's inspiration lives on strongly in the digital age. 

Description:

The Yosemite Valley has long been recognized as one of nature's true wonders. Its beauty has drawn artists from all over the world for well over 100 years. This museum displays a collection of works by such artists, all selected by a jury. The works include a variety of styles and range from old to contemporary. In addition to the paintings, the gallery features historical exhibits, which change from time to time. The museum as a whole gives a good visual sense of Yosemite through the ages.

Description:

This replica of a Native American village gives you a taste of how the Miwok and Paiute peoples lived; the places where they prepared and cooked their food, and more. The village is setup in a more or less natural setting behind the Yosemite Museum Gallery. There is no fee for this attraction. Weather permitting, the staff of the Indian Cultural Exhibit puts on demonstrations of basket weaving, beadwork and game playing. These programs usually take place between 9a and noon and again between 1:30p and 4:30p.

Description:

This graveyard dates back to the 1800s. Its location, just west of the Yosemite Museum Gallery, was originally far away from the normal traffic flow. Today, it is an interesting, peaceful spot. Perfect for visiting genealogists, history buffs and the simply curious, the cemetery includes graves of Native Americans buried alongside former valley residents and even a few casual visitors. Purchase the Guide to the Yosemite Cemetery at the Visitor Center.

Our Local Expert Says:

Look at the NPS or YA website in June for details on each season's Parsons Summer Series of top-notch speakers.

Description:

This rustic granite and timber building near Soda Springs is a good place to visit while exploring Tuolumne Meadows, the place where John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson conceived the idea of establishing Yosemite National Park. Walking to and from Parsons will give you a sense of why Muir called the Sierra the "range of light." The former Sierra Club building is staffed by Yosemite Association volunteers, was designed by the famed Bernard Maybeck, and has exhibits that feature area history and natural history.  Ranger Margaret Eissler assembles and hosts an excellent speaker series every weekend all summer.  Speakers include authors, scientists and artists whose work is relevant to Yosemite and the Sierra.  Every August one weekend is devoted to the Tuolumne Meadows Poetry Festival, which includes leading lights of the genre. Parsons is open in the summer only.

Description:

The non-profit Yosemite Association operates the Yosemite Art and Education Center in cooperation with DNC and NPS.  All summer (May-September) there are free art classes taught by a different visiting professional artist each week.  You can sign up beforehand, or just show up (and hope it's not filled); classes run from 10-2, Wednesday through Saturday.  The YAEC has pretty much everything you need for art supplies for painting/sketching en plein air, as they say.  Few studios are as remarkable as Yosemite and this center helps beginning and experienced artists alike to take a bit of Yosemite home on paper.  The center relies on donations, so consider a little something for the effort. 

Our Local Expert Says:

If you want to learn more, this is the best quality outfit to go with.

Description:

Sponsored by the park's non-profit Yosemite Conservancy, this series of field courses, "Yosemite Outdoor Adventures" changes annually and includes courses in snowshoeing, winter natural history, birding, geology, botany/wildflowers, backpacking, photography, plein air painting, history, writing, Indians, and more.  Family camping programs in the high country are popular as are special naturalist hikes to lesser known destinations and off-season explorations.  The course details are on YC's website, or call or email YC for a free course catalog.  YC also provides "Custom Adventures": naturalist/guides for families or groups that want their own guide on a private tour for the day.

Description:

The Pioneer Yosemite History Center lies in the Wawona area of the park, adjacent to the Wawona Store, across the Covered Bridge. It contains a grouping of historic structures built within the parks boundaries. The structures date to the mining and logging era of the region and represent vernacular architecture of the high Sierra. A 30-minute, self-guided tour through the history center provides information for visitors about the controversial history of the Yosemite region. The Center is always open and interpretive signs and brochures are located within the facility. Visitors can expect an easy walk through the center, except during extreme snow conditions.

Description:

This dam is just plain huge, and is a spectacular sight to visit. Built in July 1923, and at that time was the largest single structure on the West Coast, it rises 430 feet high and spans 900 feet. The dam holds the water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which is the water supply for the San Francisco area. The water can be released through 14 outlets to control the water levels.

Description:

The Yosemite Museum is located in Yosemite Village next to the Visitor Center. The site contains an Indian Cultural Exhibit and reconstructed Miwok-Paiute village, which is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch). The museum shop is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the summer months through November 28. It offers traditional Indian arts and crafts and books on related subjects.

Our Local Expert Says:

A great education can be had between exhibits, the bookstore, the film and talking with rangers.

Description:

The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is the heart of Yosemite Village and is open daily, with hours varying with the season. The visitor center is immediately west of the main post office in the park at shuttle bus stops #6 and #9. You'll find information, maps, books, a series of great natural and cultural history exhibits, and helpful rangers to get you oriented to visiting the park.  Every half hour the park's award-winning film is shown in the Theater out back.  The Indian Museum and Indian Village are adjacent. 

Description:

Located adjacent to the stately Wawona Hotel, the NPS Visitor Center is housed in the former Hill's Studio.  Artist Thomas Hill is famed for his ginormous landscape paintings - one of which was specially hung in Washington, D.C. for President Obama's inauguration.  If you've entered Yosemite from the south this is the place to get started with your orientation to the park, to buy books, maps, posters, etc., to pick up a Wilderness permit for backpacking and to ask a ranger your questions. 
Find the Wawona VC by turning in at the Wawona Hotel entrance, and looping the drive until you see the sign.  The facility is closed in the winter.