Things to Do near Yosemite National Park

Hotel Charlotte is located in Groveland, CA, convenient to all of the best activities and vacation attractions surrounding nearby Yosemite National Park. There is never a shortage of fun to be had during your visit to the area and there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

Local Area

From staring in awe at the gorgeous falls in Yosemite National Park to a thrilling ride down the whitewater rapids, there’s no shortage of things to do when you choose vacation lodging at Hotel Charlotte  near Yosemite National Park. See some of the most popular activities in and around Groveland to better plan your stay.

Experience Yosemite

Many are drawn to Groveland to visit Yosemite National Park and see the famous waterfalls and sequoias, hike the trails, and catch sight of our wildlife – an easy thing to do with our 400 species of fish, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Open year-round, the park spans 1,200 sq. miles with 750 miles of trails and has been a protected landscape since 1864. Yosemite Hospitality, the Yosemite Conservancy, and the Ansel Adams Gallery offer guided tours and walks through the park if you want to learn more about the park during your visit.

The best way to see the park is by hiking it! During the spring, come see our vibrant wildflowers set against larger-than-life Sequoias, or visit in the winter when some of the trails are open for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Like most National Parks, Yosemite fills up fast – especially in the summer – and it’s recommended to arrive early in the morning or wait until the afternoon when the crowds die down.

A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite during two different periods in summer 2024. Keep reading for details about the two systems; the two systems are different.

  • January 1 through February 9: No reservation required to drive into Yosemite.
  • February 10 through 25: A reservation is required 24 hours per day on Saturdays, Sundays, and on Washington’s Birthday (Monday, February 19).
  • February 26 through April 12: No reservation required to drive into Yosemite.
  • April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19).
  • July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day.
  • August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (September 2 and October 14).

Quiet Season

To explore the park with fewer crowds, the fall and winter seasons are a great time to visit. There’s still plenty of hiking, biking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities in the fall and in the winter you can take advantage of the snow with snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating! See a different side of Yosemite in the quiet season.

Tuolumne River

Whitewater rafting enthusiasts have the opportunity to brave the rapids on the Class IV Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park. The scenic Tuolumne also provides some of the best fishing in the Groveland area. 

Pine Mountain Lake

Another great spot for both fly and bait fishing is nearby Pine Mountain Lake, a private community where some of our guests discover their next home or vacation property.  There you also can explore the area on a guided horseback ride or enjoy a round of golf.

RESTAURANTS IN GROVELAND, CA
Groveland, CA is home to some eclectic restaurants and cafes. While staying with us at Hotel Charlotte, choose from a variety of restaurants with unique menus, many of which use local ingredients. Whether you’re looking for fine dining or a casual meal, there’s an option for every occasion in Groveland.

1. CHARLOTTE’S TAVERN

Located in the Historic Hotel Charlotte, Charlotte’s Tavern is a pre-prohibition motif restaurant and bar housed in the historic Hotel Charlotte in Groveland, CA. Our approach to food is simple: we cook what we like to eat. Join us for quality culinary creations featuring fresh homestyle scratch-made ingredients, beautifully curated premium cocktails, craft brews and local wines which will be sure to please the whole family! We strive to create community with a gathering place for friends and family to eat, stay, and celebrate. 

2. IRON DOOR SALOON

First called the “Granite Store”, perhaps because the front and back walls are made of solid granite blocks, this eclectic saloon boasts of being the oldest continuously operating saloon in California. The aged woodwork and huge iron doors are testament to this. Steaks and burgers are their specialties! The Iron Door Saloon is absolutely worth a stop, hungry or not!

3. TOP OF THE TRAIL TEA AND COFFEE

Custom roasted coffee, a fine selection of teas, and a selection of yummy baked goods along with grab-and-go wraps and specials.

4. MOUNTAIN SAGE

Wonderful coffee, inviting atmosphere, a beautiful nursery out back, and stunning photography by local artist Robb Hirsch.

4. PRIEST STATION CAFE

Priest Station is a family-run restaurant serving classic American food, offering grass-fed beef burgers and 6-oz. certified Angus burgers. Dine in a relaxed setting with panoramic views on their outdoor patio.

5. PIZZA FACTORY

Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads, calzones for dine-in, take-out and delivery. They have a large arcade for your kids as well as a bounce house for special events.

6. TWO GUYS PIZZA PIES

Family-owned pizzeria offering indoor and outdoor seating. Salad bar, baked subs, calzones and of course, pizza!

9. KEVIN AND RANDI’S OLD FASHIONED MEAT MARKET

This is the perfect local spot to satisfy every meat lover’s palate. They offer a variety of options from grass-fed beef, choice beef, organic poultry, deli meats, breakfast meats, quality pork, to deli sandwiches, cheeses and salads.