We’re making Yosemite even more unforgettable by staying at the legendary Ahwahnee Hotel—an architectural icon with a history as grand as the park itself.

This unique stay transforms the trip from amazing to once-in-a-lifetime

 Overall Trip Highlights

• The Ahwahnee, for two nights, on the floor of Yosemite Valley. Most people who come to this park see the 1927 landmark from the outside and drive back out to a motel. We check in, twice, and the walk from dinner to bed is a staircase.
• Dinner in The Ahwahnee Dining Room. A hundred and thirty feet long under a thirty-four foot ceiling on peeled log columns, with the granite going dark in the windows. It is a night worth packing a dress for.
• Tunnel View, El Capitan and Half Dome. The rock faces every American has seen in photographs since childhood. Standing in El Capitan Meadow with three thousand feet of granite going straight up is not the same experience as the photograph, and there is no way to find that out from home.
• Mariposa Grove and the Grizzly Giant, a tree that has been standing in that spot for roughly three thousand years, among more than five hundred mature giant sequoias. We have the whole middle of the day in the grove. A coach tour gets an hour.
• A full guided day in Yosemite Valley with a naturalist, not a bus window and forty minutes at a pull-out. By the end of it the walls of the valley are readable: where the glacier sat, why the domes crack the way they do, what the black streaks are.
• A naturalist-led hiking day with two routes leaving after breakfast, four hours or eight. Every woman picks her own, both are guided the whole way, and the eight-hour route is there for anyone who has been waiting for someone to offer it.
• A full week inside one national park. Eight days, four nights at the South Gate and two on the valley floor, rather than the single hurried afternoon most Yosemite itineraries hand out.
• October in Yosemite, which is the whole reason for these dates. The summer traffic is gone, the light comes in low and gold off the granite, the Mariposa Grove shuttle is still running and the winter road closures have not started yet.
• A group small enough that everyone knows everyone by Tuesday. Twelve to fourteen women, and every single one of them booked this by herself. Nobody is the odd one out, because nobody came with anybody.

Day One: Mountain Air & The Road to Tenaya

Welcome to California and the start of our Yosemite adventure! After arriving at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, your Beatrice Bradley hosts will be waiting to greet you before we gather our luggage and begin the scenic drive toward Tenaya at Yosemite, our mountain retreat near the park’s South Entrance.

As we leave Fresno behind, the views will slowly shift from valley scenery to winding mountain roads, pine forests, and that first breath of crisp Sierra Nevada air. Along the way, we’ll make a quick stop at the Flag Barn, a colorful roadside favorite and the perfect spot for our first group photo of the trip.

This evening, we’ll settle in and gather for our welcome dinner at Jackalope’s, located right at the resort. It’s the perfect relaxed first night: good food, easy conversation, and the start of a beautiful week in Yosemite country.

Highlights

• Fresno Yosemite International Airport – Your BB hosts will meet you at baggage claim and help get everyone gathered before we begin the journey.
• Scenic Drive into the Sierra Nevada – Watch the landscape change as we climb from the San Joaquin Valley toward pine forests, mountain roads, and Yosemite’s southern gateway.
• Flag Barn Photo Stop – A fun, colorful roadside stop and the perfect place to snap our first group photo.
• Tenaya at Yosemite – Check in, unpack, and settle into our cozy mountain home base for the next four nights.
• Welcome Dinner at Jackalope’s – Enjoy a relaxed first dinner together at the resort as we kick off the week.

Fun Fact: Yosemite is home to more than 400 species of wildlife, including black bears, mule deer, foxes, bobcats, and over 250 species of birds. Keep your eyes open during the drive in — the adventure really does begin before we even reach the park! 

Day Two: Among the Giant Sequoias

This morning, we’ll visit Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and home to more than 500 mature giant sequoias. After breakfast, we’ll make the short drive to the Welcome Plaza and take the park shuttle into the grove, where the trees begin to appear in all their larger-than-life glory.

Once inside the grove, we’ll have time to experience the peaceful beauty of these ancient trees at an easy pace. The Big Trees Loop is a flat, accessible path through the lower grove, making it a wonderful option for anyone who wants a shorter and more relaxed walk. Those who would like to explore farther can continue along the Grizzly Giant Loop, where some of the grove’s most famous trees stand, including the Bachelor and Three Graces and the legendary Grizzly Giant.

We’ll enjoy our boxed lunches during our time in the grove before returning to Tenaya for a relaxed afternoon. Back at the resort, the pools, hot tubs, and Ascent Spa will be waiting — the perfect way to unwind after a beautiful day surrounded by Yosemite’s giants.

Highlights

• Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias – Explore Yosemite’s largest sequoia grove, home to more than 500 mature giant sequoias.
• Big Trees Loop – Enjoy an easy, accessible walk through the lower grove, surrounded by some of Yosemite’s most awe-inspiring trees.
• Grizzly Giant Loop – Continue farther into the grove for a closer look at famous trees like the Bachelor and Three Graces and the massive Grizzly Giant.
• Mariposa Grove Shuttle – Ride the park shuttle into the grove, the required and easiest way to access this protected area.
• Relaxed Afternoon at Tenaya – Return to the resort with time to enjoy the pools, hot tubs, or spa at your own pace.

Fun Fact: The Grizzly Giant is estimated at roughly three thousand years old, which makes it one of the oldest living giant sequoias in the world and considerably older than the Colosseum.

Day Three: Yosemite Valley Icons & Granite Giants

We’ll head into Yosemite Valley with a naturalist guide for a full day of exploring the park’s most famous viewpoints, waterfalls, meadows, and granite landmarks. With a guide leading the way, the valley becomes more than just beautiful scenery — it becomes a story of glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, and towering rock walls carved over time.

We’ll begin at Tunnel View, one of Yosemite’s most iconic overlooks, where El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome all come into view at once. From there, we’ll continue to Bridalveil Fall, a graceful waterfall known for its light, misty flow, before stopping at El Capitan Meadow, where the massive granite face rises more than 3,000 feet from the valley floor.

Later in the day, we’ll walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Loop, an easy, paved trail that leads toward the base of Yosemite Falls. Even when the falls are running low in autumn, the sheer cliff face is unforgettable. We’ll also stop at Valley View along the Merced River, where El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall reflect beautifully in the water before returning to Tenaya in the late afternoon.

Highlights

• Full Guided Day in Yosemite Valley – Explore the valley with a naturalist guide who brings the landscape, history, and geology to life.
• Tunnel View – Take in one of Yosemite’s most famous views, with El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome all in one sweeping scene.
• Bridalveil Fall – Visit one of Yosemite’s classic waterfalls, known for its delicate mist and year-round flow.
• El Capitan Meadow – Stand beneath one of the most legendary granite walls in the world.
• Lower Yosemite Fall Loop – Enjoy an easy, paved walk toward the base of Yosemite Falls.
• Valley View on the Merced River – End the day with a peaceful riverside viewpoint framed by granite cliffs and valley beauty.

Fun Fact: Yosemite Valley was carved by glaciers over thousands of years, which is why it has its dramatic U-shape, sheer granite walls, and wide meadow floor — basically nature showing off on a very grand scale!

Day Four: Resort Day, Mountain Air & S’mores Under the Stars

After a few full days of exploring Yosemite’s giant trees, granite cliffs, and valley views, this day is all about slowing down and enjoying our beautiful mountain home base at Tenaya at Yosemite. Sleep in a little, linger over breakfast, and enjoy a day that feels relaxed, easy, and perfectly placed in the middle of the trip.

The resort has plenty to enjoy right on property, whether you want to take a dip in the pool, soak in one of the hot tubs, book time at the Ascent Spa, join an optional resort activity, or simply settle into a cozy chair with a book and a mountain view. This is the kind of day where everyone can choose their own pace: social, restful, active, or a little bit of everything.

Later, we’ll head offsite for a fun group dinner together before returning to Tenaya for a sweet ending to the evening: s’mores by the fire. It’s the perfect cozy mountain night — good food, good company, and that classic campfire feeling without having to pitch a tent.

Highlights

• Resort Day at Tenaya – Enjoy a slower, easier day at our mountain resort with time to relax and recharge.
• Pools & Hot Tubs – Take advantage of Tenaya’s relaxing pool areas and hot tubs after our first few days of exploring.
• Ascent Spa – Book a spa treatment or enjoy a quiet wellness moment at your own pace.
• Optional Resort Activities – Choose from available on-property activities like archery, nature walks, games, or simply enjoying the lodge.
• Offsite Group Dinner – Head out together for a fun dinner away from the resort.
• S’mores by the Fire – End the night back at Tenaya with a cozy fireside treat under the mountain sky.

Fun Fact: osemite’s name is believed to come from a Miwok word referring to the people who lived in the area, though the park’s original Indigenous name for the valley was closer to “Ahwahnee,” meaning “gaping mouth” or “place like an open mouth.”

Day Five: Covered Bridges, Yosemite History & A Grand Night at The Ahwahnee

After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to Tenaya and make our way back into Yosemite, with a fun and scenic stop along the way at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in Wawona. This charming outdoor history area brings together historic park buildings, old stagecoaches, and stories from Yosemite’s early days, giving us a glimpse into what travel through the park looked like long before modern roads and tour vans.

Just nearby, we’ll visit the Wawona Covered Bridge, one of California’s few remaining covered bridges. Tucked among the pines and crossing the South Fork of the Merced River, it’s a beautiful photo stop and a sweet little step back in time before we continue into the heart of Yosemite Valley.

Once we arrive at The Ahwahnee, we’ll take time for a tour of this legendary 1927 National Historic Landmark before checking in. From the soaring Great Lounge and massive fireplaces to the stained glass, Native American-inspired design details, and dramatic valley setting, The Ahwahnee feels like part hotel, part historic treasure. This evening, we’ll enjoy dinner onsite in the famous Ahwahnee Dining Room, a grand and memorable setting for our first night staying inside Yosemite Valley.

Highlights

• Pioneer Yosemite History Center – Step into Yosemite’s past with historic buildings, stagecoaches, and stories from the park’s early travel days.
• Wawona Covered Bridge – Visit one of California’s few remaining covered bridges, tucked beautifully among the pines.
• Scenic Drive into Yosemite Valley – Travel from Fish Camp into the heart of the park for our two-night stay inside Yosemite.
• The Ahwahnee Tour – Explore one of America’s most iconic national park lodges, known for its grand architecture, fireplaces, stained glass, and historic design.
• Check-In at The Ahwahnee – Settle into this 1927 National Historic Landmark on the floor of Yosemite Valley.
• Dinner in the Ahwahnee Dining Room – Enjoy an elegant onsite dinner in one of the most famous dining rooms in the national park system.

Fun Fact: The Ahwahnee was designed to impress travelers arriving by train and touring car in the 1920s, with massive stone fireplaces, soaring ceilings, and grand public spaces meant to prove that a national park stay could be just as special as any luxury hotel.

Day Six: Yosemite Trails & Big Valley Views

After breakfast at The Ahwahnee, we’ll set out for a guided hiking day in Yosemite Valley, with two route options so everyone can choose the pace that feels right. Both hikes are led by expert naturalist guides, both begin from the same general area, and both offer a beautiful way to experience Yosemite beyond the viewpoints.

One route will be a shorter, four-hour hike with plenty of time to stop, take photos, ask questions, and enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed. The other will be a longer, eight-hour hike for guests who hike regularly and are excited for a more active full day on the trail. Either way, the goal is the same: fresh air, unforgettable views, and a deeper appreciation for the granite walls, waterfalls, forests, and glacial history that make Yosemite so iconic.

The magic of hiking here is that the landscape starts to tell a bigger story as you move through it. Your guide will point out the details that are easy to miss: how glaciers shaped the valley, why the granite cliffs look the way they do, and how the light shifts across the rock throughout the day. After our time on the trails, we’ll return to The Ahwahnee with time to clean up before gathering again for dinner together.

Highlights

• Guided Hiking Day from The Ahwahnee – Set out with naturalist guides for a beautiful day on Yosemite’s trails.
• Two Hiking Options – Choose between a shorter four-hour route or a more active eight-hour route.
• Yosemite Valley Scenery – Take in granite cliffs, forested paths, valley views, and the quiet beauty of the park on foot.
• Naturalist-Led Experience – Learn how glaciers, waterfalls, rock formations, and ecosystems shaped the Yosemite we see today.

Fun Fact: Yosemite’s famous granite cliffs were formed deep underground millions of years ago, then slowly revealed as glaciers and erosion carved away the surrounding rock — which is why hiking through the valley feels like walking through a living geology lesson!

Day Seven: One Last Scenic Drive & A Fresno Farewell

We’ll begin the morning with one last breakfast together at The Ahwahnee, soaking in those beautiful Yosemite Valley views before we pack up and start our journey back down the mountain. From the valley, we’ll follow Highway 41 south through Wawona and out the park’s South Entrance, with scenic stops along the way whenever the views are too good to pass by.

As we leave the granite cliffs and pine forests behind, the landscape slowly shifts back toward the rolling foothills and orchard country of the San Joaquin Valley. We’ll arrive in Fresno by mid-afternoon and check into our airport hotel, giving everyone time to rest, freshen up, and get ready for our final evening together.

Tonight, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner in Fresno. It’s the perfect chance to look back on the week, share favorite photos, laugh about the best moments, and celebrate one last night with the group before tomorrow’s departures.

Highlights

• Final Breakfast at The Ahwahnee – Enjoy one last relaxed morning inside Yosemite Valley.
• Scenic Drive Down Highway 41 – Travel from Yosemite Valley through Wawona and out the South Entrance.
• Photo Stops Along the Way – Pause for a few final mountain views before leaving the park.
• Check-In at the Fresno Airport Hotel – Settle in by mid-afternoon with time to rest before dinner.
• Farewell Dinner in Fresno – Celebrate the end of the trip with one final group dinner together.

Fun Fact: Fresno County is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the United States, known for growing everything from grapes and almonds to citrus and stone fruit — so those orchards we passed on the way in were part of a much bigger California story!

Day Eight: Farewell Yosemite Friends

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time for goodbyes and departure day. The hotel shuttle will be available for transfers to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, making for an easy and relaxed morning before everyone heads home.

Our Yosemite adventure may be wrapping up, but this is the kind of trip that follows you home: the giant sequoias, the granite cliffs, the mountain air, the cozy resort moments, and all the stories shared along the way.