US · California · 37.85°N 119.52°W

yosemite national park

Granite walls, spring waterfalls and giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada.

Best time
May and June bring the strongest waterfalls, though high roads may still hold snow. September–October are quieter, and the falls thin to a trickle; Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close in winter, when the valley gets snow and ice.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly to San Francisco with one stop, usually via Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul or Singapore, about 18–21 hours all in. Yosemite Valley is then about 4–5 hours by car. California is 15 hours behind KL, 16 from November to early March. Malaysians need a US B1/B2 visitor visa, usually with an interview at the embassy in KL; ESTA isn't open to Malaysian passports.
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US · Californiayosemite national park37.85°N 119.52°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Granite walls, spring waterfalls and giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingYosemite National ParkUS, California
KLyosemite national park
≈ 13,791 km from KL, as the crow flies
View from Glacier Point on Half Dome and Eastern Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California, USA.

Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Yosemite Valley sits between granite walls so tall they make the pine trees look small, with El Capitan on one side and Half Dome at the end. Waterfalls are at their best in spring, and the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove are worth the drive south.

Makan

  1. S'moresToasted marshmallow and chocolate squashed between crackers at the campfire. Most marshmallows contain pork gelatin, so bring halal or vegan ones.Map ↗
  2. Central Valley fruitFarm stands on the roads in from Fresno and Merced sell peaches, cherries and almonds in season.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Tunnel ViewThe classic viewpoint at the valley entrance, with El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall in one frame.Map ↗
  2. Lower Yosemite FallAn easy loop to the foot of the falls, which thunder in May and June.Map ↗
  3. Glacier PointA clifftop lookout high above the valley, straight across to Half Dome. The road is open from late spring to autumn.Map ↗
  4. Mariposa GroveGiant sequoias near the south entrance, including the huge, gnarled Grizzly Giant.Map ↗

Good to know

  • There's no entry reservation in 2026, but valley car parks fill by mid-morning in summer; park once and use the free valley shuttle.
  • Non-US residents pay an extra per-person fee at Yosemite and ten other busy national parks, so on a multi-park trip the non-resident annual pass can work out cheaper.
  • Bring halal supplies from the Bay Area, and keep anything scented, toiletries included, in the bear-proof lockers.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.