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JOURNAL

Fall Foliage in the Sierra Mountain Range of California

Fall foliage on a forest landscape

Believe it or not, California does have seasons – but they change fast! You can catch fall foliage in the Sierra mountain range of California, though in some spots of the higher Sierra you may miss them, so plan early.

As you pass through Groveland on your way to Yosemite, you’ll notice the leaves on the deciduous trees are already falling, though we don’t get a lot of color here in the foothills.  Poison Oak, in the lower elevations, has become a very visible red (be careful if hiking as the bare sticks are still as potent an irritant as the leaves). As you travel up in elevation, you’ll see that the dogwoods are turning a brilliant, beautiful, bright red and the oaks and large leaf maples are becoming golden.  Ferns have already become an understory of beige carpeting, and mountain meadows no longer show off any greenery. 

Once on the eastern side of the Sierra mountain range, you’ll find the dazzling yellow leaves of the aspen, cottonwood, and willows.  Aspen’s proclivity to be organized in groves (they’re actually all one organism), and with their fluttering leaves, they make for a stunning splash of color against the dramatic Sierra slopes.

Autumn not only shows off a different aspect of the forest flora, the cooler temperatures and fewer visitors make this an excellent time to explore Yosemite and surrounding environs.  Though the waterfalls are wispy, the vistas are still stunning, with clear crispy blue air, golden slanting sunlight and miles of trails all to yourself.

Cooler temperatures in the early/late hours, especially in the higher elevations, make hoodies, jumpers, and jackets a necessity.  Mid-days can still be warm, so dress in layers for changeable weather.  Though the summer monsoon season is now over, storms can still move into the Sierra fairly quickly.  Make sure you are prepared with warm dry clothing, snacks to keep your energy up, and a cozy hotel room at the end of the day!

WHERE TO STAY ON YOUR VISIT TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Are you planning to visit Yosemite during this beautiful time of year? If so, you’ll want to have the very best accommodations! The Groveland Hotel in Groveland, California offers top-notch service and inviting ambiance that is sure to make you feel right at home. Our historic boutique hotel is located 30 minutes from Yosemite and is convenient to many Groveland area attractions. Check our current availability and book your stay today.

The Groveland 18767 Main Street circle logo

Summer Menu

Small Bites & Shares

Southwest Chicken Spring Rolls with Pico de Gallo $12

Vegetable Samosas with cilantro chutney $12

Heirloom Tomato Flatbreads with grape tomato, mozzarella, pecorino, pesto, balsamic reduction $14

Grilled Chicken Wings with teriyaki, pineapple pepper relish, scallions, peanuts $14

Truffle and Parmesan French Fries with garlic aioli $11

Charcuterie and Cheese Plate with mostarda, crackers, whole grain mustard $16

 

Greens

Fiesta Salad with romaine, Pico de Gallo, black beans, avocado, pepper jack cheese, chipotle ranch $13

House Caesar Salad with parmesan crisps, garlicky croutons, lemon Caesar dressing $12

Artisan Salad with apple, celery, dried apricots, cucumber, pumpkin seed vinaigrette $12

*Add Shrimp +$14, Chicken +$10, Steak +$14, or Salmon +$12

 

Mains

Vegetarian Orecchiette Pasta $24

with Spring vegetables, tomato coulis, pecorino Romano

Fried Chicken Sliders $22

with brioche bun, sweet pickles, coleslaw, chipotle mayo and house fries

Wagyu Burger Sliders $24

with aged cheddar, brioche bun, mustard aioli, romaine lettuce and house fries

Blackened Chicken Tacos $24

with flour tortilla, jack cheese, black bean aioli, mango salsa and tortilla chips

Pan Roasted Salmon $32 

with cous-cous tabouleh, seasonal vegetable, citrus vinaigrette

Jumbo Shrimp and Potato Gnocchi $34 

with English peas, mushrooms, heirloom tomato, lemon butter sauce

Grilled Steak Frittes $42

with Prime NY strip, house fries, chimi churi sauce

 

ADA

Room 110 is situated at the back of the hotel in the Annex building on the lower floor.  This cozy room features a queen bed, with a large private bathroom containing a tub/shower.  This room accommodates two guests. This is a pet-friendly room.

Accessibility Features: Entry door is 32” wide; there is an outlet within 4’ of the telephone jack; the door lock is located 44” from the floor; there is more than 36” of room to the right side of the bed; hangers are located 53” off the ground.  Currently, the door handle is a historic twist knob, but we are working with our locksmith to replace this with a levered handle that can easily be operated with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching or twisting the wrist.

The bathroom has room to do a t-turn; the toilet seat is 18” off the ground and has a grab bar located behind the toilet; the wash basin is 30” off the ground with insulated pipes; the wash basin faucet is easy to operate with one hand without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist; the towel racks are 46” off the floor; the bathroom floors are slip resistant.  There are no grab bars on an adjacent wall in the bathroom for the toilet as there is not an adjacent wall to place them on. 

The tub has faucet controls positioned at the center of the end wall and open side of the tub; faucet can easily be turned on and off with one hand without tight grasping, pinching or twisting the wrist; there is a grab bar at the foot of the tub and at the head of the tub; and there are two 40” grab bars alongside the tub to serve for low and high needs.  The fixtures in the bathtub are historic and therefore we do not have a 60” hand held shower wand.

Due to the historic nature of our property, our rooms are fairly small, therefore we are unable to provide 36” around both sides and the foot of the bed.  However, we do provide full clearance between the door and the right side of the bed.

You can book this room online or please call us 24 hours/7 days a week at 209-962-4000 or email us at guestservices@groveland.com and we would be happy to find the room that most meets your needs.  

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Pet Friendly

Your search for pet-friendly vacation lodging near Yosemite National Park ends here.  Our four-legged guests love the Groveland Hotel as much as our two-legged ones!  We’re happy to offer select pet-friendly rooms, located on the first floor, for your stay in Groveland, California.  The pet fee is $75 per reservation, with a limit of one pet per guest.  We welcome pets 60 lbs or less.

For dog-friendly activities near the Groveland Hotel, we recommend a walk along the Hetch Hetchy Railroad or going for a refreshing dip in the pet-friendly Rainbow Pools swimming hole.  If you are heading into Yosemite National Park, check their website for pet rules and restrictions.

Looking for a local dog sitter/boarder where you can keep your dogs for the day while exploring Yosemite?  There is a great nearby facility called Big Creek Boarding.
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