Tunnel View

Drive through the longest tunnel in California, and exit with a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley. This is the tunnel view, one of the iconic attractions of Yosemite.
We drive toward Glacier Point, and then drive back through the 4233 foot long Wawona tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in California, built in 1933.
Electronic highway signs alert us in the tunnel to pedestrians crossing the highway ahead of us.
High drama, as from a distance away we can see the daylight expanding like an approaching train, and then the spectacular panorama of the Valley is upon us!
Normally both parking lots on both sides of the highway are packed with parked vehicles and tour buses.
Today, on a weekday afternoon in February, the lot is only half full of cars, including at least two SUVs each parked over the parking lines, effectively taking up two parking spots, or making sure no one parks too close to them.
No tour trams in the center in their own oversized parking spots, unloading huge number of tour group riders today.
There are a couple of compact spots right by the entrance, and those cars that can’t find a parking spot cross over the road to the hill side and the overflow parking lot.
El Capitan to the left, Half Dome in the far background in the center, Sentinel Dome to the center right, and Bridalveil falls to the far right, with snow capped mountains in the distance, over a vast array of green forests, against a cloudy sky.
The place has only a few people on the overlook edge, fenced in by low stone walls, acting as safety railings.
Everyone is taking pictures of the Valley, and of their family and friends in the foreground. Teenagers stand right on the overlook edge, while their friends and relatives take pictures for posterity.
10 minutes later, we are out of there, with memories of another trip to the tunnel view. John Muir could not have foreseen that this overlook, built in 1933, would become the iconic spot to take the picture of Yosemite National Park.
Sunset views can be dramatic, with the rays of the setting sun highlighting the tops of the Valley peaks with a golden glow, against a dark background.
Other dramatic viewpoints in Yosemite National Park include Glacier Point, the top of Sentinel Dome, and in the high country Olmstead’s Point, all closed in this El Nino year until June.
This is also the route to going to Fresno, but I’ve never gone to Fresno this way, and in fact have no intention of ever going to Fresno.
Now if only those SUV drivers learned to park within the lines and didn’t take up two parking spaces!

This was the first site we came across that just blew us away! We vacationed 2 – 19 to 2 – 21. This area is so breathtaking that it felt unreal. There are 2 free parking areas for this site. Once you pass the tunnel, on the right side there is a little set of stairs to climb up on. Would highly recommend!

This view is truly awe inspiring. To have Bridal Veil Falls cascading from the mountain top while gazing at half dome and el capitan as well as the valley floor all from one vantage point was life affirming. Yosemite stole my heart and I can’t wait for my next visit.

For me, getting to Yosemite from Carlsbad takes about 8 – 9 hours depending on traffic. As you get closer and closer to Yosemite on the drive, the excitement starts to build. Once you go through the park entrance and pay your fees, you’re almost about to burst with anticipation with the grand views you are about to see, and then once you drive through the tunnel… that’s the tipping point!
The tunnel itself is pretty long, slow down as you are getting to the end of the tunnel or you might miss the parking lot where you can park and enjoy the view. I’ve stopped here twice, once way early in the morning when the sun was just rising, and the other day in the late morning. Definitely go early, when we went late morning, there were buses and buses of people everywhere. Sooooo crowded. Either way the view is breathtaking. You can see everything! Half Dome in the far distance, El Capitan right there in front of you. Tunnel View is the best even with the crowds!

What an amazing view. It looks like a huge painting. Its just perfect. I dont have much of a review for this, but you definitely need to make a stop here if you are coming in from Fresno.
In winter season slow down in the tunnel, sun doesnt shine so alot of sleet. Use turn signals as soon as you come out of the tunnel.

Wer den Blick auf das Yosemite Valley aus einer höheren Perspektive genießen möchte sollte den Tunnel View Point ansteuern. Dieser Aussichtspunkt ist über die State Route 41 (Wawona Road) zu erreichen.
Kurz vor dem Tunnel hat man die Möglichkeit auf beiden Seiten der Straße zu parken. Bereits am frühen Vormittag war hier schon einiges los, da sich keiner diesen wunderschönen Ausblick entgehen lassen wollte. Bei der Anfahrt sollte man gut aufpassen, da oft Fußgänger kopflos über die Straße laufen und zwischen den Parkplätzen wechseln.
Auf der linken Seite ragt der El Capitan ins Tal und auf der rechten Seite kann man den Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Sentinel Domeund den Bridalveil Fall erkennen. Nur vom Glacier Point auf 2.199 m Höhe kann man die Berge noch besser erkennen.
Im Jahre 2008 hat man die Aussichtspunkte für 3 Millionen Dollar neu gestaltet. Es wurde dabei eine Granitmauer errichtet, damit man besser fotografieren kann und darüber hinaus wurde alles behindertengerecht gestaltet. Auf dem Parkplatz wurde noch ein Bronzerelief des Yosemite Valley aufgestellt.
Die dramatische Landschaft lässt sich am Nachmittag wohl am besten fotografieren, da dann die Berge von der Sonne angestrahlt werde. Aber auch am frühen Morgen fand ich die Bilderbuch-​Landschaft schon sehr beeindruckend. Allerdings finde ich persönlich den Valley View noch ein wenig schöner.
Ein sagenhafter Aussichtspunkt der auf dem Besuchsprogramm nicht fehlen sollte.

Such an amazing view where you can see El Captain, Half Dome and Bride Veil Falls. Definitely stop and take some photos. Check out more on my blog

You know that famous picture of Yosemite Valley? El Capitan looms on the left, Bridalveil Fall leaps gracefully down the cliff on the right, Half Dome peeks over the rocks? Guess what: you can drive there, and get that same view with no hiking necessary.
And that’s what I did the first time I took my hunny and her dog there, shortly after we got married. That’s what I did when my in-​laws wanted to visit Yosemite. As beautiful as the pictures are, they do not do the real thing justice: It’s jaw-​dropping and imposing. If you come to Tunnel View from the long Wawona Tunnel, it’s dramatic.
A short hike takes you to Inspiration Point. I understand that the trees have grown so much that you can see very little of what early explorers saw. But this vista point, several hundred feet down the cliff, gives you a good approximation. And it shows you why that spot was called «Inspiration Point». What could it inspire you to do? Paint it? Write a song or a poem about the valley? Praise the Lord? Move here? Kiss your girlfriend? It’s up to you.
If anyone has any doubts about whether or not Yosemite is worth all the hype it gets, then take that doubter here.

«Someone told me long ago
There is a calm before the storm,
I know, it been coming for some time…»
I just want to know, have you every seen clouds rolling leisurely in the valley before sun chases them away?
«‘Till forever, on it goes through the circle, fast and slow,
I know, it cannot stop. I wonder»
I just want to know, when was last time you drove through the darkness to see it melt into sunlight…
It goes through the stages of greyness, air getting lighter, fog and clouds flow between the mountains, spreading their whispery tentacles between pine trees, trying to reach you. Sky gets brighter a bit, and if you turn around to look at the mountains behind you, you will see a kiss of red sunlight reflecting in the peaks. It’s truly gets darker just before first ray of light hits the clouds, basking them in sea of pink and purple hues, contrasting with grey fog escaping hopelessly below.
This is best place to be to see rising sun. Grab a camera, and head to Tunnel view. It is nothing but amazing. With Half Dome and El Captain standing proud, and Yosemite Valley opening in full view.
So screw sleep, get up long before sunrise, and drive here. See it. Feel it. Capture it on camera and in your heart.

I have not been to Yosemite National Park in awhile. The Tunnel View refers to the the first photo opp when you enter Yosemite. You have to be on State Route 41 to see this view.
Wow! It is our first stop when arriving, and our last stop when departing! Enough said!

One of the best views in all of Yosemite National Park. It’s a classic photo opportunity here, everyone MUST make a stop here. You can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridal Veil Falls from this vantage point. Parking can be hectic during busy hours, but fortunately we were able to find a spot on a Friday around noon in spring time (April).
Be sure to make a wish as you go into the tunnel and hold your breath until you make it to the other side! haha :)
Photos here:

Make it a point to visit this point of interest while in Yosemite. It’s simply a beautiful view anytime of the day. There are two parking lots, so make sure to stick around if you don’t find a spot. People come and go and it’s worth the view.
Make sure to take a camera. From this view you see Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley below. I had the chance to see deer nearby and that is always a pleasure.
It’s only a 10 minute drive from Yosemite Valley area by way of Wawona Road.