Pacific Northwest Vacations | Sierras Yosemite Travel Guide

Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite

While the California Gold Rush may have lured explores to these massive mountains first, the extreme magnitude of the range ensured that much remained unexplored, preserved for the conservation movement to catch up with its beauty. Home to the largest peak in the lower 48 (Mt. Whitney), the largest alpine lake in North America (Lake Tahoe), the largest trees in the world (Giant Sequoia), and the greatest icon of the National Park System (Yosemite Canyon), it's hard to believe that the Spanish translation is simply, “Saw-Tooth Mountains.”

Because most of the area is protected, wildlife practically pose for your camera against a backdrop of evergreen forests, waterfalls and granite canyons. But the incredible scenery is not the only attraction: world-renowned outdoor recreation is available year-round from skiing to climbing and literally everything in between. And as you enjoy the clean, cool air while the sun sets behind the Sacramento Valley, it's hard to believe you were in San Francisco just that morning.