My City Celebrates: Pete’s Yosemite

This year, inspired by our “I Heart My City”

series on Intelligent Travel, we’re reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. But we have to admit that in our focus on cities, we overlooked some of the less-urban offerings. So today we look at Yosemite’s winter wonders with the help of Pete Devine.

What to share the things that make your city special?

We’ve put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we’d love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org.

(Please include links and photos if possible). We’ll be featuring your “My City Celebrates” posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we’ve featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Yosemite National Park

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to The Ahwahnee Lodge.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Degnan’s Deli.  

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to Crane Flat Snow Play Area.

Strap on your skates at Curry Village Ice Rink and enjoy the view of the stars over Half Dome – wow!

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, which is known for its crust of bright ice on granite.

A great place to take the kids during the season is on a ranger snowshoe walk at Badger Pass.

For all of your gift-giving shopping in one store, check out the Ansel Adams Gallery.

The Valley Visitor Center has the best market, be sure to pick up a selection of Yosemite books for your friends and family.

No holiday meal in my city is complete without a stroll in Yosemite Valley afterwards.

My favorite holiday tradition in my city is a moonlight snowshoe trek.

Locals know to avoid the throngs in summer and find the real magic in Yosemite’s off-season.

The best part about my city during the holiday season is it’s not a city!

Photo: MyShot user Mary Lundin