Relaxation Is All Around in Yosemite National Park
PUBLISHED ON VOGUE.COM
For those looking to escape Los Angeles’s monotonous weather and polluted city air, Yosemite National Park is the ideal retreat (the 5 hour drive flies by with a quick pit stop at In-N-Out Burger), particularly in the winter, when the crowds subside and it’s possible to experience all four seasons in just one day. The mountain peaks are almost always covered in a blanket of snow, while the valley stays warmer, creating the perfect environment for hiking and general exploration.
In Mariposa, the California county that encompasses much of Yosemite, it can be difficult to find a comfortable place to stay among rustic lodges and rugged camping grounds. But perched on the green foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains is the Château du Sureau—a luxury resort only 14 miles from the entrance to Yosemite. Situated on a nine acre estate, the property includes the 10 bedroom Château, Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant, a private two-bedroom villa, and the Spa du Sureau. Austrian chef, restaurateur, and hotelier Erna Kubin-Clanin established the luxurious sanctuary with the intent of enabling visitors to experience the magic of Yosemite as well as the charm of a boutique, French-inspired hotel.
Checking into the Château du Sureau feels more like staying at a home than a hotel; a glass of wine and homemade pastries await your arrival in your room, and all 10 of the Château’s bedrooms have their own stone fireplace, tiled bathroom, and king-sized bed encased in fine linen sheets. The whimsical estate gardens and grounds are well worth a stroll. Visitors can lounge by the pool, relax on a tree swing, or play a game of chess on a life-size board. And the bedside croissants aren’t the only ones you’ll get: Erna’s Elderberry House is a full bakery, as well as a fine-dining restaurant with romantic pink and red roses adorning the ceiling.
Yosemite National Park stretches thousands of miles, so navigating it can be challenging for newcomers. Thankfully the hotel staff at the Château du Sureau provides guests with detailed maps and hiking recommendations as well as snack packs and delicious pre-made sandwiches for long days exploring the outdoors. Even though the hotel isn’t situated within Yosemite, it’s just an hour drive to Tunnel View, the second most photographed viewpoint in the park. The dramatic tunnel opens into Yosemite Valley, offering a sublime panorama of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls—the view is spectacular, and for those who are unprepared to hit the trail, there's no hike necessary.
But for those who came for the nature (and you kind of have to—it IS a National Park) Yosemite has hikes for all levels of adventurers. There are two to three-hour hikes with modest elevation like the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail as well as strenuous six to eight-hour hikes with extreme elevation like the Half Dome Trail, which might take all day. For those who fear getting lost in the park, it’s not as easy as it might seem. The trails are all marked with signs and even sporadic water stations. Just don’t expect to have cellular service. Weren’t you going to disconnect more this year?
That said, if you need a break from the wilderness, wander to Yosemite Village, stationed at the center of the valley. There you can find shops, restaurants, and even the Ansel Adams Gallery with the photographer’s renowned black and white prints of the surrounding area. Outside of Yosemite lies the historic gold country of Mariposa, where explorers fled to extract the precious metal in California. There is still gold in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains today, and you can envision the old west with a stroll through town.