Cathedral Beach

Wedding Ceremony

Tea Ceremony & Ketubah Signing

Wedding Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

Check out lodging options for both Yosemite National Park (where we'll be staying before our reception) and Murphys and Angel's Camp (for our reception) below.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of our all time favorite places (we got engaged here!) and we hope you'll come spend some time in the valley with us. Yosemite Valley, at the heart of Yosemite National Park, is just over a 3 1/2 hour drive from Oakland Airport (OAK), San Francisco Airport (SFO), or San Jose Airport (SJC). In addition to driving in from Northern or Southern California yourself, Yosemite offers a helpful bus line called the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS). The YARTS can be booked ahead of time. Be careful, though, it does fill up in the summer, so book early!Inside the valley, there's tons to do and lots of places to stay, regardless of what you're looking for. Check out our descriptions of campgrounds, tent cabins, motels, and hotels within the park to find what's right for you. The most important thing to know is that Yosemite National Park is quite a popular location and these spots fill up early. We suggest booking as soon as booking opens for the season, which is usually one year in advance (June of 2021). If you have any trouble doing so, let us know and we're happy to help!

There are a variety of Yosemite campgrounds available. Those in the heart of the valley include Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and North Pines. If you're willing to do a bit more driving, Crane Flat is a good option. Outside of the main portion of the valley, but no less beautiful, are Wawona and Bridalveil Creek. All of these campgrounds are cheap and have bathrooms, but no showers and minimal amenities. There are stores located within driving distance, and walking distance from some, so no need to stress about being too far from civilization. Additionally, while these fill up fast, it's often possible to search for cancellations throughout the season. If you decide that camping is the way to go, we're all for it! Just make sure you invite us for s'mores.

Campgrounds

Curry Village, located in Yosemite Valley with spectacular views of Half Dome, is a great middle ground for those who would like a few nicer amenities than camping but still want the Yosemite experience. Curry Village offers tent cabins with communal bathrooms and showers or small wooden cabins with private baths. This is a fun atmosphere filled with families, climbers, rangers, and everyone in between. In addition to lodging, Curry Village boasts a few eateries, a bar, bike rentals, a pool, and several organized daily activities. This is Talia's personal favorite place to stay in the park, but a warning: this is certainly not a hotel standard. Expect rickety beds and mattresses on the thinner side. Even so, nothing beats the view of sunrise or sunset on Half Dome (and their coffee shop is a must, if you're on the sunrise side of the day).

Curry Village

Yosemite Valley Lodge is a more comfortable way to enjoy the valley. Located just under Yosemite Falls, the Lodge is a motel-style accommodation that offers private rooms, ensuite baths, several eateries (including Starbucks!), a store, a pool, and hotel-like amenities. This is still a national park, so we'll warn you that the A/C system isn't ideal, but it's a comfy place to stay with stellar views, right in the heart of everything. If you're looking for the intersection of affordable and comfortable, this is it! Like all places in the park, this books up early! If you think the Lodge is right for you, we encourage you to book as soon as you can for peace of mind. Reach out to us if you need any assistance!

Yosemite Valley Lodge

The fanciest of accommodations within Yosemite National Park, without a doubt, The Ahwahnee is a gorgeous, Arts &amp; Crafts style, first-rate hotel right in the valley. Located towards Mirror Lake, The Ahwahnee boasts top amenities, a brunch that's to-die-for, and comfort with a view- but for a price. If you are looking for style and serenity, the Ahwahnee is perfect for you, just be wary of your budget! And, as always, book early!

The Ahwahnee

There are plenty more locations to stay outside Yosemite National Park, but we hope you'll book a few days with us at one of the locations above and take advantage of the beautiful vistas and exciting hikes Yosemite has to offer.

Murphys & Angels Camp

Our reception on the evening of June 23, 2022 takes place in Vallecito, CA, approximately 2 hours west of Yosemite National Park. We recommend taking the morning after the ceremony to check out of your Yosemite accommodations and make your way to one of the two towns on either side of our venue, Murphys or Angels Camp. These two towns offer everything from campsites, to airbnb rentals, to bed and breakfasts, to hotels. Take a few hours to check in, relax, and spruce up, then come join us for a night of champagne, tacos, and lots of dancing!

There are a variety of campgrounds around Vallecito, Murphys, and Angels Camp. We recommend looking online to find one that best suits your budget and preferences. These sites should be much easier to book than Yosemite, so don't feel as pressured to put down roots quickly!

Airbnb and Vrbo both offer a slew of different rental options in Vallecito, Murphys, and Angels Camp. Whether you want to rent a house as a group, a private room, or someone's back yard, check out these sites for a range of options financially.

Airbnb or Vrbo Rentals

Affordable hotel offering fresh donuts for breakfast daily and a pool, hot tub, and steam room for relaxation (after all those donuts).

Murphys Suites

An affordable motel option with a pool and room service.

Murphys Inn Motel

Affordable Best Western branch with breakfast included and pool and hot tub to rest your dancing feet.

Best Western Cedar Inn & Suites

A lovely, albeit more expensive, bed and breakfast that even features deep tissue massages in their spas (if that's more your speed than the hiking- or both!).

Courtwood Inn

A lovely, more expensive option. This bed and breakfast offers its breakfast free and cooked to order each morning!

Dunbar House Inn and Event Property

A beautiful bed and breakfast where each room features European designs including fireplaces, claw-footed tubs, canopy beds, and more!

The Victoria Inn

Absolutely (I mean, REALLY) gorgeous cabin rentals in a secluded area adjacent to the creek, complete with pool, bocce courts, fire pit, and more.

The Cottages At La Honda Park

House rentals ranging from small cottages to large houses around the golf course and lake- all beautifully furnished!

Greenhorn Creek Vacation Rentals

This hotel features a pool, tennis courts, and its balconies overlook their golf course.

WorldMark Angels Camp

Travel

Hikes

Mirror Lake Loop: approx. 2 miles, mostly paved. This loop takes you past stunning views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome and out to Mirror Lake. In wet seasons, Mirror Lake forms a perfect mirror image of North Dome up above. Keep your eyes peeled for deer and chipmunks! This trail is mostly flat and passes several shuttle stops if you want to bow out early. More info <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mirrorlaketrail.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Cook's Meadow Loop: approx. 1 mile, mostly wooden boardwalk. This loop extends out into the meadows with views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls. This is especially nice for bird watching and is peaceful and quiet early in the morning. This trail is flat and is easily accessed by Yosemite Valley Lodge or Curry Village. More info <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/cooksmeadowtrail.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Big Trees Loop Trail: approx. 0.3 miles, but can go further, mostly wooden boardwalk. This trail is the start of Mariposa Groves, out of the valley. A great place to see the giant sequoia trees and learn more about history and biodiversity within Yosemite National Park. This grove is definitely worth the drive. More info <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wawonahikes.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Easy Hikes

Upper Yosemite Falls to Columbia Rock: approx. 3 miles roundtrip, unpaved, steep inclines and declines. This hike is the start of the Upper Yosemite Falls trail but climbs a little over a mile up to give you stunning views of the valley (not the falls). Why is this moderate? Because you walk straight up that incline without a break on a series of switchbacks. Is the view worth it, though? Oh heck, yes! More info <a href="https://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/columbia-rock/columbia-rock.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point: approx. 6.5 miles, begins paved and then transitions to unpaved, constant inclines to summit and then constant declines to trailhead. The National Park Service rates this trail as strenuous, likely because of the length, but it's actually a remarkably moderate trail, by my estimation. This is partly due to the fact that it's shaded consistently, but also because Mariposa Grove consists of branching trails so it's always possible to turn around and head back down the mountain or choose a new route back to the trailhead. The views of giant sequoias along the way are unparalleled and whether you're admiring a pinecone larger than your head or meadows of natural wildflowers, this is one of my favorite trails outside of Yosemite valley. More info <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wawonahikes.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Moderate Hikes

Mist Trail to Nevada Falls: approx. 9.2 miles if you descend by John Muir Trail, paved until Vernal Falls Footbridge then dirt and stone steps, steep inclines and declines. Mist Trail is the most popular trail in Yosemite National Park and with good cause. You ascend past two waterfalls (Vernal Falls then Nevada Falls) and the views from the top are to die for (we got engaged up here!). Having said that, this is not for the faint of heart. The trail is named for the steep stone steps that run along Vernal Falls and soak any hikers ascending (seriously, bring a poncho, especially in June!). The stairs up to the summit of Nevada, on the other hand, are a beautiful white granite that is easier to appreciate when you aren't climbing on a sunny day. We love this hike, but strongly recommend that if you try it, you either turn around at the Vernal Falls Footbridge or commit to ascending all the way to Nevada Falls and taking the John Muir Trail down, because the Mist Trail steps are not fun in reverse. Bring lots of water and start early in the day to skip the crowds! More info <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/vernalnevadatrail.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Four Mile Loop: approx. 9.6 miles, mostly dirt but well-maintained, exceedingly steep inclines and declines. Want to see Glacier Point while the road to it is under construction? There's a trail leading from the valley floor and ascending 3200 feet to the view point in a straight ascent. It's Talia's absolute favorite trail in the world, but it also is commonly regarded as the toughest hike in the valley. The views are to die for, right from the start, as you hike up and past Yosemite Falls on the other side of the valley and eventually are level with and then above Half Dome to your north. Start early and keep yourself motivated with the knowledge that you can purchase an ice cream from the Glacier Point store at the summit! More info <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fourmiletrail.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Porcupine Creek and North Dome: approx. 8.7 miles, unpaved, slightly difficult to follow, steeeeep declines and inclines. This is rated as moderate on the website, but having done it in August of 2020, we can attest that this is not an easy trail. Again, elevation is no joke and you're hiking at an altitude of around 8000 feet above sea level. Additionally, while the views from North Dome are arguably a better view of Half Dome than the view from Half Dome itself (really!), the descent down slippery granite makes even the most sure-footed hiker a little apprehensive. The terrain of this trail is gorgeous, though, from meadows to granite and including the lone natural arch in Yosemite National Park. We can't wait to try this trail again! More info <a href="https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7013435/porcupine-creek-north-dome" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Strenuous Hikes

Other Activities

There's loads to do in Yosemite valley even for the non-hikers in the group! If you want stunning views without having to walk, Tunnel View and Bridalveil Falls are some of the best spots for photos. For those who are more active, but aren't a fan of hikes, there are several places around the valley, like Curry Village, where you can rent bicycles or water rafts. Cruising down the river in a raft is a lovely way to beat the heat! Additionally, the banks of the river, which runs throughout the valley, often function as beaches, with folks bringing towels or chairs and finding quiet places to read or relax. Yosemite National Park also features an art gallery and a museum, where you can learn more about the exploration of the valley by John Muir, see the photos of Ansel Adams, and (Talia's favorite), learn about how Ansel Adams' wife, Virginia Best, kept pace with him on all of his hikes in skirts and heels! While there are many places to eat in Yosemite National Park, many visitors also take advantage of the picnic tables and grills to barbecue or make s'mores at least once during their trip. Regardless of your activity level, Yosemite has something for everyone!

No wedding celebration is complete without some wine, right? And no need to contain your celebrating to the reception! This area of CA has some lovely vineyards and wineries for your exploration. These are just a few of what Murphys and Angels Camp have to offer!Ironstone Vineyards: https://www.ironstonevineyards.com/Hatcher Winery: https://www.hatcherwinery.com/Hovey Winery: https://www.hoveywine.com/Lavender Ridge Vineyard and Winery: https://lavenderridgevineyard.com/

Vineyards and Wineries

Mercer Caverns are amazing underground caverns filled with interesting rock formations and a guided tour about the geology and history of the region 16-stories underground. This tour does feature stairs up and down, so it's best for those without joint pain, but for those who want an even greater adventure: these caverns also offer spelunking and crawling tours. And you thought we were crazy for marrying on top of a mountain!

Mercer Caverns

For those of you who didn't go through fourth grade history class in a California school, California was the heart of the gold rush in the mid-1800's and this area of California was the heart of gold country! Visit the museum to learn about the goldminers, how to pan for gold yourself, and what it took to expand the Western frontier.

Talia & Lin Khern

Talia & Lin Khern

Registry