The One Thing To Do in Northern California Before the End of the Year

Every once in a while, you encounter something you've only seen in the movies or in photos, and you can't quite grasp the enormity of it. In the case of an ancient sequoia tree, the enormity is literal. These trees, up close, are a wonder I cannot even put into words. They are ancient friends standing tall and proud in Yosemite National Park, gathering admirers from near and far. While they've seen more New Year's than a human could fathom, they are a remarkable sight you should absolutely know before we come together to greet 2026.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at Yosemite National Park is a place I never imagined I'd find myself. Once I was there, barely making a shadow on the immense trunk of a tree, potentially over 1,000 years old, I was too stunned to speak. Even if you gathered all the visitors in one place beside the trees on any given day, we would still pale in comparison to these gentle tree giants. Once you're there, staring at them, they almost feel as though they aren't real. Suddenly, you're in the land of giants rather than on planet Earth.

While it doesn't have the sheer volume of Sequoia National Park, the grove is nonetheless an incredible sight. Mariposa Grove has over 500 mature giant sequoias, including the Grizzly Giant (seen below), believed to be about 3,000 years old.

The only significant issue with visiting these majestic trees in winter is that access changes. Your main access to them is Mariposa Grove Road, which closes from November through April (unless your car has a disability placard). However, you can take the road near the Grizzly Giant, where you'll find the trailhead and arrival area. Shuttle service is also not available from December through April.

Because of this, you may need to hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe to the Sequoia grove. The grove is two miles along Mariposa Grove Road or Washburn Trail. Although it can be more tenuous than other parts of the year, and you may need to venture through snow, if you don't mind the workout, your destination is well worth it.

I think just before the new year is the perfect time to visit these magnificent trees. They put life into perspective. Looking up, and up, and up the trunks of these trees, higher than houses, is a much-needed reminder of how minor our problems can be. They remind us to keep things in perspective, a much-needed thought upon a new year. More than that, though, they let us know that each year is a gift and that they are a testament to that fact time and time again.

If you're ready to see these mighty trees for yourself, be sure to check out the Only In Your State Travel Planner first! Maybe you can even make a road trip out of it and visit some of the other sequoia parks, too, like Sequoia National Park.

Amanda visited Yosemite National Park on a media visit with Visit Tuolumne County; however, all opinions are their own.