Entire home

Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River

Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River

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Exterior
Large deck with two dining tables, BBQ, and big views of river and mountains
Enjoy gorgeous mountain and river views while visiting or dining on the deck
Walk, bike, or skate along the historic YV railroad bed next to the Merced River
Craggy peaks rise high above the river view from the deck

Overview of Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
El Portal, CA
  • Popular LocationEl Portal Market9 min drive
  • Popular LocationYosemite Arch Rock Gate Entrance15 min drive
  • Popular LocationYosemite Valley18 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Convertible bed(s)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River

YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE (to receive an accurate quote, contact owner at 209-379-2458)...a newly re-modeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a spectacular view of the Merced River. From its location close to Highway 140-- the 'All-Year Highway' to Yosemite National Park--you are only 5 miles to the Park boundary, and minutes to the incomparable Yosemite Valley. With a fully-equipped kitchen, 2 gas fireplaces, the ONLY private in-ground swimming pool among Yosemite area vacation rentals, and a large deck overlooking the river, YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE is a year-round vacation destination from which to enjoy the sights, sounds, and recreational activities of the 'crown jewel of national parks'.

With 3 bedrooms and a sleeper sofa, YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE can accommodate up to 8 guests. One bedroom has a queen bed, a gas fireplace surrounded by beautiful local rock, and a sublime river view. A second bedroom also has a queen bed, a pool view, and an adjoining full bathroom. The 3rd bedroom has a bunk bed, with a twin mattress on top and a double on bottom. A second full bathroom has been newly renovated in an Art Deco style. The kitchen has everything you'll need, and you'll love the view from the sink, watching the river roll by. The living room has ample comfortable seating, a stone fireplace with gas insert, a 42' HDTV, and DVD player. Wireless internet is also available.

The El Portal area has a fascinating history. The Yosemite Valley Railroad, which ran on what is now Incline road, operated from 1906 until 1942. Before Highway 140 was completed in 1926, the railroad carried passengers to El Portal, from where they would continue their journey to Yosemite via horse-drawn carriages, and later motor-coaches. On the return trip to Merced, the train carried sugar pine logs back to the sawmill.

YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE is on Incline Road (the former railroad bed), a level, paved lane parallel to the Merced River. Because so few cars travel the road, it is ideal for walking, running, skating, and biking. Guests at YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE can take advantage of a variety of seasonal activities in the area, including:

*river rafting, kayaking, and some of California's premier wildflower walks in the spring.
*swimming in the on-site pool and local swimming holes in the summer.
*downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at family-friendly Badger Pass in the winter.
*trout and bass fishing in season.
*photography, hiking, bird and wildlife watching, rock hounding, and phenomenal star-gazing all year round.

Staying at YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE is an affordable family vacation, especially when 2 families share the rental and food costs. Upon returning to the house after a day of fun activities, refresh by the pool or relax on the deck and listen to the soothing sounds of the Wild and Scenic Merced River. Cook outside on the gas BBQ, have a delightful meal outdoors, and savor your vacation at our unique location in El Portal, the Gateway to Yosemite.



Keywords: House

Property manager

Harvey Holland and Jo Ann Belforte
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:30 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
No charge for children 2 years old and younger

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

El Portal

Located in El Portal, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Valley. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
El Portal, CA

What's nearby

  • El Portal Market - 9 min drive
  • Yosemite Arch Rock Gate Entrance - 15 min drive
  • Yosemite Valley - 18 min drive
  • Tunnel View - 29 min drive
  • El Capitan - 42 min drive

Getting around

  • Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • The River Restaurant & Lounge - 11 min drive
  • Parkside Pizza - 11 min drive
  • Canyon Bar & Grill - 10 min drive
  • Cedar House Restaurant - 10 min drive
  • Little Bear Pizza - 8 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 248 out of 263 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 263 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 263 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 263 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 263 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cindy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property close to Yosemite
We fell in love with this home. It is right on the Merced River with great views. Our friends flew all the way from CT to see Yosemite with us. The night before we were to go to Yosemite our original VRBO was cancelled. Luckily, we were able to book Jo Ann's home at the last minute. It ended up being better than anything we could have asked for. The property was immaculate and spacious. The kitchen had everything you could need. We will definitely return again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rishi S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice location near Yosemite!
It is really nice place on Merced River and Jo Ann is wonderful host!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chantelle E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location
We celebrated my baby girls 2nd birthday in Yosemite and loved our stay
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Yosemite Family Home Away From Home!
We were very comfortable in this nice house with wonderful views of the river and the nearby mountains. Our favorite things about this house were the warm gas fireplace in the livingroom and complete kitchen. The property is only minutes from a Park entrance.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Paula K., Hayward, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Decent option for Yosemite visits
Visited with 2 adults and two small children. A lot of nice things to note about the property. Close to Yosemite entrance so daily in and out of the park with kids was great. Kitchen had nice new pots and stocked with lots of cooking spices, coffee, utensils, etc. A clean, quiet, secluded spot along the river, which can be heard at night; with no problem for sleep time. Deer greeted us in the morning in the backyard. A few things could be upgraded as it appears to be an older house. Beds were not particularly comfortable, a bit too wobbly and squeaky. Filtered water faucet was a trickle when we used it so it was hard to even fill up one cup, definitely not our canteens for day trips. Tap was supposedly potable so we didn’t bother boiling and didn’t have any issues. Definitely zero phone reception when not on wifi, but we read about that in advance so no surprises there. We were in the park most of the day so only came back for dinner and sleep. Overall, a very decent option for Yosemite visits.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Harvey Holland and Jo Ann Belforte

Host profile image
We have lived in the area for almost 40 years. Harvey is a local real estate agent and woodworker, and Jo Ann is a physical therapist. We have 2 children, 5 grandchildren, a 1 great-grandson. Our knowledge of the area can help our guests have a memorable Yosemite experience.

Why they chose this property

Located on one of the few parcels of private property in the Yosemite area, this house has many benefits that have made it a successful vacation rental. The location is very close to Yosemite, the Merced River flows right by the house, and the private in-ground pool are just a few of the features that our guests have loved.

What makes this property unique

The waterfalls of Yosemite flow into the Merced River, which guests can view from the deck of our home. In the summer, our pool provides a welcome relief after hiking in the Park. In the spring, the hills are alive with an array of dazzling wildflowers. The house is a 45 minute drive from Badger Pass, a family-friendly ski area.

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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