Outside Park, South
Abutting Yosemite south of the Merced River is Sierra National Forest and the foothill communities of Mariposa and Oakhurst. These are pleasant, historic towns from which to base a park visit. Locals appreciate warm summers and mild winters, pleasant rolling terrain where the oaks meet the pines, and the southern end of Gold Rush country. Both towns are built around tourism to Yosemite, with plentiful hotel beds and a range of restaurants. It's even worth visiting here to explore the national forest outside the park for fishing, hiking, photography, RV-ing, camping, etc.The Oakhurst-Bass Lake area connects easily to Fresno with its international airport (check out the incredible giant sequoia exhibit in the lobby). Mariposa is accessed from Merced, where a public transportation corridor along the "all-year highway" through the deep Merced River canyon ties Yosemite to the Amtrak schedule. For scenery's sake alone, you might consider entering Yosemite by one route and exiting on another.
Attractions
Hotels
