Favorite (longish) day hikes in Yosemite:
You pretty much have to do the hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls, even though it’s super crowded. Go up the Mist trail and continue up on the left side of Nevada Falls then come back via the JMT. Start early to avoid the heat and the worst of the crowds. You can enter the Half Dome lottery but it’s a 1 in 5 chance and a really tough day hike (start before dawn).
I love North Dome as it’s much quieter and has some of the best views of the Valley and Half Dome. But you have to hike back up to the road at the end.
And Clouds Rest is spectacular but scary if you don’t like a 3ft wide path next to a 5000ft drop.
