Trelio Food & Wine,
Clovis, CA
A hidden gem worth planning your Yosemite itinerary around
Part II — The Intentional Travel: Yosemite
There’s always a moment in a trip that quietly sets the tone for everything that follows—and for us, it happened on our first night, before we ever made it to Yosemite.
This is where the weekend began.
An Intentional First Night in Clovis
We left Los Angeles early that morning, heading north toward Yosemite—but this part of the trip was never meant to be rushed.
We started the afternoon in Old Town Clovis first, easing into the weekend at a slower pace—wandering through the streets, stopping for lunch at a small Parisian bakery (because I will always find the French bakery, no matter where we are).
From there, we made our way to the Forestiere Underground Gardens, letting the day unfold in layers rather than rushing straight to our destination.
By the time evening came, we were ready to settle in.
Trelio Food & Wine had been on our list for a reason.
Tucked into a quiet stretch of town, with warm light spilling onto the sidewalk, it felt like exactly the kind of place you build an evening around—not just a stop along the way.
Stepping Inside Trelio
The shift happened the moment we crossed the threshold.
Inside, Trelio felt warm and intimate—soft lighting, natural textures, and a quiet energy that made the entire space feel considered without being overdone.
And unexpectedly, it felt like something we would have found in Los Angeles.
Not in a way that tried too hard—but in the details. The design, the pacing, the intention behind the experience. It had that same sense of restraint and confidence you don’t always expect to find outside a major city.
The wine wall, the layered wood tones, the low hum of conversation around us—it all settled into place effortlessly.
It was the kind of place where you settle in quickly—where the outside world fades, and the evening unfolds around you.
The Meal at Trelio
Dinner unfolded the same way the evening had—slowly, intentionally, without ever feeling rushed.
Trelio is known for its prix fixe menu—and it’s easy to understand why. Five courses, each one paced in a way that allows the night to stretch rather than feel scheduled.
But what makes it feel different is how personal it becomes.
At the start of the meal, we were handed menus printed specifically for our table—our name, the date, the evening itself reflected back to us. It was a small detail, but one that immediately shifted the experience from dinner to something far more intentional.
It wasn’t just a set menu—it was something created for that night, for that table.
Each menu is shaped by the ingredients available that day, the season, and even the needs of your table—making no two dinners exactly the same.
Each course arrived with a quiet confidence—simple in presentation, but deeply considered in execution. Nothing felt overcomplicated, and nothing needed to be.
There was a rhythm to it. The kind of pacing that invites you to settle in, to stay present, to let the evening unfold course by course instead of rushing toward an end.
We lingered longer than we planned to.
Somewhere between conversations, shared plates, and the soft glow of the dining room, the meal became less about what was served and more about the experience of being there.
It was the kind of dinner that doesn’t ask for attention—but stays with you long after it’s over.
A Stop Worth Planning Around
There are places you visit because they’re on the way.
And then there are places that quietly become part of the reason you go.
Trelio is the latter.
What began as a stop between Los Angeles and Yosemite became something that shaped the entire rhythm of the weekend—slowing us down before we ever reached the park, grounding the trip in a way we hadn’t planned for, but wouldn’t have wanted to miss.
It’s the kind of experience that lingers—not just because of what was served, but because of how it was felt.
And if you’re heading to Yosemite, it’s worth considering this:
Don’t just pass through.
Plan your stop here.
View menus, make a reservation,
and plan your evening
Reservations fill quickly—this isn’t the kind of place you want to miss.
Following Along
This was just one part of the trip, and I’ll be sharing more as it all comes together—what we did in Yosemite, where we ate, and the moments that ended up standing out the most.
I’m sharing each piece over on Instagram as it goes live, so you can follow along in real time as I add to it.
Everything is linked here as well, so if you’re planning a trip of your own, you can find the details without having to search for them.
@erinlgore
Continue Exploring Yosemite
If you’re planning your own Yosemite trip,
I’ve pulled everything together here—
where we stayed, what we did,
and what ended up mattering most once we were actually there.
Because Yosemite isn’t just about seeing it—
it’s about how you move through it,
and having a place (and a plan) that lets you actually enjoy it while you’re in it.
This experience at Trelio Food & Wine was hosted as part of our Yosemite weekend. As always, all thoughts and reflections are entirely my own.