Small-Group Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco

Overview

Yosemite National Park is a must-visit California gem, and this day trip from San Francisco makes it easy. Leave the urban hustle-bustle behind and journey through Central Valley, Gold Country and the Sierra Nevada foothills to UNESCO World Heritage–listed Yosemite National Park. Take a 1.5-hour narrated van tour of Yosemite Valley, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls and El Capitan, and then set off on your own for three hours to explore independently. Numbers are limited to 23 on this small-group tour, ensuring a more personalized wilderness experience.

City: San Francisco

Sun 20 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $179.00

Make a reservation

Sun 20 Oct

Starting at $179.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (103) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (113) Entry Tickets (47) Sporting Events (1) Good for Small Groups (6) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (41) Walking Tours (697) Outdoor Activities (20) Limitied Availability Tours (6) LGBT Friendly Tours (4) Family-friendly Activities (7) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (27) Travelers recommend (73) Good for Groups (8) Top Activities (18) Guided Audio Tours (3) Art, Culture & History (135) Attractions to explore (38)

What's Included

Yosemite National Park entrance fee

Narrated in-coach tour of Yosemite (1.5 hrs)

Full-time professional, knowledgeable guide

Transport by biofueled mini-coach

Hotel pickup and drop-off from select SF hotels

3 hours of free time in the Valley

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
Face masks recommended

What To Expect

San Francisco Bay

As you settle in for the journey, we’ll pass by some exceptional San Francisco sights. Catch views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and the incomparable San Francisco Skyline as we head east on the Bay Bridge. The journey to Yosemite typically takes about 4 hours.

Oakdale

You’ll taste a piece of California’s rich agricultural hub as we pass through a slice of the Central Valley famous for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries. Here we will also make a stop at a grocery store for you to pick up lunch and any other supplies you'll need for the day.

Tunnel View

We’ll continue into the mountains as we connect with the rich history of California’s gold country, passing through some of the first settlements built during the Gold Rush. Take in the earthy forest smell as we make our way to the heart of the park. Your guide will pepper you with stories and historical facts about the different sights. The climb through Yosemite Valley offers breathtaking views as we wind our way up to 4,500 feet above sea level. Arrive at Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, massive sequoia trees and biological diversity. Admire famous Half Dome, depicted in famous photographs by Ansel Adams, and watch rock climbers scale El Capitan's 3,000-foot (914-meter) sheer granite rock face. Enjoy incredible vistas from the Tunnel View overlook, and end your in-coach tour near the base of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America.

Yosemite Valley

The suspense is over! Once we reach the drop off location, you’ll have around 3 hours of free time to explore. Want to hike or bike around? Your guide will point out the best spots on your map. You’ll have options to meander or bike down paved paths, hike the trails, engage further with the park’s history at the visitor center, or visit the Ansel Adams Gallery. Although you could spend three weeks in Yosemite, the three hours you get on your own is enough time to understand why Yosemite is one of America’s most popular national parks.

Yosemite Falls

During your free time in Yosemite Valley, you can talk a walk or bike around the base of Yosemite Falls to take in its beauty.

Ansel Adams Gallery

During your free time in Yosemite Valley, you can choose to visit the famous photographer' gallery to view a collection of Ansel Adams' original photographs.

San Francisco

Once we’ve had our time to explore, we’ll come together in the late afternoon and set our course back to San Francisco, stopping for a short break before arriving back in the city. You will arrive back at your hotel by around 8:30 – 9:00 p.m. to sleep off the days’ adventures.

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (350)

yaski7

Aug 2022

The guide is an absolute delight, delivering timely and very interesting facts about a whole range of things, and seems to have a great sense of the energy levels in the bus. The Yosemite water is brilliant!

Jorge_A

Jul 2022

Incredible experience! I really recommend the small group plan. The guide provided the possible experiences always open to provide the best insight and advise with the best attitude. My wife and son enjoyed a lot this outstanding experience!

Response from Host

Jul 2022

Thank you for taking the time to review your tour! We’re so glad to read that our staff were able to make your experience with us a memorable one and that you enjoyed all of the services we offer. I will pass on your compliments about our guide to the entire team!

Jazmine L

Jul 2022

I didn’t get to go on a small group tour due to minimal staffing but the host tried their best to accommodate my reservation with their travel partners - Gray Line. I ended up traveling with 30+ people but there was plenty of space in the bus and in the valley that it didn’t feel like I was even in a larger tour. My tour guide named Joseph was amazing from the first time I met him from the bus stop til the end of our tour. He was very kind and knowledgeable not only of Yosemite valley but also about the city of San Francisco. The coach bus with A/C was great and very comfortable to be in. The 3hr by ourselves in the valley seemed not enough at first but it was well worth it. I was able to hike the lower Yosemite falls and still walk around the valley to take a closer look at the rock formations and beautiful scenery the national park offers. I even got to see a black bear cub on the way to the falls. We also stopped at several overlooks which made the tour even more worthwhile. The fresh farm market was a great stop at the end! I would also like to thank Jason our bus drive for the wonderful ride. Even though I traveled alone in this tour I felt very safe from Joseph’s guide and Jason’s driving during the whole trip.

Response from Host

Jul 2022

Hello Jazmine! Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. We’re so glad to read about your memorable experience. I will pass on your compliments about our guide to the entire team! Sincerely, The Incredible Adventures team