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

Fri 25 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $179.00

Make a reservation

Fri 25 Oct

Starting at $179.00

Make a reservation

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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.

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Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (350)

Martin_J

Dec 2019

A long bus trip, but worth it. Yosemite is stunning, particularly with the recent snow fall. Small group tour which I would recommend.

Response from Host

Dec 2019

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. It is a bit of journey, but totally worth it, as you said! Winter is a beautiful time of year to visit Yosemite, the snow capped peaks are breathtaking.

Kim_A

Nov 2019

Amazing, amazing, amazing. That's all I can say. What an amazing day. Intimate bus group - very friendly. Great guide who was very knowledgeable. The on board videos were awesome. Had about 3-4 hours free to explore the valley and have lunch. Such a great day. Would definitely recommend.

Response from Host

Nov 2019

We are so glad you enjoyed your trip to Yosemite! It can be very nice to travel with a small group. Our guides have a great deal of knowledge and we are happy that they were able to share that knowledge with you!

CeeNZ2019

Nov 2019

It's my second time to Yosemite but first for my friend- it's a beautiful place- river, valley, ridges and peaks and breathtaking El Capitan. A must to see. This day tour was slightly disappointing though, even though we were to be picked up from our hotel, we were told that wasn't the case after we booked and paid. The guide was lovely but certainly didn't offer very much additional information on Yosemite's geology, history or cultural significance beyond just a few facts and figures. She was really the driver first and foremost. If you have the time, definitely doing an overnighter would be better than a day trip. And triple check for hotel pick up and drop offs if that's important to you! The stops for refreshments half way was good and pre-purchasing our lunch was a good idea. All in all a lovely trip but could definitely be improved !

Response from Host

Nov 2019

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are always looking to improve. I apologize that you were under the impression that we would be able to pick you up from your hotel. We have 4 designated pickup locations in San Francisco. This is in order to expedite the pickup process. We do not want to spend all morning driving around San Francisco and not be able to spend any time at the main event, which is Yosemite. We are glad you appreciated the stop for refreshments It is nice to be able to grab lunch beforehand and then find a nice spot in Yosemite to sit and enjoy it.