Full-Day Tour of Yosemite National Park from San Francisco
Experience a full-day trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park.
Tour overview
Yosemite National Park tour, this excursion from San Francisco will take you to Yosemite National Park. Once you arrive at the state’s most renowned national park, you can either have lunch at your own expense or start exploring the park right away. You can follow the bus tour of the region led by your tour guide or explore the park on your own during your visit.
- From San Francisco, take a day excursion to Yosemite National Park.
- Take in the scenery on a picturesque trip across California’s Great Central Valley.
- Explore the park on your own or take a guided bus tour.
- English driver’s manual and comments.
Tour itinerary
For the travel to Yosemite National Park, board your luxury car. Cross the Bay Bridge and head towards the Sierra Mountains through the Central Valley.
When you arrive in Yosemite, take a guided bus tour of the valley. Then, take advantage of your spare time to go exploring on your own. Rent a bike (at your own risk) and tour the valley floor, or stop by the Ansel Adams Gallery or the ranger station for educational talks and guided excursions. Explore the Ahwahnee Indian Village or take a stroll along the Merced River.
After that, gather at the bus stop to return to San Francisco.
Financial District (Pass By): Begin your journey in downtown San Francisco, which is flanked by skyscrapers that dominate the skyline (Transamerica Pyramid, Salesforce Tower) and is home to a plethora of tech enterprises and Fortune 500 corporations.
San Francisco Bay Bridge (Pass By): The Bay Bridge (or “the other bridge”) is a network of bridges that cross the San Francisco Bay. This double-decker bridge, which connects San Francisco and Oakland as part of Interstate 80, serves an estimated 260,000 cars every day.
Oakdale: You’ll drive through the Central Valley, California’s most prolific agricultural region, which produces more than half of the vegetables and fruits consumed in the United States. We’ll make a brief stop in Oakdale to get your day’s supplies: water, snacks, hiking food, or your entire picnic.
Yosemite National Park: The guide will begin the 1-hour bus tour of Yosemite National Park upon entering the park, experiencing one of the most aesthetically magnificent sites on the planet. Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Valley will all be included on your trip.
Tunnel View:
A trip to Yosemite would be incomplete without a photograph taken from the Tunnel View. It is a picturesque sight on Yosemite National Park’s State Route 41. Views of Yosemite Valley from the east include surrounding landmarks like El Capitan’s southwest face, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls.
Bridalveil Falls: Bridalveil Falls, one of Yosemite Valley’s most renowned waterfalls, will be your next visit. The waterfall stands 617 feet tall and runs all year. You will have 15′ to wander close to the falls and capture unforgettable photos.
Yosemite Valley: Once we arrive at the drop-off site in the center of Yosemite Valley, you’ll have around 3 hours to explore the park on your own. Do you have no idea what to do? Inquire with our guide about the greatest sites in the area. Hiking the paved pathways, renting a bike to cover more land, visiting the visitor’s center for foreign exhibits, or visiting the Ansel Adams Gallery to see works by the famed artist are all alternatives. Although you might spend days in the park, the three hours you have to yourself are plenty to appreciate why Yosemite is a World Heritage Site.
Ansel Adams Gallery: In your spare time in Yosemite Valley, you may visit the Ansel Adams Gallery to admire the famed artist’s masterpieces.
Lower Yosemite Fall Trail (Pass By): Enjoy breathtaking views of Yosemite goes in its entirety, as well as the option to trek to the base of the lower fall, which roars in the spring but goes silent by late summer. The route to Lower Yosemite Fall is available all year. Expect to get soaked when the river is at its greatest in the spring and early summer.
Valley Visitor Center (Pass By): The Valley Visitor Center, located in Yosemite Valley, is a must-see whether you’re seeking Yosemite-related publications, postcards, or maps. It is open all year and the staff is always pleased to help with any queries you may have.
Sentinel Bridge (Pass By): Shuttle stop 11 is located on Sentinel Drive, near Cook’s Meadow, on the eastern side of Yosemite Valley. This position is notable for affording a beautiful view of Half Dome and its reflected image in the Merced River, especially during the alpenglow.
El Capitan:
After lunch and some free time, we’ll go to the grasslands in front of El Capitan, where you may look for climbers on the granite wall and take one more shot of this memorable day in Yosemite.
Yosemite Falls: Save some time during our Yosemite Valley break to climb or cycle around the base of Yosemite Falls. The effort is definitely worth it for the amazing vistas you will be rewarded with at the bottom; you will be standing in front of the world’s fourth-highest waterfall!
Includes:
- Transport via air-conditioned luxury motorcoach.
- English driver's handbook and commentary.
- Entrance fees at Yosemite National Park.
- Yosemite Valley bus tour and free time in the park.
- Choose from two San Francisco departure points: Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square.
Excludes:
- Gratuities.
- Additional food and beverages.
- Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
Testimonials
Tour highlights
- You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time of the activity to get a complete refund.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time of the experience, you will not be reimbursed.
- Any modifications made less than 24 hours before the start time of the experience will not be allowed.
- The cut-off times are determined by the experience's local time.
- This experience is weather dependent. If it is canceled due to inclement weather, you will be given an alternate date or a full refund.
- This experience needs a minimum number of participants. If the minimum is not fulfilled, you will be offered a new date/experience or a full refund.
Before you go, be aware of the following:
- Unless booked within one day before travel, confirmation will be sent at the time of booking. In this instance, confirmation will be sent as soon as feasible, depending on availability.
- The Yosemite trip lasts the entire day. Wear comfy clothing and carry a pillow to nap on the way back.
- Wheelchair access is not available.
- Accessible for strollers.
- Service animals are permitted.
- Close to public transit.
- Infants must sit on the parent's lap.
- There will be a maximum of 45 people on this tour/activity.