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Small-Group Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco
Badge of ExcellenceSan Francisco, USA
- 15 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Known for its steep granite cliffs, waterfalls, towering sequoia groves, and diversity of wildlife, Yosemite National Park is something you don’t want to miss. On this small group day trip, you can leave the logistics to a tour guide so all you have to do is enjoy the great outdoors. You have both guided sightseeing and free time, ensuring you see the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s major attractions, like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite Valley, with the chance to explore more of the park however you wish.
- Yosemite National Park day trip from San Francisco
- Travel through the Central Valley farmlands, historical Gold Country, and the Sierra Nevada foothills
- Spend hours snapping photos of Yosemite’s stunning forests, rock formations, and waterfalls
- Visit Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan on a guided van tour
- Enjoy free time to explore Yosemite’s other natural wonders by foot or bike
- Take in a breathtaking panorama from the Tunnel View overlook for an expansive view of the Yosemite Valley
- Small-group tour limited to 23 ensures a more personalized experience
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from select SF hotels
- Full-time professional, knowledgeable guide
- Transport by biofueled mini-coach
- Meals (stops will be made to purchase food)
- Bike rental (available for purchase)
- Guide gratuity
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Start time
06:00 AM
Pickup details
Pick-up details and times are as follow: 6:35am from Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf (2500 Mason St) on NORTH POINT street side. 6:50am Hilton San Francisco Union Square (333 O'Farrell St) Meet on Mason Street Side 7:10am InterContinental San Francisco, 888 Howard Street, San Francisco 7:45am from Dublin BART Station - Hacienda Exit - 5835 Owens Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588
What To Expect
You may think you don’t have time for a Yosemite trip during your stay in San Francisco, but this full-day tour by luxury biodiesel van provides a stress-free way to do so. Your day trip starts with early morning hotel pickup for the drive across the Bay Bridge toward California’s Central Valley, one of the country’s largest farming regions.
During the drive, stop briefly to purchase some local nuts or fruit, lunch, or any other necessities (own expense). Continue the drive past horse and cattle ranches as you make your way into the foothills of the Sierras and Gold County, where ambitious pioneers panned for gold during the 1849 Gold Rush.
When you arrive at Yosemite National Park, start your visit with a driving tour of the park’s main natural attraction, Yosemite Valley. Stop often for photo ops of this glacial valley known for its rock formations and waterfalls, and enjoy access to some areas that big-bus tours can’t reach. See Half Dome, Yosemite’s most iconic feature, and observe daring rock climbers ascend the 3,000-foot (914-meter) sheer granite face of El Capitan. Visit Bridalveil Falls, check out the Tunnel View overlook for an expansive view of the Yosemite Valley, and head to Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall.
You have time to buy lunch here at one of the various eatery options, and then enjoy free time to experience the park however you wish. Perhaps go for a hike, or rent a bike to cover more ground. If you’re not feeling active, make your way to the visitor’s center for informational exhibits, head to the Ansel Adams Gallery to see works by the legendary photographer, or visit the Ahwahnee Hotel for some Yosemite history.
In the late afternoon, meet back up with your group for the return drive to San Francisco, which includes one short rest stop. Arrive in the city in the evening, enjoying a twinkling view of the downtown skyline and the bay before hotel drop-off.
During the drive, stop briefly to purchase some local nuts or fruit, lunch, or any other necessities (own expense). Continue the drive past horse and cattle ranches as you make your way into the foothills of the Sierras and Gold County, where ambitious pioneers panned for gold during the 1849 Gold Rush.
When you arrive at Yosemite National Park, start your visit with a driving tour of the park’s main natural attraction, Yosemite Valley. Stop often for photo ops of this glacial valley known for its rock formations and waterfalls, and enjoy access to some areas that big-bus tours can’t reach. See Half Dome, Yosemite’s most iconic feature, and observe daring rock climbers ascend the 3,000-foot (914-meter) sheer granite face of El Capitan. Visit Bridalveil Falls, check out the Tunnel View overlook for an expansive view of the Yosemite Valley, and head to Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall.
You have time to buy lunch here at one of the various eatery options, and then enjoy free time to experience the park however you wish. Perhaps go for a hike, or rent a bike to cover more ground. If you’re not feeling active, make your way to the visitor’s center for informational exhibits, head to the Ansel Adams Gallery to see works by the legendary photographer, or visit the Ahwahnee Hotel for some Yosemite history.
In the late afternoon, meet back up with your group for the return drive to San Francisco, which includes one short rest stop. Arrive in the city in the evening, enjoying a twinkling view of the downtown skyline and the bay before hotel drop-off.
San Francisco Bay (Pass By)
Oakdale
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tunnel View
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Yosemite Valley
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Yosemite Falls
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Ansel Adams Gallery
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
San Francisco (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 23 travelers
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Urfan_M
Annie was a great guide!
Highly recommend this tour if time is limited.
Gave really good information about different sights while driving.
Reviews
4.5
526 reviews
Stuart_T, Apr 2024
Have tried to write this review 3 times now but when I try and post it it keeps taking me back to the beginning, probably because it’s an honest bad review so I will try once again.
Be very careful when you book this tour!!!!
Firstly the bus that picked us up was more like an 90’s school bus and was rather uncomfortable
Secondly this tour claims San Fran pick up only, unfortunately this is not the case we actually dropped off and picked up in a place called Dublin each way which is approx 60 mins outside San Fran, think the driver was on the fiddle here
Actual drive time from San Fran to Yosemite was 6 hours each way!!!!! Yes 6 hours each way and not the 3 hours claimed on the website. When you reach Yosemite you only have 3 hours which is not nearly enough to take in this spectacular place!!!
Do yourself a favour and do not waste your money on this tour, do your homework and plan it properly
Clare_E, Apr 2024
Seeing a bear in Yosemite swimming the river the weather was fantasic. The sheer size of the trees and mountains absolute fantastic day
Erika_M, Apr 2024
It was a big dream visiting from Europe and the guide was super lovely and helpful, definitely a highlight of my stay in San Francisco. Yosemiti is breathtaking and worth the long hours on the bus. The only negative thing is the quality of the bus, very old and uncomfortable for a solid 8hrs trip (and it shake the soul out of you), I thought it would fall apart at any moment.
Denise_P, Apr 2024
Our tour guide was fun and informative. Comfortable group and a chance to get a little taste of a spectacular part of the world.
Adrian_R, Apr 2024
An amazing day out, worth the long drive. There is plenty to see along the way and a couple of stops for food and facilities. Eileen the tour guide was fantastic. She was very friendly, informative and went over and above to give us a great day. Come on Eileen 😊. Breathtaking scenery everywhere in the park
Priyank_S, Apr 2024
We were not happy with the vehicle provided. It was too congested, no space to keep the bags. It was not a good travel experience for us. Not worth the money paid.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello Priyank!
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. At Incredible Adventures we prioritize the safety and comfort of our guests, which is why we have implemented a policy of restriciting the size and number of bags allowed on our tours.
We appreciate your comprehension of our policy. To provide you with a more comprehensive understanding, we encourage you to explore our website for the extended policy details. Additionally, please feel free to reach out directly to us at info@incadventures.com if you have any further inquiries or require additional clarification.
Urfan_M, Mar 2024
Annie was a great guide!
Highly recommend this tour if time is limited.
Gave really good information about different sights while driving.
Paul_J, Mar 2024
Tour was great. The pick up was convenient. Our guide was knowledgeable. The park itself was breathtaking. Highly recommend.
Manas_G, Mar 2024
Poor rickety transport broke the back.
Lunch breaks should be 45 min.
The guide Annie was good in her job though
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We take customer feedback seriously. We will continue to work hard to improve our tours to exceed your expectations.
Skye_S, Mar 2024
The day trip to Yosemite was so much fun and that is coming from someone that does not enjoy hiking. I had a really great day, and want to say the BIGGEST thank you to Judd for making it perfect. Judd went above and beyond to make today enjoyable, and I really appreciate it.
...
From $209.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Small-Group Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco
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