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Small-Group Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco

Badge of ExcellenceSan Francisco, United States

From $179.00

Select Date and Travelers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
San Francisco Tours
All San Francisco Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Unique Experiences
  • 15 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup from select hotels
  • 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
  • Yosemite National Park entrance fee
  • Narrated in-coach tour of Yosemite (1.5 hrs)
  • 3 hours of free time in the Valley
  • 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.

San Francisco Bay (Pass By)

Oakdale

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • 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
RomanP2036
I enjoyed it very much 26.10 and super guide. I recommend to anyone who visits San Francisco.Thank you.
Reviews
4.5
386 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 386 reviews
Beautiful place to visit on tour with a professional company.
Barbara_B, Mar 2023
Comfortable minibus, with multiple stops for comfort breaks if needed. Stunning views, tour guide Mitch was informative and stopped at lots of sight seeing spots for photos. It snowed while there which made the experience magical.
It was an amazing trip!...
Jaycel_C, Mar 2023
It was an amazing trip! Our guide gave us wonderful experience and shared a lot of knowledge about the place and sceneries.
Beautiful trip!
Ana_M, Feb 2023
Nice trip and great weather. The guide was helpful and informative. Time was well expended and the value was in within the budged !
What a perfect day
Danielle_J, Feb 2023
What a fabulous experience. Great guide James, made the trip something to remember. Great playlist for the time spent on the bus. Regular stops for photo opportunities. Just the right amount of commentary with informative facts. The time to yourself to explore as you want was terrific, option to catch a free bus around the park or some short walks in the area. Highly recommend this tour.
Nature at its Best
Ian_R, Feb 2023
A long day but worth it. The trip out provides a great opportunity to see the diverse countryside and see more of the varied landscape. The trip back was great viewing the beautiful sunset and yes Yosemite is great.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Hello Ian! We are glad you enjoyed the experience! And so grateful for your 5-star review.
Beautiful scenery and great guide
Daniela_C, Feb 2023
We had a brilliant day. Parker our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The scenery was breathtaking. Long coach ride but totally worth it. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Thank you for your kind words Your feedback means the world for us! We will continue to walk the extra mile and exceed your expectations. The Incredible Adventures team.-
James was an amazing tour...
Andrea_T, Jan 2023
James was an amazing tour guide. We had a beautiful day enjoying Yosemite! I feel like we saw all the highlights of Yosemite.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Andrea! We’re so glad to read that our staff were able to make your experience with us a memorable one! I will pass on your compliments about our guide to the entire team!
100% recommended!
Samuel_S, Jan 2023
I had a blast during this tour! The guide, Roman, was really nice, funny and knowledgable! He was always cautious that everything was fine during the trip! I would definitely recommend this!
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hi Samuel! Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. And thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5 star rating - it's much appreciated!
Outstanding experience
Elena_S, Dec 2022
Our guide Chadwick was super patient and knowledgeable. The quirky bus added to the experience and the Yosemite was exceptional
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Elena! 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!
Reservation confirmation...
Susan_R, Dec 2022
Reservation confirmation said 6:30 am pick up, but driver arrived after 7 am. The rest of the trip was enjoyable.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Susan! Thank you for taking the time to review your tour! Your feedback means the world for us! We will continue to work hard to improve our tours to exceed your expectations. The Incredible Adventures team.-
Winter fairytale
Nikolay_L, Dec 2022
Astonishing winter pictures with excellent driver and the experience was memorable. I will recommend this to friends.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Nikolay! Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. We will continue to walk the extra mile and exceed your expectations. The Incredible Adventures team.-
Beautiful experience
Daniel_S, Dec 2022
Cannot recommend this tour more to anybody wanting to explore Yosemite in a day! Our tour guide was wonderful, knowledgeable, friendly and very punctual. He gave us a lot of time and information which allowed us to explore numerous trails in our free time and allowed for plenty snack/food stops on the bus ride there and back!
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Daniel! Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. We will continue to work hard to improve our tours to exceed your expectations.
Canceled from original tour
khusted9, Dec 2022
I did not get to go on the small tour. The tour operator cancelled. They gave me an option to go with a partner group but it was a big tour. I would have preferred the small group which is why I booked it. Despite that the tour guide Roman was very good.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review your tour! Our company trips require a minimum number of participants to avoid cancellation. In such cases where minimum numbers are not met, we will refund your money or offer you an alternative tour so passengers can still enjoy Yosemite. Which we are very glad you did enjoyed! I will pass on your compliments about the guide to the entire team!
Snow, snow, snow!!
Amy_C, Nov 2022
We've been to yosemite before during the summer so we were really hoping there might be a bit of snow this time. We were not disappointed!! Due to the weather we didn't spend as long as we might have in the park but we still had plenty of time to walk around a little and get some food. Parker, our driver, was absolutely lovely and very chatty. I'd definitely recommend this trip to anyone
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Amy! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5 star rating - it's much appreciated! I will pass on your compliments about our guide to the entire team!
My wife and I travelled...
Colin_J, Nov 2022
My wife and I travelled from Australia to visit Yosemite,our guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the whole trip immensely . Thankyou Col n Chris Johnston
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Col and Chris! We are so grateful for your 5-star review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community.
Awesome trip. Lana...
Mike_R, Oct 2022
Awesome trip. Lana worked extremely hard to make it an wonderful experience!! Weather was amazing and although it’s a long trip … Lana made it go by fast
You must book this trip it won’t disappoint!
Peter_L, Oct 2022
Stunning experience! Lana our tour guide was awesome and very informative. It was a 15 hour round trip but worth every minute. Thank you Viator yours for making a dream come true on my Mum and Son trip
Yosemite amazing, tour company far from amazing!
Mariajerovshek, Oct 2022
Firstly let me say Yosemite National Park is the most amazing experience and you should definitely visit. Unfortunately this tour company disappointed. If you go chose a large bus, we chose a small bus tour and it was the most bumpiest bus journey I have ever experienced…. And you are on this bus for 8 hours ( 4 hours up and 4 hours back). Also our tour guide was far from polite. Be aware this tour company expect 15% -20% gratuity if the cost of your tour per person. The terms and conditions say gratuity in not included, nothing to say 15-20% gratuity is expected. Our tour guide went as far as to tell us this gratuity was mandatory per person and when we stopped for our 2 hour return stop we were told to go to the cash point to get money or pay by PayPal or vemco? We had to line up and pay before we could get on the bus. I appreciate its 15 hours tour, but it’s not a guided tour , you are driven to Yesomite and left to explore in your own and this does not warrant 15-20% tip per person.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thanks for your feedback! We’re sorry to hear about your experience about the tips and hope you will accept our sincerest apologies. We have addressed this matter with all of our guides. There is a culture of tips; however, they're not mandatory. Sorry it made you feel like it. We value our customers' opinions and would like to thank you for bringing this to our attention; please contact us directly at info@incadventures.com Thank you The Incredible Adventures Team
Excellent
Nipon_C, Oct 2022
Great trip Randall do it well, precise, on-time, good communication, driver do job well(feel safe along trip)
Would not recommend this tour if thru Incredible Adventures
Jeff_h, Oct 2022
Our tour guide ruined the trip. She started off the trip complaining of getting paid minimum wage and having no health insurance and ended by chastising us all about how $40 tip per person is required. She literally stood outside the bus during our dinner stop and required us to give her cash or pay thru Venmo. The van used was also horrible and in desperate need of new shocks. You could feel every single bump during the 4 hour drive. The AC also didn’t work correctly so it would either be extremely hot or extremely cold. Make sure you have an external charger as there aren’t any plugs on the bus. The only plus was Yosemite was beautiful and we got 3 hours to walk around and explore.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello Jeff! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We usually suggest to tip 15-20% of the cost of a service as a general standard, however, it isn't mandatory, we are very sorry it felt like it. We value our customers' opinions please contact us directly at info@incadventures.com . Our customer care team will be happy to provide you with personalized assistance.
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