Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco

4.3
(3,400 reviews)

14 to 15 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: German and 6 more

Beat the crowds with early park entry and experience more of Yosemite in less time. This year-round tour from San Francisco covers the park’s top highlights—from towering granite cliffs to roaring waterfalls and peaceful sequoia groves.

Spend 5 full hours inside the park, visiting Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Valley View. You’ll also enjoy a unique hike through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias—home to the largest living trees on Earth.

This tour includes free offline audio guides in multiple languages so you can explore with context — even without cell service.

If you want to see more of Yosemite in a single day, this is the way to do it!

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off from most major San Francisco hotels
Comfortable transportation with onboard WiFi
Yosemite entrance fee and daily permit
Five hours inside Yosemite Park with early bird entry
Live local expert guide (English)
Free unique geo-based audio guides in 8 languages
Guide Gratuities
Food and drinks

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Pick-up details and times are as follows: 5:20 AM – Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway (1500 Van Ness Ave). 5:25 AM – Motel 6 (2850 Van Ness Ave). 5:30 AM – Zephyr Hotel (250 Beach St), Avis Car Rental (500 Beach St). 5:40 AM – Hilton Financial District (750 Kearny St), Fairmont San Francisco (950 Mason St). 5:50 AM – Hilton San Francisco Union Square (251 Mason St), JW Marriott (515 Mason St). 6:00 AM – The Mosser Hotel (54 4th St). 6:40 AM – 7-Eleven Convenience Store, Livermore (891 Airway Blvd, Livermore).

OR
Meeting point

Meet at the Mason Street entrance (Eastern entrance) at 5:50 am.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 14 to 15 hours (approximately)
  • (Pass by)

    Join us on this breathtaking tour of Yosemite National Park, whose towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls and nature trails are perhaps the most stunning in the world. This award-winning tour spends the most time in Yosemite and includes a unique hike among ancient Giant Sequoias. Your tour begins with a convenient hotel pick up in Downtown San Francisco.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Enjoy the scenic drive as your guide shares how a flash of gold in the American River sparked the California Gold Rush.

    Admission ticket free
  • 1

    Stop for breakfast and grab a quick bite at a nearby supermarket or Starbucks.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Enjoy a scenic drive into Yosemite National Park as you head toward a breathtaking viewpoint made famous by photographer Ansel Adams.

    Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Your first stop in the park is Tunnel View—capture a photo with El Capitan, Half Dome, and other iconic peaks in the background.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Stop at the base of Bridalveil Fall, where misty cascades and towering cliffs create one of Yosemite’s most breathtaking scenes.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Capture a perfect reflection of Half Dome in the Merced River as you drive over Sentinel Bridge.

    Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Enjoy Your Yosemite Valley Adventure Once we arrive, you'll have 2 hours to grab lunch and explore. Take a walk to Yosemite Falls, hike the Meadow Loop, or just relax and soak in the views at your own pace.

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • 5

    During your free time in the valley, take a walk to Yosemite Falls—one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. Enjoy the views, take photos, and soak in the power and beauty of this natural wonder.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6

    Hop back on the bus and head to El Capitan Meadow, where you’ll stop to discover the world’s largest granite monolith and the legendary climbers who brave its towering cliffs.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 7

    As we are leaving Yosemite Valley, we will make our final stop at Valley View which serves up a panoramic landscape framing the Merced River, El Capitan and the imposing spires of Cathedral Rocks.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8

    Hike through a peaceful forest to reach a grove of Giant Sequoias—some of the oldest and largest trees on Earth. Standing among these giants is a humbling and unforgettable experience. *When the Tuolumne Grove trail is snow-covered or unsafe (November-March), we always spend extra time in Yosemite Valley.

    1 hour 15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Enjoy a scenic drive through the historic town of Groveland, a charming Gold Rush-era village with rustic buildings and rich California heritage.

    Admission ticket free
  • 9

    On the way back, we’ll stop for dinner at a plaza with fast food, a sandwich shop, a taqueria, Hawaiian BBQ, and a supermarket—something for everyone.

    40 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Wrap up your adventure with a comfortable ride back and drop-off in San Francisco at your original pickup location.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • From November to March, when the trail is unsafe due to snow and ice, we replace the Sequoia hike with extra time in Yosemite Valley.
  • Winter in Yosemite is much colder than San Francisco. Wear warm clothes and shoes with rubber soles and good traction.
Supplied by Extranomical Tours

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Tags

Day Trips
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Once in a Lifetime Experiences
Audio Guides
Eco Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Nature Walks
Pack Animal Tours
Wildlife Encounters
Natural Attractions
Nature Parks
Viator Plus
Excellent Quality
Adventure Tours
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

4.3 Based on 3400 3400 reviews
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Likely to sell out
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