See the towering sequoias and dramatic landscape of Yosemite National Park on a day trip from San Jose that combines Yosemite highlights with free time to explore. Take in Half Dome, Inspiration Point, and El Capitan, join a guide for an hour-long hike through Tuolumne Grove, then hike or bike through the Yosemite Valley on your own. With convenient, round-trip transport from San Jose and park entrance fees included, you can focus on the views and watch for wildlife along the way.
Visit Yosemite National Park
Drive through the gold rush towns of the Sierra Nevada mountains
Hike into the Tuolomne Grove and see the park’s most scenic places
Enjoy commentary from a guide throughout the tour
What To Expect
San Jose
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 pick up in San Jose.
• Admission Ticket Included
San Joaquin Valley
Sit back and enjoy the scenery as your guide explains how glitter in the American River sparked the California gold rush.
Quick stop for breakfast along the way.
• Admission Ticket Included
Sierra Nevada
Into the rocky Sierra Nevada mountains. See 150 year old mining towns and learn the colorful history of the region and what geological forces made Yosemite’s dramatic landscapes; and the role John Muir played in the formation of America’s first protected wilderness.
• Admission Ticket Included
Yosemite National Park
Be Blown Away by Awe-Inspiring Valley Views
After entering Yosemite National Park, we’ll make our way to a scene made famous by photographer Ansel Adams.
• Admission Ticket Included
Tunnel View
Take a moment at Tunnel View. Capture yourself with El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point, and Cathedral Peak as your background.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Bridalveil Fall
Once you’ve had your fill of photographs from this perch overlooking the valley, the tour will arrange a memorable stop where you can get eye to eye with wispy Bridalveil Fall.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Yosemite Valley
Have Your Own Yosemite Valley Adventure
After arriving to our stop in Yosemite Valley, you will have 2 hours for lunch and exploring on your own.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Yosemite Falls
The free time options include hiking to Yosemite Falls
• Admission Ticket Free
Sentinel bridge
Meandering through Sentinel Meadow
• Admission Ticket Free
Ansel Adams Gallery
Checking out the Ansel Adams Gallery and more.
• Admission Ticket Free
El Capitan
Take a Moment with More Iconic Monuments
Your Yosemite experience stops next at El Capitan Meadow to learn more about the world’s largest granite monolith and its climbing culture.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Valley View
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
Merced River
Watch the water flow through from the mountains
• Admission Ticket Free
Cathedral Rocks and Spires
Can be seen at our Valley View stop
• Admission Ticket Free
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Feel the Quiet Grandeur of Giant Sequoias
The highlight of our tour is still ahead of you as we head to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. In this beautiful grove, you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the largest and oldest trees on earth.
*When the Tuolumne Grove trail is snow-covered or unsafe (November-March), we always spend extra time in Yosemite Valley.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Big Oak Flat
By the end of the day, you’ll have experienced some of the most incredible landscapes in the world and captured memories to last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Yosemite National Park with us.
• Admission Ticket Free
Highlight
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Access to the Sequoia Grove can be difficult during winter months, generally October through May, and other activities may be substituted at the discretion of the guide.
Not wheelchair accessible
During winter months, temperatures in Yosemite can vary drastically to the ones in San Francisco. Therefore, it is recommend to wear winter clothes, especially shoes or boots with rubber soles and treads.
California law requires tour guests to bring a car safety seat for all children under 8 years and under 4′ 9″ (1.4 meters) in height
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
As tour sizes vary, transportation is in either a 15-passenger minivan or a 41-passenger bus.
Near public transportation
Tour makes stops at approximately 8:30am for breakfast, 1pm for lunch and on the trip back for dinner. Meals are not included.
Audio links available in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. Specify language at time of booking under special requirements
You will either be picked up directly by the tour bus or be provided transportation to the tour bus in the East Bay.
The Giant Sequoia Grove is located at a higher elevation and the hike is dependent on trail conditions, especially from October through May. Ice and snow might make the trail unsafe to hike. The decision of whether it is safe to go on the hike will be made on a day by day basis. Therefore, a visit cannot be guaranteed. However, while the trail might be closed, guests get to spend more time in Yosemite Valley. There you can see all the other great sights Yosemite has to offer, including El Capitan, Inspiration Point, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and more.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Exact destinations & itinerary may differ due to weather, road conditions, and the guide’s discretion.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 41 travelers
Include
Expert guide and commentary
Entrance fee into Yosemite National Park
Free unique geo-based audio guides in 8 languages
Exclude
Gratuities
Child safety seat for children under 8 years old or 4′ 9″ (1.4 meters) required
Food and drinks, unless specified