Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco: El Capitan, Yosemite Falls & Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome丨Complimentary Pickup and Dropoff

Embrace Nature on Our Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Francisco
Are you ready to explore glacially-formed cliffs and admire meadows speckled with wildflowers? Do you want to hike to towering Sequoias and feel small in the face of Yosemite National Park's dynamic, awe-inspiring wilderness? We think you'll love this journey into the heart of one of the crown jewels of our country's national park system.

Just a few hours' drive from San Francisco, Yosemite National Park is the ideal break from the distractions of the city. Since John Muir's first glimpse of Tuolumne Meadows, it has captivated and inspired people from all over the world. Today, more than five million people visit this extraordinary place every year. And on this day-long Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Francisco, you can immerse yourself in this truly extraordinary place.

One of our professional guides will lead your group through Yosemite Valley before taking in the unforgettable sight of the ancient Giant Sequoias of Tuolumne Grove. You'll see endless skylines, rock formations, and cascading waterfalls as you enjoy an overview of how this unique landscape was formed, who came before, and how Yosemite became the first ever protected national park in the United States.

Next, strap up your hiking boots and embark on the 2.5-mile (4 km) round-trip hike down to Sequoia Grove, which most day tour visitors do not get the chance to see. With 1.5 hours of free time in Yosemite Valley, you'll also have the opportunity to wander through the picturesque meadows, check out the Visitor's Center, or just find a serene overlook to sit and reflect. Discover the resilience and beauty of a place that has captured the hearts of visitors throughout the ages.
Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour - Exploring Tuolumne Grove
Located on Tioga Road just east of Crane Flat, the Tuolumne Grove has about two dozen mature Giant Sequoias. They are only visible after a one-mile hike with 500 feet of elevation loss. It's important to note that the one-mile hike back to the parking lot gains 500 feet and is strenuous. Water is not available; bring drinking water for everyone in your group who will be hiking this trail.

Due to the time constraints of this Yosemite guided tour from San Francisco, you must be able to complete the full hike within 1.5 hours. For most active travelers, this is not a problem. 

Please note: This is a sample itinerary: We do our best to follow our itineraries as written, but don't control the weather (yet) and we can't make promises about special events or traffic conditions in Yosemite. The benefit of small groups is the flexibility our guides have to tailor your itinerary to best suit your needs. While we guarantee that we'll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this itinerary (conditions permitting), we do not guarantee them in this specific order.

【Morning – Drive to Yosemite and hike to the Giant Sequoias】
6:15am:
We'll take off after we pick up the adventure crew for the day from the prearranged locations listed on the vouchers. Make sure to arrive 15 minutes early!

7:00am:
As you settle in for the journey, we'll pass by some exceptional San Francisco sights. Catch views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and the incomparable San Francisco Skyline as we head east on the Bay Bridge. You'll taste a piece of California's rich agricultural hub as we pass through a slice of the Central Valley famous for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries.

9:00am:
We'll continue into the mountains as we connect with the rich history of California's gold country, passing through some of the first settlements built during the Gold Rush. Take in the earthy forest smell as we make our way to the heart of the park. Your guide will pepper in stories and historical facts about the different sights. Be sure to listen for the logistics as we get ready for the day tour!

10:30am:
Arrive to Yosemite and make your way on a self-guided hike to Tuolumne Grove! Head down the scenic paved path to the enchanted Tuolumne Grove consisting of dozens of Giant Sequoia trees. But don't be fooled by this moderate downhill stroll. Make sure you bring some water to sip as you enjoy your time among the giants as you have a bit of climb ahead of you to get back to the shuttle. Your hard work will be rewarded however, as we descend into the famous Yosemite Valley to take in views of Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and more.

【Afternoon – Free time in Yosemite Valley】
12:45pm:
The climb through Yosemite Valley offers breathtaking views as we wind our way up to 6,200 feet above sea level. We'll stop at Tunnel View and take in the eastern expanse of Yosemite Valley.

14:00pm:
The suspense is over! Once we reach the drop off location, you'll have around 1.5 hours of free time to explore. Want to hit some trails? Your guide will point out the best spots on your map. You'll have options to meander down paved paths, hike around Yosemite Falls, engage further with the park's history at the visitor center, or visit the Ansel Adams Gallery. Although you could spend three weeks in Yosemite, the hour you get on your own is enough time to catch just a glimpse of why Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks.

15:30pm:
Once we've had our time to explore, we'll come together in the late afternoon and set our course back to San Francisco, stopping for a short break before arriving back in the city. You will arrive back at your hotel by around 20:30 –21:00 p.m. to sleep off the days' adventures.

* The Giant Sequoia Trees are at elevations in the park that get blanketed in snow and due to trail conditions may not be accessible November through May.

B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: Excluded