Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco
Recommended by 98% of travelers
San Francisco, USA
- 14 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Travel by minibus from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park on a small-group day trip to one of the most visually stunning places on earth. This full-day itinerary takes you through the orchards of the Central Valley to Yosemite Valley, stopping first for a stroll through a grove of giant sequoias. Find plenty of photo ops of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Fall, and more.
- Walk under ancient sequoia trees and hike Yosemite National Park during free time
- Handy hotel pickup and drop-off included by minibus
- Small-group tour limited to 15 passengers ensures personalized feel
- This tour makes exploring beyond city limits seamless
What's Included
- National Park fees for US Residents
- All activities
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (from select hotels in San Francisco)
- Local taxes
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- No Pick-up/Drop-off from residential addresses or hotels outside of San Francisco
- Government Fees$100.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Hotel pickup time in the following zones: Fisherman's Wharf/Lombard Street Corridor: 5:15 am - 5:30 am Union Square/SOMA: 5:15 am - 5:30 am
Operating hours.5:30 am
Itinerary
After pickup from selected hotels in San Francisco, board a comfortable minibus for the drive to Yosemite National Park.
Entering the national park, stop for a hike among Yosemite’s giant sequoias—ancient redwood trees whose trunks span up to 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter. Your drive continues into the Yosemite Valley, stopping at Tunnel View for the quintessential photo op of that includes Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, and Half Dome.
After a close-up look at the falls, head to El Capitan, the world’s largest exposed granite monolith. Search for rock climbers ascending its sheer face, which rises thousands of feet above the valley floor. Then it’s on to see Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, whose lower and upper cascades form North America’s tallest waterfall.
During free time to explore on your own and purchase lunch (own expense), you can hike among numerous paths, snap more photos at the base of Yosemite Falls or visit Yosemite Village. Then meet back up with your guide for the return drive to San Francisco, with another quick stop for food in the Central Valley before your full-day tour ends with hotel drop-off.
Entering the national park, stop for a hike among Yosemite’s giant sequoias—ancient redwood trees whose trunks span up to 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter. Your drive continues into the Yosemite Valley, stopping at Tunnel View for the quintessential photo op of that includes Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, and Half Dome.
After a close-up look at the falls, head to El Capitan, the world’s largest exposed granite monolith. Search for rock climbers ascending its sheer face, which rises thousands of feet above the valley floor. Then it’s on to see Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, whose lower and upper cascades form North America’s tallest waterfall.
During free time to explore on your own and purchase lunch (own expense), you can hike among numerous paths, snap more photos at the base of Yosemite Falls or visit Yosemite Village. Then meet back up with your guide for the return drive to San Francisco, with another quick stop for food in the Central Valley before your full-day tour ends with hotel drop-off.
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (Pass By)
San Joaquin Valley (Pass By)
1
Tunnel View
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Merced River (Pass By)
2
Yosemite Valley
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
Half Dome
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Yosemite Falls
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
5
El Capitan
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
6
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
7
Bridalveil Fall
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Car seat required for children 8 years old and under; not provided
- The trip is accessible for most of the tour. However, at the end of the day, we go on a hike to see the giant sequoias. This is NOT advised for people with back, heart or knee problems. It is also not wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately, this is only way to see the sequoias.
- There is a possibility that the Giant Sequoia hike will not be available due to winter weather conditions.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
KARIN_G
Can't recommend this enough! This is the best way to see a lot of Yosemite and the Sequoias when you only have one day! Both were stunningly gorgeous! Our guide, Trevor, was amazing. He clearly loves Yosemite and the Sequoias and was very good at sharing his vast knowledge and some really cool videos of the history of climbing El Capitan with us. He was so friendly and helpful and interesting!
Reviews
4.9
based on 3,851 reviews
Kristy_Y, May 2026
Got picked up promptly at 5:30am as advised, however, we did have to wait for a couple others who were not as timely, so it made the pick ups a little more rushed. Viktor was our driver/tour guide and was very funny and knowledgeable. You can tell he loves to travel and enjoys what he does.
We randomly saw 2 bears on our tour from the bus thanks to Viktor pointing them out. We wouldn’t have otherwise noticed them.
Viktor took us to all of the spots on the itinerary and shared the best places to take photos at with the least number of people in the background. It can definitely get busy at times.
Steve_D, May 2026
Viktor was a great driver and guide. He had insights and knew where to see all the sights. Van was comfortable.
Torrey_H, May 2026
Trevor did a great job keeping us entertained and kept things flexible so that we could use our time well and adjust to less than perfect weather
Joel_W, May 2026
Wonderful tour of Yosemite including El Capitan, the Giant Sequoia grove, and huge waterfalls. Ours was 14 hours including 3 hours to and from San Francisco.
Mike_B, May 2026
Seeing the incredible natural beauty of Yosemite was a bucket list experience. El Capitan is the biggest rock you will ever see. The sequoia trees are magnificent. Nature at its finest.
JESSICA_S, May 2026
Our tour guide was great the weather was terrible. Our guide made the best of the rain and almost zero visibility by being creative he rearranging the tour order so we could still see the highlights when the fog cleared.
Samantha_R, May 2026
I took the Yosemite and Giant Sequoias day trip as a solo traveler, and it exceeded my expectations from start to finish. The tour van picked me up directly from my hotel, with clear communication ahead of time about what the vehicle looked like and who my driver would be. The van itself was very comfortable and had convenient storage space for my backpack.
Our guide, Trevor, was absolutely magnificent. I’ve traveled all over the world, and he stands out as one of the best guides I’ve ever had—knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about what he does.
The tour was not only scenic but also highly educational. I especially enjoyed learning about El Capitan and the history and challenges of rock climbing there. Visiting the Giant Sequoias was unforgettable, and the walk down to see the massive, ancient trees—some around 2,250 years old—was truly breathtaking.
This was a fantastic experience that I would absolutely do again. Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore Yosemite in a meaningful and well-organized way.
Francisco_d, May 2026
The trip was great. The itinerary allowed us to see the main landmarks, and the guide provided an amazing historical and geographical context of the park.
Jacqui_M, May 2026
Amazing experience! Long day, was picked up at 5.25am and dropped off at 915pm. Sharon was an amazing guide, lots of facts and knowledge. We stopped off for snacks and drinks on the way which was helpful as brought some picnic bits for lunch. Yosemite itself, stunning! Would definitely recommend
zidi_w, May 2026
Treves is professional and energetic！！！ as a foreign traveler I feel relaxed and safe under his guide.
if you have bad sense of direction as I do, I strongly recommend to bring enough water and return the same way you came after seeing the sequoia relic. Almost get lost in the forest.😅 and you may want to wear a hiking hat to preventing getting cold after intense sweating.
As a foreign traveler dont forget to tip your tour guide!
Alexis_G, May 2026
This was an amazing experience! Our tour guide, Viktor, was such a great and kind person throughout the entirety of our trip. He truly loves what he does and it's clear by his attitude and passion. 10/10 experience, highly recommended.
Justina_K, May 2026
Our trip to Yosemite National Park was absolutely incredible! Truly a 5-star experience from start to finish!
Our guide, Kurt, made the entire trip unforgettable. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about Yosemite. He shared fascinating history, pointed out hidden gems we would’ve never noticed on our own, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and included throughout the day.
The itinerary was perfectly paced, giving us plenty of time to take in iconic spots, soak up the views, and snap photos without ever feeling rushed. The transportation was smooth and well-organized, which made the long day feel easy and enjoyable. There were stops for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you’re considering a Yosemite tour, I can’t recommend this one enough, especially if you get Kurt as your guide. It was the highlight of our trip and worth every second!
arunan_s, May 2026
Amazing trip! It is a long day but Derek made it easy from door to door pick up to drop off . All the things I value in a trip were executed perfectly, organization, information and punctuality- kudos to Derek and Viator. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather and a great guide. Yosemite is daunting for its size and beauty, this trip gave use true appreciation for both.
John_O, May 2026
Kurt was outstanding, very knowledgeable and entertaining. The ride was comfortable, and we had plenty of food/restroom breaks. Got to see all the highlights of Yosemite without the hassle of driving, parking, etc. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Phyllis_P, May 2026
Only negative is the seats on the van are very uncomfortable
Kurt our guide was knowledgeable as well as great getting everyone Interacting with each other. Appreciated his going the extra mile to make sure everyone had a good time
Jacqueline_M, May 2026
It was very enjoyable. Our guide Sharon was very knowledgeable about Yosemite and made it a fun day!
Lisa_C, May 2026
It was a long day, but definitely worthwhile! Yosemite was amazing. Kurt was a fantastic, thoughtful, sincere driver and guide and super professional. I know because I had 2 other tours after the Yosemite trip, and the guide makes or breaks the tour and experience! Kurt provided great information during the tour, which was helpful, and he was a great! He didn’t yell or got angry at folks who were late. He was graceful, patient and understanding, even at the end of a long trip! Thanks, Kurt!!
Monica_R, May 2026
Alot of travel but sharon allowed plenty of time for walks within the park.
Sharon was very informative on the area and the park
Jiaxin_W, May 2026
Kurt was an amazing guide! He’s super friendly and really goes out of his way to help, especially with taking photos for us. He explained each spot clearly and made everything easy to follow. Also, his driving was really smooth, so the whole trip felt very comfortable.
The pace was just right—not rushed but still super fulfilling. Overall, we had a great time!
Jake_E, Apr 2026
You get to view all the hot spots of Yosemite, just be sure to bring a light jacket as it can get chilly in the higher elevations
Tiffany_M, Apr 2026
My husband and I had a wonderful experience with this tour operator. We’re not fans of large bus tours and much prefer smaller groups, so we booked this tour right away—and we’re so glad we did. It ended up being the highlight of our vacation. Although it was a long day, it was absolutely worth it and exceeded our expectations.
Our guide, Steven, was a true professional. He kept the group engaged with his humor while making sure everyone felt comfortable and safe throughout the day. His passion for Yosemite really came through as he shared his knowledge and pointed out some of his favorite spots in the park. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
He made sure we saw all the iconic landmarks while also giving us plenty of time to explore on our own. We never felt rushed, which made the experience even more enjoyable. It was the perfect introduction to the beauty of the park and everything it has to offer. If you’re looking for something to do outside the city, I highly recommend this tour.
Larissa_F, Apr 2026
This experience was amazing! Tour guide Steven was awesome and was so knowledgeable about the Yosemite and any questions we had he answered! He made sure we were all comfortable and got the best views of everything & photos. He even doubled as a photographer for everyone in our group. As we are from Australia and didn’t have time in our travels to stay at the Yosemite, this tour showed us lots of the Yosemite in 1 day. Could not recommend this tour enough.
Casee_D, Apr 2026
This was an amazing day trip. Our tour guide Brain was phenomenal. He was very knowledgeable of the area, and took us to all the best spots.
Ruoqi_h, Apr 2026
Great trip. But there is little time leave for hiking. It’s a bit rush. Our guide is great. View is amazing.
Terrill_A, Apr 2026
Very well thought out itinerary with some flexible changes made due to rain
Derek was our guide and could not have been more helpful.
Bus was comfortable and Derek great in providing a charger when my phone went flat. He was also so obliging in helping us all get photos. Complimentary water and umbrellas was appreciated.
As for the scenery- just wow!! So stunning
Anastasia_T, Apr 2026
Wonderful experience! Our guide Kurt was excellent and made the trip unforgettable. Even with unexpected weather and traffic conditions, he quickly adapted the schedule and made sure we didn't miss anything.
Debbie_Y, Apr 2026
Fabulous day tour to Yosemite. Peter, our tour guide was brilliant. He was extremely knowledgeable & made the trip so interesting. It was a 5am pick up at our hotel & we were dropped back at 7.30pm. Yes a long day, but we'll worth it! We saw El Capitan & North Face up close plus a few waterfalls. Peter stopped off so we could pick up lunch & drinks on the way. There was lots of down time to explore & alot of stops where we got off the bus to take photos.
Peter took photos of us at each stop.
This was an amazing trip which we will always remember. So pleased we did Yosemite this way rather than drive ourselves. It meant we could tske in everything along the way & had Peter's knowledge to inform us too.
A day very well spent & highly recommended!
Beckie_D, Apr 2026
This trip was amazing, so much better than our expectations and so worthwhile doing! You see so many amazing beautiful views! What made it even better was our tour guide Viktor who made sure everyone was comfortable throughout the day and provided so much knowledge but made it fun and friendly, he was brilliant!
Tami_C, Apr 2026
What an amazing trip! Our guide Calder was excellent. He was patient and knowledgeable about Yosemite and the route there. He gave us plenty of opportunities to stop amd take pictures or just enjoy the majestt of this amazinf place. We enjoyed it so much and fully intend to return because this tour was so great. Be ready to hike! The climb up from the Sequoia grove is no joke!
Thomas_M, Apr 2026
My family had a great time with Brian on this trip. The van was clean and comfortable, and the ride felt shorter than expected. Brian did a great job giving us some Yosemite history on the way there and his energy made the trip more fun. The park is breathtaking and I would recommend it to anyone.
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