Yosemite National Park Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Yosemite Valley's stunning landscapes
- Marvel at El Capitan's towering granite cliffs
- Witness the beauty of Bridalveil Fall
- Discover the rich history of Yosemite's landmarks
- Enjoy a comfortable ride with expert guides
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from San Francisco
- Guided tour of Yosemite Valley
- Visit to iconic landmarks like El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: Start your tour from San Francisco downtown, surrounded by skyscrapers that dominate the skyline (Transamerica Pyramid, Salesforce Tower), there is a wealth of tech businesses and Fortune 500 companies.
Pass by: Known as the Bay Bridge (or "the other bridge"), it is a complex of bridges spanning the San Francisco Bay. This double-decker bridged services an estimated 260,000 vehicles per day, connects San Francisco and Oakland cities as a part of the Interstate 80.
You'll pass through the Central Valley to have a taste of California's most productive agricultural region, providing more than half of the vegetables and fruits grown in the US. We will make a quick stop at Oakdale to purchase your supplies for the day: water, snacks, food for hiking, or your whole picnic.
Upon entering the National Park, the guide will commence with the 1-hour long bus tour of Yosemite National Park exploring one of the most visually stunning places on earth. Your tour will include stops at Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, el Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Valley.
A visit to Yosemite would never be complete without a picture from the Tunnel View. It is a scenic viewpoint along State Route 41 in Yosemite National Park. Eastward views of Yosemite Valley include surrounding features, such as the southwest face of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls.
Your next stop will discover one of the most prominent waterfalls in Yosemite Valley: Bridalveil Fall. The waterfall is 617-feet tall and flows all year round. You will have 15' to walk close to the falls and take pictures that you'll never forget.
Once we reach the drop-off location at the heart of the Yosemite Valley, you'll have around 3 hours of free time to explore the park on your own. Don't know what exactly to do? Ask our guide for the best spots around. You'll have options to hike the paved trails, rent a bike to cover more ground, visit the visitor's center for international exhibits or head to the Ansel Adams Gallery to see works of the legendary artist. Although you may spend days in the park, the three hours you get on your own gives you enough time to understand why Yosemite is a World Heritage Site.
During your free time in Yosemite Valley, you can opt to head to Ansel Adams Gallery to see works of the legendary artist.
Pass by: Delight in stunning views of Yosemite Falls in its entirety, with the opportunity to walk to the base of the lower fall; it roars in spring but falls silent by late summer. The trail to Lower Yosemite Fall is open year-round. When the water is at its peak in spring and early summer, you can expect to get a little wet.
Pass by: Located in the Yosemite Valley, the Valley Visitor Center is the place you must visit if you are looking for books, postcards, or maps about Yosemite. It is open all year round, and the staff is always happy to assist with any of your questions.
Pass by: Located on the eastern side of Yosemite Valley, on Sentinel Drive, near Cook's Meadow, can be accessed at shuttle stop 11. This location is famous for providing a breathtaking view of Half Dome and its mirrored reflection in the Merced River, especially during the alpenglow.
After lunch and your free time, we'll pay a visit to the grasslands in front of El Capitan giving you the chance to look for climbers on the granite wall and get your last photo memory of this unforgettable day in Yosemite.
During our Yosemite Valley stop, make sure you save some time to hike or bike around Yosemite Falls base. The effort is well worth the amazing views you will be rewarded at the base; you will be standing in front of the 4th tallest waterfalls in the world!
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves moderate walking; ensure you're comfortable with this level of activity.
- Meals and beverages are not included; consider bringing your own or purchasing along the way.
- Check the weather forecast before your trip to dress appropriately.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a camera to capture the park's breathtaking scenery.
- Pack a light jacket, as temperatures can vary throughout the day.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- The Yosemite tour takes all day. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and bring a pillow to sleep on the drive back.
Traveler reviews
Ruined Yosemite tour
Unfortunately the bus had no AC and it just ruined the experience. There was traffic going into the park so it took 3 hours to get in. The temperature inside the bus was close to 99 degrees, the driver guide Debi made it even more uncomfortable by saying that none of the tour busses in SF have AC.? She is not a professional driver/guide, she did not keep count of her passengers, on the first stop she missed 1 passenger for not counting how many in her group so that delayed it another 30 mins going back to pick up the passenger left behind. She did not provide details during the drive on time slots of arrival and at the park asked the group to count if we were all in and none missing, this is her job. Again what made the tour awful was not having AC specially during that period the traffic was not moving. The diver should be trained on how to respond to passengers on these situations, Debi said that this was normal of the AC not working, if this is normal then she should have at least have a cooler with ice and water for these situations! my husband suffers from high blood pressure and the heat inside the bus could have caused him a stroke. We took pictures of the heat reaching 99 degrees. I will be requesting my money back and will file a complaint. I have taken Viator tours in the past and even on this trip to SF but with this experience I will not be booking again. I hope your management team takes into consideration this review seriously.
Review of Yosemite trip
The trip was incredible. The driver was very knowledgeable and an excellent careful driver. He was very detailed on the sights as we passed them. I would do the trip again that’s how much I really enjoyed the experience. I plan to do more tours with this company. I am not one to remember names, the driver, I called him the captain, was excellent. I met people on the tour from all over the world. Can’t wait to to do my next tour.
Brilliant Yosemite Day
It was a brilliant Tour! Could not speak more highly of our tour guide Gino! What a Brilliant day x
Senses stimulated to the max!
The representative driving seemed a little frustrated with life in general. Admission fees and related travel costs were well worth it. Crowd size was fine; we must have been lucky. The park is incredible. I love the way that the powers that be are preserving it but, at the same time sharing its majestic beauty with tourists.
Although the transfer...
Although the transfer time is quite long (4 hrs each way from/to San Francisco) we had plenty of time to spend in the Park. The guide (Debbie) took us to many panoramic spots