One-Way Trip From San Francisco To Yosemite
What your day looks like
From the most celebrated Yosemite tour operator, this service offers flexibility to reach Yosemite National Park when arranging your own overnight stay. Travel and Hospitality Awards named this the best Yosemite tour from San Francisco for its jaw-dropping natural beauty and expert guided commentary available in nine languages. This is a one-way segment with no return reservation. Join us on this breathtaking one-way tour to Yosemite National Park, whose towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls and nature trails are perhaps the most stunning in the world. Our expert guides will make sure you don’t miss the history, geology and wildlife that make Yosemite Valley the jewel of the U.S. National Parks. Your tour begins with a convenient hotel pick up in San Francisco. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as we explain how glitter in the American River sparked the California gold rush; what geological forces made Yosemite’s dramatic landscapes; and the role John Muir played in the formation of America’s first protected wilderness. After entering Yosemite National Park, we’ll make our way to a scene made famous by photographer Ansel Adams. Take a moment at Tunnel View. Capture yourself with El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point, and Cathedral Peak as your background. 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. After arriving in Yosemite Valley, you will have free time for lunch and exploring on your own. With this one-way tour you can take advantage of extra free time in the park to climb a boulder, bike with abandon, or commit to the many wilderness trails. Please note that there is no return reservation with this tour, and you will need to make separate arrangements for your return tour segment. We’re so confident that our Yosemite Valley Tour from San Francisco will amaze—it’s backed by a Satisfaction Guarantee. Know Before You Go: A $50 handling fee will be charged for any luggage item larger than a carry-on brought on the tour bus. If you're not staying at one of the Yosemite Valley hotels, please be aware that there is no public storage available in Yosemite Valley. Nonresident Fee Notice: Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older will be charged an additional $100 park entry fee per person after completing their booking. This fee will be collected by the tour operator via a payment link or on the bus at the start of your tour. Note that “America the Beautiful Non-Resident Pass” holders do not pay the $100 fee, the $250 pass covers up to 4 people at the entrance.
The experience, in brief
- Skip the line with an early bird arrival at Yosemite’s group tour gate
- Explore Bridalveil Fall, HalfDome from Tunnel View, and Yosemite Falls
- Hear Yosemite tour commentary in your own language
- Guaranteed daily departures
- Convenient departure locations
The journey, in full
Spring – Summer – Fall Tour Itinerary 5:20 AM to 10:30 AM Convenient hotel pickup Learn about Yosemite and California as you cross the Central Valley Breakfast stop. Pick up snacks and lunch for the park Enter Yosemite National Park 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Admire Yosemite Valley and Half Dome from Tunnel View Relax and enjoy the view as you descend into Yosemite Valley Feel the mist on your face at Bridalveil Fall 12:30 PM Drop off in Yosemite Valley Enjoy our guided audio tour of Yosemite Valley Photograph the Merced River from the Swinging Bridge Hike to the platform at the base of Yosemite Falls Winter Tour* 05:20 AM to 10:30 AM Convenient hotel pickup Learn about Yosemite and California as you cross the Central Valley Rest stop. Pick up snacks and lunch for the park Enter Yosemite National Park 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Admire Yosemite Valley and Half Dome from Tunnel View Relax and enjoy the view as you descend into Yosemite Valley Feel the mist on your face at Bridalveil Fall 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM Free time to explore Yosemite Valley Enjoy our guided audio tour of Yosemite Valley Photograph the Merced River from the Swinging Bridge Hike to the platform at the base of Yosemite Falls 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM Enjoy more free time to explore Yosemite Valley
Your day, step by step
Mariposa
Sightseeing at Yosemite National Park.
San Francisco
Hiking.
What to know before booking
Included
- Pickup at most San Francisco hotels - Drop off at the Valley Lodge - One-way guided transportation to/from Yosemite - Hike to Giant Sequoias (conditions permitting) - Expert tour guide & commentary in English - Free unique geo-based audio guides in 8 languages - Park entry fee included
Not Included
- Gratuities - Meals and Beverages $100 per-person fee for non-U.S. residents to enter National Park
Restrictions
Starting January 1, 2026, the National Park Service (NPS) is implementing a $100 per-person fee for non-U.S. residents entering 11 major national parks, in addition to standard entrance fees, as part of a new "resident-focused" fee structure designed to prioritize U.S. taxpayers and fund park maintenance. This fee will only impact our international customers. The only exception is for those non-U.S. residents that have purchased the America the Beautiful (ATB) International Pass for $250, which grants annual access to all federal lands.
Meeting & Pickup
Pick up at most San Francisco hotels.
Languages Offered
[object Object]
Before Booking
Please advise the country of residence for all guests. (Fees apply to non-US residents).
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business