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San Francisco · California · United States
Yosemite Explorer Overnight Tour
Starting From
From $589.00 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by
Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Immerse yourself in the beauty and solitude of Yosemite National Park in the winter season and run away with us for two days of crisp, fresh mountain air! At night, sleep comfortably at your choice of accommodations in the heart of Yosemite Valley, the Yosemite Valley Lodge or for a more rustic and unique stay the Curry Village Tent Cabins. Here you will witness a Yosemite that few tourists get to see: towering granite monoliths blanketed in snow and magnificent waterfalls frozen in time. During your free time in the park, you may choose to hike, go snowshoeing, ice skate, grab a hot drink by the fire, or take a guided tour of the valley floor. This winter voyage to Yosemite is not to be missed. During your free time, you’ll have the flexibility to craft your own experience: choose to hike some of the valley trails, join a ranger program, go snowshoeing, ice skate, or take a guided tour of the valley floor while surrounded by some of Yosemite’s most prominent landmarks. In the evening, kick back with a warm drink, arrange a twilight or night hike, or hear stories told fireside at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The choice is entirely up to you! Only the explorer who visits Yosemite National Park in the winter months will truly understand the exquisite silence and majestic views that endeared travelers like John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt to this astounding landscape. With fewer visitors and more solitude, this winter voyage to Yosemite is not to be missed.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Two full days in the park (one is really not enough!)
- Overnight hotel accommodation at your choice of Yosemite properties
- Eco friendly transport in a biofueled mini coach
- Yosemite Valley narrated, guided tour
- See Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite and Bridalveil Fall
- Check out the view from the spectacular overlook at Tunnel View!
- More freedom to do what YOU want to do
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
San Francisco
6:00 am - 7:00 am Hotel/Hostel pickup in Downtown San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf. 7:00 am - 10:30 am Take the Bay Bridge to Oakland and the East Bay, then on to the Central Valley. After a 15-minute rest at a deli or local fruit stand to pick up some provisions for your day, hop back in the vehicle and travel through the Gold Country into the mountains. Approx. 11:00 am Arrive at Yosemite National Park.
Continued
Mariposa
Sightseeing at Yosemite National Park. 11:00 am-12:30 pm Begin with a one and a half hour guided driving tour descending through Yosemite's glaciated valley with its famous waterfalls and rock formations, and stop to take pictures and see the views. From these higher elevations, you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and many of the frozen waterfalls all at once!
Continued
Mariposa
Hiking at Yosemite National Park. 12:30 pm - (end of day) Stop for the afternoon in the valley; right at the base of Yosemite Falls. Check in to the hotel, or just store your luggage at the front desk. Maps and guides in hand, you'll get a chance to explore Yosemite's natural wonders on your own for the remainder of the day. Before exiting the vehicle, your guide will provide a choice of activities that may include: - Getting some lunch or dinner at any of the wonderful restaurants in the area (dining guides available upon request) - Spending time at the main visitor's center or the Ansel Adams Gallery - Hiking some of the trails from the valley (snowshoes are available for rent at Half Dome Village if you’re feeling adventurous) - Taking a guided tour of the valley - Ice skating at the Half Dome Village ice rink - Listening to fireside storytelling at the Majestic (formerly Ahwahnee) Hotel - Taking a twilight or night hike with an experienced Yosemite guide
Continued
San Francisco
Overnight accommodations.
Day 2
Mariposa
Sightseeing at Yosemite National Park. 7:00 am (or whenever you choose to start your day) Wake up when you wish, and then head back out for another day of exploring. Check your bag at the desk, and pick it up when you’re ready to head home! 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Hang out in Yosemite and do as you please; just be ready to meet your group back at Yosemite Lodge at 3:30 pm for the journey back home.
Continued
San Francisco
3:30 pm-9:00 pm Head back West through the mountains, orchards, and fields towards the city. Enjoy the skyline of San Francisco at night as we cross the Bay Bridge and return you to your lodging.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Complimentary pick-up and drop-off from select San Francisco hotels Yosemite National Park entrance fee Overnight accommodation
Not Included
Meals (stops will be made to purchase food) Gear Rental (Ski/Snowboards, Snow Shoes, Winter Clothing/Boots/Goggles/etc) Guide gratuity $100 per-person fee for non-U.S. residents to enter National Park
What to Bring
Small, soft overnight bag that can fit under seat (approx. airline carry-on size) Hiking boots or durable sneakers (preferably gortex or waterproof) Warm layers (long underwear & wool fleece suggested) Waterproof jacket/pants for winter conditions Gloves, wool socks and a hat (75% of your body heat is lost through your hands, head, and feet). Water Bottle & Sun protection
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
Pickup from the following area: 6 am-7 am pickup from select San Francisco hotels Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf (Mason/North Point) - 6:20 am Le Meridien (333 Battery St) - 6:35 am Hilton Union Square (333 O’Farrell, Mason St side) - 6:50 am Holiday Inn Civic Center (50 8th St) - 7:10 am Dublin BART Station (5801 Owens Dr, Pleasanton | great for East Bay guests ) - 7:45 am
Languages Offered
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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
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