Yosemite & Giant Sequoia Day Tour

Explore glacially-formed cliffs, wildflower-speckled meadows, and hike to the towering Sequoias in the heart of Yosemite’s dynamic wilderness.

Just a few hours’ drive from San Francisco, Yosemite is the ideal break from the distractions of the city. Since John Muir’s first glimpse of Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite has captivated and inspired people from all over the world, totaling more than 5 million visitors in a year.

Immerse yourself in our day-long tour with our professional guides as they lead you through not only Yosemite Valley but also to see the ancient Giant Sequoias of Tuolumne Grove. You’ll capture the endless skylines, rock formations, and waterfalls as you enjoy an overview of how Yosemite Park’s unique landscape was formed, who came before, and how the park became the nation’s first ever protected national park. Next, strap up your hiking boots and embark on the 2.5 mile (4 km) round trip hike down to the 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 get the chance 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.

*Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

Located on the Tioga Road just east of Crane Flat, the Tuolumne Grove has about two dozen mature giant sequoias. Sequoias are only visible after a one-mile hike with 500 feet of elevation loss. (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 day tour, you must be able to complete the full hike within 1.5 hours. For most active travelers, this is not a problem. If you feel like you might not be active enough to complete this hike, feel free to join our normal Yosemite Day Tour. 

Winter tours

Typically from November to May, depending on the current snow pack, our tours cannot provide access to the sequoia grove. For this reason, if you are booked on one of these dates we will automatically rebook you on one of our normal Yosemite Day Tours. Instead of visiting the grove, you will have more time in Yosemite Valley to explore the wintery sights.

For more details or to ask about current conditions, feel free contact us.

Morning – Drive to Yosemite and Hike to the Giant Sequoias

6:15 – 7:00am: 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!

7:00 – 9:00am: 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.

9:00 – 10:30am: 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!

Approx 10:30am – 12:00pm : 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 .

2:00pm: 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.

3:30pm: 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 8:30 – 9:00 p.m. to sleep off the days’ adventures.

**Sample Itineraries: 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 having small groups is allowing our guides the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to best suit the needs of the group. 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. **