Trade the famous San Francisco fog for the awesome grandeur of Yosemite National Park and the best of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Drive through historical Gold Rush Country to discover a modern day outdoor playground filled with mountain lakes, sweeping vistas and breathtaking natural landmarks. During this four day Yosemite and Tahoe Sierras Tour, you can check a box on your bucket list as you spend time exploring the majesty of Yosemite National Park. You can hike through the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area at Devil’s Postpile National Monument in the “Mammoth” mountains of the Eastern Sierras, and maybe even take a dip in the picture perfect emerald waters of Lake Tahoe. Weather permitting. Some activities are not accessible in extreme weather or due to road closures. Every attempt will be made to find comparable activities if these options are not available during your trip. This tour runs weekly, May-September (see Yosemite Escape 3-day Camping Tour and Yosemite Experience 2-day Hotel Tour for additional summer overnights in Yosemite)

STAY IN A COMFY HOTEL!

Relax in comfort with hotel accommodations in all 3 destinations. At the end of a day of hiking and exploring, you’ll have access to hot showers and a cozy bed to get a good night’s sleep.

Prices start at $879 double occ*

CAMP WITH US!

What better way to experience the beautiful wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains than to sleep outdoors? Spend your days hiking and exploring, and your evenings around the campfire!

Our guides will provide all the gear necessary for a fun, easy camping experience, and sleeping bags are available for rent.

SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 1

SAN FRANCISCO TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

8:00am: Pick up from San Francisco Hilton Hotel (Mason Street entrance)

8:00am – 12:00pm: Buckle up! After departing San Francisco, you’ll head through California’s famous Gold Rush Country, high into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

12:00 – 8:00pm: It’s time to experience the majestic views from Yosemite Valley with some of America’s tallest waterfalls and towering granite cliffs rising 4,000 feet from the valley floor. You’ll have the opportunity to explore on foot, by bike, or by free valley shuttle. Hiking trails abound, and this afternoon your guide will help you find the perfect trail to take in this glacially carved valley. Afterwards, relax on the bank of the Merced River and soak up the spectacular views.

8:00pm: Head back to the rustic mountain resort to kick back, have some drinks and share the stories of your day. Hostel Included.

SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 2

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK TO MAMMOTH LAKES VIA TIOGA PASS

8:00am – 12:00pm: This morning, we’re off to explore more of what Yosemite has to offer. Your guide will set you up with an amazing morning hike or a chance to capture a few more iconic photos followed by lunch among the fabled Giant Sequoias.

12:00 – 4:00pm: This afternoon, you’ll ascend to almost 10,000 Feet (3000+ meters), traversing Yosemite’s Tioga Pass viewing iconic sites like the reflective Tenaya Lake and weaving your way through Tuolumne Meadows before descending the fiercely steep eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas.

4:00pm: Next up, an overnight stay in beautiful Mammoth Lakes, California. With a hint at its prehistoric past, the name is quite fitting… the size of the mountains, the number of lakes, and the expanse of the valleys. Try your hand at mountain biking or take a scenic Gondola ride up to 11,053 ft (3368 meters) and check out one of the most stunning 360 degree views in California. Explore the geologic, natural, and human history of Mammoth and find out why this is one of the most studied regions in the world.

SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 3

MAMMOTH LAKES TO LAKE TAHOE VIA ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS AREA AND BODIE, CA

8:00am – 12:00pm: We’ll start our day with the option to visit the Ansel Adams Wilderness area. This rugged place was named in honor of the famed nature photographer where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Devil’s Postpile National Monument that is a rare sight in the geologic world, and with a name like that, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll be amazed by this strange columnar basalt formation and may also choose to take a short hike over to Rainbow Falls to snap a selfie.

12:00 – 6:00pm: Next, you’re back on the road, this time headed to Lake Tahoe. Along the way, we’ll get off the pavement to experience a bit of Gold Rush history at the remote National Historic Landmark known as Bodie Ghost Town.

6:00pm: End your adventure-filled day by trying your luck at blackjack, or the roulette wheel at The Hard Rock, Harrah’s or one of South Lake Tahoe’s other casinos. Gambling not you’re thing? We’ll set you up with a sunset sail or a lake cruise to Emerald Bay.

SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 4

LAKE TAHOE TO SAN FRANCISCO

8:00am – 2:00pm: This morning, you’ll get to choose your own adventure. Get up close and personal with the highest alpine lake in the USA either by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or bike. If you would prefer more of a bird’s eye view with panoramic vistas of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley and the Desolation Wilderness, take a 2.4 mile gondola ride up, up, up to Heavenly Mountain resort where an array of adventure activities await you. Having trouble deciding? You always have the option to keep it simple and go on a short hike with the guidance of your professional guide.

2:00 – 7:00pm: This afternoon, you’ll leave Lake Tahoe behind and, after passing through the state’s capital city, Sacramento, you’ll follow the historic Pony Express Trail through El Dorado National Forest.

7:00 – 8:00pm: You’ll arrive back to the City by the Bay, San Francisco.

**Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to rapidly-changing conditions beyond our control (weather, crowds, traffic) and the small size of our vehicles/groups, we allow 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 Yosemite and Tahoe Sierras Tour itinerary (conditions permitting), we do not guarantee them in this specific order. **

About Your Yosemite and Tahoe Sierras Tour

Departure: May-Sept (departs Tuesdays)
8:15 am pickup from a central SF hotel

Duration: 4 days/3 nights

Transportation: Eco-friendly, comfortable transport in a biofuel mini-coach (14 passengers max)

Includes:

• Complimentary pick up/drop off from the San Francisco Hilton hotel (Mason St. entrance)
• Narrated guided tour by a full-time professional, knowledgeable guide
• Park entrance fees
• See El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, Giant Sequoias, High Country, and Yosemite Valley
• Transportation throughout tour in biofuel mini-coach

Not included:

• Meals not listed above (stops will be made to purchase food).
• Optional activity entrance fees
• Guide gratuity (optional)