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Be moved beyond words by Yosemite’s Half Dome, waterfalls, and Giant Sequoias

The only 1-day Yosemite tour from San Francisco to deliver more than you dreamed at Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and on a hike to Giant Sequoias.

Departure: Daily from major San Francisco hotels
Duration: 15 hours
Free Cancellation: With 24 hours advance notice
Ages: All ages
Ticket: Email and mobile accepted

Highlights

  • Skip the line. Enter Yosemite at the commercial tour group gate
  • Early bird arrival increases access to popular viewing areas like Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan Meadow and Valley View
  • The most time in Yosemite National Park—over 5 hours
  • Unique Giant Sequoias hike in Tuolumne Grove (conditions permitting)
  • 2 hours of free time to explore Yosemite Valley
  • Fully guided by a Yosemite Park expert

What’s Included

  • Pick up at major San Francisco hotels
  • Park reservation and entry fee (pay at checkout)
  • Park expert guide (English)
  • Foreign language audios in 8 languages

What’s Not Included

  • Meals or beverages
  • Guide gratuity
Please note: This season’s greatest-of-all-time waterfalls have led to a surge in Yosemite park visitors. So you can have the best possible experience, our new “early bird” itinerary is designed to beat the crowds and avoid delays at the popular attractions. Please note the new earlier hotel pickup times.

Description

Experience Yosemite One Day Tour from San Francisco

Join us on this breathtaking tour of Yosemite National Park, whose towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls and nature trails are perhaps the most stunning in the world. This award-winning tour spends the most time in Yosemite and includes a unique hike among ancient Giant Sequoias.

Your tour begins with a convenient hotel pick up in San Francisco. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as your guide explains 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.

Be Blown Away by Awe-Inspiring Valley Views

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.

Have Your Own Yosemite Valley Adventure

After arriving to our stop in Yosemite Valley, you will have 2 hours for lunch and exploring on your own. The free time options include hiking to Yosemite Falls, meandering through Sentinel Meadow, checking out the Ansel Adams Gallery and more.

Take a Moment with More Iconic Monuments

Your Yosemite experience stops next at El Capitan Meadow to learn more about the world’s largest granite monolith and its climbing culture. As we are leaving Yosemite Valley, we will make our final stop at Valley View which serves up a panoramic landscape framing the Merced River, El Capitan and the imposing spires of Cathedral Rocks.

Feel the Quiet Grandeur of Giant Sequoias

The highlight of our tour is still ahead of you as we head to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. In this beautiful grove, you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the largest and oldest trees on earth.

When the Tuolumne Grove trail is snow-covered or unsafe (November-March), we always spend extra time in Yosemite Valley. 

By the end of the day, you’ll have experienced some of the most incredible landscapes in the world and captured memories to last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Yosemite National Park with us.

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Itinerary

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  • 05:20 AM to 10:30 AM - Hotel Pickup, Head to Yosemite

  • 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM - Admire Views of Yosemite Valley

  • 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM - Explore the Valley On Your Own

  • 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM - Stops at El Capitan and Valley View

  • 2:45 PM to 4:30 PM - Hike to Giant Sequoia Redwoods

  • 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Return to San Francisco

Times listed are approximations. Traffic and unforeseen events can cause delays.  Please do not make flight/travel arrangements on the same day as your tour

What Our Guests Are Saying About Us

Amazing views and a smooth tour arrangement

This tour was great! I can warmly recommend taking it on a weekday to avoid park-visiting crowds. The hotel pickup was smooth and the trip to and from the park was narrated with interesting info at a reasonable frequency. Thanks to it being a Tuesday we had very little traffic, which contributed to a very smooth trip.

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KCB, TrustPilot

Amazing views and a smooth tour arrangement

The stops for bathroom breaks and snack opportunities were well planned, I appreciate that they stopped at outdoor shopping centers with a grocery store and a selection of not-too-pricey eateries (although we opted to bring our own cooler bag with meals and snacks). Stops for photo ops were sufficiently long to take in the scenery - the views are absolutely breathtaking on a clear day. We had a great driver (Ken) and guide (Randall) who both did a fantastic job, particularly with kind and clear reminders for participants to be back on time.

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KCB, TrustPilot

It's a great tour!

We had a female tour guide who was also our bus driver. I don't remember the name but she is excellent at her job. Entire tour she shared enough information related to the history of the place etc. It made the tour all the more engaging and entertaining. We had a female tour guide who was also our bus driver. I don't remember the name but she is excellent at her job.

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Nikunj B , TripAdvisor

It's a great tour!

Entire tour she shared enough information related to the history of the place etc. It made the tour all the more engaging and entertaining. If you choose Extranomical Yosemite Tour, ask for this tour guide and no other. You will get more bang for the buck. Yosemite is magical and one day tour isn't enough. But if you are short of time and get the most from your day, choose this tour. Few things to keep in mind. Keep your water bottles and food with you. Go on weekdays for better all round experience. If you want to travel solo and website doesn't seem to allow solo booking, contact their customer support and convince them.

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Nikunj B , TripAdvisor

It was a good tour, especially if you do not have so much time

Our guide was super nice and friendly. And Yosemite is a beautiful place for nice memories. Tip: Bring some food or buy on the way. I do recommend it!

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Alexander Juarez , TrustPilot

This solo trip was booked as a special trip for my birthday

Communication from the team in the office was great! The park was sublime and our guides showed us all the best spots. The tour was well paced and set out and my guide on the 2nd day was far superior. Excellent jokes, knowledge and attention to detail. I'd recommend this trip wholeheartedly.

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Lacey Pitcher, TrustPilot

Beautiful day at Yosemite with Rob!

Rob, our tour guide and driver, took us to the best spots at Yosemite today! He drove safely, was very nice and had great humor. He was accommodating and even took us to viewpoints not included in the itinerary, which presented awesome photo opportunities. Rob, our tour guide and driver, took us to the best spots at Yosemite today!

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490treenas , TripAdvisor

Beautiful day at Yosemite with Rob!

He drove safely, was very nice and had great humor. He was accommodating and even took us to viewpoints not included in the itinerary, which presented awesome photo opportunities. He seemed really passionate in showcasing Yosemite and SF in general. Overall a fantastic day out! Thank you

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490treenas , TripAdvisor

Just a great experience!

The driver / tour guide and his assistant Ollie were fantastic!!!! Helpful, funny, engaging and informative. Couldn’t rate them highly enough!!!! Outstanding and thank you. I fully recommend the tour to Yosemite. The tour takes the hassle out of the drive. We greatly enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend Extranomical Tours!

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Michael Clarke, TrustPilot

The driver and tour guide were very friendly

The driver and tour guide were very friendly, the pre-trip information and customer service were very good, and the timing of the trip was very accurate, which made our trip very nice.

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Shihying Yang, TrustPilot

Amazing trip!

My wife & I had an amazing trip with this company & our driver was the best ! Very informative & polite. Took us to many different spots so it felt like we were able to get as much of the experience with the time we had. Thank you very much !! Rob was our driver and he was top of the line ! 5 stars for Rob too !

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Safari Steve, TrustPilot

We really enjoyed our trip to Yosemite Valley and the giant sequoias grove.

Everything went smoothly and on time. We were picked up very close to our hotel, which was very convenient, as we left nice and early. Our guide, Brad, was great, very kind, giving us lots of interesting info. The valley itself is just breathtaking, majestic beauty.

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Luisa Campos, TrustPilot

We really enjoyed our trip to Yosemite Valley and the giant sequoias grove.

El Gran Capitán, the Half Dome, all the gorgeous Falls, the meadows, the river and the forests were just beautiful. And the giant sequoias are amazing. All in all, a great unforgettable experience.

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Luisa Campos, TrustPilot

Yosemite is a magical place

Yosemite is a magical place that would best be experienced over a few days staying in the valley. However, if you have one day, then this tour is the one. It's an early start and a lot of driving, but the things you'll see and feel will stay with you. Our driver Rob was a one man show, his love of Yosemite and his knowledge about the park shine through from the minute he picks you up.

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Annie Middleby, TrustPilot

Yosemite is a magical place

Rob is an everyday guy who uses comedy and lived experiences to make this a truly memorable tour. He's also driving the bus. The stop off for groceries to keep the day running smoothly is also an efficient part of the tour. I met some fantastic people, walked miles, saw world class scenery of mountains, forests, water falls and wildlife Rob was the icing on the cake. An unexpected diamond in the rough. He makes an exhausting 17 hour day worthwhile. Well done Rob and Extranomical.

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Annie Middleby, TrustPilot

Well planned tour!

The schedule is well planned, with lots of fantastic and amazing view. The tour guide provided adequate time for us to take photos at specific destinations. It was not rush at all. The tour guide, Gino Zernitskiy is funny and passionate, his uplifting altitude really brings us to immerse and enjoy the nature with our whole heart.

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Joyce Tung, TrustPilot

Well planned tour!

The schedule is well planned, with lots of fantastic and amazing view. The tour guide provided adequate time for us to take photos at specific destinations. It was not rush at all. The tour guide, Gino Zernitskiy is funny and passionate, his uplifting altitude really brings us to immerse and enjoy the nature with our whole heart. If you join this tour, you will never regret on it!

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Joyce Tung, TrustPilot

Knowledgeable Guide!

Yosemite is incredible and it was well worth it. Our tour guide, Rob, was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and genuinely cared about providing us with the best possible experience, and gave us a real feel for the Park and the region. We were well looked after and he provided us with clear instructions throughout the day.

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Sarah Lees, TrustPilot

Knowledgeable Guide!

This is a great way to see Yosemite for those with limited time. I was in two minds due to the cost, but I'm so glad I went. It was an amazing day, Yosemite is incredible and it was well worth it. Our tour guide, Rob, was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and genuinely cared about providing us with the best possible experience, and gave us a real feel for the Park and the region. We were well looked after and he provided us with clear instructions throughout the day. The San Francisco tips were also appreciated as well! Thanks Rob!

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Sarah Lees, TrustPilot

Enthusiastic Day!

Our tour guide David was enthusiastic, funny and very friendly. He was always willing to help and get us to the right spots for photo ops. When in Yosemite, you’re in awe of its beauty so there is no wrong spot but we definitely appreciated his knowledge of Yosemite.

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ROSALIA HARO , TrustPilot

Surpassed our expectation!

Yosemite and the Giant Sequoia Tour was incredible! Our driver, Gino, welcomed everyone warmly, shared interesting stories, was informative, and entertaining! This tour experience surpassed our expectations. We wouldn't hesitate to tour again with Gino and Extranomical.

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Devin Elliott, TrustPilot

Perfect Day

I had a brilliant day-trip to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco! Tony was our bus driver and tour guide, and he did an excellent job! He was very knowledgeable regarding the Park, and he took us to all the best places for photos. We were also given several hours to explore the Park on our own. Thank you!

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Tim Bird, TrustPilot

Informative guide!

The guide had lots of information to share on the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite. So, there was plenty to learn about the various places we drove through. The day was well paced and we got to see some spectacular sights.

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Ray McGinnis, TrustPilot

Informative guide!

The guided tour to Yosemite was excellent. I hadn't been, but now I know why photographer Ansel Adams took so many pictures of the stunning scenery. The guide had lots of information to share on the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite. So, there was plenty to learn about the various places we drove through. The day was well paced and we got to see some spectacular sights.

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Ray McGinnis, TrustPilot

Very informative guide!

Gino was very informative and detailed in his explanation about the area so I feel like I learned a lot during the trip. He will make sure we pay attention to the main attraction that he was explaining about and some times he told us very hilarious and quirky jokes. Very fun trip I shall say!

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ichbinmelle, TripAdvisor

Very informative guide!

I can't even begin to describe my feelings as I arrived in this heaven. Gino was our tour guide, very fun, very informative and very strict about time which helped us cover every single hot spot of what Yosemite could offer, every single of it. Gino was very informative and detailed in his explanation about the area so I feel like I learned a lot during the trip. He will make sure we pay attention to the main attraction that he was explaining about and some times he told us very hilarious and quirky jokes. Very fun trip I shall say! We first went to Tunnel View oh my god I was in awe. We even dropped by Bridalveil Fall, longer stop was at Yosemite Waterfall around 2 hrs and it was amazing and more than enough for me to take all the photos I needed and to bask in the Yosemite sunshine, soaking in its breeze. Make sure to have a good lunch here because after that you'll head to see Sequoias. And next, we even got to see El Capitan up close!! It was surreal oh god. Then after, we head to hike to see Sequoia. For me, the time allocated for hike in Sequoias which was just around 1hr 20mins should be stretched to maybe 1hr 30mins instead. The hike downhill was fairly okay but I gotta advise you to really sprint until you see the Sequoias since you will want to buy as much time as you can to hike back up to the tour bus. Please go see it, it's really worth it! The place was magical and felt like as if fairies live there lol I'm not even exaggerating. And also stick to your group tour mates for solo travelers as it helps so that you won't get left behind and they can help you take photos too! (Thank you to all my group tour mates for the wonderful photos and wonderful time!!).

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ichbinmelle, TripAdvisor

Smooth trip!

An amazing tour with amazing tour guide Andy! The day was long, but went by smoothly with plenty of stops on the way, lots of information, and an animated and lively tour guide. I absolutely salute the organization of the day and how all activities and stops were kept running smoothly with clear and accessible information

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Anya_O, TripAdvisor

Smooth trip!

An amazing tour with amazing tour guide Andy! The day was long, but went by smoothly with plenty of stops on the way, lots of information, and an animated and lively tour guide. I absolutely salute the organization of the day and how all activities and stops were kept running smoothly with clear and accessible information. The Yosemite park was stunning, I mean, with clear blue skies through the day, it was seriously hard to take a bad picture. The sequoia forest was impressive and I think lots opted to keep their energy for that hike which was indeed quite arduous coming back from due to the steep inclination (there were 2 offered during the day, a 2 hours one walking on flat terrain at the park, and the one required to go see the sequoias, both optional and much opportunities to enjoy the fresh air of the forests if not taking them); our guide was very diligent and ensured both hikes were well-described in terms of perks and difficulties and I think all had a great time. All in all plenty of time to explore, plenty of time to browse gift shops, plenty of time to exercise and follow the group into the more active parts of the day, and just enough resting time between activities. I also really appreciated that the 2 food stops of the day included the option of a grocery store, alongside interesting restaurants, and the park’s cafe.

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Anya_O, TripAdvisor

We joined the Yosemite 1-day tour and it was just a wonderful experience. Especially the guide Gino was awesome with great experience and knowledge around the park to make flexible planning to make the day the best for everyone!

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Sohei Fujimoto, TrustPilot

We joined the Yosemite 1-day tour and it was just a wonderful experience. Especially the guide Gino was awesome with great experience and knowledge around the park to make flexible planning to make the day the best for everyone! Also small points like managing the time and making sure everyone is there before the bus leaves was impressing. I really recommend if you have to join a tour for Yosemite, to choose his tour.

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Sohei Fujimoto, TrustPilot

Excellent photo stops!

Rob was our driver/guide. He showed us some excellent photo opportunities and we even got to see the GG bridge by night. He was a great driver and we really appreciated the lovely clean windows on the bus - this makes such a difference when taking photos on the move.

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Karen Fry, TrustPilot

Excellent photo stops!

A long but wonderful day out to Yosemite. Rob was our driver/guide. He showed us some excellent photo opportunities and we even got to see the GG bridge by night. He was a great driver and we really appreciated the lovely clean windows on the bus - this makes such a difference when taking photos on the move. A little more time at the dinner stop would have been nice but understand the time constraints.

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Karen Fry, TrustPilot

Clever guide!

The vehicle was luxurious, equipped with wifi. And although there was a slight glitch with the break system; the expertise of our driver-&-guide solved the issue in no time. Now coming to our driver-&-guide Rob.. he made the trip more fun with insightful information, fun facts and great suggestions for photos.

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Banerjee, TrustPilot

Clever guide!

The company has a great follow-up system post booking of the trips.. they stay in touch with updates about the trip like pick-up time etc., and also happily address all queries on part of the customer with very little response time. The pick-up timings are almost always a little delayed.. and although they do try to reach out with the delay information.. the lack of internet connectivity for most tourists makes it hard to always become aware of these slight issues. The vehicle was luxurious, equipped with wifi. And although there was a slight glitch with the break system; the expertise of our driver-&-guide solved the issue in no time. Now coming to our driver-&-guide Rob.. he made the trip more fun with insightful information, fun facts and great suggestions for photos. He drove us safely through the winding roads, helped us reach our destinations on time and overall crafted a wonderful experience for us.

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Banerjee, TrustPilot

Entertaining trip

We had a tour to Yosemite park with Rob. He is very genuine & passionate. He looked after everyone & did commentary during the long driving to keep us entertained. A great trip with him.

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QING CAI, TrustPilot

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FAQs

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  • What do I need to know about the Giant Sequoias hike?

  • What is the best time of year to visit Yosemite Valley?

  • Is a day enough time to see Yosemite?

  • How can I travel around the park during my free time?

  • Can I use my annual pass for the United States National Parks to enter Yosemite for free?

  • Do you pick up outside of San Francisco?

  • Do you offer this tour in different languages?

  • What should I bring with me on tour?

  • Are meals included? Can I buy or bring my own?

  • What stops do we have for photographs?

  • What can I do during my free time in Yosemite Valley?