This Yosemite tour from San Jose includes a stay at the conveniently located Yosemite Valley Lodge. The slowed pace and loads of free time will permit you to experience a giant redwood grove and enjoy leisurely hikes or bike rides to Yosemite National Park’s famous nature, monuments and waterfalls. Guaranteed departures every day of the year.
This ultimate Yosemite National Park tour from San Jose allows you to optimize your experience by stretching your time in the park to 2, 3 or more days. Take all the free time you’d like to enjoy the park’s wilderness, towering granite cliffs, Giant Sequoias and awe-inspiring waterfalls.
Travel and Hospitality Awards named this the best Yosemite tour from San Jose for its jaw-dropping natural beauty. It earned the most 5-star guest reviews because our expert guides know their way around the Yosemite Valley and include an experience to Giant Sequoias in the tour.
Your Yosemite tour begins on your departure day at a convenient San Jose hotel, then heads east crossing through California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley and into the rocky Sierra Nevada mountains where you will see 170-year-old mining towns and learn the colorful history of the region.
On your way to Yosemite, our expert guides will introduce you to the many summertime or wintertime activities options so you don’t miss any of the iconic monuments, waterfalls and other natural attractions that make Yosemite Valley the jewel of the national parks in the U.S.
Soon after entering Yosemite, you will experience the solitude of the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. You won’t doubt for a second that these are the largest living creatures on the planet. No picture does them justice, but that should not keep you from trying!
In winter, when conditions on the Tuolumne Grove trail are snow covered or unsafe, we substitute this experience with other attractions.
Your heart (and cameras) will be racing as you descend to Yosemite Valley and enjoy a stop at Inspiration Point, which many still call Tunnel View. Take a moment and then some selfies with El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls as your backdrop.
Special requests? Help with photos? Just ask. Our Expedition Leaders are happy to assist with your memory making. Guests can enjoy this Yosemite Tour 365 days a year.
Your accommodations will be at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. Located inside the park and centrally located on the valley floor, this hotel is the most convenient base camp for overnight Yosemite tours. Its glass and wood architecture and the ample windows let in bright mountain sunshine while offering remarkable views. Every room comes with:
Yosemite Valley Lodge features an activities desk, gift shop, outdoor amphitheater, swimming pool (summer only), several on-site restaurants and a Starbucks. During your stay, you can easily reach all of the park’s attractions via its shuttle service and YARTS stop just across from the hotel entrance. Many park trails can be accessed at the hotel, including a short one to Lower Yosemite Fall.
Your free and unguided time begins after checking into your hotel. There are so many options! In spring and summer, choose from hiking, biking, rock climbing, rafting, fishing, or nighttime stargazing. In winter, arrange winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or ice skating (activities depend on conditions and are not included).
On your return day, enjoy morning activities in the park and say your goodbyes to this natural spectacle. Meet you tour vehicle and guide for your return to San Jose across from the Valley Lodge at YARTS stop #7.
We’re so confident that our Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Overnight Tour will amaze—it’s backed by a Satisfaction Guarantee.
Please only bring with you what you can easily carry as there are limited storage options.
(Tuolumne Grove trail conditions permitting)
06:30 AM to 10:30 AM
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Unguided, free time in Yosemite Valley (activities not included)
12:00 PM
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
06:30 AM to 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Unguided, free time in Yosemite Valley (activities depend on road/trail conditions and are not included)
12:00 PM
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Read more helpful articles about Yosemite in our BLOG.
Yes this tour runs 365 days a year, rain, hail, snow and shine
It's approximately 7-8 hours in total on the first and last day, travel time to Yosemite is approximately 4 hours each way
The drive is about 4 hours. We will make a stop halfway so you can stretch your legs
The hike is dependent on trail and weather conditions. The Grove usually only available from April to October. If you choose not to participate in the hike, then you can stay with the bus at the top of the trail as you wait for the rest of the group to return from the hike. The hike is about 2 miles round-trip (about 60 minutes round-trip, depending on your pace) and a paved trail with 400 ft (122m) incline.
While Yosemite is incredible year-round, if you want to see its beautiful waterfalls at their finest, spring (March to May) is by far the best time of year to go, with waterfalls being at their peak in May and June. By the end of summer (July to August) they are often only a trickle or completely dry.
No, unfortunately there is no kitchen nor is there an outdoor campfire or grill due to fire safety hazards. If you are staying overnight in the park your accommodation may have an indoor kitchen area. Please plan ahead before selecting your hotel.
Yosemite National Park has a free, year-round Yosemite Valley Shuttle with stops at most major sights of interest and some trailheads. You can also take YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) for a fee if you wish to travel outside the park to the surrounding area.
You are allowed up to travel with up to 2 items (i.e. 1 Personal item + 1 Overnight bag) free of charge. These items must be within the size limitations. Each additional item above the 2-item allowance will incur a $25 excess luggage fee.The maximum size allowed for an overnight bag is 24”x16”x10”, or 60cmx40cmx25cm. Any “Oversize” luggage larger than those dimensions is $50 regardless of the number of personal items brought on board. (i.e. 1 Oversized luggage - $50, 2 Oversized pieces = $100). You must advise us of oversize luggage 48 hours prior to departure in order to guarantee the accommodation of the luggage on the vehicle. Note: If you are not staying overnight at Yosemite Valley Lodge, please only bring with you what you can easily carry as there are limited to no storage options available while you explore.
You will be dropped off around lunch time close to the Yosemite Valley Lodge. You will need to make your own way to your accommodation. The Yosemite National Park has a free, year-round Yosemite Valley Shuttle that stops at most major points of interest and some trailheads. You can also take YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) for a fee if you wish to travel outside the park to the surrounding area. For some hotels it will be necessary to take this public transportation in order to reach your lodging. If you plan to stay overnight in the park, please check the location of your accommodation before making a reservation and be sure to plan ahead accordingly. You will need to make your own way to your accommodation. Please see either the National Park Service or YARTS respectively for the relevant shuttle schedule times and routes. If you plan to stay overnight in the park, please check the location of your accommodation before making a reservation and be sure to plan ahead accordingly.
If you are staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge (also known as the Yosemite Park Lodge), it is only a five-minute walk to the hotel. All other lodging must be accessed by either the free Yosemite Shuttle or by taking YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) to your destination. You will need to make your own way to your accommodation. Please see either the National Park Service or YARTS respectively for the relevant shuttle schedule times and routes. If you plan to stay overnight in the park, please check the location of your accommodation before making a reservation and be sure to plan ahead accordingly.
Unfortunately, you cannot use your pass on this tour. The entrance for Yosemite National Park is based on the vehicle and not on an individual basis. Therefore, the tour cost includes the admission fee.
The Yosemite Entrance fee is included in the price of your tour.
We are currently the only tour company in the Bay Area with the Total Yosemite Experience from San Jose! More information can be found here, or you can call our office at 1-866-231-3752 (toll free from the USA) or 1-415-357-0700 to speak with a reservations agent directly.
The tour is narrated in English but we offer complimentary recorded audio guides in 8 languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and Portuguese. If an audio guide is required, please specify when booking
1590 Yosemite Ave
San Francisco, CA 94124
TCP-36854-A