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:

• air conditioning
• flat-screen TV
• refrigerator
• private bathroom
• WiFi internet access
• daily housekeeping
• complimentary toiletries
• incredible Yosemite Valley views

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.

SPRING - SUMMER - FALL TOUR ITINERARY

(Tuolumne Grove trail conditions permitting)

Outbound Day

06:30 AM to 10:30 AM

• Depart from San Jose
• Be introduced to Yosemite as you cross the San Joaquin valley
• Rest stop. Gather snacks and lunch for the afternoon
• Learn the history of the Sierra Nevada mountains and their gold

10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

• Enter Yosemite National Park
• Trail conditions permitting, experience a Giant Sequoia grove

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

• Heart-stopping views of Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome
• Be inspired at Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View)

1:30 PM to 2:00 PM

• Check into your room at Yosemite Valley Lodge

Unguided, free time in Yosemite Valley (activities not included)

• Hike or bike the Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall or Mirror Lake Loop trails
• Be challenged by strenuous hikes on the Valley Loop, Vernal Fall or Half Dome trails
• Take YARTS bus to Mariposa Grove and experience the Bachelor, Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel trees
• Sign up for the Valley Floor or Grand Tour of Yosemite with park rangers
• Enjoy rock climbing, bird watching, rafting, fishing, horseback riding or stargazing

Return Day

12:00 PM

• Call us TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-231-3752 to confirm your exact pickup time.

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

• Re-board the vehicle at shuttle stop #7
• Take advantage of more photo stops as we exit the park
• Descend from the Sierra Nevada mountains back to San Francisco

6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

• Continue your descent from the Sierras as you head west
• Stop for a break and dinner (approx 30 min)
• Watch the sun set into California’s golden hills
• Conclude the tour at your pickup location in San Jose

WINTER ITINERARY

Outbound Day

06:30 AM to 11:00 AM

• Depart from San Jose
• Be introduced to Yosemite as you cross the San Joaquin valley
• Rest stop. Buy snacks and lunch for the park
• Learn the history of the Sierra Nevada mountains and its gold

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

• Enter Yosemite National Park
• Cascade Falls experience
• Be inspired at Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View)

1:00 PM to 1:30 PM

• Check into the Yosemite Valley Lodge

Unguided, free time in Yosemite Valley (activities depend on road/trail conditions and are not included)

• Hike or bike the Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall or Mirror Lake Loop trails
• Challenge yourself with strenuous hikes on the Valley Loop, Vernal Fall or Half Dome trails
• Take the Valley Floor or Grand Tour of Yosemite with park rangers
• Enjoy cross-country skiing, tubing and snowshoeing
• Try ice skating in Curry Village

Return Day

12:00 PM

• Call us TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-231-3752 to confirm your exact pickup time.

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

• Re-board the vehicle at shuttle stop #7
• Take advantage of more photo opportunities as you exit the park
• Descend from the Sierra Nevadas back to San Jose
• Enjoy one last look at Yosemite as you exit the park

5:00 PM to 9:30 PM

• Continue your descent west from the Sierras
• Stop for a dinner break (approx 30 min)
• Watch the sun set into California’s golden hills
• Conclude the tour in San Jose at your pickup location

Read more helpful articles about Yosemite in our BLOG.