This amazing 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. The tour has earned more 5-star guest reviews because our expert guides include the Giant Sequoias among the attractions in Yosemite Valley.

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 enter 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 Fall 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 friendly and picturesque Yosemite Cedar Lodge located just eight miles from the Yosemite National Park. All rooms offer a flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and air conditioning. Wi-fi is available with a service charge. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, convenience store, pool, lounge and gift shop.

Conveniently located nearby in the town of El Portal is the popular Cedar House Restaurant and several entertaining historic sites such as Yosemite Valley Railroad.

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. Buy snacks and lunch for the park
• Learn the history of the Sierra Nevada mountains and its 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

• Catch YARTS bus (not included in price)  and check into the Cedar 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 Jose

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 your 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

• Catch YARTS bus (not included in price)  and check into the Cedar 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

Note that the times are typical but traffic and other unforeseen issues can cause variations. Please do not make flight arrangements on the return day of your tour as you may arrive late in the evening.