Private Yosemite One Day Tour
Design your own tour to Yosemite’s Half Dome, waterfalls, and Giant Sequoia redwoods
This 1-day private, fully guided tour to Yosemite lets your group decide which awe-inspiring monuments to visit, the pace of the day and when to modify the plan.
Highlights
- Over 5 hours in Yosemite National Park
- Unique Giant Sequoias hike in Tuolumne Grove (conditions permitting)
- Five more stops to explore Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan Meadow and Valley View
- 2 hours of free time to hike and explore Yosemite Valley
- Fully guided by a Yosemite Park expert
What’s Included
- Customized pick up location in the Bay Area
- Park reservation and entry fee
- Local expert guide (English)
- Foreign language audios in 8 languages
- Guide gratuity
What’s Not Included
- Meals
- Beverages
Description
This is your chance to plan a private tour to Yosemite National Park, jam-packed with the towering granite monuments of Half Dome, Cathedral Peak, El Capitan, and other dramatic scenes formed eons ago. You will have the chance to see Bridalveil, Horsetail, and Yosemite Falls put on impressive water displays. Since it is private, take as long as you like to enjoy nature hikes in Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoia trees and on the Meadow Loop Trail to the Swinging Bridge.
Your tour can reflect the preferences of your group. Here is a typical private Yosemite experience.
Experience Yosemite in a Day from San Francisco
The tour begins with a convenient pickup in the San Francisco Bay Area. 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 passing through the entry gate to Yosemite, we’ll make a stop at Tunnel View, made famous by photographer Ansel Adams. Take a moment. Then, capture your group with El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point, and Cathedral Peak as your background. From there, it’s a short trip to 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, your group has 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, we always spend extra time in Yosemite Valley.
By the end of the day, your group will 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.
Want to make changes to the itinerary described here? Just ask. Our private tours department is here to help with your private tour every step of the way. Requests may alter the quoted price. Reach us at: (415) 357-0700 or charters@extranomical.com.
Itinerary
-
Expand All
-
06:00 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 2:30 PM Explore the Valley On Your Own
-
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Stops at El Capitan and Valley View
-
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Hike to Giant Sequoia Redwoods
-
5:30 PM to 9:30 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
Beautiful tour!
Very nice tour in the picturesque mountains and the tour guide was very friendly and helpful! We missed the Giant Sequoia due to snowy weather but that’s okay the beautiful Yosemite park and stories made up for it!
My Phan, TrustPilot
Highly recommended
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!
Alexander Juarez , TrustPilot
Had a lovely time!
A day isn't enough to explore Yosemite and Sequoia Parks. Gino, the Tour Guide as well as the bus driver did an excellent job- very attentive and so warm welcoming even though they were delayed for an hour to pick us up.
Read Full Review
Wilma Cabrera , TrustPilot
Had a lovely time!
A day isn't enough to explore Yosemite and Sequoia Parks. Gino, the Tour Guide as well as the bus driver did an excellent job- very attentive and so warm welcoming even though they were delayed for an hour to pick us up. Overall, I had a lovely time, and just wish that I was able to finish my hike to the upper trail (I was only 3 miles away before I had to go back to the bus). Would definitely recommend this trip, specially for solo travelers like me who don't drive in the City.
Wilma Cabrera , TrustPilot
Magical experience!
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.
Read Full Review
Nikunj B, TrustPilot
Magical experience!
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. 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.
Nikunj B, TrustPilot
Amazing Experience
We had a great day at Yosemite with our tour guide Rob! I fully recommend going with him! He is a funny and very caring guy, he showed us the best spots Of the National Park to take photos!
Read Full Review
Saraszpe, TripAdvisor
Amazing Experience
An Amazing experience! We had a great day at Yosemite with our tour guide Rob! I fully recommend going with him! He is a funny and very caring guy, he showed us the best spots Of the National Park to take photos! and he is an authentic “storyteller”! He told us about The history Of San Francisco! And last but not least, we travelled safe with him the whole way!
Saraszpe, TripAdvisor
Excellent service
We had a great time, all thanks to Brad's knowledge of the history of San Francisco and Yosemite. We are also very grateful for the help given when I called because my husband left his wallet on the bus.
Read Full Review
Joan Hernandez , TrustPilot
Excellent service
We had a great time, all thanks to Brad's knowledge of the history of San Francisco and Yosemite. We are also very grateful for the help given when I called because my husband left his wallet on the bus. Thank you for your excellent service.
Joan Hernandez , TrustPilot
Great customer service!
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.
Read Full Review
Lacey Pitcher, TrustPilot
Great customer service!
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. I'm not too sure why the overnight tour costs more as essentially you just leave one tour and join the next tour the following day to get back to San Francisco, accommodation booked separately. 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.
Lacey Pitcher, TrustPilot
Fantastic tour
Beautiful day at Yosemite with Rob! Rob, our tour guide and driver, took us to the best spots at Yosemite today! He seemed really passionate in showcasing Yosemite and SF in general. Overall a fantastic day out! Thank you
Read Full Review
490treenas, TripAdvisor
Fantastic tour
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. He seemed really passionate in showcasing Yosemite and SF in general. Overall a fantastic day out! Thank you
490treenas, TripAdvisor
Great experience
It’s been a week since my tour and I still can’t stop talking about how great it was! I had Rob as my tour guide and he really went above and beyond. We were able to see all that Yosemite had to offer and then some.
Read Full Review
Victoria Jack, Google
Great experience
It’s been a week since my tour and I still can’t stop talking about how great it was! I had Rob as my tour guide and he really went above and beyond. I will say that finding out that we weren’t seeing the Sequioas so late wasn’t ideal and the company should have informed us but outside of that Rob was a great guide. He made the trip a true experience. We were able to see all that Yosemite had to offer and then some. I’ve gotten so many compliments on the pictures I took because Rob pointed out all the best places. I’m definitely going to recommend this to my friends and family.
Victoria Jack, Google
Wonderful experience
Wonderful experience, tour guide gave a little history about SF and the surrounding areas on the drive down! So many photo opportunities provided, a lot of free time allotted. So happy to have found this website
Read Full Review
Dereka A Oliver, GetYourGuide
Wonderful experience
Wonderful experience, tour guide gave a little history about SF and the surrounding areas on the drive down! So many photo opportunities provided, a lot of free time allotted. I wanted ro experience Yosemite will on my travel nursing experience and thought I couldn’t without a car. So happy to have found this website
Dereka A Oliver, GetYourGuide
Knowledgeable guide
Was an awesome day getting to see Yosemite. Rob was a great tour guide and was very knowledgeable and passionate about Yosemite and San Francisco.
Cameron Steinsvaag, GetYourGuide
Interesting places!
I would like to thank Josh, the Charter Sales Specialist that I have been in contact with since the beginning of my inquiries for almost over a year ago. Josh had been very patient with me explaining all the details of what will transpire during our trip with a big group of 48 people.
Read Full Review
Ellen Tiu, TripAdvisor
Interesting places!
First I would like to thank Josh, the Charter Sales Specialist that I have been in contact with since the beginning of my inquiries for almost over a year ago up to few days before our 2 days tour to Monterey/Carmel & Yosemite. Josh had been very patient with me explaining all the details of what will transpire during our trip with a big group of 48 people ( but came down to 44 then 41 due to changes in travel plans). He made sure that we will get the best tour guides namely Randall that went with us to Monterey/Carmel & Gino who took us to Yosemite. They are both very knowledgeable as tour guides. Randall made recommendations & suggestions of where we could get the best lunches for us during our stay in Carmel. Randall would make suggestions & not just follow our itinerary like not driving us through Highway 1 to ensure our safety due to the size of our bus. He pointed many spots that gave us interesting informations even as we pass along the freeway not just in Monterey/Carmel. Gino shared with us trivia questions & very detailed with the years in the past that make California's history. He made jokes to make our long drive to & from Yosemite lively. He even handed out cold water for each one of us to make sure we were comfortable & stayed hydrated especially after getting in & out of the bus in the heat to take photos to capture beautiful sceneries of Yosemite. I would highly recommend Extranomical Tours to any of my friends & family who would be interested to tour places in Northern California from san Francisco!
Ellen Tiu, TripAdvisor
Phenomenal guide!
Randall was very informative on the Yosemite park features and the towns along the way. He told stories to keep all ages engaged. He was also a good driver.
Reggie Sheehan, TripAdvisor
Book With Confidence
Award-Winning Tours & Customer Service
2000+ 5-star Reviews
460,000+ Happy Guests Since 2002
FAQs
-
Expand All
-
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?
Other Popular Tours
Yosemite and Giant Sequoias One Day Tour from San Francisco
The only 1-day Yosemite National Park tour from San Francisco to deliver more than you dreamed at Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and on a hike to Giant Sequoias.
Private Redwoods and California Wine Country Tour
In one incredible day, enjoy a private Muir Woods tour and a private California wine country tour! Go at your own pace with just your own travel companions.