3-Day Yosemite National Park Tour from San Francisco | Stay at Cedar Lodge

What you'll experience

Highlights

3 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — San Francisco - Yosemite National Park

   Customize your multi-day tour to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco with a stay at the charming and rustic Cedar Lodge. Enjoy free timeto enjoy the park's wilderness, towering granite cliffs,Giant Sequoiasand awe-inspiring waterfalls.
   Pairing our 5-star guided tour with an overnight stay at the Cedar Lodge makes this the ultimate tour to Yosemite National Park. With a location minutes from the Yosemite Park entrance you can enjoy towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls and nature hikes at a leisurely pace and on your own schedule. Your visit reaches a climax on the departure day with a unique hike among ancient Giant Sequoia trees. 
   The tour begins with a convenient hotel pick up in San Francisco. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as your guide explains what happened in the American River that sparked the California gold rush; the geological forces that created Yosemite's famous granite monuments; and how John Muir influenced the formation of America's first protected wilderness. 
   Once inside Yosemite National Park, the tour makes a stop at Tunnel View, famously photographed by artist Ansel Adams. Stop and take in the view, then capture a selfie with El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point, and Cathedral Peak as your background. Calm yourself as the tour makes a stop to get eye to eye with wispy Bridalveil Fall and a perfect view of Half Dome!
   You will arrive in Yosemite Valley with plenty of time left in the day to enjoy free time for hiking to Yosemite Falls, bike riding to Mirror Lake, checking out the Ansel Adams Gallery and more. Then, hop on the YARTS shuttle to make your way to the Cedar Lodge accommodations.
   
   Itinerary
   05:20 AM to 10:30 AM Hotel Pickup, Head to Yosemite
   - Convenient hotel pickup
   - Rest stop. Pick up snacks and lunch for the park
   - Enter Yosemite National Park
   10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Admire Views of Yosemite Valley
   - Enter Yosemite National Park
   - Stop to ogle and photograph Tunnel View
   - Marvel at the beauty of Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome
   12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Free Time to Explore and Check In
   - Enjoy free time to explore Yosemite Valley
   - Explore the trail to the Lower Yosemite Falls
   - Check into the Cedar Lodge

   

   Yosemite National Park

   

   Yosemite Falls

   

   Inspiration Point

   

   Half Dome

   

   El Capitan

   

   Bridalveil Fall

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Cedar Lodge
2. 2

   Day 2 — Yosemite National Park

   Between your departure and return days, you will be able to enjoy experiences not possible on a one-day trip to Yosemite. Your tour guide will describe how to hike the Mist, Vernal Fall or Nevada Fall Trails; take a tour to Glacier Point (summer months); raft or swim in the Merced River (summer only); see the night sky like never before; spot local wildlife in the early morning; bike to Curry Village; or visit the Giant Sequoias in Mariposa Grove.
   Unguided free time to explore Yosemite's treasures.

   

   Yosemite National Park

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Cedar Lodge
3. 3

   Day 3 — Yosemite National Park - San Francisco

   On your return day, you will have time in the morning to plan another fun nature experience or just do some forest bathing near your hotel. In the early afternoon, meet your return vehicle at Stop 7 in Yosemite Valley and enjoy a guided experience to Valley View with its panoramic landscape framing the Merced River, El Capitan and the imposing spires of Cathedral Rocks. 
   Between November and March, when the trail is not safe due to snow and ice accumulation, we substitute the hike with additional time in Yosemite Valley.
   By the end of your multi-day tour, you'll have experienced some of the world's most incredible landscapes and collected memories to last a lifetime. 
   After all this, the highlight of our tour will still be ahead of you as we reach the entry to the magical and secluded Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. There, you'll have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the largest and oldest trees on earth.
   
   Itinerary:
   2:00 PM to 2:45 PM Stops at El Capitan and Valley View
   - Meet the tour at Stop #7 in Yosemite Valley
   - Stop at El Capitan Meadow to spot some climbers
   - Capture the Merced River among granite peaks at Valley View
   2:45 PM to 4:30 PM Hike to Giant Sequoia Redwoods
   - Make the scenic drive to the Tuolumne Grove of redwoods
   - Hike the nature trail to the Giant Sequoias (conditions permitting)
   4:30 PM to 9:00 PM Return to San Francisco
   - Descend the Sierras as you return to San Francisco
   - Break for dinner
   - Enjoy the ride as we return to your pickup location
   
   * Times listed are approximates only: Traffic and other unforeseen issues can cause delays or changes in these times which are out of our control.  Please do not make flight/travel arrangements on the same day as your tour.

   

   Yosemite National Park

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Meeting & drop-off

Cancellation policy

Important info

Special notes

• Drop-off Information:
  Meet the tour vehicle on your return (to San Francisco) day at the same location where you were dropped off–at Stop 7 near the Yosemite Valley Lodge. Your confirmation email will let you know the time and our staff will try contacting you on the return day to confirm the arrangements. 
• Audio Service: We offer complimentary audio tours now. You need to let us know which language you would like to request. Please leave us a message when you make reservation. we will send the link for the audio guide you need. In the link there is a step by step process on how to download it.  You need to download Voicemap and use the code of the language you want to use (which we will provide). Please bring your earphones/headphones, and smart phone (fully charged with the downloaded app)
• This tour with hotel reservation frequently sells out. Book as soon as possible to guarantee your room.
• Please arrive at the pick-up location 10-15 minutes prior to the requested pick-up time.
• As a courtesy to fellow passengers, it's important to be on time. If clients are late or miss a scheduled pick-up time for the tour, please contact our office IMMEDIATELY. An alternative pick-up location may be arranged at the customer's expense, subject to availability. Any guest who misses their tour entirely will forfeit their seat on the tour. No refunds will be issued.
• Child Seat Policy:
  Per California Law, we require that all children occupy a seat (no lap child) and that tour guests bring a car safety seat for all children under 8 years old. Children under the age of 8 who are 4'9' or taller may be secured by a safety belt and don't need a child safety seat. Emergency Child seats may be available upon request. Based on availability.
• We will assess a cleaning fee of up to $100 for any passenger who permanently stains or renders a vehicle temporarily unfit for service due to spillage of any substances or other damage. We reserve the right to directly charge customers this fee (non-commissionable).
• As the hotel availability is easily sold out, please book your tour at least 30 days prior to departure day.
• We will always do what we can to make your trip enjoyable, but safety is our first priority so the route and the itinerary may be changed due to snow depth, road conditions, construction projects and detours. The giant sequoias hike on the Yosemite tour is dependent on snow levels and trail conditions from October to April.
• Customers are allowed up to two items (ie. one personal item + one carry-on) to travel free of charge. These items must be within the size limitations. Each additional item above the allowance will incur a $50.00 excess luggage fee. Maximum Dimensions for Luggage - Carry on size: 22"x14"x9", (or 56cm x 36cm x 23 cm). Any Oversize luggage larger than the maximum size noted is $50 regardless of personal items brought on board. (i.e. 1 Oversized Luggage - $50, 2 Oversized pieces = $100). We ask overnight guests to contact us at least 48 hrs in advance to inform us about additional and/or oversize luggage.
• We reserve the right to apply at a time of its choosing a surcharge to cover increased fuel prices in the marketplace. We will notify you with prior warning prior to implementing any changes.
• We'll not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage due to delays or failure to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to: labor strikes, epidemics, war, riots, floods, fire, sabotage, park closures, government shutdowns, adverse traffic, weather conditions, other unpredictable conditions or acts of God. We reserve the right to modify tour plans and to collect full payment for alternative tours due to any of the circumstances above.
• Tours require a minimum number of participants to avoid cancellation. If the minimum is not met, we reserve the right to cancel or deliver the tour through another operator.
• We operate fully insured DMV/PUC/TCP-licensed vehicles of various sizes. We reserve the right to determine vehicle selection based on safety and load factors. We reserve the right to use other operators and/or subcontractors to operate any advertised tour. We reserve the right to change pick-up locations and times for any tour.
• We employ driver-guides who are properly certified and licensed under the laws, rules and regulations of any authority having jurisdiction. All driver-guides are routinely drug tested and qualified in accordance with stipulations of the DMV and Public Utilities Commission, TCP-40453.

Pricing notes (children, single supplement)

* Price for Single Occupancy applies when one person stays in one standard hotel room.
* Price for Double/Triple/Quadruple Occupancy applies when two/three/four people stay in one standard hotel room.
* Triple/Quadruple price does not guarantee a third/fourth bed in the room since each room is equipped with two beds. Please check the availability at the time of check-in.
* Price for a child applies when a child under 11 years old child stays in one standard room with an adult.
* The maximum room capacity is four people including adult(s) and children/infants.
* Children under the age of 8 who are 4' 9" or taller may be secured by a safety belt and don't need a child safety seat.
* Please bring a child safety seat for your baby
* For check in, one adult 21 years or older is required per room.

Travel tips

* If officially implemented by the U.S. government, effective January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents aged 16 and over entering Yosemite National Park may be required to pay an additional USD 100 per person. This is a government-mandated fee, not included in the tour price, and not eligible for any discounts. This surcharge will be collected after booking and prior to departure to facilitate centralized payment of national park entry fees.
The fee may be paid either:
- Via a direct payment link sent via email and sms 2-3 days before the tour;
- On the bus, if preferred, using a non-cash payment.
Guests may alternatively purchase an America the Beautiful Pass at the park entrance for $250, which covers up to four people in one party.
                    

Tour operator