Meeting Points
- San Jose
Time
Address
5:45 AM
Signia by Hilton San Jose
170 S. Market St., San Jose
* A new $100 entrance fee for non-residents visiting Yosemite National Park is scheduled to begin January 1, 2026, applicable to guests 16 years and older. Starting January 1, 2026, 11 national parks in the United States will implement an additional admission fee policy for non-U.S. residents. When entering these national parks, park staff may verify visitors' identities on-site. U.S. residents are required to carry valid identification documents, such as a U.S. passport, driver's license, or green card, for verification. “America the Beautiful Non-Resident Pass” holders are exempt, as the $250 pass covers up to four people at the entrance.
* We offer pick-ups at the Fairmont Hotel San Jose, 170 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA, at 6:00am.
* Please be advised that weather, road and trail conditions in the winter make it less likely that we will be able to enter Tuolumne Grove to see the Giant Sequoias from October through June. We will always do what we can to make the trip enjoyable, but safety is our priority, so the route and itinerary may be changed due to snow depth, road conditions, construction projects and detours.
* As unforeseen issues can cause delays or changes in these times, we suggest you not make flight or travel arrangements on the last day of the tour.
Day 1: Yosemite Tour From San Jose
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, is a majestic natural wonder renowned for its awe-inspiring landscapes. The park is famous for its towering granite cliffs, such as El Capitan and Half Dome, as well as its stunning waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in North America. With over 750,000 acres of diverse terrain, visitors can explore ancient sequoia trees, pristine lakes, and meadows teeming with wildlife. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, rock climb, and camp, while the park’s serene beauty offers perfect opportunities for photography and relaxation. Yosemite is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for both its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural significance.
Bridalveil Fall
Half Dome
El Capitan
Towering granite cliffs and Giant Sequoias headline this one-day Yosemite tour from San Jose butour expert guides will make sure you don’t miss the history, geology, wildflowers and wildlife thathave made this glacier carved valley the jewel of the national park system.
Your Yosemite day tour begins with a pickup at a conveniently located hotel in San Jose, then headseast crossing through California’s fertile San Joaquin (also known as Central) Valley and into therocky Sierra Nevada mountains. See 170-year-old mining towns and learn the colorful history of theregion.
This is the only Yosemite National Park tour where you will also experience the solitude of theTuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the largest living things onthe Earth. You’ll reconsider your placein the world—two-thousand-year-old trees can make people do that!
Your heart (and cameras) will be racing as you enter Yosemite Valley and enjoy stops at InspirationPoint and El Capitan Meadow. Take a moment at Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and BridalveilFalls.
Special requests? Help with photos? Just ask.Guests can enjoy this Yosemite National Park tour 365 days ayear. But no two tours are alike.
Tour Length - 15 hours approximately
6:15 AM-10:30 AM
Begin your Yosemite National Park tour with aconvenient pickup at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose Rest stop. Pick up snacks and lunch for the park
Learn the history of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Gold Country
Be introduced to Yosemite as you cross the San Joaquin valley
10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Enter Yosemite National Park
Trail conditions permitting, experience a Giant Sequoia grove
12:30 PM-1:30 PM
Heart-stopping views of Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome
Be inspired at Inspiration Point/Tunnel View
1:30 PM-3:00 PM
Free time in Yosemite Valley
Hike the Meadow Loop or the trail to Yosemite Falls
Photograph the Swinging Bridge
3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Re-board the vehicle for more photo stops as we exit the park
Descend from the Sierras back to San Jose
5:00 PM-9:30 PM
Continue yourdescent from the Sierras
Stop for a break and dinner (approx 30 min)
Watch the sun set into California's golden hills
Conclude your Yosemite National Park tour back at the San Jose Fairmon
* Times listed are approximates only. Traffic and other unforeseen issues can cause delays or changes in these time which are out of our control. Please do not make flight/travel arrangements on the same day as your tour.
Your reservation is always subject to confirmation by email, normally within one to two business days.
* Adult age: 12 and older
* Child age: younger than 12(The minimum age for tours is 18 months.)
* All personal expenses
170 S. Market St., San Jose
* Baggage allowance policy:
This tour doesn't expect our guests to have luggage (suitcases and such). If guests do, they need to notify us 48 hours in advance and the luggage policy should apply.
* The tour is narrated in English but we offer complimentary audio guides in 8 languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and Portuguese. You need to let us know which language you would like to request. Please leave us a message when you make reservation. On the day of the tour, you only have to hand a deposit of $20 per audio set or a valid photo ID to the driver. You will receive the money or ID back at the end of the day when you return the audio tours. Complimentary disposable headphones included but you are welcome to also use your own headphones.
* The pick-up time is from 6:00am. 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.
* For child under 8 years old:
Please note that for your child's safety, we require you to bring a child safety seat or booster seat for all children that are not at least 8 years of age or 4' 9" or 144 cm in height as dictated by California State Law. You will be required to provide your own child seat on all motor vehicle tours. Failure to provide a seat for your child will result in forfeiture of your seats on the tour without refund. If your child is 8 years or older or 4’9” in height you do not need to provide a child seat, however, please let us know.
* We will assess a cleaning fee of up to $100 for any passenger who permanently stains or renders this vehicle temporarily unfit for passengers due to spillage of any substance such that the vehicle must be taken out of service and cleaned.
* This tour/activity is overseen by a select local operator in the region. Upon booking your tour or activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing the local operator's name and contact information. If you require assistance finding a specific tour, please contact us for more information.
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Mountain Magic in One Perfect Day!
From San Jose's cityscape to Yosemite's raw beauty - this tour delivered transformative moments! The sequoias' quiet wisdom, Half Dome's dramatic presence, and the meadow trails' peaceful charm created the ultimate nature trilogy. That golden hour descent through the Sierras was pure poetry!
Nature's Grand Theater Delivers!
What an epic journey from urban San Jose to Yosemite's wild heart! The Giant Sequoias' tranquil grove offered serene reflection, while the valley's iconic landmarks sparked pure wonder. Our guide's fascinating stories about gold rush history and geology made the landscape come alive. Every moment felt sacred!
Sierra Majesty Unleashed!
This Yosemite day trip was pure magic! Walking among the ancient sequoias in Tuolumne Grove felt humbling - these gentle giants have witnessed centuries. The valley views from Inspiration Point literally stole my breath, with El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls creating nature's perfect masterpiece. An unforgettable wilderness immersion!
Peak Wilderness Experience Achieved!
This Yosemite adventure exceeded all expectations! The ancient trees' incredible scale, the valley's breathtaking panoramas, and the waterfalls' majestic flow created core memories. Learning about the ecosystem from our passionate guide deepened my appreciation for this national treasure. Pure outdoor therapy!
What should I bring?
2023-06-03 22:58Winter weather in the Sierra Mountains can be dramatic and unpredictable. Since you will be spending 4-5 hours outdoors enjoying nature, we recommend that you dress in layers and wear warm, comfortable shoes or hiking boots. Bring a heavy water-resistant jacket, camera or phone, 1-liter water bottle, warm hat, sturdy umbrella (if the forecast calls for rain or snow), and some cash or a credit card for meals, snacks, and souvenirs.
Can I be picked up from a different location other than Signia by Hilton San Jose?
2023-06-06 22:58At the present time, we have only one pickup location in San Jose.
Do I need any special gear since there will be snow?
2023-07-28 22:58Our stops in Yosemite will be mostly flat and cleared of snow and ice. You will not need special equipment if wearing sturdy hiking boots or shoes with tread.
Where can I park my car near Signia by Hilton?
2023-09-06 22:58The Signia by Hilton has a parking garage but it is a bit expensive. We suggest trying the Impark Lot #367 at 285 S Market St just a block from the Hilton pickup location.
What is the difference between this and the Yosemite and Giant Sequoias One-Day Tour?
2023-09-23 22:58The main difference is that the trail to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is covered in snow and ice, making it unsafe without special equipment. Therefore, we substitute additional free time in Yosemite Valley for you to explore. There may be other modifications to the tour route to accommodate snow, road closures and detours on Yosemite’s mountain roads.
$269.00+
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Our Reviews
Iconic Landscapes Dreams Fulfilled!
A flawless day exploring nature's masterpiece! The sequoia grove's cathedral-like atmosphere, El Capitan's towering grandeur, and Bridalveil Fall's misty cascade left me in constant awe. The seamless organization maximized our time to soak in Yosemite's magic. Already yearning to return to these sacred spaces!