Yosemite Summer Guided Overnight Lodging Tour

Is it your dream to end a rigorous day of hiking next to the hearth of a giant fireplace? Do you prefer to cozy up under sheets rather than inside the cocoon of a sleeping bag? Get all the sights, hikes, and fresh air without the grit of camping at one of Yosemite’s centrally located hotels. Get ready to wake up and explore the beautiful wilderness right outside your front door.

We offer door-to-door service, directly from San Francisco to your stay in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Enjoy a scenic, narrated drive through the Central Valley, into historical California Gold Country, and through the winding road through the stunning rock cliffs of Yosemite. Enjoy an experiential tour, led by your professional guide through the outlying areas of the park that many tourists miss. Beyond the valley, you will take a trip to the awe-inspiring Glacier Point and enjoy a hike among the Giant Sequoias**. Your guide will stop at iconic spots along the way so you can take pictures at Tunnel View and take in the breathtaking spectacles of Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and more.

ONLY NEED THE HOTEL?

If you only need a hotel reservation without transportation, please see the following pages to book the Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village Tent Cabins, Wawona Hotel, and the Ahwahnee Hotel.

ONLY NEED THE HOTEL AND TRANSPORTATION TO YOSEMITE?

If you only need a hotel reservation with semi-guided transportation, please see the following pages to book the Yosemite Summer Semi-guided Overnight Lodging Tour (2+ Days) & Yosemite Winter Semi-guided Overnight Lodging Tour (2+ Days).

*Glacier Point Road was closed to all traffic in 2022 to rehabilitate and improve the road. The road will be open sometime after early July, 2023, with delays.

**The Giant Sequoia Trees are at elevations in the park that get blanketed in snow and due to trail conditions may not be accessible November through May. Please contact us for current conditions.

DAY 1 – TRAVEL TO YOSEMITE, VISIT GIANT SEQUOIA GROVE & EXPLORE YOSEMITE VALLEY

As you settle in for the journey, we’ll pass by some exceptional San Francisco sights. Catch views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island and the incomparable San Francisco Skyline as we head east on the Bay Bridge. You’ll taste a piece of California’s rich agricultural hub as we pass through a slice of the Central Valley famous for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries. While here, we will also stop at a grocery store where you can pick up lunch and other necessities before entering remote Yosemite National Park.

You’ll know we’re getting close when the winding roads and earthy smells take us deep into the forest. We’ll take our first hike to a legendary Giant Sequoia Grove where you’ll wander among the world’s largest trees. Next, we’ll leave the gentle giants of the Sequoia Grove to get a narrated tour through Yosemite’s glaciated valley. We’ll make a few stops along the way to snap pictures of the famous waterfalls and rock formations while your guide gives you some of the history that makes this park so special.

Now it’s time to spend a few hours exploring on your own! We’ll stop near the base of Yosemite Falls, where those staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Lodge or Curry Village can check-in or stow their luggage for later. You’ll have a number of options of where to go, including a leisurely walk through the Ansel Adams Gallery, the historic Ahwahnee lodge, or get your pulse up with a hike or bike ride along the river.

At the end of the day we’ll come together as a group to check out the available dinner options, or you can take time to explore more of the park. Next, your guide will take those staying at Cedar Lodge to check-in, hit the hot tub or have a nightcap at the bar. Be sure to get a good night’s rest for a day of exploring Yosemite High Country tomorrow!

DAY 2 – FREE TIME IN YOSEMITE

Prepare to enjoy a full day of views and options within Yosemite National Park. First, we’ll drive as a group to Glacier Point* for majestic views of the valley floor. It was here that John Muir & Theodore Roosevelt took the iconic photographs during their legendary camping trip that would influence the course of history for all National Parks to come.

Next, you’ll choose how you’d like your day to go. Are you itching to get back on those trails? Would you rather peruse the visitor’s center and kick back with a beer and a slice of pizza? Do you prefer to check out the bike trails? Or does a day of exploring Yosemite Valley tickle your fancy? Your guide knows all the different hike options, so check in with them for the skinny on which walks are the most or least rigorous and which ones offer the best views.

Mid-afternoon, we’ll join back together to take our last group trek to the base of El Capitan. Here we’ll look for brave climbers tackling the 3,000 foot wall before hopping back in the mini-coach to head back to San Francisco. Now is the time to kick back and enjoy the ride west through the mountains, orchards, and fields towards the city. We will make a stop about halfway to stretch and grab dinner.  Enjoy the skyline of San Francisco at night as we cross the Bay Bridge and return you to your hotel.

**Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to rapidly changing conditions (weather, crowds, traffic) in Yosemite Park and the small size of our vehicles/groups, we’re able to allow our guides the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to best suit the needs of the group. While we guarantee that we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this itinerary (conditions permitting), we do not guarantee them in this specific order.

**Important Tour Information: Because of our small-size vehicles, we have limited luggage space. Each passenger may bring one overnight bag. The under-seat storage space will accept ~13.5″x12″x11″ if the item is hard-sided; slightly larger if it is soft-sided. If you have larger luggage, most hotels in San Francisco will store your larger luggage after check-out or before check-in (some charge a fee for this service).

Your Choice of Accommodation

Book our Yosemite Summer Guided Overnight Lodging Tour as a Private Experience

We understand how important quality time with your friends and family is. We also understand the hesitation some customers may have in sharing a vehicle with people they don’t know. While we love the ease of travel & new friendships that shared tours provide, we have adapted to bring our customers more options when it comes to booking a tour.

This tour is now available to book as a private excursion for up to 8 guests. You’ll receive the same itinerary and inclusions that our typical tour would provide, plus personal one-on-one attention from your guide and the ability to choose exactly who you’ll bring with you.

Feeling like making some changes or additions to the itinerary? Contact us and we can create a quote for any custom experience you’d like to partake in anywhere in the 50 states.

Reserve your Yosemite Summer Guided Overnight Lodging Tour as a private excursion now!