Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 99 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose worth booking?
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose is a 14-hour experience in San Jose, United States, from $289 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 99 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (99)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $289 per person
This is the only Yosemite group tour that departs from San Jose, making it a convenient option for Bay Area travelers. You'll explore iconic sights like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall, plus enjoy a peaceful walk among giant sequoias in Tuolumne Grove. With expert commentary and free time in Yosemite Valley, it’s a stress-free, all-in-one adventure.
What you get
About this experience
This is the only Yosemite group tour that departs from San Jose, making it a convenient option for Bay Area travelers. You'll explore iconic sights like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall, plus enjoy a peaceful walk among giant sequoias in Tuolumne Grove. With expert commentary and free time in Yosemite Valley, it’s a stress-free, all-in-one adventure.
What's included
Included
- Comfortable transportation with onboard WiFi
- Park Entry Fee for U.S. Residents
- Five hours inside Yosemite Park with early bird entry
- Live local expert guide (English)
- Free unique geo-based audio guides in 8 languages
Not included
- Gratuities
- Meals
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
San Jose
Join us on an unforgettable tour of Yosemite National Park, home to towering granite cliffs, scenic waterfalls, and some of the world’s most beautiful nature trails. This award-winning tour gives you the most time in the park and includes a special walk among ancient Giant Sequoias. Your adventure starts with a convenient pickup in San Jose. Your tour begins with a convenient pick up in San Jose.
Pass by without stopping
San Joaquin Valley
Drive by scenic landscapes as your guide tells the story of how a glint of gold in the American River ignited the California Gold Rush.
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Turlock
Stop for breakfast and grab a quick bite at a nearby supermarket or Starbucks.
30 minutes here
Mariposa
Head into the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, passing through the historic town of Mariposa and 150-year-old mining communities. Discover the region’s rich Gold Rush history and learn how powerful geological forces shaped Yosemite’s breathtaking landscapes.
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Yosemite National Park
Enter Yosemite National Park through the Arch Rock entrance and head toward a stunning viewpoint made famous by photographer Ansel Adams.
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Tunnel View
Take a moment at Tunnel View. Capture yourself with El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point, and Cathedral Peak as your background.
15 minutes here
Bridalveil Fall
Stop at the base of Bridalveil Fall, where misty cascades and towering cliffs create one of Yosemite’s most breathtaking scenes.
10 minutes here
Sentinel bridge
Capture a perfect reflection of Half Dome in the Merced River as you drive over Sentinel Bridge.
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Yosemite Valley
Enjoy Your Own Yosemite Valley Adventure. Once we arrive in Yosemite Valley, you’ll have 2 hours to grab lunch and explore at your own pace.
120 minutes here
Yosemite Falls
During your free time in the valley, take a walk to Yosemite Falls—one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. Enjoy the views, take photos, and soak in the power and beauty of this natural wonder.
15 minutes here
El Capitan
Hop back on the bus and head to El Capitan Meadow, where you’ll stop to discover the world’s largest granite monolith and the legendary climbers who brave its towering cliffs.
15 minutes here
Valley View
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.
15 minutes here
Merced River
As we leave the valley, take in the serene beauty of the river flowing beside you, glistening in the light and framed by towering cliffs.
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Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Experience the Quiet Majesty of the Giant Sequoias In this serene grove, you’ll stand among some of the oldest and largest trees on Earth—an awe-inspiring encounter with nature’s giants.
75 minutes here
Groveland
Enjoy a scenic drive through the historic town of Groveland, a charming Gold Rush-era village with rustic buildings and rich California heritage.
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Oakdale
On the way back, we’ll stop for dinner at a plaza with fast food, a sandwich shop, a taqueria, Hawaiian BBQ, and a supermarket—something for everyone.
40 minutes here
San Jose
Wrap up your adventure with a comfortable ride back and drop-off in San Jose, where your unforgettable day in Yosemite comes to a close.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Jose
5:45 AM – Pickup is outside the hotel's main entrance.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
5:45 AM – Pickup is outside the hotel's main entrance.
Options you can book
Tour in German
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in German
Tour in French
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in French
Tour Korean Audio
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in Korean
Tour in Spanish
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in Spanish
Tour in Japanese
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in Japanese
Yosemite & Giant Sequoias Trip
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip
Tour Portuguese Audio
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in Portuguese
Tour Italian Audio
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in Italian
Tour Chinese Audio
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour with audio tour in Chinese
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, ko, cmn, ja, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Extranomical Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older will be charged an additional $100 park entry fee per person after completing their booking. This fee will be collected by the tour operator via a payment link or on the bus at the start of your tour. Note that “America the Beautiful Non-Resident Pass” holders do not pay the $100 fee, the $250 pass covers up to 4 people at the entrance.
- From November to March, when the trail is unsafe due to snow and ice, we replace the Sequoia hike with extra time in Yosemite Valley.
- The tour stops around 8:30am for breakfast, 1pm for lunch, and 6pm for dinner on the way back. Meals are not included.
- Free audio guides are available in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. Please specify your preferred language under "Special Requirements" when booking.
- You will be picked up in San Jose by a shuttle and taken to a meeting point in the East Bay (livermore), where you’ll join your tour group.
- California law requires tour guests to bring a car safety seat for all children under 8 years and under 4' 9" (1.4 meters) in height
- Winter in Yosemite is much colder than San Francisco. Wear warm clothes and shoes with rubber soles and good traction.
- Please Note: National Park fees may apply for international visitors. If applicable, this fee is collected in-destination and not at the time of booking.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 98 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
98 verified traveler reviews for Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Long but good day out
It is a very long day, but well worth the effort in see the yeosemiti national park. Make sure that you prepare well. Sharon was a very good tour guide.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience! We're glad you found Yosemite well worth the journey and that Sharon made your day enjoyable with her great service. We also appreciate your helpful tip about preparing for the long day! 😊
via Viator
Great experience!
Long drive, but the tour guide Alberto ensured we have a great experience with frequent rest stops and all the great information.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad Alberto made the long journey more enjoyable with his great storytelling, helpful information, and thoughtful rest stops along the way. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him! 🥰
via Tripadvisor
Day Trip to Yosemite - Thank you, Glenda
Great day trip to Yosemite National Park. Our driver and guide was Glenda and she was so kind, helpful, patient and clear with all the guests. The free snacks and drinks were greatly appreciated. We were lucky to have her. Our Mama Bear 🐻 💙 It’s a long fun day with an early morning, 5:45am pick up from San Jose, Sigma Hilton. Pack snacks, water. But you will have a chance to pick up snacks / lunch on the way there. The group stops for breakfast at a strip mall / grocery store. We stopped at the same spot on our way back for a dinner. I would not recommend this day trip if you have an early morning flight the next day. It’s a long day. Anthony, Toronto, Canada 🍁
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the wonderful and detailed review! We're thrilled Glenda's kindness, patience, and thoughtful care made your Yosemite adventure so enjoyable. We're glad you appreciated the complimentary snacks and drinks, too! Thank you as well for sharing helpful tips about the long day. We truly appreciate your support and are so happy you had a memorable experience with our Mama Bear! 🐻💙
via Tripadvisor
Unfair seating arrangement for San Jose passengers
We joined this tour from San Jose on 31 August 2026. We were picked up by a cab and taken to Livermore, where we joined the main bus coming from San Francisco. What was not made clear when booking was that the bus would already be almost full by the time we arrived. The other passengers had already selected their seats, so my partner and I had to sit separately in aisle seats, despite the San Jose departure being more expensive. This affected our experience because most of the 15-hour tour is spent on the bus. The guide explains the scenery and history during the journey while passengers view the places being described through the windows. We reached Yosemite at around 11:00 a.m. and left at approximately 4:20 p.m. There was a 90-minute Giant Sequoias hike, but several scenic stops were only about 10 minutes for photographs. A clear window view is therefore an important part of the experience. During a 40-minute break, I stayed inside the bus for the entire break to get a better seat. I moved to a completely empty window seat where no belongings had been left. When the previous passengers returned, the guide decided they should keep their original seats and asked me to move. I respected the decision, but it felt unfair because passengers joining later from San Jose never had an equal opportunity to choose seats, sit with their partners or enjoy the views. We paid approximately $789 for two people, including entry fees. For such a long and expensive trip, the company should clearly explain the seating situation beforehand and introduce reserved seating or a fair seat-rotation system.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed feedback. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by the seating arrangements and the overall experience. We understand your concerns, especially regarding traveling separately from your partner and the limited opportunity to enjoy the window views during such a long tour. We will look into this matter further with our team, including the seating arrangements for guests departing from San Jose. We truly appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Your feedback is valuable and will help us review and improve our guest experience.
via Tripadvisor
Yosemite tour
Broken bus, ruined schedule. Uber link to return back to hotel provided by tour operator had not worked. Driver tried to help as much as she could, but things were outside of her control.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We’re truly sorry for the bus breakdown, the disruption it caused to your schedule, and the inconvenience with the Uber link for your return to the hotel. We completely understand how frustrating this experience must have been, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding. We’re also grateful for your acknowledgment of our driver’s efforts to assist despite the circumstances. We’re glad we were able to make things right and address your concerns. We truly value your feedback and hope this experience has not diminished your overall impression of our team. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call or message us at +1-415-357-0700.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 35
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Extranomical Tours, who run 9 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.6.
See everything Extranomical Tours runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Jose.
How much does Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose cost?
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Prices start at $289 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Jose usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose take?
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Plan for about 14 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Jose is not rushed.
Is Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 99 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Jose, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 14-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose?
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Around 35 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Jose can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Jose and add a light layer if any part of the 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Jose within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Jose?
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San Jose mixes tech-history tours with the Winchester Mystery House, Santa Cruz Mountains wine trips, redwood hikes and easy day tours over to Monterey and San Francisco. On Outty we rank every San Jose experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Escape Game at Great Mall in Milpitas, Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people, 4 Hour Livermore Valley Wine Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Jose?
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April to June and September to October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Jose?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose?
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Included: Comfortable transportation with onboard WiFi; Park Entry Fee for U.S. Residents; Five hours inside Yosemite Park with early bird entry; Live local expert guide (English); and Free unique geo-based audio guides in 8 languages. Not included: Gratuities; Meals; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose?
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5:45 AM – Pickup is outside the hotel's main entrance. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose offered in?
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It is offered in German, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose?
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Across 99 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
What booking options are available for Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose?
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There are 9 options to choose from, including Tour in German, Tour in French, Tour Korean Audio, Tour in Spanish. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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