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Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose

3.8 (33)
San Jose, US
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Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose

3.8 (33)
San Jose, US
Share
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Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Yosemite National Park and its Giant Sequoias on this unforgettable tour from San Jose. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, marveling at these ancient giants, the largest living things on Earth. Then, venture into Yosemite Valley for a thrilling 5-hour exploration of its iconic landmarks such as Lower Yosemite Falls, Nevada Falls, and Bridalveil Falls, as well as El Capitan and Half Dome. Capture breathtaking photos at Tunnel View and Sentinel Meadow, and enjoy 2 hours of free time to have lunch and discover Yosemite Valley at your own pace. End your tour with a visit to the stunning Cathedral Rocks and Spires and the peaceful Merced River. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural wonder of Yosemite National Park on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 14 hours - 15 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Expert guide and commentary
  • Gratuities

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

San Jose

(Pass by)

Join us on this breathtaking tour of Yosemite National Park, whose towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls and nature trails are perhaps the most stunning in the world. This award-winning tour spends the most time in Yosemite and includes a unique hike among ancient Giant Sequoias. Your tour begins with a convenient pick up in San Jose.

San Joaquin Valley

(Pass by)

Sit back and enjoy the scenery as your guide explains how glitter in the American River sparked the California gold rush. Quick stop for breakfast along the way.

Sierra Nevada

(Pass by)

Into the rocky Sierra Nevada mountains. See 150 year old mining towns and learn the colorful history of the region and what geological forces made Yosemite’s dramatic landscapes; and the role John Muir played in the formation of America’s first protected wilderness.

Yosemite National Park

(Pass by)

Be Blown Away by Awe-Inspiring Valley Views After entering Yosemite National Park, we’ll make our way to a scene made famous by photographer Ansel Adams.

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.

Bridalveil Falls

Once you’ve had your fill of photographs from this perch overlooking the valley, the tour will arrange a memorable stop where you can get eye to eye with wispy Bridalveil Fall.

Yosemite Valley

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.

Yosemite Falls

(Pass by)

The free time options include hiking to Yosemite Falls

Sentinel bridge

(Pass by)

Meandering through Sentinel Meadow

Ansel Adams Gallery

(Pass by)

Checking out the Ansel Adams Gallery and more.

El Capitan

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.

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.

Merced River

(Pass by)

Watch the water flow through from the mountains

Cathedral Rocks and Spires

(Pass by)

Can be seen at our Valley View stop

Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

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, you’ll have 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 (November-March), we always spend extra time in Yosemite Valley.

Big Oak Flat

(Pass by)

By the end of the day, you’ll 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.

More about this experience

Introduction

Explore the awe-inspiring beauty of Yosemite National Park and its magnificent Giant Sequoias on this unforgettable tour. This one-day adventure from San Jose allows you to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Yosemite Valley, where towering granite peaks, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking nature trails await. As you embark on this journey, prepare to be enchanted by the serenity of the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where the largest living things on Earth flourish.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can anticipate a total duration of 840 to 900 minutes immersed in the splendor of Yosemite National Park. The itinerary ensures you experience the highlights of the park, including Lower Yosemite, Nevada, and Bridalveil falls. Marvel at iconic monuments such as El Capitan and Half Dome, and capture breathtaking views at Tunnel View. Take the opportunity to explore Yosemite Valley, with two hours of free time for lunch and personal exploration. If you're feeling adventurous, hike to Yosemite Falls and wander through Sentinel Meadow. The tour also includes a visit to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where you'll encounter the ancient giants up close and personal.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and anyone with a longing for the great outdoors. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, this experience caters to those craving a soul-stirring connection with nature. Don't worry about your level of physical fitness or age; this tour is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all. Join us and explore the wonders of Yosemite National Park and the Giant Sequoias, immersing yourself in an experience that will leave you in awe.

Why book this?

Embark on this exhilarating journey and uncover the unique selling points of this tour. With the expertise of experienced guides and a comprehensive itinerary, you'll enjoy the most immersive and engaging Yosemite experience from San Jose. Discover the history and geological forces that shaped Yosemite's dramatic landscapes, and gain insights into its significance as America's first protected wilderness. Stand in awe at Tunnel View, capturing iconic monuments and natural wonders in unforgettable photographs. Encounter the mighty Bridalveil Fall up close and have the freedom to explore Yosemite Valley at your own pace. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the visit to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where you can witness the quiet grandeur of these ancient beings. This tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create lasting memories and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Yosemite National Park.

Good to know

In addition to the breathtaking sights, there are a few important details worth mentioning. The tour has a convenient pickup location in San Jose, ensuring a hassle-free start to your adventure. You'll have the opportunity to stop for breakfast along the way, fueling yourself for the day of exploration ahead. The tour also includes visits to significant landmarks such as Ansel Adams Gallery and El Capitan Meadow, allowing you to delve deeper into the natural and cultural history of Yosemite. Please note that the Tuolumne Grove trail may be snow-covered or unsafe during certain months, in which case extra time will be spent in Yosemite Valley. Be sure to come prepared with comfortable walking shoes, appropriate clothing, and a camera to capture the breathtaking landscapes you will encounter.

Reviews

Reviews from those who have embarked on this tour consistently praise the breathtaking views, knowledgeable guides, and well-planned itinerary. Travelers describe their experiences as unforgettable, capturing the essence of Yosemite's beauty and immersing themselves in its natural wonders. Many highlight the visit to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias as a true highlight, a humbling encounter with some of the oldest and largest living beings on Earth. Overall, reviewers express their satisfaction and gratitude for the opportunity to explore Yosemite National Park in such a comprehensive and unforgettable way.

Reviews

(33)

3.8 (33)

Jamievangogh

We had an amazing tour with Extranonical to Yosemite National Park in winter. With our funny and helpful guide Andy and our lovely driver Jeremy, we went on an adventure through the snowy mountains of Yosemite. It was fun, stunning and a real pleasure. Thanks guys!

Robert_S

Amazing 1 day tour. Tour guide Andy and driver Jeremy were an amazing team. A lot to see in one day but Andy kept us on track and knew where to take the best pictures. Would highly recommend this tour. Saw the sun rise and set. Both beautiful scenes.

Alis B

First of all, we had the best tour guide his name is Andy Hows!! He was responsible professional and caring. He deserves a big reward.

laurieh740

This tour originates in SF. You will meet up with the bus that will take you to Yosemite in Livermore, CA. Expect the tour group to be large. Our bus was full - 50+ people. Seats in the back of the bus, near the restroom, were the only pairs of seats available in Livermore. The engine is in the back of the bus. During our drive to Yosemite, our guide outlined the day’s activities. Several stops for photos, free time in Yosemite Valley to explore & have lunch, more photo ops, and to end the day, the highlight of the tour - Hike to the Giant Sequoias. His description of the hike was unsettling. He described it as “killer”, and I’m not meaning killer-good. He meant killer, as in dangerously difficult. There is a 7.58% grade incline (400’/1 mile) on the hike back. That’s strenuous, but doable for us, given time for adequate breaks along the way. Our expectations for this tour were to visit the first national park, enjoy the beautiful sites, take a bunch of pictures, get our nat’l parks passport stamped, and hike to the giant sequoias. I love trees of all kinds, so I was really looking forward to this part of the tour. The stops for photos were crowded with other tourists - to be expected in a national park. We got great shots at each one, with our guide’s help to get photos of the two of us. Before our stop in the Valley, we were told to return to the bus by a certain time. We also learned that there was not an opportunity for a passport stamp at this stop-disappointment #1. Our options were, to go without, or use our free time to hike to & from the Visitor’s Center to get the cancellation stamp. The hike to the visitor’s center was 20-25 minutes one way. It would have taken most of our available time to get the stamp, so we decided to get them online. We opted to go with our guide the the base of the falls, where we enjoyed the sound of the falls and a relaxing picnic in the nearby area. When the bus returned to take us our next adventure, our guide did a headcount. One of the passengers was missing. A young man, who had left his backpack on the bus and apparently went adventuring on his own. We overheard the guide discuss the situation with someone, who tried to call the lost passenger. There is zero cell service or wifi in the valley, so no surprise he did not answer. After waiting 20 minutes, the guide made the decision to leave this person behind. There seemed to be little concern for his well being or his options to get back to SF/SJ. It was unsettling. Disappointment #2. On our way to the highlight of the tour, our guide once again described the hike as “cardiac event”, “not recommended for anyone on heart medication or who had knee problems”. He like to refer to his hikes as “dangerous, and dangerous is fun”. We were allowed 1.5 hours for the hike to and from the trees (that are only visible at the end of the trail). The NPS postings at the site recommended 2-3 hours. It was raining when we arrived, and our guide made a point to mention that forest fires most often start with lightening strikes during a thunder storm. For crying out loud! We made the decision not to make the hike. We knew we could do it given adequate time to hike up the incline on the way out, but we were concerned that we wouldn’t make it back in time, and could be left behind. Disappointment #3. Are we glad we went to Yosemite? Absolutely. Would we recommend this tour? Probably not.

Akash_B

Yosemite park was a great place but the tour company did not make us feel safe. We had taken the San Jose to Yosemite tour. We were aware that this will mean that they will put us on an SUV from San Jose to Livermore, and then we get on to the main bus that takes us to Yosemite. On the way back, our tour guide drops us at the Livermore empty parking lot and just leaves. He didn't call the driver who was supposed to pick us up. Essentially, we were left to fend for ourselves. We felt super unsafe as tourists just waiting in the dark for someone to come and pick us up. The area did not seem safe. Luckily, one of the tourists had the driver's number, the driver picked up the call, and came after 20 mins. The driver said that no one has contacted him and asked him to come pick us up early ( so I think we were dropped off early, and the tour guide or maybe the tour organizer didn't inform him that we are there ). The tour guide actually said " I wouldn't know " when asked about the pick up situation. Although, the experience was otherwise great ( the tour guide was actually a nice orator), but safety comes first. I should also note that the extranomical tours phone number was not working ( no one picked up and it went to voice mail). Leaving tourists in the dark, in the middle of nowhere, with no information is not fine!! I saw the same review by other people about the san Jose trip. The tour company seems to apologize and give their number ( which didn't work when we needed them ). So doesn't seem like they will fix the situation. Best is to get the trip from San Francisco ( not San Jose). I think everyone who took the trip from San Francisco had a smooth experience.

JDMiami

On the whole, this was a perfectly good tour, but I can’t give it a full recommendation because the communication was really lacking. One big point, this tour is long. It was a busy weekend and we were told to arrive at 5:15. We didn’t get back to San Jose until 10 pm. Back to communication: First, the motor coach does not pick up in San Jose. You meet out front of a hotel in San Jose and private SUVs take you to Livermore to meet the big bus. This fact was poorly communicated. We showed up at the hotel and three suvs arrived, late, and said they were taking us to the bus, about 25 minutes. Poor communication 2. In the 45 (not 25) minute ride, the driver said nothing before dropping us in front of a 7-11 in Livermore. The SUV drivers disappeared into a Starbucks and all the tour clients were standing outside a 7-11 wondering when we will see a bus. Thank goodness it wasn’t raining. My son was worried it was a scam. Nope, not a scam, just more poor communication. The bus eventually showed up and we learned this was a joint trip with tour clients from San Fran. No problem but the the guide never went over the days itinerary. We never really knew what was next. Simple fix: explain the days plan. The tour itself was very good once in the park. The bus takes you to several scenic spots in Yosemite, and you don’t have to navigate the mountain roads or fight for parking. The views are great and the park is magnificent. Hard to take a bad photo. Our guide, Gino, was also good. He’s funny and genuine even though he is a little hard to understand sometimes and he mixed up his rights and lefts a few times. Perhaps if I was taking the tour from San Fran, I would have another opinion, but the San Jose extension feels cobbled on so I can’t recommend this tour without flagging the shortcomings in logistics and communication. I took this tour because I wanted to see Yosemite but could only dedicate one day to it. So it met my bucket list need. But on a holiday weekend the wait to get in was signicatnt, like 2 hours! And the park was packed. If I have a chance to return to Yosemite, it will be a weekday when school is in session.

Kelly a

I was unaware I would be leaving my car in a parking garage for a hotel who didn't know a tour was using them for a parking garage. We then were ubered and dropped off at a 7/11 to wait for bus who was late. We waited 25 mins from time uber dropped us off til bus picked us up in front of a 7/11.. If we were a family this would've been unacceptable. But it was just me and boyfriend. This tour needs to be more specific and tell you that there are no sequoia trees until May! Not that if "weather permits" came to see trees and no giant sequoias!!

Gabrielle_L

We booked the trip to leave from San Jose never in the description was it mentioned that we took an Uber from the hilton to Livermore equally it was never mentioned that an Uber would pick us up from Livermore my link did not work and a gentleman who came with us but not part of our group had to call someone to sort it out as his link didn’t work NOT GOOD ENOUGH this has to be explained before you book. The driver left us to fend for ourselves. Yosemite is beautiful and not my first visit but the bus driver needs to understand we do not need a constant narrative for what seemed like the whole journey I just want to relax and enjoy the journey it was way toooooooo much he needs to be quite and drive

Relax08363548626

My tour guide and driver Rob was amazing. He was very friendly and patient, esp not everyone on our bus was fluent in English. He knows Yosemite very well and gave useful recommendations on how we should spend our free time and where to take good photos. The tour company Extranomical Tours arranged Uber to pick me up from my hotel to the meet-up location, which was extremely helpful. Overall it was a very pleasant trip.

dorishO1451UP

The park is beautiful and the day was well planned and contained a lot of impressive views. But the tour as such was pretty horrible. The driver had a heavy accent and was difficult to understand so that we didn’t get the experience of an informative visit. One passenger was left behind and the driver only noticed after we had all but left the park as he didn’t count the passengers on the stops before that. It took us three hours in all to go back and collect her. At that time the gas was dangerously low so we had to stop to refuel. All in all the trip lasted until nearly midnight. It seems dangerous to let one man drive for 18 hours, even if he had two breaks during the day. I was really relieved that we didn’t have an accident and made it home alive. In other words: don’t take this trip if you value safety on the road and aren’t prepared to get your information on Yosemite from Wikipedia.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-03-28 16:31