Yosemite 2 or 3 day trip via Merced is the better option. One Day Trip from San Francisco that has been operated by various tour companies for the last 40 years. Normally it takes at least 15 hours that includes about 3 hours inside Yosemite Valley.
It is well worth it if you have only one day and this is your once in a lifetime visit to California. You would leave around 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. and be back well past 9:00 p.m. During the three hours free in the Valley, one can walk to Yosemite Falls, Ahwahnee meadow to see Half Dome and, depending on physical agility.
*If you prefer guided bus tours, scroll all the way down and check out Yosemite overnight tours operated by other companies. You can also create overnight tour by using bus tour for round trip transportation. Contact us for details.
A BETTER OPTION: Independent trip by Amtrak train and bus via Merced
Cost of spending the night at a hotel in Merced will be much lower than in San Francisco. You can also have an unhurried dinner at one of many restaurants and catch up with laundry, etc. Breakfast is included in the room cost at several hotels. This is an ideal economical alternative particularly for families. If you like to stay inside a park, you can add second night at Yosemite Valley Lodge or Curry Village or Ahwahnee Hotel. If you are going to continue to Los Angeles you can spend the second night in Merced and take the morning train going south, better than coming back to San Francisco and flying to Los Angeles. We can book hotel in Merced for you. *If you would like to start round trip from Los Angeles, you would need at least 2 nights.
Yosemite 2 or 3 day trip by Amtrak and Yosemite Area bus. From San Francisco take the afternoon train to Merced, spend the night there instead of San Francisco. The night there will cost less than in San Francisco. Early next morning take the Yosemite Area Bus reaching the park entrance by 8:10 or 9:40 a.m. You can take Yosemite Valley Floor tour led by a park ranger or a naturalist. For return at 4:30 p.m. take the bus to the train station and the train reaching San Francisco by 10:45 p.m. *You can stay second night at Yosemite Valley lodge or Curry Village or Ahwahnee hotel if you would like to stay inside the park.
See Ms. Hattie Collins’ Apple Music Radio “PROUD”🏳️🌈 host, Instagram post and comment about the trip she took from San Francisco to Yosemite via Merced and stayed two nights in the valley in April.
*If you have large suitcases and are staying only one night, you should leave them at the hotel in San Francisco and only bring a small bag or backpack that you can carry with you. Or you can bring them with you and stay at least two nights in Merced, or stay in the valley on the second night. The option to arrive in San Francisco before noon on days 3 or 4 is available. Please contact us for more details about the luggage.
Tour Code: SYTRM
Cost from now until December 31, 2023:
$169 for single, add $115+ each additional person ( hotel in Merced is not included ). We can book El Capitan Hotel about $150 to $280 a night ( better price than hotel booking engines ). Or check other hotels in Merced on Expedia. We can book any hotels on Expedia at the same price.
Cost includes: Round trip transportation from San Francisco by bus and train to Merced and Yosemite, park entrance fee, sightseeing map, written step by step instruction and information about the park, booking handling fee, and tax. Updated May 30th, 2023.
*If you prefer guided bus tour, check out Yosemite overnight tours operated by other companies
One Way Transportation to and from Yosemite. From San Francisco to Yosemite $169 / Yosemite – San Francisco $159 This can be used for two ways.
To make a reservation or check availability, please fill out the form below. We will get back to you within 24 to 48 hours.
See other tours: Yosemite One Day Trip | Big Sur Monterey California Coast One Day | Napa Valley and Other Private Charter