Yosemite National Park

The basics

Yosemite National Park tours are very popular, but probably none more so than full-day and multi-day excursions from San Francisco. With these trips, you can visit with roundtrip transportation to explore the park independently or choose a guided experience to see as much of the park as possible in a short amount of time. Sightseeing bus tours, valley floor tours, and Glacier Point tours are also available, with small-group and private options offered.

Things to know before you go

• The park features a number of walking and biking trails that vary in difficulty and length. The visitor center is the best place to find information on the trails.

• Yosemite day hikes, adventure tours, and hiking tours offer opportunities for active days out in nature, all with the help of a guide. Choose from hiking tours, yoga tours, photography tours, and more.

• Purchase Yosemite National Park tickets and passes online or at the entrance stations—but bring plastic as cash is not accepted.

How to get there

Yosemite National Park is best accessed via car ($20 fee per vehicle). From San Francisco, it's about a four-hour drive—you'll cross the Bay Bridge and travel through the Great Central Valley into the Sierra foothills. Following the beautiful Merced River to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, you'll enter Yosemite Valley. Most tours from the Bay Area include roundtrip transportation.

When to get there

Yosemite is accessible year-round, though snow chains may be required in winter. The park is beautiful in every season, but be aware that access to some hiking trails is weather-permitting. Many consider spring the best time to visit—expect crowds in summer and snow activities such as snowshoeing and skiing in winter.

What not to miss in Yosemite National Park

It's hard to go too wrong, but where to start? The majestic profile of Half Dome is perhaps the most iconic sight in the park. You can also view the mighty mecca that is El Capitan, or hike into Tuolumne Meadows, where giant sequoias surround you. As for waterfalls, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Vernal Fall are all must-sees, and when it comes to viewpoints, be sure to check out Glacier Point and Tunnel View.

Are Yosemite tours worth it?

Yes, tours of Yosemite National Park are worth taking. Guided tours often provide transportation to the park, valuable insights into local wildlife and history, and easy access to attractions outside of main visitor areas in Yosemite Valley, such as Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy reservoir, and Mariposa Grove.

Does Yosemite offer guided tours?

Yes, the park offers guided bus tours via Yosemite Hospitality that include Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point, a day tour of Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove, and a hiker bus to Tuolumne Meadows. In addition, park rangers offer educational programs and interpretive nature and history walks year-round.

What should I not miss in Yosemite?

Travelers visiting Yosemite National Park should explore Yosemite Valley, home of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome—the park's most recognizable landmark. The Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls is among the most popular hikes in the park. Outside the valley, don't miss Tuolumne Meadows and Mariposa Grove.

Can I go to Yosemite without a reservation?

Yes, you can visit Yosemite National Park without a reservation. Entering the park, even if you're driving through, requires paying the entrance fee, which is valid for seven consecutive days. However, reservations are recommended for overnight lodging or camping, and permits are required for overnight hiking and climbing Half Dome.

How much does it cost to visit Yosemite?

The Yosemite National Park entrance fee is US$35 per vehicle and is valid for seven days. It's US$30 for motorcycles and US$20 for those on foot, bicycle, or horse. Kids 15 and younger are free. Reserve wilderness permits for backpacking and overnight camping in advance at peak times.

How long does it take to drive through Yosemite park?

Yosemite National Park is massive—the time needed to drive through depends on the route. In good conditions, driving from the Big Oak Flat entrance on the west side through Yosemite Valley to Tioga Pass on the east side takes two to three hours. Starting from the southern entrance near Mariposa Grove adds another 30 minutes.

Ways to explore

Yosemite National Park is huge—roughly the size of a small US state—and choosing the right entrance is an essential start to any trip. Most travelers enter from the south or west entrances and make a beeline for Yosemite Valley, where the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is ideal for getting oriented and planning excursions into other areas.

Many guided day trips from California Central Valley towns or San Francisco offer comfortable, round-trip transportation to visit park highlights. Tours typically are based near Yosemite Valley and offer a few hours of free time for hiking. Book a private excursion or guided hike to explore farther afield.

Accessibility

Nearly all the paved 2-way trails along the Merced River in the valley are accessible. Wheelchairs are available to rent from the Yosemite Valley Lodge front desk, and electric mobility scooters are available when safe weather allows. The park’s shuttle buses are all wheelchair accessible. Service animals are permitted throughout the park.

Age limits

All ages are welcome, though some young children might find the hiking trails too strenuous.

What to pack

Reusable water bottle, water shoes, day pack, paper map (cell reception is patchy)

What to wear

Hiking shoes, comfortable layers, warm jacket (for winter), brimmed hat

Not allowed

Approaching or feeding wildlife, taking anything besides pictures

Amenities

EV chargers, gas stations in Wawona and Crane Flat campground, Wi-Fi at Yosemite Village

Address

Yosemite lies in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains about 195 miles (314 kilometers) east of San Francisco. Choosing the right entrance can make or break your visit: enter via the South Entrance on California State Route 41, the Tioga Pass entrance from the east, or the Hetch Hetchy, Big Oak, and Arch Rock entrances from the west.

Driving

From San Francisco, cross the Bay Bridge and connect to the I-580 east, then take the I-205 east and the 120 east through Manteca (or the 140 east through Merced) and into Yosemite Valley. The 120 enters the park via Big Oak Flat Road; the 140 enters through Arch Rock. The drive should take 4–5 hours.

Public transportation

During most of the summer, you can feasibly visit Yosemite by public transport: take the Amtrak San Joaquins train to Merced and transfer to the Amtrak Thruway Bus (Route 15A) to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Alternatively, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) provides public buses from Sonora year-round and from Merced, Fresno, and Mammoth Lakes from May to September.

Best times to visit

Traffic in Yosemite can sometimes feel like rush hour. From spring through fall, arrive before 9am or after 5pm to avoid the worst congestion.

Best days to visit

Yosemite is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During peak season from May to September, visit on weekdays to avoid weekend congestion.

Best months to visit

For fewer crowds and wildfire worries, visit during late spring and mid to late fall: May, June, October, or November

Special events

The Yosemite Conservancy offers stargazing programs from March to November. Every Christmas season, the Ahwahnee Hotel hosts the Bracebridge Dinner theater show.