Yosemite Overnight Tour from San Francisco with Bug Lodge Stay

Yosemite Overnight Tour from San Francisco with Bug Lodge Stay

hostel
Day pass and entrance fee are included at checkout in tour price

Overview

This Yosemite tour from San Francisco includes a stay at the charming and rustic Bug Lodge. The slowed pace and loads of free time means you can experience a giant redwood grove and enjoy leisurely hikes or bike rides to Yosemite National Park’s famous nature, monuments and waterfalls. Guaranteed departures every day of the year.

Included

Included
Stay in a shared room at the Bug Lodge
Included
Pickup at most San Francisco hotels
Included
Tour Yosemite on the arrival and departure days
Included
Hike to Giant Sequoias (conditions permitting)
Included
Expert tour guide & commentary in English
Included
Free time in Yosemite from dropoff on the first day until pick up on departure day
Included
Transportation to San Francisco on the last day
Included
8 foreign language audios
Included
Park entry fee included at checkout

Excluded

Excluded
Food and drinks
Excluded
Guide gratuity: recommended
Excluded
Oversized luggage fee
Excluded
Drop off and pick up at Bug Lodge

Important information

Bug Lodge: How many people are staying in the same dorm at the Bug Lodge?

A dorm room consists of six (6) to twelve (12) bunk beds in either single-sex or co-ed dorms. You will have access to a shared kitchen if you plan on cooking any meals. Each cabin has modern commercial showers, sinks and toilets.

Does this tour operate every day?

Yes this tour runs 365 days a year, rain, hail, snow and shine

How long is the tour?

It's approximately 7-8 hours in total on the first and last day, travel time to Yosemite is approximately 4 hours each way

How long is the drive to Yosemite?

The drive is about 4 hours. We will make a stop halfway so you can stretch your legs

What do I need to know about the Giant Sequoias hike?

The hike is dependent on trail and weather conditions. The Grove usually only available from April to October. If you choose not to participate in the hike, then you can stay with the bus at the top of the trail as you wait for the rest of the group to return from the hike. The hike is about 2 miles round-trip (about 60 minutes round-trip, depending on your pace) and a paved trail with 400 ft (122m) incline.

When is the best time to see the waterfalls?

While Yosemite is incredible year-round, if you want to see its beautiful waterfalls at their finest, spring (March to May) is by far the best time of year to go, with waterfalls being at their peak in May and June. By the end of summer (July to August) they are often only a trickle or completely dry.

Is there a place where we can cook our own food?

No, unfortunately there is no kitchen nor is there an outdoor campfire or grill due to fire safety hazards. If you are staying overnight in the park your accommodation may have an indoor kitchen area. Please plan ahead before selecting your hotel.

How can I travel around the park during my free time?

Yosemite National Park has a free, year-round Yosemite Valley Shuttle with stops at most major sights of interest and some trailheads (update: free shuttle is not available in 2021). You can also take YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) for a fee if you wish to travel outside the park to the surrounding area.

I’m staying overnight. What kind of luggage am I allowed to bring?

You are allowed up to travel with up to 2 items (i.e. 1 Personal item + 1 Overnight bag) free of charge. These items must be within the size limitations. Each additional item above the 2-item allowance will incur a $25 excess luggage fee.The maximum size allowed for an overnight bag is 24”x16”x10”, or 60cmx40cmx25cm. Any “Oversize” luggage larger than those dimensions is $50 regardless of the number of personal items brought on board. (i.e. 1 Oversized luggage - $50, 2 Oversized pieces = $100). You must advise us of oversize luggage 48 hours prior to departure in order to guarantee the accommodation of the luggage on the vehicle. Note: If you are not staying overnight at Yosemite Valley Lodge, please only bring with you what you can easily carry as there are limited to no storage options available while you explore.

Where and when are we dropped off on the first day of our Yosemite overnight tour?

You will be dropped off around lunch time close to the Yosemite Valley Lodge. You will need to make your own way to your accommodation. The Yosemite National Park has a free, year-round Yosemite Valley Shuttle that stops at most major points of interest and some trailheads (update: free shuttle is not available in 2021). You can also take YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) for a fee if you wish to travel outside the park to the surrounding area. For some hotels it will be necessary to take this public transportation in order to reach your lodging. If you plan to stay overnight in the park, please check the location of your accommodation before making a reservation and be sure to plan ahead accordingly. You will need to make your own way to your accommodation. Please see either the National Park Service or YARTS respectively for the relevant shuttle schedule times and routes. If you plan to stay overnight in the park, please check the location of your accommodation before making a reservation and be sure to plan ahead accordingly.

Can you drop me off at my hotel in Yosemite?

At this time, we do not visit any hotel except the Yosemite Valley Lodge. You will be responsible for acquiring your own transportation to and from where you leave our tour in Yosemite Valley (near the Yosemite Valley Lodge) and rejoin it for your return trip.

How can I get to my lodging when I separate from the tour on day one?

If you are staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge (also known as the Yosemite Park Lodge), it is only a five-minute walk to the hotel. All other lodging must be accessed by taking YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) to your destination. You will need to make your own way to your accommodation. Please see either the National Park Service or YARTS respectively for the relevant shuttle schedule times and routes. If you plan to stay overnight in the park, please check the location of your accommodation before making a reservation and be sure to plan ahead accordingly.

Can I use my annual pass for the United States National Parks to enter Yosemite for free?

Unfortunately, you cannot use your pass on this tour. The entrance for Yosemite National Park is based on the vehicle and not on an individual basis. Therefore, the tour cost includes the admission fee.

Is admission included?

The Yosemite Entrance fee is included in the price of your tour.

Can you pick me up from San Jose?

We are currently the only tour company in the Bay Area with the Total Yosemite Experience from San Jose! More information can be found here, or you can call our office at 1-866-231-3752 (toll free from the USA) or 1-415-357-0700 to speak with a reservations agent directly.

Do you pick up outside of San Francisco?

Yes, we can pick you up in San Jose, see here, or if you're staying in the East Bay, we pick up in Livermore as well.

Do you offer this tour in different languages?

The tour is narrated in English but we offer complimentary recorded audio guides in 8 languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and Portuguese. If an audio guide is required, please specify when booking

I'm travelling with a child

Please note that for your child's safety, we require you to bring a child safety seat or booster seat for all children under 8 years of age or 4' 9" in height, as dictated by California State Law. You will be required to bring your own child seat on all motor vehicle tours. Failure to provide a seat for your child will result in forfeit of your seats on the tour without a refund. Please also note that any children 12 years and older must have an adult ticket as they do not qualify for a child-priced ticket.

Is this a guided tour?

Yes, the tour is guided with an English-speaking guide. There will also be time on your own during the stops.

What is the average temperature?

Yosemite weather varies depending on the season. Average temperature data is below.

SUMMER MONTHS (JUNE, JULY, AUGUST):
Average High temperature: 87°F / 31°C
Average Low temperature: 55°F / 13°C

WINTER MONTHS (DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY):
Average High temperature: 48°F / 9°C
Average Low temperature: 29°F / -2°C

What should I wear?

Temperatures vary depending on the season and time of day in Yosemite, so we recommend that you wear layered clothing in case of unexpectedly climbing or falling temperatures. We do not recommend wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts in the winter. However, we realize that everyone is acclimated to different weather and thus trust you to make your own judgement. For footwear, we recommend comfortable walking shoes, such as regular tennis shoes, sneakers, or boots with rubber soles and treads. In the summer months, hiking sandals can be worn on the Total Yosemite Experience, but high heels, beach flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not recommended.

What should I bring?

Comfortable shoes for walking
Extra spending money for meals, snacks, souvenirs etc
A light jacket (easily removable) in case of wind
Camera
Water bottle
Warm clothes and a waterproof jacket (during the winter months)
Hat and sunscreen (during the summer months)
Sturdy umbrella (if the forecast calls for rain)

Are meals included? Can I buy or bring my own?

Meals are not included on this tour. We do make a stop about halfway to and from Yosemite, where you can buy a snack or meal to take with you. There are also restaurants and a food court in Yosemite Valley where you can purchase lunch and snacks.

How accurate are the times on the itinerary?

Times listed are approximates only. Traffic and other unforeseen issues can cause delays or changes in these times, which are out of our control. Please do not make flight/travel arrangements on the same day as your tour. Extranomical Tours is not responsible for and will not be providing any compensation for missed flights or appointments.

How will we recognize the vehicle?

As we have several different vehicles, we don’t know until the morning of your tour which vehicle will be hosting your tour as well as the name of your Expedition Leader. Please feel free to call us in the morning of your tour if you like. Regardless of which vehicle will come to your location, it should say “Extranomical Tours” on it.

Are there restrooms on board the vehicles?

Our vehicles at this time do not have any restroom facilities. We do, however, make several stops throughout the tours and there will be opportunities for you to use the restroom.

Do I need to call to reconfirm my tour?

Yes, we request that you reach out to us at least a day in advance to confirm your tour and pick up details. You can contact us via our live chat function or by calling our office at 1-866-231-3752 (toll free from the USA) or +1-415-357-0700 (internationally) during office hours. You can call us from your hotel’s phone if you do not have a working mobile phone while you are in the area.

Can I bring a suitcase or large item?

We ask that you do not bring anything on tour larger than 22”x14”x9”, or 56cmx36cmx23cm.

Can I bring a wheelchair?

We do have wheelchair-capable vehicles available – subject to availability. Please notify us at time of booking if you are bringing a wheelchair on the tour so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Please note that due to limitations we are unable to guarantee an ADA vehicle.

Do you have a lost and found?

Yes, items left in the vehicle are stored in a lost and found area for 30 days. If you left something on one of our tours, please give us a call office at 1-866-231-3752 (toll free from the USA) or 1-415-357-0700 to see if it has been found. Once you have confirmed with us that your item has been found by our staff and you are still in town, you can come by our office to pick up your item. Otherwise, we will ship almost any item to any destination within the U.S. for a flat fee of $25. Extranomical Tours is not responsible for lost or stolen items

Highlights

More information

Customize your multi-day tour to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco with a stay at the charming and rustic Bug Lodge. Take all the free time you’d like to enjoy the park’s wilderness, towering granite cliffs, Giant Sequoias and awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Let our travel consultants and expert guides introduce you to the many summertime and wintertime activities. Be sure to hear all about the history, geology and wildlife that make Yosemite Valley the jewel of the U.S. National Parks.

Travel and Hospitality Awards named this the best Yosemite tour from San Francisco for its jaw-dropping natural beauty. The tour has earned more 5-star guest reviews because our top notch guides know how to maximise your time to include the Giant Sequoias among the attractions in Yosemite Valley.

Your Yosemite Giant Sequoia Tour begins on your outbound day with a pickup at your hotel, then heads east crossing through California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley and into the craggy Sierra Nevada mountains. See 150-year-old mining towns and learn the extensive history of the region.

Soon after entering Yosemite, you will experience the solitude of the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. You won’t doubt for a second that these are the largest living creatures on the planet. No picture does them justice - but that should not keep you from trying!

In winter, when conditions on the Tuolumne Grove trail are snow-covered or unsafe, we substitute this experience with other attractions.

Your heart (and cameras) will be racing as you enter and enjoy a stop at (also known as Tunnel View). Take a moment and then some selfies with, and as your backdrop.

Your free and unguided time begins after taking YARTS to check into the Bug Lodge (bus fee not included). Hostel dormitories have new white steel beds, lockers, shower amenities and linens included. Very nice and very clean, these are usually two rooms sharing two baths, two showers and a sink bank at 645 sf. Backpackers still set the tone at the Bug and we have a guest kitchen for those who bring some food of their own. Decks outside with tables and chairs, too. In-room phones and TV are not available in this class of accommodation.

Take one or more days to enjoy the park before your return day. Activities you arrange on your own range from hiking, biking, rock climbing, rafting, fishing or nighttime stargazing (in spring and summer) to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tubing or ice skating in winter. Please note: activities depend on the season and conditions and are not included.

Special requests? Help with photos? Just ask. Our Expedition Leaders are happy to assist with your memory making.

We’re so confident that our overnight Yosemite Valley Tour from San Francisco will amaze—it’s backed by a Satisfaction Guarantee.

IMPORTANT: Please note that the YARTS bus stop is at a bus shelter on SR 140, involving a walk of about .25 miles (400 meters) first down and then up a hill, with no street lights. The road is paved until you reach the parking area. Most of the winter is spent without significant snow here, but the road is slippery occasionally. The commute time from the Yosemite Valley to the hostel is approximately 75 to 90 minutes. Please be prepared with a flashlight.

Note: If you are not staying at one of the hotels within Yosemite Valley, please only bring with you what you can easily carry as there are limited (or no) storage options.

SPRING - SUMMER - FALL TOUR ITINERARY

(Tuolumne Grove trail conditions permitting)

Outbound Day

06:30 AM to 10:30 AM

  • Begin your Yosemite National Park tour with a convenient pickup in San Francisco (we serve most San Francisco hotels) or San Jose
  • Rest stop. Buy snacks and lunch for the park
  • Learn the history of the Sierra Nevada mountains and their gold

10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

  • Enter Yosemite National Park
  • Trail conditions permitting, experience a Giant Sequoia grove

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

  • Heart-stopping views of Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome
  • Be inspired at Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View)

1:30 PM to 2:00 PM

  • Catch YARTS bus and check into the Bug Lodge (bus fee not included)

Unguided, free time in Yosemite Valley (activities not included)

  • Hike or bike the Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall or Mirror Lake Loop trails
  • Be challenged by strenuous hikes on the Valley Loop, Vernal Fall or Half Dome trails
  • Take YARTS bus to Mariposa Grove and experience the Bachelor, Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel trees
  • Sign up for the Valley Floor or Grand Tour of Yosemite with park rangers
  • Enjoy rock climbing, bird watching, rafting, fishing, horseback riding or stargazing

Return Day

12:00 PM

  • Call us TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-231-3752 to confirm your exact pickup time.

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

  • Re-board the vehicle for more photo stops as we exit the park
  • Descend from the Sierra Nevada mountains back to San Francisco

6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

  • Continue your descent from the Sierras as you head west
  • Stop for a break and dinner (approx 30 min)
  • Watch the sun set into California’s golden hills
  • Conclude with a drop off at your initial pickup location

WINTER ITINERARY

Outbound Day

06:30 AM to 11:00 AM

  • Begin your day with a convenient pickup in San Francisco (we serve most San Francisco hotels) or San Jose
  • Rest stop. Buy snacks and lunch for the park
  • Learn the history of the Sierra Nevada region at the Gold Country museum

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

  • Enter Yosemite National Park
  • Cascade Falls experience
  • Be inspired at Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View)

1:00 PM to 1:30 PM

  • Catch YARTS bus and check into the Bug Lodge (bus fee not included)

Unguided, free time in Yosemite Valley (activities depend on road/trail conditions and are not included)

  • Hike or bike the Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall or Mirror Lake Loop trails
  • Challenge yourself with strenuous hikes on the Valley Loop, Vernal Fall or Half Dome trails
  • Take the Valley Floor or Grand Tour of Yosemite with park rangers
  • Enjoy cross-country skiing, tubing and snowshoeing
  • Try ice skating in Curry Village

Return Day

12:00 PM

  • Call us TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-231-3752 to confirm your exact pickup time.

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

  • Re-board the vehicle for the El Capitan Meadow photo stop
  • Descend from the Sierra Nevadas back to San Francisco
  • Enjoy one last look at Yosemite as you exit the park

5:00 PM to 9:30 PM

  • Continue your descent west from the Sierras
  • Stop for a dinner break (approx 30 min)
  • Watch the sun set into California’s golden hills
  • Conclude the tour with a drop off at your pickup location

* Times listed are approximates only. Traffic and other unforeseen issues can cause delays or changes in these times which are out of our control.  Please do not make flight/travel arrangements on the same day as your tour.

Read more helpful articles about Yosemite in our BLOG.