Add dates

Central Valley, California UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Central Valley, California UNESCO sites

From San Francisco: Yosemite Tour with Giant Sequoias Hike

1. From San Francisco: Yosemite Tour with Giant Sequoias Hike

Begin your Yosemite National Park day tour by getting picked up at select San Francisco hotels. Cross the Bay Bridge and drive through the Central Valley to the town of Oakdale where you will stop for a short break. Start your day in the park at Tunnel View. Then, go to Bridalveil Falls for a quick walk to the base of the roaring waterfall. Next, proceed onto Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. After, enjoy some free time where you will get a chance to picnic at the base of Yosemite Falls, by a river, or in a granite-enclosed meadow. Chances are high that you will see rock climbers in the spring or fall, bears in the summer, and spectacular ice formations in the winter. After regrouping, head to El Capitan, the center of the rock climbing universe. Depending on the season, you may see some climbers on the rock, but they will appear smaller than ants on the 3000-foot (914 meters) rock. Enjoy a photo stop at Valley View and then head to the Tuolumne Grove to take a one-mile (1.6 km) hike to see a grove of 1500-year-old giant sequoia trees. Please note that the hike to the sequoias may not be available during the snow season. After the hike, head back to San Francisco with a restroom stop along the way.

From San Francisco: Yosemite Park Guided Day Trip

2. From San Francisco: Yosemite Park Guided Day Trip

Escape the crowds of San Francisco on a full-day guided tour to Yosemite National Park. See highlights, including Yosemite Falls and Inspiration Point. Enjoy seamless travel in a bio-fueled mini-coach. Heading east across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge offers great views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. En route to the park the tour crosses through the Central Valley, where you will stop at a fruit stand for some local produce. Famous for its rich volcanic soil, the Central Valley is the largest agricultural region in the United States. The section the tour drives through is best known for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries. After this quick rest stop, you will enter the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. Continuing into the mountains brings you to California gold country and the gold rush town of Groveland before the tour winds its way into Yosemite National Park. On your 1.5-hour narrated coach tour of Yosemite's glaciated valley, you will see famous waterfalls and rock formations including Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America. Continue on past El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Dome, and much more. During the tour you will see Yosemite Valley from a number of great vantage points, the best of which is perhaps Inspiration Point. After the tour, you will stop for the afternoon near the base of Yosemite Falls. If you have not already picked up picnic supplies, there are many options for getting lunch in the park. You will have 3-4 hours of free time to explore the valley as you choose. You can walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, check out the visitor center, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, stop in at the Ahwahnee Hotel, rent a cruiser bike, or hike some of the trails that originate from the valley. Although you could easily spend 3 weeks in Yosemite, the 3 hours you get on your own is enough time to understand why Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks.

From San Francisco: Yosemite National Park Full-Day Trip

3. From San Francisco: Yosemite National Park Full-Day Trip

Spend an active, fun-filled day learning why Yosemite is one of America’s most popular national parks. Hike through the park with an experienced guide and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature on this tour. Start off by making your way east from San Francisco and heading across the Bay Bridge. Continue toward the Sierras and into the mountains. Learn about California’s rich history as you pass through some of the first settlements built during the Gold Rush. Arrive in Yosemite National Park for a 2.5-mile round-trip hike to see the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. Be prepared for a strenuous hike, descending 400 feet into the grove, before turning around and trekking back up. Next, cruise into the famous Yosemite Valley to take in views of Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, and more. Capture breathtaking photos at Tunnel View and take in the eastern expanse of Yosemite Valley. Then, enjoy 1.5 hours of free time to explore on your own. You can meander down paved paths, hike around Yosemite Falls, engage further with the park’s history at the visitor’s center, or visit the Ansel Adams Gallery. In the late afternoon, you’ll depart for San Francisco, stopping for a short break before arriving back in the city. Arrive back at your hotel in the late evening to sleep off the day’s adventures.

From San Francisco: Yosemite National Park

4. From San Francisco: Yosemite National Park

Travel through the Great Central Valley into the Sierra Foothills where Forty-Niners panned for Gold. Follow the beautiful Merced River to the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Glaciers cut through these mountains forming spectacular granite monuments you will see throughout the park. Spend a total of 4 hours within the Yosemite National Park: 1-hour on a guided tour and 3 hours to explore on your own. There is the option of selecting a Chinese-speaking guide on certain days. Take advantage of the photo opportunities at: • El Capitan • Bridalveil Falls • Vernal Falls • Yosemite Falls • Cathedral Spires • Half Dome

Oakhurst: Yosemite Giant Sequoia Private Jeep Tour

5. Oakhurst: Yosemite Giant Sequoia Private Jeep Tour

Get ready to ride into the wilderness on a private Jeep tour through the Sierras. Your tour guide will drive you to see some of the Sierra’s most incredible scenery as you venture off into the forest to get to a Sequoia Grove. Crawl over granite plains, drive through dense woodland areas, and splash through creeks. Stop at Bass Lake Vista for a fantastic view of a local sporting lake. Next, head to a secluded Sequoia grove in the Sierra’s. Park up and get out, checking out old cabins from mining in the early 1900s as well as massive Sequoia stumps. This grove has a unique history as it was partially logged before the trees were protected. Then, you'll embark on a 1-mile round-trip hike to see the Bull Buck Tree, which reaches a staggering 270 feet tall and 80 feet around. It's one of the largest Sequoias on earth.

Yosemite: Devil's Peak Sunset Jeep Tour with Local Guide

6. Yosemite: Devil's Peak Sunset Jeep Tour with Local Guide

Discover nature on this off-road jeep tour to climb to the top of Devil's Peak. Once at the top, watch as the sun sets over Yosemite National Park. Grab the chance to go stargazing and watch the wildlife as well. Upon meeting your guide, head on to your adventure and drive to the top of Devil's Peak, an area overlooking Yosemite National Park. On top of this mountain is a forestry tower lookout where a ranger stays summer-long to watch for wildfires. Meet the ranger, sign his guestbook, and learn about the history of the tower while your tour guide sets up camp. When everything is set, roast some marshmallows by the campfire and marvel at the abundant colors of the sunset. You can add an optional hot dog package to roast your dinner, too. Once the sun has gone down, make your way back to the foot of the mountain while stargazing and looking out for wildlife. Immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of nature with this guided jeep tour.

Frequently asked questions about Central Valley, California

What top attractions are a must-see in Central Valley, California?

The must-see attractions in Central Valley, California are:

What are the best inexpensive tours in Central Valley, California?

Other Sightseeing Options in Central Valley, California

Want to discover all there is to do in Central Valley, California? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Central Valley, California

On January 1, I was worried that the road would be blocked due to snow, and I thought that it would be impossible for us to do such a difficult thing on a day trip, so we participated. Although my stay was short, about 4 hours, I was able to visit places with beautiful scenery by stopping here and there, listening to explanations, and being able to take pictures. On the round-trip bus, they explain San Francisco and Yosemite, and show you a video of Yosemite, so you won't get bored. Also, for us, it was a good break during the trip because we were able to go while sleeping. It was a very satisfying tour blessed with good weather.

Well organised day trip. Stopping at the shop in the morning and afternoon is a great idea to let us stop for food and bathroom breaks. Stopped at some great spots with our guide to get pictures. Then had 3 hours to check out the park and our guide gave some good suggestions of walks/short hikes. Nothing felt rushed and was a great way to see the beauty of Yosemite if you’re short on time in San Francisco.

There are no words to put into perspective the awe and wonder of Yosemite however, our driver Rob tried to do just that. We visited of course El Capitaine but also other areas off the normal beaten path that he’s come to know over the years. Rob’s stories, suggestions for good pictures, and general information added tremendously to the overall value of the trip.

Great tour, excellent guide, convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off... I would definitely recommend this tour to others who want to make a 1-day tour to Yosemite.

Beautiful trip and great guide - could have stayed in the park for another day!