San Francisco Trip Overview
This small-group tour to spectacular Monterey, iconic 17-Mile Drive, and glorious Yosemite National Park, allows you to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Northern California in just two days.
Cruise along California’s unforgettable coastline through Highway 1, pass the mansions on the iconic 17-Mile Drive, and explore Monterey and its famous Aquarium on the first day of your tour. On your second day, walk through the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, enjoy the stunning views of Half –Dome and El Capitan, and swim or bike around the base of Yosemite Falls. Your tour of the Northern California Essentials includes one night of accommodation either in the heart of Yosemite Valley or at a nearby lodge.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: San Francisco, United States
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore San Francisco Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting San Francisco, California, United States
This small-group tour to spectacular Monterey, iconic 17-Mile Drive, and glorious Yosemite National Park, allows you to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Northern California in just two days.
Cruise along California’s unforgettable coastline through Highway 1, pass the mansions on the iconic 17-Mile Drive, and explore Monterey and its famous Aquarium on the first day of your tour. On your second day, walk through the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, enjoy the stunning views of Half –Dome and El Capitan, and swim or bike around the base of Yosemite Falls. Your tour of the Northern California Essentials includes one night of accommodation either in the heart of Yosemite Valley or at a nearby lodge.
Itinerary
Day 1: San Francisco – Monterey, 17-Mile Drive & Carmel
Pass By: Pacific Coast Highway, 147161, CA
Explore the California’s most scenic highway that connects San Francisco to Monterey. This road hugs the California coastline, passing rocky overhangs and coastal farming towns.
Stop At: Pigeon Point Light Station, 210 Pigeon Point Rd Hwy 1, Pescadero, CA 94060-9713
Tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United State, it is still an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. Explore the lighthouse or enjoy a quick walk down to the beach.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Monterey, Monterey, Monterey County, California
Discover the FIsherman’s Wharf are and the Cannery Row street, a site of now-defunct sardine canning factories that is a tourist attraction with many restaurants and stores.
Stop At: Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940-1085
This is the stopping location for the Monterey portion of the tour. Travelers will be given 2 hours of free time to explore: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Restaurants and stores.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, Monterey, CA 93953
A scenic loop through the private Pebble Beach community on the Monterey Peninsula. Travelers will see, beautiful coastal scenes with white cove beaches.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bird Rock Vista Point, Bird Rock Rd, Pebble Beach, CA
This wildlife hub is buzzing with birds, harbor seals and belching sea lions. Sea lions take advantage of the cleared-off perch and enjoy the sun.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
A Monterey Cypress tree, standing on a granite hillside. Estimated at 250 years, the cypress has been scarred by fire and held in place by cables for the last 60 years.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach, Monterey County, California
Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful courses in the world, it hugs the rugged coastline and has wide-open views of Carmel Bay. Travelers will be allowed to disembark and explore the area and imagine they are one of the best PGA players!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Carmel, Carmel, Monterey County, California
Our tour will continue to Carmel by the Sea, a small beach community on California’s Monterey Peninsula, considered one of the most beautiful villages along the Pacific coast.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Oakhurst, Oakhurst, California
Our tour will overnight in Oakhurst, just outside Yosemite National Park.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Oakhurst (3-4 star hotel), just outside Yosemite National Park
Day 2: Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park & San Francisco
Stop At: Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Mariposa Grove Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Soon after entering Yosemite, you will experience the solitude of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. You will not 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!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Tunnel View, Wawona Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Next, we’ll leave the gentle giants of the Sequoia Grove to get a narrated tour through Yosemite’s glaciated valley. We’ll make a few stops along the way, including at Tunnel View, to snap some pictures of some of the famous waterfalls and rock formations while your guide gives you some of the history that makes this park so special.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Glacier Point, Yosemite Lodge Resort origin, Yosemite National Park, CA
Join our guide to the top of the world to reach Glacier Point. This rustic geological formation is, without a doubt, one of the best views in the entire park. Remember to bring the camera with you!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Yosemite Valley, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9912
Take your time to decide what you’ll do during your free time in the valley.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
In Yosemite Valley, we recommend taking a quick hike around Sentinel Meadow, biking around the base of Yosemite Falls, and grabbing a bite to eat at the Valley Lodge food court.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
