Full day
San Francisco / Merced to Yosemite Small Group Tour
Ride Amtrak from the Bay to Merced, then tour Yosemite Valley with us.
San Francisco: $279/adult, $259/senior, $149/child under 12. Merced: $229/adult, $209/senior, $99/child under 12. Includes all train travel and the motorcoach tour of Yosemite. A minimum of 5 guests is needed to run the tour.
A group day-tour to Yosemite Valley by Amtrak. Board in Emeryville (with a shuttle bus from San Francisco's Transbay Terminal) for the ride to Merced, where we pick you up for the tour and return you to the train at day's end. Merced-only boarding is also available. Train travel and the motorcoach tour are included.
What's included
- All train travel
- Motorcoach tour of Yosemite
Not included
- Meals (lunch break in Yosemite Valley)
- Park entry fee for non-U.S. residents — $100 per person, paid in cash to your guide
Pickup locations
- San Francisco (Amtrak shuttle from Transbay Terminal to Emeryville)
- Emeryville (Amtrak station)
- Merced (Amtrak station)
Itinerary
Where we'll be, and when.
- 01
Emeryville Amtrak (via San Francisco)
Board an Amtrak train in Emeryville for a relaxing ride to Merced on the day of your tour. From San Francisco, take an Amtrak shuttle bus from the Transbay Terminal to Emeryville, just across the Bay Bridge. Coming from Sacramento? We can book your train from there instead.
- 02
Merced pickup
Arrive in Merced and get picked up for your Yosemite tour. We send your exact Amtrak schedule when you book.
- 03
Tunnel View
We begin in Yosemite Valley at Tunnel View.
- 04
Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Yosemite Chapel
On into the Valley past Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, and the Yosemite Chapel.
- 05
Sentinel Bridge
Stop to view Half Dome.
- 06
Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Village
Past the Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Village.
- 07
Yosemite Falls
We take our lunch break here.
- 08
El Capitan meadows
After lunch we visit the meadows in front of El Capitan to watch rock climbers.
- 09
Valley View
A couple more stops, including Valley View.
- 10
Roosevelt and Muir campsite
President Roosevelt's and John Muir's campsite, then we head out of the park back to Merced.
- 11
Merced Amtrak (return)
Board a relaxing Amtrak train to San Francisco, arriving late in the evening.
San Francisco / Merced to Yosemite Group Tour
San Francisco to Yosemite Group Tour: $279/adult, $259/senior, $149/child under 12. San Francisco to Yosemite Group Tour via Amtrak.
Merced to Yosemite Group Tour: $229/adult, $209/senior, $99/child under 12.
Itinerary
Board an Amtrak train in Emeryville for a relaxing ride to Merced the day of your tour. If you are in San Francisco, you may get on an Amtrak shuttle bus at the Transbay Terminal to get to Emeryville, which is just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco. Once you arrive in Merced, you will be picked up for your Yosemite tour. When the tour is completed, you will be taken to the Merced train station to begin your travel back to San Francisco. Your tour includes all train travel and a motorcoach tour of Yosemite. Upon booking, we will send you your exact Amtrak train schedule. If you are coming from Sacramento, let us know and we can book your train travel from Sacramento instead.
We visit Yosemite Valley, starting from Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Yosemite Chapel, Sentinel Bridge to view Half Dome, the Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Village, and Yosemite Falls. We take a break here for lunch. Upon resuming we visit the meadows in front of El Capitan to see rock climbers. From there we make a couple more stops to see Valley View, and then President Roosevelt’s and John Muir’s campsite. We then start heading out of the park and driving back to Merced. You will board a relaxing Amtrak train to San Francisco, arriving late in the evening.
Note: We need a minimum of 5 people in order to do the tour or it may be cancelled.
Need a lift?
In need of transportation between San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Coarsegold, Madera, Mariposa, Yosemite Valley, and Tuolumne Meadows areas? We offer comfortable shuttle service to and from these areas, including deluxe limousine service.
Questions we hear a lot
FAQ.
- What does the price include?
- Your tour includes all train travel and a motorcoach tour of Yosemite. San Francisco is $279/adult, $259/senior, $149/child under 12; Merced is $229/adult, $209/senior, $99/child under 12.
- How does the Amtrak portion work?
- Board an Amtrak train in Emeryville for the ride to Merced. From San Francisco, take an Amtrak shuttle bus at the Transbay Terminal to Emeryville, just across the Bay Bridge. We send your exact Amtrak schedule when you book. Coming from Sacramento? Let us know and we can book your train from there instead.
- Is there a minimum group size?
- Yes — we need a minimum of 5 people to run the tour, or it may be cancelled.
- Can you arrange other transportation?
- Yes. We offer comfortable shuttle service, including deluxe limousine service, between San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Coarsegold, Madera, Mariposa, Yosemite Valley, and Tuolumne Meadows.
- I'm not a U.S. resident — is there an extra park fee?
- Yes. The national park charges non-U.S. residents a $100-per-person entry fee that is not included in any tour price. Please bring it in cash — your guide collects it at the start of the tour. Guests without the fee cannot enter the park, and the tour might be canceled without refund.