Day 1 - Alcatraz day tour and Aquarium:
Pickup your tickets at Pier 33 and board the ferry to Alcatraz and see amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and the San Francisco city skyline from the north.
When you land on the island you'll be equipped with an audio tour titled “Doing Time”, in which you'll hear interviews from former inmates and learn more history about Alcatraz. Learn the history of “The Rock” with a 3-hour ferry and audio tour of the island and prison.
Then cross the bay and enter the Aquarium of the Bay with your entrance tickets. Spend the rest of your day getting up close and personal with San Francisco's underwater neighbors!
Visit over 20,000 live animals, ranging from eight-foot native sevengill sharks and eels to rays and jellies, all of which can be found in the San Francisco Bay.
Day 2 - Yosemite National Park tour:
Yosemite is a magnificent wilderness a few hours' drive from San Francisco and a must-see to complete your trip to Northern California.
6.15am – 7.10am: Pick up from select San Francisco hotels
7.00am – 10.00am: 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 you'll cross through the Central Valley, the largest agricultural region in the United States and famous for its rich volcanic soil. The section you drive through is best known for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries. You'll make a stop at a local grocery store where you can pick up some local produce &/or grab some lunch for later in the day. After this quick rest stop, you'll drive into the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.
10.00am – 11.30am: Continuing into the mountains brings you to California gold country and through towns that began during the gold rush before you wind your way into Yosemite National Park. Your guide will provide history, stories, and practical information as you enter Yosemite's glaciated valley. Because of the group size, there will be multiple photo stops in the tour so you can better enjoy your time in the park.
12.00pm: During the tour you'll see Yosemite Valley from a number of great vantage points, perhaps the best of which is a photo stop at Tunnel View. At 4,500 feet above sea level, this viewpoint gives you a spectacular view looking east into the valley.
12.45pm: From the drop off location, you'll have approximately 3 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 spend three weeks in Yosemite, the three hours you get on your own is enough time to understand why Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks.
3.30pm: Regrouping again in the late afternoon, you'll head back to San Francisco, stopping for a short break before arriving back in the city.
8.30pm – 9.00pm: Arrive back at your lodging
The tour is tailored to the needs of your small group. While it is guaranteed that the guides will do their best to provide you with all of the highlights within this itinerary (conditions permitting), it is not guaranteed to do them in this specific order
In Yosemite you will see:
- El Capitan
- Yosemite Falls
- Half Dome
- Bridalveil Fall
- Yosemite Village
- Tunnel View
Alcatraz Island Tour Tickets ($35.50 USD)
Transportation to/from Alcatraz and Aquarium on day 1
