Yosemite & California National Parks

DAY 1: BAY AREA

Arrive into the Bay Area for dinner and an overnight stay. D

DAY 2: PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

Start your National Parks journey in nearby Pinnacles National Park. Be on the lookout for a California Condor! Once an endangered species these magnificent birds are frequently seen, Pinnacles Park is the only national park that is a release site for captive bred California Condors. Continue east into the Sierra Nevada and check-in for a three-night stay at Yosemite View Lodge on the banks of the Merced River. B, D

DAY 3: TIOGA PASS

Your first look at Yosemite is along the scenic Tioga Pass during a tour of the park's high country. Considered one of America's most scenic roads, Tioga Pass will leave you with only one word: "wow!" Discover the peaceful Tuolumne Meadows and gaze across endless vistas to Half Dome, Yosemite's most iconic peak. B, L

DAY 4: YOSEMITE VALLEY

Explore the incomparable beauty of Yosemite Valley aboard an open-air tram and discover views of waterfalls, deep valleys, and rock formations. With such spectacular scenery–it’s easy to grasp why Yosemite is one of the nation’s most photographed parks! Enjoy leisure time in what John Muir called “Nature’s Greatest Cathedral.” B, D

DAY 5: SUGAR PINE RAILROAD

Enjoy a final look at the beauty of Yosemite as you travel the scenic Wawona Road into Sierra National Forest. The sounds and scenes from the era of steam powered railroad logging come to life aboard the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. After a delicious lunch, continue to Fresno Flats Historic Village, where California's "wild west" is on display with historical homes and buildings. Overnight in Fresno. B, L

DAY 6: SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK

It’s time to explore Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with a guide from the Sequoia Field Institute. These parks are home to giants: immense mountains, deep canyons and huge trees. Behold the largest tree in the world, General Sherman, more massive than 10 blue whales combined! Visit General Grant, designated as the nation's Christmas Tree by Calvin Coolidge in 1929. After a day among giants, continue to Bakersfield for an overnight stay. B, L

DAY 7:ALABAMA HILLS

Travel to one of California's best kept secrets, the town of Lone Pine, where an other-worldly red rock landscape sits beneath the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S. — Mount Whitney. A scenic drive takes you into Death Valley National Park and an overnight stay at The Ranch Resort at Death Valley. B, D

DAY 8: DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

With a park expert, explore the locations that make Death Valley perhaps our most misunderstood National Park. Step out onto the salt flats of Badwater Basin — the lowest elevation on the continent — and marvel at the landscape of the Mojave Desert from Zabriskie Point. Overnight in Las Vegas. B, D

DAY 9: RETURN HOME B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Bay Area Hotel (TBD)
Nights 2-4: Yosemite View Lodge, El Portal, CA
Nights 5: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Fresno, CA
Night 6: Hampton Inn & Suites, Bakersfield, CA (or similar)
Night 7: The Ranch at Death Valley
Night 8: Doubletree, Las Vegas Airport

Dates

• Depart: September 27, 2025
• Return: October 5, 2025

Price Per Person

• Double $3,849
• Triple/Quad $3,459
• Single $4,849

*Includes roundtrip airfare from STL or MCI

Helpful Hints
Yosemite View Lodge is located right on the Merced River. Walk the paved path behind the hotel for great views and try to spot the resident Great Blue Heron fishing in the mornings.

A picture with the Yosemite National Park entrance sign can be taken just a short walk from the hotel.

Visit the Ansel Adams Gallery and gift shop near the Yosemite Welcome Center during your leisure time for a look at beautiful and historical photography of the park.

Elevation Note
This tour will visit locations that exceed 9,000 feet in elevation. Travelers prone to altitude sickness should consult a doctor before traveling.

Accommodations
Yosemite View Lodge is on the border of the park and next to the park sign – a perfect photo opp!

Walking Distance
Some walking will also be on uneven paths. In order to experience this tour to its fullest, guests should be capable of walking several blocks without assistance. In Sequoia National Park, walks of up to a half mile are required to see its most famous trees – General Sherman and General Grant. While walking canes are allowed, we are unable to accommodate travelers using other mobility devices, including walkers and wheelchairs.

Weather
Temperatures on this tour will range from cool days in the mountains to potentially hot days in Death Valley.

US National Parks Note
All National Park visits will include an opportunity to stamp your NPS Passport, if desired.

Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.

Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.

Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available

We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.

We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.

If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.

If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.

If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.

Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.

To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.

Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on the coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.