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

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.

Luggage

Orange luggage tags are provided and are to be placed on your “checked luggage” (large bag). You do not need a tag for your carry-on bag, for which you will be responsible for taking on and off the coach. There is limited space in the cabin of the coach, so unless you require your carry-on bag while traveling, we will stow it in the luggage compartment.

Important Information

New reservations will require a $250 per person deposit unless otherwise noted. As always, your deposit is still fully refundable for any reason until final payment. We are happy to accept cash, check (preferred) or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) for your deposit.

Throughout 2021 we limited capacity on all our tours. This policy was so overwhelmingly popular by Sunrise travelers, we have made it permanent. In 2022 and beyond, we will limit the capacity on our motorcoaches to 80%. Most Sunrise Tours travel on 50-seat coaches with extra legroom, which means guests will enjoy extra legroom AND at least 6-8 empty seats. In the rare cases when we charter a 55-seat coach, there will be at least 10 open seats on the bus.

Our popular on-board refreshment service on travel days will feature a variety of soda, beer, wine spritzers, juices and sparkling water choices served in recyclable aluminum cans. This is a safe and eco-conscious way for us to deliver the ever-popular Sunrise Tours “happy hour” on tour. We do not typically serve bottled water and ask that while on tour you be responsible for your own hydration and consider the Sunrise Tours drink service a welcome refreshment.

Terms and Conditions

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