Yosemite National Park Stay and Play Winter Tour

Why endure the hustle and crowds of the summer? Immerse yourself in the beauty and solitude of Yosemite National Park in the winter season and run away for two days of crisp, fresh mountain air.

Here, you will witness a Yosemite that few tourists get to see: towering granite monoliths blanketed in snow and magnificent waterfalls frozen in time. At night, sleep warm and comfortably in the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, nestled in the heart of Yosemite Valley.

During your free time, you’ll have the flexibility to craft your own experience: hike some of the valley trails, join a ranger program, go snowshoeing, ice skate or take a guided tour of the valley floor while surrounded by some of Yosemite’s most prominent landmarks. In the evening, kick back with a warm drink, arrange a twilight or night hike, or hear stories told fireside at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. The choice is entirely up to you!

If you’re feeling adventurous, add an optional day ticket to Badger Pass for downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and tubing down the slopes surrounding the park (shuttle transport, gear rental, and lessons included)!

Only the explorer who visits Yosemite National Park in the winter months will truly understand the exquisite silence and majestic views that endeared travelers like John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt to this astounding landscape. With fewer visitors and more solitude, this winter voyage to Yosemite is not to be missed.

Itinerary:

DAY 1:
6:00 am - 7:00 am Hotel/Hostel pickup in Downtown San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf

7:00 am - 10:30 am Take the Bay Bridge to Oakland and the East Bay, then on to the Central Valley. After a 15-minute rest at a deli or local fruit stand to pick up some provisions for your day, hop back in the vehicle and travel through the Gold Country into the mountains.

Approx. 11:00 am Arrive at Yosemite National Park.

11:00 am-12:30 pm Begin with a one and a half hour guided driving tour descending through Yosemite's glaciated valley with its famous waterfalls and rock formations, and stop to take pictures and see the views. From these higher elevations, you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and many of the frozen waterfalls all at once!

12:30 pm - (end of day) Stop for the afternoon at Yosemite Lodge; right at the base of Yosemite Falls. Check in to the hotel, or just store your luggage at the front desk (and pick up your Stay and Play tickets if you’ve ordered them).

Maps and guides in hand, you'll get a chance to explore Yosemite's natural wonders on your own for the remainder of the day. Before exiting the vehicle, your guide will provide a choice of activities that may include:

• getting some lunch or dinner at any of the wonderful restaurants in the area (dining guides available upon request)
  
• spending time at the main visitor's center or the Ansel Adams Gallery
  
• hiking some of the trails from the valley (snowshoes are available for rent at Curry Village if you’re feeling adventurous)
  
• taking a guided tour of the valley*(included in the Stay and Play ticket)
  
• ice skating at the Curry Village ice rink*(included in the Stay and Play ticket)
  
• listening to fireside storytelling at the Ahwahnee Hotel
  
• taking a twilight or night hike with an experienced Yosemite guide

DAY 2:
7:00am (or whenever you choose to start your day) Enjoy breakfast at Yosemite Lodge (included in your stay - just present them with your E-Ticket Voucher), and then head back out for another day of exploring. Check your bag at the desk, and pick it up when you’re ready to head home!

8:00am - 3:30pm Hang out in Yosemite and do as you please*; just be ready to meet your group back at Yosemite Lodge at 3:30pm for the journey back home.

Highlights:

• Two full days in the park (one is really not enough!)
  
• Overnight hotel accommodation in Yosemite Lodge at the Falls
  
• Eco-friendly transport in a biodiesel mini-coach
  
• Yosemite Valley narrated, guided tour
  
• See Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls
  
• Check out the view from Tunnel View’s spectacular overlook!
  
• More freedom to do what YOU want to do
  
• Optional Badger Pass Add-On (downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating. Shuttle service, gear rental, and group lessons included)

Inclusions:

• Complimentary pick-up and drop-off from your San Francisco hotel
  
• Yosemite Park entrance fee
  
• Overnight accommodations (Yosemite Lodge at the Falls)
  
• Breakfast on day 2

Badger Pass Add-On Inclusions (24 hour ticket):
(MUST BE SELECTED AS AN ADD-ON ON THE ORDER FORM)

• One ice skating session including skate rental (Curry Village Rec Ctr)
  
• One Valley Floor tour (departs Yosemite Lodge at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm daily)
  
• Complimentary shuttle from Yosemite Lodge to Badger Pass and back
  
• One all-day lift ticket at Badger Pass (open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily)
  
• One all-day rental from Badger Pass rental shop (choose one: skis, snowboard, cross-country skis, or snowshoes)
  
• One group lesson (daily 10:00 am and 2:00 pm)
  
• One tubing session (daily 9:00 am - 4:00 pm)
  

Gear List:

• Small, soft overnight bag that can fit under seat (approx. airline carry-on size)
• Hiking boots or durable sneakers (preferably gortex or waterproof)
• Warm layers (long underwear & wool fleece suggested)
• Waterproof jacket/pants for winter conditions
• Gloves, wool socks and a hat (75% of your body heat is lost through your hands, head, and feet).

Important Notes

If you are not staying at a hotel in the city of San Francisco, you will designate on the Order Form to meet the tour at one of three specific San Francisco hotels (Parc 55, Tuscan Inn or Best Western Americania). If you will be traveling into San Francisco from the airport area or anywhere served by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), an excellent option is to take BART to the Powell Street Station and be picked up at the Parc 55 Hotel across the street from the Powell Street Station. If you are driving into San Francisco, the Best Western Americania provides an excellent parking rate of $10 per car. The Tuscan Inn is conveniently located in the Fisherman's Wharf area. All pickup locations must be pre-arranged. You must specify your pickup location on the Order Form.

General Weather Conditions:
November through March tends to be sunny but cold, with a chance of snow in the mountains.

24 HOUR ADVANCE RESERVATION REQUIRED. Tour includes free San Francisco hotel pick up and drop off, transportation in a bio-diesel van, park entrance and one night accommodation. Meals not included, except for breakfast on Day 2 (must show E-Ticket at that time). Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-410-8233.