Yosemite, Sequoia, & California Coast
The trip at a glance
- Duration
- 8 days
- Activity level
- Challenging
- Group size
- Small group, 2–14
- Departs from
- San Francisco
- Next departure
- Jun 6, 2027
What guests said
- 5 out of 5
“This trip exceeded all my expectations and beyond. The tour guide, Matt Graber, is outstanding. All the places we toured left me in awe with their breathtaking beauty. The hotels and food was definitely first class. Best of all was the warm friendships made.”
Annette
- 5 out of 5
“Had a wonderful time with a great group of travelers and an even better guide, Jeremy! We hit Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Cambria, Monterey, San Fran and many unique places along the way. Lots of hiking, great food, plenty of rest stops and really nice places to stay made it a wonderful trip. Will book again with SWAT!”
Jane
- 5 out of 5
“Thank You Jeremy for an enjoyable weeklong trip. Your constant commentaries were informative. The hike options were great since I just learned of why my knee recently hurts me. Food choices were great and the Rush lodge in Yosemite was perfect for aging body parts needing a jacuzzi and swim after a day of constant moving. This was my 4th SWAT tour and that alone is a great result of your staff's planning, choice of tour guides, and reasonable hikes. I'll be back for another tour.”
Marie
From $5,199 / person
ChallengingUp to ten miles a day, real elevation, and full days on your feet.Is this trip right for you? ›
Overview
From the historical streets of San Francisco to the majesty and grandeur of Yosemite, the Sequoias, and the Pacific Coast Highway, there is much to see and do. Come and explore these areas with us. Learn about the history of the region. Revel in the towering granite cliffs of Yosemite as water cascades down waterfalls into the valley floor. Walk through ancient Sequoia and Redwood groves. Relax to the sound of waves and soak in the sunset as it dips below the horizon on the Pacific coast. Spend seven days on your own adventure through this area with 14 other explorers. Your adventure awaits!
This trip by season
The same trip. Very different weeks.
Summer
June to August
Everything open
The full itinerary runs and every road and trail is open. These dates are popular, so they fill first.
9 summer departures ›Autumn
September to November
Fall color and wildlife
Aspen and cottonwood turning, wildlife on the move, and quieter trails once school is back.
3 autumn departures ›
Day by day
The whole trip at a glance
1 / 2 Day 1
Arrive San Francisco
Arrive at the San Francisco Airport anytime today and then transfer by hotel shuttle on own to your pre-night hotel located on the waterfront of the Bay. Evening free on own.
OvernightSan Francisco
1 / 6 Day 2
Yosemite National Park
Rise early to get out of the city and on our way to Yosemite National Park. You will travel across the Central Valley into the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and then climb up to Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows, where you will enjoy lunch and the opportunity to hike in the Sierra Nevada along the John Muir Trail or up to one of the many high alpine lakes and granite peaks found in this area. Toward the end of the day, you will travel down into Yosemite Valley, where you will watch the sun setting on El Capitan, Half Dome, and the many waterfalls that will be cascading down the granite cliffs all around the valley.
Our welcome dinner will be at the Majestic Yosemite Lodge.
OvernightGrovelandMealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
1 / 5 Day 3
Yosemite National Park
You will spend the day exploring the many areas in and around the valley, including the Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite visitor’s centers, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, and walk along the Merced River to see Vernal Fall, Emerald Pool, Silver Apron and for those hearty souls, Nevada Fall. In the late afternoon, you will get to enjoy a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point as the Grand Finale of your Yosemite Experience.
OvernightGrovelandMealsBreakfast
1 / 2 Day 4
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
This morning you will depart Yosemite and move on to another equally beautiful region of the Sierra Nevada, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. En route to the next park, you will pass through the Fresno/Clovis metropolitan area. As you climb back up out of the Central Valley, you will enter Sequoia National Park and descend into Kings Canyon. You will see Roaring River Falls and explore Zumwalt Meadows. There are great walking/hiking trails here. At the end of the day, explore Grant Grove without the crowds and enjoy a almost private viewing of these Giant Sequoia trees and the valleys they call home.
OvernightKings Canyon National ParkMealsBreakfast, Lunch
Sequoia & Kings Canyon Day 5
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks & Cambria/Pacific Coast
Today will be a day of further exploring the other sides of Sequoia National Park. You visit the General Sherman tree and many other groves of Sequoias in the region. In the early afternoon, you will say goodbye to the Sequoias and the Sierra Nevada and travel down into the Central Valley on your way to the California Coast and the Pacific Coast Highway. Our last stretch of road before you reach the coast will be through beautiful rolling hills of Paso Robles.
OvernightCambriaMealsBreakfast, Lunch
Day 6
Coast Highway, Big Sur, and Costal Redwoods
Depart Cambria and travel north along Pacific Coast Highway 1, taking in wide ocean views, rugged cliffs, and pockets of coastal forest. Along the way, there will be many stops at notable viewpoints such as a roadside bluff where elephant seals gather along the shore. You will stop at Limekiln State Park with its redwood groves and creekside setting, then continue on the McWay Falls and take a hike to the waterfall. There will be a picnic lunch after McWay Falls. Further up the coast, you will explore Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for a hike beneath towering trees. After reaching the northern end of the coastal drive, the route turns inland before continuing on the Monterey. The evening will be yours to enjoy in downtown Monterey!
OvernightMonterey Bay Inn MontereyMealsBreakfast, Lunch
Day 7
Monterey, San Fransico, Fisherman's Wharf
This morning you will have the opportunity to visit the Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park and enjoy seeing the Coastal Redwoods. These trees are some of the tallest trees in the world, over 300 ft high. Along the way, you will enjoy views of Bixby Bridge and other scenic views along the highway. Once finished, you will travel north to San Francisco and transfer to your hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf. If you arrive early, you will leave your bags at the hotel and start exploring the area. You then will enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner cruise with Hornblower Cruises in the San Francisco Bay. This boards at 7:00 PM and returns around 10:30 PM.
OvernightSan FranciscoMealsBreakfast, Dinner
Day 8
Alcatraz and Departure
This morning, you will enjoy a tour out to Alcatraz Island allowing you to explore this historic prison and island. Upon returning to shore, you will return to your hotel for check out and airport transfers.
MealsBreakfast
Is this trip right for you?
ChallengingLevel 3 of 4
- Rough and uneven trail with significant elevation gain. Up to ten miles in a day, with long stretches where turning back early is not simple.
- Sustained altitude, exposure to sun and heat, and days that start early and finish late. Loose rock and drop-offs in places.
- Not suitable for anyone with a mobility aid, a recent joint replacement, or a heart or lung condition without talking to us first.
- Your guide may change or drop a stop for weather, road closures or time. What is walked on the day is their call.
Anything specific — a knee, a hip, a height worry, a wheelchair — is worth one phone call to 800-970-5864. We would rather move you to a different trip than have you on the wrong one.
Tour details
In the price10
- Knowledgeable Tour Guide
- Comfortable Transportation
- 7 Nights Lodging Including Portage
- 7 Breakfasts Included
- 4 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
- Activities
- U.S. Resident National Park entrance fees
- Water
- Taxes, Fees, and Gratuity Associated with All Activities (Tour Guide Tips Excluded)
Not in the price7
- Airfare
- Airport Transfers
- Any meals not listed
- Alcoholic drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- U.S. Non-Resident Park Entrance Fees
- Gratuities for the tour director, driver, local guides and outfitters
Arrival & departure
- Arrival Location
- San Francisco Airport
- Arrival Time
- Any time on Day 1
- Departure Location
- San Francisco Airport
- Departure Time
- After 4:00 pm on Day 8 of the tour
Physical requirements
Clients should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for 1 to 3 miles at a time. Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 to 300 ft over the course of the areas visited during this tour.
Touring and overnight locations are above 6000 to 8600 ft above sea level
Gallery
More from California
Departures
Pick a season, then tap a date to book it.
Summer: Long, warm days with early starts to beat the heat. Bring a sun hat.
Autumn: Mild days and cool nights. Bring layers.
Summer 2027
9 of 9 open
from $5,199
Autumn 2027
3 of 3 open
from $5,199
Dates without a price of their own are from $5,199. The rate for the date you choose is confirmed when you book.
Pricing
2026 season
- Double occupancy
- $5,199
- Single occupancy
- $5,649
- Triple occupancy
- $4,999
- Quad occupancy
- $4,499
2027 season
- Double occupancy
- $5,299
- Single occupancy
- $5,749
- Triple occupancy
- $5,099
- Quad occupancy
- $4,599
15% off 2027 guaranteed departures with promo code BIRD27. Applies to guaranteed 2027 departures. Ask us which dates qualify.
Per person unless stated. Rates are those published by Southwest Adventure Tours and are confirmed at booking. A Travel Protection Plan is offered at checkout at 10% of your total: it refunds SWAT-collected tour costs if you cancel by the day before your first activity, and it can only be added at initial checkout. Full terms.
SWAT Trip Protection Plan
The SWAT Trip Protection Plan (TPP) gives you the freedom to cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a full refund of your SWAT-collected tour payments. It’s a simple, transparent cancellation waiver designed to provide flexibility for our guests and clarity in our booking process.
What does TPP cover?
SWAT-collected tour and SWAT-sold add-on payments only.
When must I buy?
At initial checkout, cannot add later.
Can I cancel for any reason?
Yes, up to the day before your tour starts.
Is TPP refundable?
No, the 10% fee never refunds.
Can I move my trip?
Yes, once within 12 months at no extra TPP fee.
Read the full Trip Protection terms — eligibility, how to buy, cancelling, rescheduling and refund timing.
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Close, but not quite this trip?
We build tours to order — the same guides and the same itineraries, rearranged around your group and your dates.
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From
$5,199