















California's Yosemite Valley Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
From $3,799 /person
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Casual Plus Hotels
California's Yosemite Valley Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Casual Plus Hotels
2024: Apr-May
















National Park’s Springtime Waterfalls & Wildflowers
Something special happens to Yosemite in the spring. It's like a light turns on, offering a new perspective on the landscape. The icons are here, of course: Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls. But the drama is turned up. Flowers start to show their colors as they reach for blue sky and still snow-covered peaks. Powerful waterfalls, robust from spring melt, are even more entrancing. And the summer temperatures have yet to arrive. This is springtime in Yosemite. And it shines!
Highlights
- Embark on spectacular hikes to vibrant meadows, luscious waterfalls and jaw-dropping vistas
- Feel the majestic energy of Yosemite’s ancient trees on a walk through a grove of giant sequoias
- Explore Yosemite's incomparable valley floor, without the typical summertime bustle and throngs
- Marvel at eminent and sometimes snowcapped rock formations, including world-famous Half Dome

Start/End San Francisco
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary

Days 1-2
Hike amid the largest stand of giant sequoias in the park—these centuries-old trees are enough to take your breath away • Spend a leisurely afternoon at the storied Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley • Enjoy a swim in the heated outdoor pool, explore the hotel’s museum-like public spaces and hallways and justsoak in the historic ambience • Set out on foot from Yosemite Valley past waterfalls and towering granite walls • Follow a stretch of the famed John Muir Trail • Opt for a hike to Yosemite Falls, hop on a bike and cruise through Yosemite Valley or visit the Ansel Adams Gallery • Savor dinner and views out to Glacier Point in the Ahwahnee’s grand dining room beneath impressive wrought-iron chandeliers hanging from the 34-foot-high ceiling.

Nights 1-2
A National Historic Landmark, this iconic hotel features elaborate stained-glass windows, original Miwok Indian arts and crafts, Oriental rugs and Shaker-style furnishings. (pool)

Days 3-5
Embark on an illuminating walk with a local naturalist into the valley • Sink into the charming comfort of Yosemite’s newest lodge, situated on a wooded 20-acre expanse • Explore Hetch Hetchy, engaging with the valley’s fascinating natural and human history • View striking Kolana Rock, an El Capitan-like granite dome looming 2,000 feet above, as well as Wapama Falls’ triple cascades • Delight in an array of brightly colored wildflowers, including lupine, monkeyflower, buttercup and wallflower in the valley once described by John Muir as “a grand landscape garden” • Hike alongside the South Fork of the Tuolumne River to picturesque two-tiered Carlon Falls.

Nights 3-4
Set on 20 wooded acres at the doorstep to Yosemite National Park, this new lodge offers an ideal blend of contemporary sophistication and rustic warmth. (pool)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Springtime weather in Yosemite is generally pleasant, with typically warm days and cold nights. However, rain and snow are still possible and even in an average year, higher elevations are routinely covered in snow. Trail conditions in spring can be wet, muddy or even snowy, and hiking routes and distances may need to change depending on these conditions.
In order to bring you the best of what Yosemite has to offer, we spend more time shuttling on this trip than on a typical Backroads trip. This enables us to explore our favorite areas of the park and enjoy its natural wonders and springtime splendor to the fullest.
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Nights 1-2
Casual Plus Hotel
A National Historic Landmark, this iconic hotel features elaborate stained-glass windows, original Miwok Indian arts and crafts, Oriental rugs and Shaker-style furnishings. (pool)

Nights 3-4
Casual Plus Hotel
Set on 20 wooded acres at the doorstep to Yosemite National Park, this new lodge offers an ideal blend of contemporary sophistication and rustic warmth. (pool)
Gallery
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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