The 5 Best Tours And Excursions From San Francisco

If you’re tired of dodging trams and battling the steep slopes of San Francisco, it may be best to cast your net a bit wider and see what the surrounding areas have to offer. Drive through the lingering fog that cloaks the Golden Gate Bridge and you’ll emerge into sunny highlands veined with hiking trails, while further inland lie the towering granite peaks of Yosemite National Park. Those partial to a tipple or two may find what they’re after in Napa Valley but, if you prefer the taste of salty sea air, try adventuring down the coast to Monterey and Carmel.

1. Small-group day tour of Yosemite and its giant sequoias from San Francisco

Tours

Climb on-board a minibus and be transported to the dream-like world of majestic Yosemite. Picking up a snack from San Joaquin’s fruit and nut orchards on the way, you’ll be sufficiently fueled when you arrive at the dappled Tuolumne Groves for a wander through its cloud-brushing sequoias. Then it will be on to the Tunnel Viewpoint to take in an otherworldly sea of pine trees framed by the granite curves of weather-torn cliffs, before more Instagram-worthy stops at Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan and Half Dome. The tour comes to an end with a walk to Yosemite Falls, leaving you with the striking image of its fierce cascade, which cuts a jagged line down rocky monoliths.

2. Painted Ladies Wine Country Tour

Tours

Escape from the city to intoxicating (in more ways than one) Wine Country. Wind through the sun-soaked Sonoma Valley towards its award-winning wineries and vineyards, soaking up some vibrant 80s spirit from the back of a vintage VW camper as you go. Find respite from the heat in the earthy cool of wine caves, where you will learn all about the winemaking process, before getting the chance to savor a selection of Californian varietals with a guided wine-tasting and a gourmet Italian lunch.

5. Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

Tours

As your driver whisks you across the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll be free to sit back and admire the striking San Francisco skyline. In a blink, you’ll be strolling through the colossal evergreens of Muir Woods. The dense forest is speared by the rust-colored trunks of towering redwood trees. Twisted and snarled by time and weather, with some almost 1,000 years old, they provide an Arcadian setting to amble through as your guide gives an insightful commentary. The following stop is the tree-speckled hills of Sausalito, where you’ll savor a sustainable-seafood lunch at marine restaurant Fish, and wander past rows of colorfully kooky houseboats.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.