FAMILY VACATION

Yosemite Family Vacation

  • 6 Days
  • Avg Group Size: 12
  • Activity Level 2
    • Activity Level 2

      Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Fresno
  • Trip End: Fresno
yosemite family tour

These lands have inspired poets, painters, photographers, and conservationists for centuries – how will it inspire you on your Yosemite family vacation?

Six days of family-friendly fun and activities into one of America’s greatest national treasures. Stand at the base of a tumbling 2,425-foot waterfall, a soaring 8,842-foot granite dome, and a 3,000-year-old, 300-foot Giant Sequoia. Hike and explore the largest subalpine meadow in Sierra Nevada. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like black bears, bighorn sheep, and foxes. Find out why granite will be your new stone of choice as a rock climber. Discover just how huge a Giant Sequoia really is by standing at the base of one of these forest monsters and looking up skyward. This all-inclusive Yosemite family vacation includes cozy accommodations at kid-approved lodges, complemented with the best in regional cuisine and the tastiest pizza of any National Park.

Download Our Handy Trip Itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDF

Yosemite Family Vacation ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Fresno Trip End: Fresno

Download our Handy Trip itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip

  • Day 1Pick up in Fresno, hike the Mariposa Grove among giant Sequoias

  • Day 2Hike Hetch Hetchy, swim in the Tuolumne River

  • Day 3Try rock climbing (at your level) and Hike the Lower Yosemite Falls

  • Day 4Try rock climbing (at your level), watch sunset from Glacier Point

  • Day 5Taft Point and Sentinel Dome Hike

  • Day 6Relax at the spa, farewell!

  • Day 1

    Pick up in Fresno, hike the Mariposa Grove among giant Sequoias

    #60176
    Sunday morning pick up in Fresno. Shuttle north toward the famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias where we’ll have a short welcome meeting at the Mariposa Grove Visitor Center. After, we'll stretch our legs on the Mariposa Grove hike under the giant sequoia trees.
     
    Following a picnic lunch at Wawona, we drive into the park stopping for photo opportunities at Tunnel View. This is the classic view that Ansel Adams made famous showcasing El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. Afterwards we make our way to Mirror Lake for a short hike before continuing on to Rush Creek Lodge, your home for the next two nights.
    Accommodation: Rush Creek Lodge
    Meals:
    Lunch, Dinner

    Hiking: 5-8 miles (8-10 kilometers)

  • Day 2

    Hike Hetch Hetchy, swim in the Tuolumne River

    #60177

    While the full loop around Hetch Hetchy reservoir stretches for nearly 28 miles, today's hike will be about a quarter of that, and every bit as beautiful. On the trail, you'll witness beautiful natural scenery, like the thundering waters of Wapama Falls tumbling down the rocky cliffs.

    After lunch we explore more of the region along the Tuolomne River or hike to Lookout Point.
    Accommodation: Rush Creek Lodge
    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Hiking: 5-7 miles (8-10 kilometers)

  • Day 3

    Try rock climbing (at your level) and Hike the Lower Yosemite Falls

    #60178
    Fuel up with a warm, fresh meal before we head out to Half Dome Village, where we’ll grab some climbing shoes for a fantastic day of rock climbing and rappelling – no trip to Yosemite would be complete without it! Classes are designed for climbers of all levels, so everyone from beginners to experts will take away a new skill-set. You’ll spend the better part of the morning learning everything there is to know about rock climbing – from tying knots to rappelling, and everything in between.
     
    After a tasty pizza lunch we continue our exploration of the valley with a hike to Lower Yosemite Falls.
    Accommodation: Tenaya Lodge
    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch

    Hiking: 1-2 miles (2-3 kilometers)

    Rock-Climbing: 2-3 hours

  • Day 4

    Try rock climbing (at your level), watch sunset from Glacier Point

    #60179

    Fuel up with a warm, fresh meal before we head out to Half Dome Village, where we’ll grab some climbing shoes for a fantastic day of rock climbing and rappelling – no trip to Yosemite would be complete without it! Classes are designed for climbers of all levels, so everyone from beginners to experts will take away a new skill-set. You’ll spend the better part of the day learning everything there is to know about rock climbing – from tying knots to rappelling, and everything in between.

    After a pizza lunch at your climbing site, we’ll continue our uphill ascent through the early afternoon. Next, take a refreshing dip at Merced River before enjoying an early dinner.

    To complete this adventure-filled day, we'll take in a sunset from Glacier Point before making our way back to Tenaya.
    Accommodation: Tenaya Lodge
    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Rock Climbing: 2-3 hours

  • Day 5

    Taft Point and Sentinel Dome Hike

    #60180

    Today, embark on an all-day hike to experience two of Yosemite's south rim highlights. Along the way you'll see for yourself the majesty of Taft Point and Sentinel Dome. Taft Point offers dramatic exposure and one of the best vistas over the western Yosemite Valley, while Sentinel Dome’s symmetrical granite summit provides the south rim’s best panorama. You'll also emerge at viewpoints featuring unique perspectives of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.

    Transfer back to Tenaya for a final dinner with the group.
    Accommodation: Tenaya Lodge
    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Hiking: 5 miles (8 kilometers)

  • Day 6

    Relax at the spa, farewell!

    #60181

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge. This morning you can take advantage of some last-minute pool or spa time. Reluctantly we say goodbye to the park and start our way back to Fresno. Hotel and airport drop-offs in the early afternoon.
    Accommodation: Not applicable
    Meals:
    Breakfast

Yosemite Family Vacation Departure Dates

Looking for an adult-only departure? Check out our Yosemite Adventure.

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What's Included

  • Our own highly experienced guides, with you from start to finish
  • Industry-leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
  • Your own ‘Account’, an online space with everything required for your trip
  • Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries - just a phone call, email or chat away
  • Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re 'trip ready'
  • All accommodations for the duration of your trip 
  • All meals except where indicated in the itinerary
  • Unlimited snacks to keep you fueled
  • Special ‘Wow!’ moments you'll never forget
  • All activities outlined in the itinerary
  • All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
  • All gratuities for hotels, restaurants, and activities 
  • All park and other entry fees 
  • Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern, and comfortable!

What Our Guests Say

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Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here.

*Terms & conditions apply – read more here

 

Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Homewood Suites by Hilton Fresno Airport at 6:30am or the Best Western Plus Fresno Inn at 6:45am. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at either of these hotels directly or any other hotel in Fresno, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Fresno Airport at 1pm in time for flights below or at a hotel of your choice in Fresno around 1.30pm.

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Fresno the night before the trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Fresno any time after 3pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

What are the accommodations we stay at on this trip?

We have selected the accommodation on your trip for the stunning settings, unique character and adventuresome feel – it’s not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels near Yosemite. We prefer to stay in accommodations close to the park and our activities for the day that are comfortable after a full day of exploration.

While there are laundry facilities at some locations, they may not be convenient or there may only be one machine to service your entire group. We recommend bringing enough clothing to only not have to do laundry during your trip. If needed the best time will be when we are at Tenaya on Days 3-5.

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness for this trip though you’ll be hiking on gentle to moderate trails and can still enjoy the scenery and relaxation. Typically, hikes range between two and four hours to complete, more, or less hiking is available too.

Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

What should I bring with me on the first day?

When you speak with your guides the night before your trip, they will give you a detailed description of what to bring with you on Day 1. Typically, this includes a day pack with your rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, camera, etc. Anything you want easy access to during the day should go in your day pack as the rest of your luggage will go in the locked cargo trailer pulled behind the van. Your guides will provide you with a water bottle on the first morning of your trip and will always have water available for refills. There will be snacks available at all times in the van. Your guides will also have bug spray and sunscreen accessible for you to use.

Will I have contact with my guides before the trip starts?

Your guides will call your cell phone the night before your trip begins to touch base on the first day’s plan. If they don’t get through to you, they will leave a voicemail on your cell phone with all the details you need to plan for your first morning.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size). We recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 120 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement.

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

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