Northern California Tours & Trips
Picture yourself exploring Spanish Missions in Santa Barbara, strolling Solvang's Danish streets, cruising under the Golden Gate, and walking among Yosemite's giants. What a true expedition in California! Drive scenic Route 1, hike Death Valley's landscapes, discover Sequoia's ancient trees, and trek Yosemite's Vernal and Nevada Falls. There’s so much to see.
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Linda • traveled in July
Yosemite National Park is breathtaking. As I walked along the hikes that we went on, many times I did not know which direction to look since there was so much natural beauty.
Hiking in Yosemite National Park - E
Elaine • traveled in June
Chad is a great driver and guide. He gave us so much useful information and insights to the places we hiked and walked to and through. Chad has a thirst for knowledge and looks up our questions and later shares the information with us. I liked most of the hotels and motels we went to.
California National Park Discovery - E
Ellen • traveled in June
Annie was our guide, and she did an excellent job! The trip was very well organized, and Annie was very friendly, helpful & informative. I would highly recommend this trip and we enjoyed the camping option. You get a lot of "spare time" in Yosemite Valley and Annie helped us with which hikes, activities etc to do. This trip is one of our favorite ones we have done with a tour company!
Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
Traveler Photos & Videos from Northern California tours
GLGuide
4 Day Death Valley Yosemite San Francisco from Las Vegas Lodging
Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
Craig
SPShanna
Hiking Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite
Yosemite Classic Summits Half Dome and Clouds RestHeatherOMOriana
Yosemite & Tahoe Sierras - 4 Days
MMMary
Death Valley Inn Based Tour
Best of Lassen Volcanic BasecampRussell
Table of contents
- The best Northern California tour packages
- Travel Northern California your way
- Best tour companies for Northern California tours
- Popular Northern California Cruise Ships
- Northern California tours for every type of group
- Top Northern California travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Northern California
- Contact our Northern California travel experts
The best Northern California tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaNorthern California travel expert at TourRadar
Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was a great trip. The camping grounds were stellar. Waking up to a delicious breakfast and beautiful scenery, I was blessed to have done this tour.”
Amanda, traveled in October
Towering 300-foot Sequoias and Tunnel View showcase Northern California's premier park. Camping near Yosemite Valley includes hot tub access, High Country trail walks, and guide-prepared meals. Perfect 5.0 transport rating in eco-friendly vehicles.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Incredible Adventures From
- US$795
California National Park Discovery
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour is a good one, giving us a chance to experience the opulence of Vegas, the majesty of the giant sequoias.”
Gwen, traveled in October
Three unforgettable days await in Yosemite National Park, with hikes along the Mist Trail and views of Half Dome. The tour continues to San Francisco's iconic sites including Golden Gate Bridge and Haight-Ashbury district. Suitable for ages 5+, featuring comfortable hotel stays and guided tours throughout.
Duration 7 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, Bakersfield, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $2,199
15% Off- US$1,869You save $330
The ancient Sequoias and Tunnel View await in Northern California's crown jewel. Lodge accommodations serve as base for hikes through Tuolumne Meadows and Lembert Dome, with chances to spot black bears and climbers scaling El Capitan's granite face.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Incredible Adventures From
15% Off- US$1,029
Northern California with Yosemite National Park
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Very enjoyable and fun.”
Stacey, traveled in August
Eight days of Northern California's finest, from San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf to Yosemite's El Capitan. The Beacon Grand hotel serves as home base, with wine tasting in Sonoma Valley and Lake Tahoe's alpine beauty. Features farm-to-table dining at Happy Girl Kitchen.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Francisco, Sausalito, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada, Mariposa, MontereySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $3,575
10% Off- US$3,218You save $358
Northern California's Finest
220 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery was breathtaking.”
JERRY, traveled in September
Luxurious stays at Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite and historic Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia anchor this tour. San Francisco's iconic sights lead to Sonoma's wine country and giant sequoias. Includes Valley Floor Tram tour in Yosemite and stargazing under ancient trees.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Francisco, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Monterey Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $4,609
3% Off- US$4,459You save $150
Hiking Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was full of beautiful nature and wonderful opportunities to explore. I loved how everything was planned out.”
Makenzie, traveled in June
The grand finale in San Francisco caps off Yosemite's granite monoliths exploration. Take on the Valley Loop Trail, ascend the Mist Trail to Nevada Falls, and challenge yourself on the North Dome trek for spectacular Half Dome views.
Duration 8 days Destinations Las Vegas, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $1,849
15% Off- US$1,572You save $277
5 day California Coastlines and Vineyards, Waves and Wine small group tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“This is a really well put together tour with super cute accommodation and a good range of included activities.”
Craig, traveled in May
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and kayak through bioluminescent waters in Tomales Bay under starlight. A VIP Chef's Table lunch at Capo Creek Winery pairs with Russian River Valley vintages, and cycling through vineyard-lined roads includes stops at boutique wineries. Four nights at distinctive properties - Tomales Bay Resort inside Point Reyes National Seashore, the oceanfront Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay, and redwood-surrounded Cottages on River Road in Guerneville.
Duration 5 days Destinations San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore Age Range Ages 21+ Operator Bindlestiff Tours From
15% Off- US$3,995
Travel Northern California your way
Best tour companies for Northern California tours
Looking at the customer feedback, Intrepid Travel comes through as solid organizers - they've got the logistics nailed down which lets you focus on the actual trip rather than worrying about details. There have been some hiccups with guide training and communication though, so that's worth noting. G Adventures really shines with their California park tours. Their CEOs (that's what they call their guides) bring loads of energy and adapt well to what different groups want to see and do. They seem to know exactly how to showcase the best spots in the parks. If you're after comfort, Globus tends to book nicer hotels and plans thorough itineraries that cover all the main attractions. Just keep in mind that breakfast quality can be hit or miss at some stops - it's not a deal-breaker but good to know ahead of time. As for Incredible Adventures, their guide Lisa gets mentioned quite a bit in reviews. Customers really appreciate how she shares interesting facts about places and keeps everyone engaged throughout the journey. The company seems to pick their guides well, with many travelers noting how accommodating and knowledgeable they are on the routes. The nice thing about all these operators is that TourRadar customers have given pretty detailed feedback, so you can get a real sense of what to expect from each one.
Popular Northern California Cruise Ships
Northern California tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Northern California travel itineraries to fit your plans
7 Day Itineraries
10 Day Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers33 tours- Couples42 tours
- Seniors (50+)47 tours
Best time to visit Northern California
- Spring 2026
You'll catch Northern California at its finest in spring, when Yosemite's waterfalls are at full force and Death Valley bursts with wildflowers. Lots of our travelers pick the Vegas to San Francisco route this time of year - the mild temperatures make camping near Bishop and exploring Death Valley much more pleasant. The dedicated Yosemite tours really shine in spring; conditions are just right for hiking the Mist Trail and also Four Mile Trail. We've found spring works beautifully for combining Sequoia and Yosemite in one trip. You'll see both parks waking up after winter, and our guides know the quiet times to visit spots like General Sherman Tree. The San Francisco tours make good use of those clear spring days, with plenty of time for biking the Golden Gate Bridge and wandering through Chinatown.
- popular 22 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer fills Northern California with energy, and our tours tap into those long daylight hours. The Yosemite-focused trips get great feedback, especially when we include time floating down the Merced River - it's the perfect cool-down after a good hike. When you book a multi-park tour through Sequoia, Kings Canyon and also Yosemite, you'll get the complete Sierra Nevada experience. Our guides really earn their keep here, knowing exactly when to visit each spot to avoid the crowds. The coastal routes show a different side in summer - you might spot morning fog rolling under Golden Gate Bridge, and we time our visits to Carmel and Monterey for that perfect afternoon light. Active travelers love our summer hiking options in Yosemite, from the challenging Nevada Falls route to easier walks like Mirror Lake.
- 27 tours
- popular 39 tours
- 36 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Northern California's fall tours consistently draw travelers to routes starting in Vegas, crossing Death Valley, and reaching Yosemite. Near Bishop, the mild temperatures create ideal camping conditions with fewer people on the trails. Our most requested autumn itinerary takes you floating down Merced River while incorporating both Mist Trail and Four Mile Trail hikes, which shine during fall's gentle weather. The guides have mastered the art of timing, helping you dodge busy periods at Half Dome, El Capitan and also other landmarks. A focused 3-day Yosemite option provides all camping equipment except sleeping bags, letting you travel light. These autumn tours balance structured hikes with independent exploration time - your morning might start at Tunnel View, then leave afternoons open to wander Valley Floor as you please. Many tours add cultural dimensions, stopping at Santa Barbara's Spanish mission, Solvang's Danish streets and finally San Francisco, crafting a varied journey during the prime outdoor season.
- popular 36 tours
- 26 tours
Contact our Northern California travel experts
Krizzia
Expert in Northern California at TourRadar
Krizzia is one of our seasoned Northern California Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Northern California tours answered!
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