Road Trip: San Fran, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe & Yosemite

10 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
View all 13 photos
Video not provided by operator
4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews  
87%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
This unforgettable road trip through Northern California is so good, you won't want to waste a moment. Start your adventure in the City by the Bay - San Francisco! From the Golden Gate to Alcatraz Island to the hustle and bustle of the Castro, this historic city has something exciting around every corner. After your time in SF, you'll set your course for the ...
23%
$1,659
From$1,278
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

What's this trip about?

    This unforgettable road trip through Northern California is so good, you won't want to waste a moment. Start your adventure in the City by the Bay - San Francisco! From the Golden Gate to Alcatraz Island to the hustle and bustle of the Castro, this historic city has something exciting around every corner. After your time in SF, you'll set your course for the Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Valley's scenic backroads and expansive array of excellent wines are every wine lover's dream. Be your own sommelier for a day and treat yourself to a winery tour or two before moving on to the crisp air of the Sierra Nevadas. Your next stop will be in South Lake Tahoe for all your favorite outdoor activities. Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to play all day and party all night. After an invigorating stay, you'll head for one of the world's most famous national parks: Yosemite.  Two nights in Yosemite will stir up your hunger for outdoor adventure. Take on the excellent hiking and irresistible views of the area. Picturesque year-round, Yosemite is impossible not to love. Your road trip will come full-circle upon your return to San Francisco. Use your final night to dive into any last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping that piques your interest. 

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySan Francisco
End CitySan Francisco

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • 2 nights in San Francisco at The Park Central, or similar
    • 2 nights in Sonoma (Rohnert Park) at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country, or similar
    • 2 nights in South Lake Tahoe at the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa, or similar
    • 2 nights in the Yosemite National Park area at the Yosemite View Lodge, or similar
    • 1 night in San Francisco at The Park Central, or similar
    • Detailed day-by-day itinerary with trip highlights, hotel information, local guides, maps and driving directions

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to San Francisco!

Congratulations! You've officially made it to the coolest place on Earth! Slide on your sunglasses and buckle up: this is going to be the road trip of a lifetime.

The Bay Area has a legendary culinary scene, so show up hungry! Dig into your adventure with...

Day 2 San Francisco

Wake up early so you can fill your day with sightseeing! The City by the Bay is packed with things to enchant every traveler - the Painted Ladies on Steiner Street, the vintage clothing boutiques in Haight-Ashbury, the sea lions at Pier 39, cable cars, Alcatraz...

Day 3 San Francisco - Sonoma

Only about 30 miles from San Francisco, Sonoma County never fails to impress. Boasting 50 miles of Pacific coastline, 40+ spas and wellness centers, and over 425 beautiful wineries, the Sonoma Valley abounds in relaxation and rejuvenation. For a scenic drive fr...

Day 4 Sonoma

Welcome to wine country! If you're looking for gourmet farm-to-table dining, state parks, and wine tastings galore, you're in the right place.

Sonoma County is speckled with farming towns and vineyards which belong to 5th generation growers. Here, 47 idyl...

Day 5 Sonoma - South Lake Tahoe

The Sierra Nevadas are calling! The trip from Sonoma to Lake Tahoe is about 3 hours, so make the most of your drive with a stop at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. Treat yourself to a self-guided factory tour to see how the candy is made and snack on a few...

Day 6 South Lake Tahoe

This mountain town is the perfect place to unwind outside. Spend your day in the sun on the lake, biking mountain trails, or hopping from boutique to boutique. When the sun goes down, move the party inside! Tahoe has a great live music scene, world-class casinos, and restaurants that will blow you away.

Day 7 South Lake Tahoe - Yosemite National Park

What can be said about Yosemite (pronounced yoh-sem-it-ee) except "wow?" This UNESCO-listed national park sits in a glacier-carved valley in the Sierra Nevadas. You'll find soaring sequoia trees, America's tallest waterfall, and dreamy hiking trails through thi...

Day 8 Yosemite National Park

Start your day nice and early so you can pack adventure into every hour of daylight! 

There are five entrances to the park, so it's a great idea to plan your day before you arrive. There are trails for every hiker, so check out the features of each trail ...

Day 9 Yosemite National Park - San Francisco

It's time to embark on the 3-hour trip back to San Francisco. If you want to do a little more SF sightseeing, Highway 120 is often the quickest route. Upon your return, consider treating yourself to an evening in the theatre district or a dinner cruise on the Bay!

Day 10 Depart San Francisco

It had to happen eventually: today, your Nothern California dreamin' comes to an end. Say "see ya next time!" to San Francisco and head home.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $1,278
Price per day$128
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Great Value Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.1/5  Great
Excellent
11,158
Great
5,051
Average
2,487
Disappointing
1,143
Terrible
1,572
Write a Review

Other Great Value Vacations Reviews

E

Eddie H.

Dec 2023

Written on
Great Value Vacations Company Reviewsby Great Value Vacations

Great hotel choices and itinerary

Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline ...

P

Prakash B Bom

Dec 2023

Written on
Great Value Vacations Company Reviewsby Great Value Vacations

Trip to Venice, Florence and Rome

Any trip to Italy ought to have breakfast included. We were disappointed with our plan that only Florence hotel had breakfast included. Rest was dried. Otherwise, it...

C

Cara Seiden

Dec 2023

Written on
Great Value Vacations Company Reviewsby Great Value Vacations

Great value

Really impressed with the deal. The hotel was outstanding I was shocked. Will be booking again!

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Great Value Vacations

preferred
View Profile

At Great Value Vacations, our mission is to be the pre-packaged vacation solution provider from the US to the most desirable vacation destinations in the world.

We offer premium, pre-built vacation packages to the top destinations in the world. Our vacations feature itineraries designed by travel experts and superior accommodations which have been hand-picked and vetted for quality.

What’s more, we offer these vacations packages at Great Value prices that are at or better than if you were to purchase the components separately.  Our state-of-the-art technology provides our customers with an easy to use booking system that allows you to book complicated vacations with just a few clicks.

Expert Advice

Our team of product experts are your “feet on the street” creating vacation itineraries we’d send our family on (and they have VERY high standards!) We do the heavy lifting for you by researching the best destinations, hand selecting the most desirable accommodations, designing a perfect vacation itinerary and recommending things to do and see along the way.

Customer Support

We’re there for you at every step – from your first call or visit to our website right up until your flight home. Our vacation specialists and support staff are available to answer questions, provide advice or assist you at any point during the vacation planning process. Plus we offer Trip Protection Plans which allows you to cancel your trip for any reason up to 72 hours prior to travel and received a full refund and have access to 24-hr Emergency Assistance while you travel.

What they’re known for
Budget-friendly vacation packages and expert itineraries designed for independent travelers wanting an easy trip planning experience.

Associations

Why Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
Greatvaluevacations-PK-GC4P-LO-SH-HNC-SFO

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >