San Francisco & Yosemite Trip Details

Welcome to California! 

Meet your new friends in San Francisco, then begin your California adventure with a stop in Napa Valley. After channeling your inner sommelier, make your way to Yosemite National Park where adventure awaits. From camping in the forest to epic hikes with stunning views, your time spent in Yosemite National Park will be an adventure you will not forget!

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Start: Designated starting point in San Francisco, California at 8:00 a.m.

Flying? Plan to arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) -- San Francisco, California by 7:00 a.m to meet the group at the designated starting point.

Finish: Designated ending point in San Francisco, California

Flying? Plan to depart San Francisco International Airport (SFO) -- San Francisco, California on day 4 after 7 p.m.

Airfare booking details will be sent after registration–please wait to book your flight until you receive further instructions. 

*Airport pick-up and drop-off not included

• 4 days/3 nights accommodations at campsite
• 3 nights camping in a single tent
• 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners
• Wine Tasting at a Vineyard
• Entrance into Yosemite National Park
• Guided Hikes
• Camping Equipment (tents, sleeping pad, cooking supplies)
• Ground Transportation (private vehicle)
• Under30Experiences Trip Leader
• Free time to explore Yosemite National Park on your own
• Personal recommendations for optional activities
• The chance to meet kick-ass people
• Access to the Under30Experiences Community  

Travelers are responsible for airfare to and from San Francisco.

Public transportation, airport pick-up & drop-off, sleeping bags, and optional activities are not included.

• Wine tasting in Great Central Valley
• Multiple hikes through Yosemite National Park
• Home cooked meals prepared at camp
• Sleep under the stars at a local campsite

If you love spending time in nature, but also appreciate some city adventures, this trip is for you. It will provide a great snapshot of all that California has to offer.

You’ll begin your trip with a visit to Napa Valley for some wine tasting, then head for the forest to spend the remaining 3 days of your trip exploring Yosemite National Park.

-Age requirement: 21+

-Group size: 10-13

-Physical rating: Moderate. There will be some hikes of medium difficulty.

Travel connects us. Community keeps us connected.

Before your trip you'll have the opportunity to join a custom WhatsApp Group and connect with others members of your group. Many travelers meet in the airport, or for pre-trip drinks if they are from the same city. Others coordinate plans to stay in a location after their trip.

During your adventure, our Trip Leaders do their best to foster an open, supportive environment, where people feel safe to truly be themselves.

After your trip, you'll be an official U30X Alumni, and part of our large online Travel Community where you'll have access to our network of thousands of past travelers. We are constantly hosting meetups that range from simple happy hours to hikes, to outdoor movie nights.

More than 70% of our travelers come solo, but they all leave with friends.

Travel can be unpredictable. Our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience.

While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into it and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

All breakfasts and dinners will be cooked at the campsite.  As this is a group camping trip, you’ll be asked to participate in preparing the meals as a group.

Sample Camp Breakfast:

• Eggs, bacon, ham, potato hash browns, local fruit, toast, coffee, tea, 

Sample Camp Dinner:

• Taco bar: corn tortillas, rice, chicken, lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream, jalapeño 
• Barbecue: local fish or chicken, sweet corn, salad, baked potatoes

Campgrounds will be BYOB.

We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Some meals can be modified for special requests and food allergies.

You will be traveling by private, locally-owned, ground transportation. There will be early departures on some days in order to optimize time.

• Private ground transportation to and from Yosemite National Park (included)
  

Taxis and other public transportation are not included unless specified on the itinerary.

You will be staying in shared two-person tents while camping in Yosemite National Park. 

Accommodations may vary but will be the same quality. 

Solo travelers are paired with someone of the same gender.

Private room options are available upon request and subject to hotel availability (for an extra charge).

Travel insurance with at least 200,000 USD in medical coverage is required to participate on our trips. This must include coverage for repatriation.

Please note that travel insurance covers trip related issues such as trip interruption, lost luggage, theft, etc. Travel medical insurance covers things like repatriation, medicine, ambulance rides, and hospital visits/stays. 

We strongly suggest that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please ensure that all of the activities you plan on participating in are covered by your travel insurance.

Here are a few options for travel insurance that meet our minimum medical coverage requirements: Wanderwell, SafetyWing, and World Nomads. Some plans do not cover certain “high-risk” activities. Please make sure to read your plans coverage and make a selection based on your planned trip.

Wanderwell donates at least one percent of your insurance purchase to Explore Austin, a sustainable youth outdoor education program, via 1% for the Planet, selected by Under30Experiences.

‍We receive a fee if you purchase products through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

‍We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Very Flexible.

Give us at least 30 days notice and you can switch your trip for free, or we'll hold your Experience Credits for future use.

If you have an emergency cancellation that is less than 30 days before your trip, please refer to your travel insurance company as they may cover you for some expenses. 

We are not able to transfer trips or hold experience credits within 30 days of the trip because we have already secured reservations on your behalf.

All Under30Experiences trips are accompanied by experienced Trip Leaders.

The goal of the Trip Leader is to facilitate an awesome experience and help our travelers have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eateries, and introduce you to our local friends.

You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the regions visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

Please be eco-friendly!

• Bring a reusable water bottle to refill where clean water is available.
• Bring a reusable straw to limit the amount of single-use plastic waste.
• Use as little plastic as possible by declining straws and plastic bags at restaurants and when shopping.
• Please avoid aerosol bug sprays as they negatively affect the environment. 
  

We recommend using a travel backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Below includes our staff picks of the best items on the market that we travel with!  All products selected are 3 ounces or less to comply with TSA carry-on size and organically inspired when possible.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you Under30Experiences will earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

Passports are not required for U.S. residents to visit California. If you are not a U.S. resident, please make sure you have an updated passport with you. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the last date of your trip.

Make sure there is no damage to your passport. Conditions that may constitute damage requiring you to replace your passport include water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing or torn out visa pages, a hole punch, or other injuries.

Check out our Travel Alerts Page for up-to-date COVID requirements.

The tap water in California is safe to drink. Please bring a reusable water bottle and join us in our efforts to be environmentally friendly and keep North America beautiful. 

Please consult with your doctor before traveling regarding physical activity and vaccinations.

No inoculations are required to enter California if you are from the United States but the Center for Disease Control suggests routine vaccines for all travelers. Required vaccines should go through CDC, recommended vaccines should be through your doctor.

More specific health information for travelers to the United States can be found at the  Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The official currency in the United States is the US Dollar (USD).

We suggest bringing 200 USD in cash to be used at establishments that do not accept credit cards.

This is not a total cash amount that you should expect to spend on your trip. Please consider your own spending habits for additional expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities.

ATMs are available in the cities and towns we visit. Although you can withdraw cash from any ATM, it's a good idea to come with some local currency just in case.

Remember to call your bank and credit card company and let them know you'll be traveling.

For an up-to-date exchange rate, download the XE Currency Exchange App.

Always carry a copy of your travel insurance, health insurance, and passport/photo ID/Real ID with you. A photo of these items on your phone is also a good backup.

Keep your passport and any valuables locked in your hotel room. Don’t leave valuables unattended.

Although most parts of North America are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering around any town at night, especially alone. We recommend staying in small groups when traveling at night.

Make sure you have the address of your hotel in the event that you're separated from your Trip Leader.

San Francisco has notably cooler summers than its surrounding areas. Be sure to pack for both the cool bay city temperatures and Yosemite National Park temperatures.

June-October in San Francisco is usually pleasant with temperatures ranging from mid-60s to low-70s. 

June-October in Yosemite National Park has temperatures ranging from mid-50s to low-90s with little rainfall. Please bring sun protection and a reusable water bottle to keep hydrated.November-May in San Francisco are cool with temperatures ranging from mid-40s to low-60s with scattered showers.

November-May in Yosemite National Park can have temperatures ranging from low-30s to high-60s and experience snowfall. Please pack accordingly! 

San Francisco

San Francisco, California is the second most densely populated city in the United States and boasts a diverse culture with heavy Mexican influences from its large Hispanic population and history of Spanish founders. The city also hosts a myriad of festivals for all interests, including art, food, and music, and is home to several museums and an eclectic mix of architecture. San Francisco is also home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which took almost four years to complete.  San Francisco was also named America’s Best City in 2012 by Bloomberg Businessweek. 

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 and stretches across 747,956 acres...with about 95% of that land being classified as “wilderness”. Yosemite Valley has become a popular destination for rock climbers because it is home to El Capitan, the world’s tallest granite monolith! Speaking of “world’s tallest” titles, Yosemite National Park is also home to the largest individual tree species in the world...the Giant Sequoia tree, which are estimated to be almost 3,000 years old in this area and can reach heights of over 250 feet! As for wildlife, Yosemite National Park also plays home to over 400 animal species including black bear, mule deer, and foxes.

Visitor Guide to Yosemite National Park

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Key Phrases in San Francisco:

San Francisco 

• The City

Oakland

• The Town/Oaktown

Going to/About to

• Finna

The fog in San Francisco

• “Karl”... Karl is out. 

Due to the short nature of this trip there will not be a lot of time for optional activities.  However, if you would like to arrive early or stay later, there are plenty of optional activities in the greater San Francisco area.

Respect the people around you and the environment in which you’re traveling. This includes, but is not limited to fellow travelers, Trip Leaders, the local community, nature, wildlife, and yourself.

Do your best to keep yourself and fellow travelers out of harm’s way.

It’s important to obey local laws and customs while on our trips. This includes, but is not limited to wearing appropriate clothing while visiting certain communities, refraining from taking photos of people without asking, avoiding the use of illegal drugs, having weapons, and soliciting prostitution. If you’re not sure about something, take time to educate yourself, or ask.

Travel involves contact with new cultures. When confronted with a different way of living than you’re used to, do your best to understand that neither way is better or worse. They’re simply different ways of life.

Know your limits! This applies to physical ability, emotional space, social situations, and alcohol consumption. If you can’t participate in something, be upfront about it. If you need a break from people, take it. Stop drinking before you get too drunk.

Trip Leaders are working in the travelers’ best interest. If they say something or ask you not to do something it’s not because they’re tyrants, but because they want you to have a good time!

Lying or withholding information about any physical or mental condition that might affect your ability to participate in any of the activities may be grounds for removal from your trip with no refund.

Extend you stay at Hotel Triton or a search Hostelworld for a local hostel.

Enjoy a catamaran tour past Alcatraz.

Wine tasting in Marin or Napa Valley.

Explore the greater San Francisco area on these amazing hikes.

Drive south from San Francisco to Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast Highway for amazing ocean views.

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