4 Best Day Trips to Yosemite National Park from Los Angeles

Yosemite National Park is one of the most spectacular natural destinations in the United States: rugged mountains, giant redwood forests, glacial valleys and waterfalls make it an ideal getaway from Los Angeles. Visiting this unique environment — located in California's Sierra Nevada, about 500 kilometres away — is also one of the best things to do in Los Angeles if you're looking for nature, fresh air and a complete break from the urban pace.

The most recommended option for enjoying Yosemite without any worries is to sign up for an organised tour, as these usually include transfers, accommodation and an expert guide. However, you can also plan your visit on your own, either by rental car, train or public transport. Below, I summarise all the options available to get there.

An organised tour is one of the most convenient ways to get from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park. You won't have to worry about a thing, as this type of activity includes transport, accommodation and an expert guide who will tell you all about the history of the places you visit. All you have to do is enjoy the experience.

Some of the best tours and excursions from Los Angeles that will allow you to discover this impressive park and even other nearby destinations are the following:

This excursion will allow you to discover the most iconic destinations within Yosemite National Park. You will also enjoy a comfortable and safe journey by train and bus, discovering beautiful natural and urban landscapes in the company of an expert guide.

The 2-day excursion to Yosemite and Glacier Point from Los Angeles begins with a train ride to the city of Fresno in California (San Joaquin Valley). The route is about 332 kilometres long and takes around 4 hours and 40 minutes. There, you will have time to explore the area on your own and will have accommodation for the night.

The next morning, you will depart for Yosemite National Park, about 90 minutes away by private bus. You will explore every corner of the park in the company of your guide. You will also climb Glacier Point, about 2 kilometres above Yosemite Valley. You will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the waterfalls and a series of rock formations.

Useful information

• Price: the price of the excursion is approximately £470 per person.
• Duration of the journey: the intercity train (Amtrak) journey takes around 4 hours and 40 minutes. The private bus transfer from Fresno to the park takes around 90 minutes, but you should take traffic conditions into account.
• Advantages: you will have access to Glacier Point, a popular natural viewpoint with a breathtaking panoramic view of the park.
• Disadvantages: this adventure may not include transport from your hotel to the train terminal in Los Angeles and vice versa, so you will need to make your own arrangements.

One of the most comprehensive ways to discover Yosemite from Los Angeles is to opt for a multi-day tour that also includes other nearby national parks. This organised option not only includes transport and accommodation, but also allows you to visit three of the most impressive natural environments in the state of California in a single trip.

The 2-day tour to Yosemite and Kings Canyon from Los Angeles begins with a journey in an air-conditioned vehicle to the north of the state, passing through Sequoia National Park, home to the towering giant sequoias, and Kings Canyon, with its deep gorges and mountainous landscapes.

After exploring these two parks on the first day, you will spend the night in a hotel in the Fresno area. The next day, you will visit Yosemite National Park, where you can take guided walks through the valley, admire granite cliffs, waterfalls and other natural icons of the park in the company of a professional guide.

Useful information

• Price: from approximately £470 per person.
• Tour duration: 2 full days, with accommodation included and breakfast on the second day.
• Advantages: visit 3 national parks in a single excursion, ideal if you are short on time.
• Disadvantages: the itinerary is intense and does not allow much free time in each park, but it is perfect for a general overview.

If your itinerary allows, don't hesitate to spend a few days in Los Angeles to take a trip to Yosemite National Park. Not only will you enjoy the park's wonderful natural surroundings, but you'll also discover part of the US west coast: Santa Barbara and San Francisco.

You'll travel by bus with a driver-guide on a journey of just over 2 hours to the first stop in Santa Barbara, which has the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop. There, you will stroll through the historic centre and the city's port with its dozens of restaurants, bars and shops, among other places.

The next morning, you will depart for San Francisco on a journey of just over 5 hours. In this city, you will discover major attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Twin Peaks and the Silicon Valley complex, among others. You can also take a cruise around the bay.

After discovering the culture of these two Californian cities, you will head to Yosemite National Park, on a journey lasting between 3.5 and 4 hours. You will be amazed by this idyllic natural environment: cliffs, lakes, waterfalls, native wildlife and much more. You will then return to the starting point of the activity, ending this 3-day excursion to Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Yosemite from Los Angeles.

Important information

• Price: the price of this tour starts at around £34 per person.
• Duration of the journey: a little over 2 hours (Los Angeles to Santa Barbara), about 5 hours (Santa Barbara to San Francisco) and 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours (San Francisco to Yosemite National Park).
• Advantages: Not only will you enjoy the incredible Yosemite National Park, but you will also explore the culture of two important cities on the west coast of the United States.
• Disadvantages: this type of excursion does not usually include lunch on any of the days, so you will have to cover this expense yourself.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive experience that combines nature, culture and city life, this is the best option for you. In five days, you'll visit some of the most iconic destinations in California and Nevada without having to worry about logistics. The package includes transport, a guide, accommodation and daily breakfast.

The 5-day tour to Yosemite, San Francisco, Las Vegas and more starts in Santa Barbara and continues through Carmel and the spectacular 17-Mile Drive. You will then arrive in San Francisco, where you will enjoy a bay cruise and a panoramic tour of its most iconic neighbourhoods.

The third day is dedicated to Yosemite National Park, where you will take gentle walks to discover waterfalls, cliffs and dreamlike viewpoints. Afterwards, the route continues to Las Vegas, where you will experience the vibrant nightlife of the Strip, and culminates with a visit to the imposing Hoover Dam.

Useful information

• Price: from approximately £890 per person.
• Tour duration: 5 days with 4 nights' hotel accommodation and 4 breakfasts included.
• Advantages: includes city, coast, nature and desert in a single route.
• Disadvantages: the pace is fast and there is not much time to stay long at each destination.

If you prefer to visit Yosemite National Park without booking an organised tour, there are several alternatives that will allow you to do so on your own. Some are faster, others are cheaper or more flexible. Below, I explain the most practical options so you can choose the one that best suits your travel style:

By car

Renting a car and driving from Los Angeles is one of the most common ways to get to Yosemite. It gives you the freedom to stop whenever you want, enjoy the scenery or visit other places along the way. Companies such as Hertz and Aco Renta Car offer multiple options depending on the type of vehicle you need.

• Price: from £50 per day
• Duration: about 5 hours (approx. 500 km)
• Advantages: maximum flexibility to adapt your route
• Disadvantages: during high season, it can be difficult to find parking inside the park

By plane

If speed is your priority, you can fly from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Fresno Yosemite Airport, and from there take the YARTS bus service to the park entrance (available from May to September).

• Price: from £158 (depending on the season)
• Duration: 1 hour flight + 2.5 hours by bus
• Advantages: you'll get there much faster
• Disadvantages: it is a more expensive option and depends on coordinating several transfers

By public bus

You can take a Greyhound bus to Fresno and then connect to the regional YARTS network, which will take you to the park. It is an economical alternative but longer and involves a transfer.

• Price: from £20 per leg
• Duration: between 7 and 8 hours in total
• Advantages: cheap and accessible option
• Disadvantages: long journey and less practical

By train + bus

An interesting alternative is to take the Amtrak San Joaquins train from Los Angeles Union Station to Merced, and from there take a YARTS bus to Yosemite. Although not direct, the journey is very pleasant and offers beautiful scenery.

• Price: around £35 by train + £20 by bus
• Duration: between 7 and 8 hours
• Advantages: more environmentally friendly and spectacular views
• Disadvantages: involves changing modes of transport halfway through the journey

Any time of year is the best time to visit Los Angeles and take a trip to Yosemite National Park to enjoy a true natural spectacle. In fact, there are several ways to make this trip from the city. However, you may find some tips useful to avoid complications.

• If you plan to travel by rental car, make sure your driving licence is valid. Also, have a map handy or activate your GPS along the way.
• Check road restrictions; this will save you time and hassle while driving.
• When joining an excursion, not only should you book in advance, but also check what the activity includes (accommodation, meals, transport, entrance to attractions, etc.). This way, you will be prepared for any extra expenses during the trip.
• If you are using bus or train services, don't forget to book your tickets in advance.