In 1884, a wealthy widow named Sarah L. Winchester began a construction project which lasted 38 years. The Victorian mansion, designed and built by the Winchester Rifle heiress, is filled with so many unexplained oddities, that it has come to be known as the Winchester Mystery House - an architectural marvel. Unlike most homes of its era, this 160-room Victorian mansion had modern heating and sewer systems, gas lights, working elevators and 47 fireplaces.

Winchester Mystery House Tour

© Super Sightseeing Tours

Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and stop to view San Francisco from Vista Point.

Then it's through the coastal mountains to the Bay Area's most popular national monument – Muir Woods. This national monument is the site of a virgin forest of California Coast Redwood trees, among the oldest and tallest on earth.

There is a 1 hour and 15 minute stop at Muir Woods where you can roam through an ancient forest of giant redwood trees.

Then stroll the waterfront of the quaint Mediterranean-style village of Sausalito.

Sausalito is considered the prettiest city in California.

Time is allowed for browsing, shopping and photo-taking in the picturesque artist colony nestled on the northern shores of San Francisco Bay.

Muir Woods, Giant Redwoods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip

© Muir Woods National Monument

© Super Sightseeing Tours

On your tour you will enjoy the morning exploring the spectacular Redwood Sequoia trees at Muir Woods, then relax in the afternoon while your tour guide introduces you to the California Wine Country.

You will visit two to three small boutique Sonoma wineries spending at least 45 minutes at each winery.

All wine tasting is complimentary and you will even have a chance to try 5-10 delicious wines at each winery!

This tour is ideal for both the first time wine taster and those with a prized wine cellar full of fine wines.

Muir Woods and Wine Country Small Group Tour

© Extranomical Adventures

California's spectacular coastline is featured on this tour down California's Highway 1. Your destination is the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. Visit Steinbeck's Cannery Row where there is time for lunch, shopping, picture-taking or for a visit to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. See gorgeous vistas and wildlife while traveling the coast along the 17-Mile Drive™ past the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, stopping along the way for photos. Next, enjoy a visit to the lovely coastal town of Carmel by the Sea before returning via the famed Silicon Valley.

© Monterey County
Convention and Visitors Bureau

© Monterey Bay Aquarium

Your day will begin with a hotel pick-up and then a drive through the San Joaquin Valley with a rest/snack stop on the way to Yosemite National Park. Then you will head on through gold country and up into the Sierra Nevada range to Yosemite National Park where you will get to spend 5 to 6 hours! Enjoy a hike to one of Yosemite's waterfalls or relax at the visitor's center where there are museums, restaurants, and the Ansel Adams Gallery.

After lunch you will be driven to one of the Giant Sequoia groves, stopping on the way to get a bird's eye view of the whole valley. Many consider the giant sequoia trees the largest of all living things, with some towering over 300 feet (91 meters) with tree trunks of 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter! Here, you will have the opportunity to go on a short 2 mile (1 hour) hike through the Giant Sequoia grove walking through (literally) one of these colossals; or you can choose to relax in the picnic area.

When it's time to head back to San Francisco, you will drive down the Sierra Nevada's, descending over 2000 feet and passing through Stanislaus National Forest. There will be a stop along the way for a break and a bite to eat, and then you'll be back in San Francisco, enjoying views of the sunset over the East Bay hills, the Peninsula and the city lights where your tour will end with a drop off at your hotel.

Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Small Group Trip

© Extranomical Adventures

After crossing the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge you will travel through the Great Central Valley and into the Sierra foothills where the Forty-Niners panned for gold.

Follow the beautiful Merced River to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and enter Yosemite National Park.

Glaciers cut through these mountains forming the spectacular granite monuments you will see throughout the park. Ample time is scheduled to visit the scenic wonders of Yosemite Valley.

Highlights include:

• San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge
• Sierra Nevada Range
• El Capitan
• Bridalveil Falls
• Vernal Falls
• Merced River
• Yosemite Falls
• Cathedral Spires
• Half Dome

This tour is seasonal and only operates from April through to October.

Yosemite National Park Day Trip from San Francisco

© San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau

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