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Lake Tahoe Tours & Trips from San Francisco

An adventure starting in San Francisco is a great way to see Lake Tahoe. We have 11 tours that range from 3 days up to 9 days. The most popular time for tours from San Francisco is August, which has the most tour departures.

11 Lake Tahoe tours from San Francisco with 198 reviews

Hiking in Yosemite National Park

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 & Trekking

USA Road Trip — Yosemite Hiking & Cali Surfing

Hiking in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada

The trip was well coordinated. Our trip had to be re-routed due to the very snowy winter, but our tour guide, Phil, still managed to keep our days full, and our hikes about the same mileage that we would have walked otherwise. The hikes were moderate to steep, nothing that our entire group could not keep up with. I felt that everyone was accommodated to. And we went to our rooms at night exhausted from our days journey. Yosemite is a must-do, if you have never been there. The pictures do it no justice. Having the tour guide from intrepid was great, because he told us all about the history of the National Park- things that I would have walked right by if I were hiking alone. This trip was great! can’t wait until the next one.

• In-depth Cultural

Yosemite & Tahoe Sierras - 4 Days

Lisa, our guide tour, was excellent! I would definitely recommend her and I would book again. The places we visited were beautiful, the van was very comfortable and the group size was perfect.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing

Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days

This was a great trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenic views. Our tour guide Rourke, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. This was a hiking trip and in my opinion if you didn’t want to hike, you could do a nature walk. That was the best option for me because the hikes were a little too strenuous for me but I purchased a tripod just for this trip. All the beautiful photos I have of the walks through Yosemite are my memories for a lifetime. The camping grounds were stellar. Waking up to a delicious breakfast and beautiful scenery, I was blessed to have done this tour.

• Coach / Bus

Golden State of Mind: Northern California By Design

Peaks of Yosemite 8D/7N

Yosemite Escape Lodging - 3 Days

The peaks of Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park Small Group Hiking Tour

Yosemite National Park Hiking Tour

Tours starting from san francisco.

• San Francisco to San Francisco tours (10)
• Family from San Francisco (9)
• Explorer from San Francisco (8)
• Hiking & Trekking from San Francisco (8)

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Lake T ahoe A dventures

Visit lake tahoe day tours from san francisco, experience the ultimate lake tahoe day trip from san francisco with lake tahoe adventures.

San Francisco – Lake Tahoe 1-Day Tour- San Francisco

Tour Description

Cancellation & refund policy, trip description :.

Explore the wonders of Lake Tahoe with our passionate local guides on a private, personalized tour in a luxury SUV or van. Get ready for a day filled with jaw-dropping landscapes and fantastic activities tailored just for you!

Lake Tahoe is a marvel, boasting turquoise bays, lush forests, magical waterfalls, and stunning views that will leave you in awe. Our tours offer photo stops at breathtaking locations, ensuring memories that last a lifetime.

In the summer and fall, we’ll show you both shores of Lake Tahoe, giving you the chance to swim, try water sports, or even take a helicopter tour! For the adventurous, extend your trip to include thrilling whitewater rafting on the Sierra American River.

Winter in Lake Tahoe isn’t just about skiing and snowboarding; there’s a world of indoor and outdoor activities waiting for you. We delve beyond the slopes, offering experiences that draw visitors from all corners of the globe.

Our 12-hour round-trip service from San Francisco ensures a day packed with adventure. With four hours to explore Lake Tahoe, you’ll witness stunning spots like Emerald Bay, Rubicon Bay, Meeks Bay, and more.

Not into sightseeing? No problem! Choose from a variety of activities, from skiing at top resorts like Heavenly and Palisades Tahoe to snowmobiling, tubing, or even a serene wine tasting experience. Feeling lucky? Hit the casinos or enjoy a romantic cruise on Lake Tahoe aboard the Tahoe Queen or MS Dixie II.

The options are endless, and the choice is yours to make the most of your Lake Tahoe adventure!

Trip Itinerary

Buckle up for your exclusive, one-of-a-kind adventure departing daily from vibrant San Francisco! We rev up at 7 am, hitting the road on Highway 80, bound for the stunning Lake Tahoe. But before that, let’s grab a hearty breakfast in a gold mining town—it’s a taste of the past in the midst of Gold Country vibes.

As we roll towards Lake Tahoe, get ready for a personalized tour around the sparkling lake. From the captivating Emerald Bay to the quaint Fanny Bridge, and from the lively Truckee River in Tahoe City to the glorious state parks and beaches, we’ve got Tahoe’s top spots on our hit list. Picture yourself awestruck at Cave Rock, soaking in the views from Logan Shoals Vista, and diving headfirst into the vibrant vibes of Heavenly Village or the spellbinding Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. Oh, and get those cameras ready—tons of photo ops and mouthwatering dining spots are waiting for you!

Now, let’s talk summer! Lake Tahoe in this season is an adventure playground in a jaw-dropping setting. Dive into the crystal-clear waters for epic swims, paddleboarding, or kayaking adventures along the mesmerizing shoreline. Trek through lush trails like the Tahoe Rim Trail for panoramic mountain and lake views or hop on a mountain bike for thrilling rides through varied terrain. Picnics on the beaches.

After an epic day exploring Tahoe’s wonders, we head back to San Francisco. While our one-day trip is perfect for the time-crunched, trust us, the real Tahoe magic unfolds on our epic 2-day adventure! Skip the long drives and traffic snarls—go for our 2-day extravaganza! It’s an investment in unforgettable memories!

Tips and Tricks: Winter and spring mean layers, raincoats, snow gear, and stylish sunglasses! Be ready for possible weather and traffic delays. For tranquility, weekdays beat weekends and holidays hands down. Trust us, the peace and quiet are pure Tahoe bliss!

Lake Tahoe Tour Prices

This SUV tour is entirely private, and the pricing is per person.

For groups of 7 people or fewer, we recommend the SUV option unless you have excessive luggage.

Tour Prices: The Price is per person

Totally Private Tour Price per person

Private tour By Luxury SUV

This VAN tour is totally private and not available for public or individual reservations. The price is per party and not per person.

Private 3-day Van Tour. Tax, entrance fees & hotel accommodation included ***Hotel based on double occupancy --->

Totally Private The price is per party.

Private 1-day Van Tour Tax, Yosemite entrance fees are included --->

Private 1-day Van Tour Tax, Yosemite entrance fees are included

Private tour By VAN

Yosemite Private Custom 1 Day Tour from San Francisco

Inclusions:  All applicable taxes, pick-up, and drop-off services in downtown San Francisco, Fisherman’s wharf, Sacramento, or Lake Tahoe are encompassed. This worry-free day adventure offers a fully guided private tour available year-round, irrespective of the season. Enjoy a 1-day private guided tour in a luxury vehicle, inclusive of state parks, parking valets, and fees, as well as highway tolls, all included in your tour price.

Duration: This private day tour spans 12 hours door-to-door when departing from San Francisco and 6 hours when commencing and concluding within Lake Tahoe. However, when initiating and ending the tour in the East Bay, or Sacramento, the tour typically lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours door-to-door.

Exclusions:  Meals, driver gratuity, summer and winter resort fees, beach or ki rental equipment, beach access fees, activities, and all optional features or excursions.

Terms, Refund, and Cancellation Policy:

Refund Criteria:

A refund of 91% of the total amount will be processed if the trip is canceled at least 16 business days before the scheduled tour. The remaining 9% covers transaction fees (4.5% per transaction) incurred by us. (Excluding weekends and holidays).

50% refund is applicable for cancellations made at least 8 business days before the tour date. (Excluding weekends and holidays).

For cancellations made at least 6 business days before the scheduled tour, a 15% refund of the total amount will be provided. (Excluding weekends and holidays).

No refunds will be granted for cancellations made within 5 business days of the scheduled tour or for no-shows. (Excluding weekends and holidays).

Exceptions to Cancellation Policy: Peak Season Reservations For all bookings and tours scheduled during the peak season (from March to November and from December 15 to January 15) lasting more than one day, a written cancellation notice must be emailed at least 29 business days before the tour date. Please note that weekends and holidays are not counted as business days in the USA. Consequently, all sales are final and non-refundable for multi-day tours if canceled within 28 business days.

Reservation Confirmation:

Upon confirmation via email, a tour voucher will be issued, valid only for the specified date and names listed on the booking. Date transfers or changes aren’t permissible within 16 business days of the scheduled tour.

Refund Policy Clarification:

All refunds are subject to credit card and merchant fees imposed by credit card companies and banks or providers. These fees may range from 3.9% to 9.8% based on various factors like card type, issuer, country, and currency conversion.

Reservation Holds and Tour Changes:

We reserve booked dates exclusively for customers, declining other tours. Therefore, any date changes or last-minute cancellations inconvenience both our business and other customers.

General Terms:

We retain the right to collaborate with other tour operators or entities for tour fulfillment. Confirmation of tours is subject to availability, irrespective of approved payment transactions.

Declined Transactions:

Declined transactions don’t guarantee tour confirmation unless confirmed via email. Customers should contact us promptly for resolution, understanding that unconfirmed transactions lack reservation status.

Accessibility, Delays, and Substitutions:

Our vehicles don’t accommodate wheelchairs, and slow tour paces (with kids, seniors, or wheelchairs) may incur additional charges for extended tour hours.

We cannot guarantee timely arrivals or departures due to external factors such as accidents, weather, and road conditions. We aim to fulfill tour itineraries as closely as possible.

Other Considerations:

No pets or smoking is permitted in our vehicles. Cold weather gear and comfortable shoes are advised. Closure of parks or attractions due to adverse conditions or unforeseen circumstances doesn’t warrant refunds.

Guided Tours, Travel Agents, and Gratuity:

Tours in foreign languages may involve added fees. Travel agents assume liability for gratuity and additional charges.

Gratuity ranging from 15% to 20% is customary, not commissionable, and recommended in the US.

Conclusion: Thank you for considering Lake Tahoe Adventures. We anticipate serving you and extending your vacation experiences. Should further assistance be required, please feel free to contact us.

Read visitors and customers’ trip reviews about Lake Tahoe attractions and tours taken from Yelp and TripAdvisor.

Testimonials

Absolutely loved our 2-day trip to the lake!

Absolutely loved our 2-day private tour package to the lake tahoe with Adam ! The luxury hotel stay was top-notch, offering stunning views and absolute comfort. Our tour guide, Adam, was fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and made the journey a breeze. Starting and ending in San Francisco was super convenient. From serene moments by the lake to the luxurious hotel experience, it was the perfect getaway. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a refreshing escape!

Rotorua Birthday Bash: A Ripper Day Trip Down Under!

“Exceptional Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour!”

California Dreamin’: A 6-Day Adventure from Tahoe to Yosemite!

"our travel bucket list overflowed”.

“From SF to Tahoe & Reno: A Wild Ride Family Adventure!”!

“from sf to tahoe & reno: a wild ride family adventure”.

“Fun day tour to Lake Tahoe from San Jose!”

Snow fun at Heavenly Ski Resort? Check! The thrill of playing in the snow with those stunning lake views was pure magic. We’re all about recommending this Tahoe day trip, but hey, if clocking in more hours is your thing, consider the overnight package. That drive from San Francisco can be a bit of a marathon!

Cheers to epic adventures!

“Pure professionals and a memorable Tahoe Yosemite combo tour”

First up, Yosemite National Park. A night’s stay in the Yosemite Valley followed by a breathtaking journey through the Tuolumne Meadows—every inch a land of wonders! Then came Lake Tahoe, our late afternoon arrival unveiling a picturesque paradise. We seized an extra day at Lake Tahoe’s south shore, and boy, was it worth it!

The lake? Postcard-worthy! And let’s talk about that cruise ship—the ticket to exploring state parks and beaches inaccessible by vehicles. Trust me, it’s an experience that gets a big thumbs-up from us!

“Yosemite and Tahoe: A Blast! 5 Stars All the Way!”

We had the best chats, and guess what? Peter was all ears, never once tired of our endless questions. Now that’s what I call passion! We’re definitely hitching a ride with this tour company again; 5-star service through and through!

“Increibles Vacaciones e inolvidable experiencia en Lake Tahoe y Reno!!”

“Lake Tahoe is stunning & spectacular!”

Lake Tahoe is a must-see destination

“Tahoe’s the bomb for vacations!”

“Our Epic Family Rafting Adventure -American River Thrills !”

“Who knew an Alcatraz and Lake Tahoe combo could be this epic?”

“Bay Area Ski Squad: Shredding the Slopes with Adam at Heavenly Ski Resort!”

Why choose us, 5-star tour guides bringing the fun and excellent customer service, we’re unconditionally committed to delivering top-notch experiences, quality private custom tours & exclusive outdoor adventures, just for you, trustworthy, certified, and proudly local small business vibes, cruise in luxury 4wd suvs and top-of-the-line vehicles—traveling in style, go where you want, your way, at your pace—freedom at its finest, quality products, great value, and no sneaky hidden fees—promise, embrace luxury with our vip travel services tailored to your desires, need an expert photographer or a hiking tour leader we’ve got you covered, we’re all about family fun—always willing to go the extra mile for you, rest easy with our secure websites and a solid 100% satisfaction guarantee, enjoy complimentary services and all-inclusive tour packages, forget extra charges—all applicable taxes and entrance fees are already included, join us for an adventure you won’t forget, tahoe day trip from san francisco | tahoe 2 day tour |  tahoe 3 day tour |  tahoe & yosemite tour | vacation packages, home     |    about us    |    travel blog     |   reviews |    tahoe attractions    |    quote request    | contact us.

©Lake Tahoe Adventures LLC, 11 Diaz Ave San Francisco , CA 94132

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Discover the wonderlands of the Sierra Nevada and marvel at Lake Tahoe Premier Sights

San francisco lake tahoe 1-day tour san francisco.

• Description

Cancellation & Refund Policy

 trip overview:.

Experience a scenic drive around majestic Lake Tahoe sites, picture splendid beaches, magical waterfalls, spectacular alpine vistas and more. Golden Horizon Travel offers 1-day custom trips to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco in luxury vehicles with expert local and passionate tour guides. Join us now and experience a scenic drive and a fun guided tour around Lake Tahoe with your dedicated and passionate local tour guide. You will be treated to a first-class door-to-door tailored tour experience, customized to your preferences, that will take you to the top attractions of Lake Tahoe, including South and North shores of Lake Tahoe.Whether you like hiking, walking, skiing, swimming or simply sightseeing around majestic Lake Tahoe, we will make sure that you enjoy a memorable and fully customized trip, in a luxury vehicle to meet your needs and expectations.

Tour Description

Day 1 –suggested private tour itinerary, day 2 – suggested private trip itinerary, day 3 – suggested private tour itinerary, tips for visitors and hikers, tour package hotel reservation terms & policy.

This is a long 12-hour door-to-door private tour when departing from San Francisco, but well worth it. However, we highly recommend the overnight 2-day trip as the 1-day tour leaves only few hours to enjoy in Lake Tahoe. The trip takes about 3 to 4 hours each way from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, and with the overnight hotel accommodation included, it is the better option.

Join us now to experience a scenic drive and a guided tour around Lake Tahoe with your dedicated and passionate local tour guide in a luxury 4x4 SUV, or by van for small private group tours.

You will be treated to a first-class door-to-door tailored touring experience, and you will enjoy a customized trip itinerary that will take you to the premier wonders and attractions of Lake Tahoe including South and North shores of Lake Tahoe. Whether you like hiking, walking, skiing, swimming or simply sightseeing around majestic Lake Tahoe, we will ensure that you enjoy a memorable and fully customized trip itinerary to meet your needs and expectations.

Capture Lake Tahoe’s splendid bays and state beaches - the turquoise water of the lake, forests of pines, Douglas firs, cedar and bay laurel trees. Stop for a short walk or hike to magical waterfalls, as you drive around the Lake. You will enjoy breathtaking photo stops and beautiful landscapes along the way.

This 1-day tour from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe is a 12-hour round-trip door-to-door service. The trip requires 3/4 hours each way, or more, depending on traffic conditions, which leaves you 4-hours to enjoy sightseeing Lake Tahoe. There are many points of interests you will see along the way including the famous Emerald Bay and its photo stops, Rubicon Bay, Meeks Bay, Cave Rock, Crystal Bay, Zephyr Cove, South and North Shores views, marinas, state parks and much more.

During our Lake Tahoe tours in summer and the fall , Lake Tahoe visitors have the opportunity for sightseeing both shores of Lake Tahoe basin. Indoor and outdoor activities are available for all ages, and can include stops along the shores, a swim in the lake, water sports adventures, take an optional helicopter tour over Lake Tahoe Basin or any other outdoor activities you may choose.

You may also expand your trip by signing up for a 2-day adventure to enjoy a thrilling whitewater river rafting adventure on the turbulent American River that flows through the Sierra Nevada mountains.

In winter , Lake Tahoe is not just a place to go skiing or snowboarding. There are hundreds of other indoor and outdoor activities and things to do in this wonderland of Lake Tahoe.

If you decide to skip sightseeing Lake Tahoe, you may choose one of the following activities of your preference, including skiing and snowboarding at top ski resorts of Lake Tahoe such as Heavenly, North Star, Alpine Meadows or Squaw Valley Ski Resort. You may also take the Aerial Tram to the High Camp at Squaw Valley or the gondola at Heavenly to the high country and enjoy breathtaking views from a commanding overlook. There you can play in the snow, take a guided snowmobile adventure, go tubing or sledding with your kids, family or friends, get a ski lesson package with ski lift tickets and ski rental equipment, go shopping at the many charming local boutique stores, or at one of the largest shopping outlets in Northern California.

If shopping is not your preference you can enjoy a romantic getaway and best escapes for couples. Try the wine tasting, hit the slots or tables at the famous South Lake Tahoe Casinos or take a cruise ship tour on Lake Tahoe anytime of the year with the Tahoe Queen or MS Dixie II

Complimentary pick-up and drop-off

Tour itinerary, tour prices.

For a party of 7 guests or less, we recommend the SUV option . This SUV tour is totally private,and the price is per person.

Book this Tour by SUV

Select date from calendar.

Select Number of guests

Private tour by minibus (van).

This VAN tour is totally private and not available for public or individual reservations. The price is per party, and not per person.

Book this Tour by VAN/A 14-PASSENGER MINIBUS

Included:  Complimentary pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or pickup location. We can pick you up anywhere in San Francisco, Oakland Emeryville, Napa, Sacramento or even in Lake Tahoe Area. The length of the tour will be adjusted based on your pickup location, taking into consideration that we are based in San Francisco. Enjoy this 1-day private guided tour in a luxury vehicle with a private tour guide, who is also the driver. State park entrance fees, parking fees and valets service, bridge tolls are included.

Not included:  Our Tahoe tour prices do not include your meals, ski resort rental equipment, sales tax, ski resort lifts tickets and resort fees, ski lessons, overtime, any and all sites or attractions’ entrance fees, optional activities or features or optional tours or excursions, and driver’s gratuity are not included either, (15% tip is customary in the USA, but it’s up to your discretion and generosity).

Note: All our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated.

The misconception about private tours: Ever wondered why small group private tours are more expensive than large group tours? Because public group tours are more cost-effective to operate than private tours. The input cost of private tours and public tours are roughly the same - both provide one driver or a tour guide-driver, one vehicle, same trip length – so both companies assume similar business expenses and commercial insurance liability. However, private tour operators (like ours) make 85% less profit than group tours, because all our resources are dedicated to a small number of persons. As dedicated small group operator we focus on quality to make your tour experience more personable and intimate, and we never share our private tours as we give you full attention and custom services. Yet, we have access to all the sites where large vehicles and buses are prohibited and offer exclusive destinations to magical places not available elsewhere.

Term & Refund Policy

General terms, declined transactions, other terms and information, additional terms & tips for visitors and hikers.

More Terms and Miscellaneous

Our Terms, Refund and Cancellation Policy are as follows:

-91% of the total amount will be refunded to your credit card if you cancel your trip at least 15 business days prior to the scheduled tour (or the date of the tour or service). The remaining 9% covers the required transaction fees; that’s 4.5 % per each transaction (booking is one transaction and refunding is a second transaction for which we get charged as well). (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-50% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 7 business days prior to the scheduled tour date or service. (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-15% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled date of the tour (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-0% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled 4 business days, or less, prior to the day of the scheduled tour or service. This includes no-shows. (weekends and holidays don’t count)

Please note that all refunds are subject to credit card and merchant’s fees imposed on us by credit cards companies and merchant banks or providers. The average amount of credit cards and merchant’s transactions fees may range between 3.9 % to 9.8% of the total amount of your purchase (transaction) based on the type of credit card you use when booking this tour, the credit card issuer, country and conversion fees we are subject per transaction. Many foreign countries apply additional origination and conversions fees.

Important: Please note that we reserve the date(s) you requested and booked on our website for you and we decline taking other tours for these date(s) to honor yours. We keep a tour guide and a luxury vehicle on hold and make all required reservations and arrangements for you and your party, so please don’t change the date or cancel at the last minute as we have other customers and tours to honor.

– Reservation and Confirmation: As soon as you book online, a merchant receipt is generated automatically and sent to you via email. We will also confirm your reservation by email and send you a tour voucher or email confirming your booking date, tour and pick-up time. This tour confirmation or voucher is only valid for the specific date(s) you reserved on our website, and only valid for the names listed on the booking. You can’t transfer the names or ask for a different date(s), as we have other tours to honor. You may not change the tour date within 15 days from the date of the scheduled tour you booked, and there will be no alternative days offered.

In an effort to honor all tours, we reserve the right to partner with other tour operators, freelancers, and/or our sister companies. The exact name and contact information of your tour operator will be stated on your tour voucher and the trip confirmation will be issued especially for you after we received your approved transaction.

-Reservation and Tour Availability: All our tours are subject to availability even when the transactions are approved, as we may get several tour requests at the same time. Approved payment transactions do not guarantee your tour unless it has been confirmed via email. We will get back to you as soon as possible and let you know if the required tour(s) and date(s) still available.

Also, all our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated in the email or tour voucher confirmation we will send you soon, once your transaction is approved. We reserve the right to offer you suitable substitutes or changes to your itinerary, tours or services due to special events, weather conditions, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, unpredictable circumstances, unavailability and/or due to last minute reservations. We assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdowns, unforeseen accidents or events, road, weather conditions and/or all other circumstances beyond our control. We do not guarantee to arrive to, or depart from, any point at a specific time for the same above considerations. However, we will do our very best to honor your tour itinerary and schedule accordingly.

Please note that when transactions are declined, we do not receive any information in this regard, so do not expect your reservation to be in place unless you received written confirmation. Please contact us asap, but do not expect us to honor your tour without an email confirmation and tour voucher from us.

If your booking was declined by your own bank, this is often due to a mismatch between your bank information (such as the names on the credit card, zip/postal code or billing address) compared to the bank information you provided on our website when placed your order. Sometimes, transactions are declined due to insufficient funds as well. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until your new transaction is approved by your own bank. We apologize for the inconvenience, but your own bank did so to prevent fraud and protect your credit card information or due one of the above factors.

Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility issues: We sincerely apologize, but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is no room for a wheelchair in our vehicles, unless it is a very small and foldable wheelchair. However, the main concern is customers’ safety and ability to get it in and out of the vehicles, in addition to liability considerations.

Our 1-day tour lasts 12 hours, door-to-door, but a 4 to 5-hour drive each way may be necessary, based on weather and traffic conditions. When children, seniors, and wheelchairs are part of the tour, this will slow down the trip, and requires overtime. Your credit will be charged for each additional hour added to the tour after 12 hours: $179 per hour for van tours, and $129 per hour for SUV tours, but can be discounted when paying in cash.

Pets:  Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for those who have allergies to pets.

Smoking:  Our vehicles are also non-smoking.

Clothing:  Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads and hiking trails, so have comfortable waterproof hiking shoes to walk on the snow in winter and spring. This long day-tour is hard on kids and seniors, we therefore recommend the overnight tour package.

Parks, Attractions and Site’s Closures:  We are not responsible, nor liable, for road and weather conditions. State and national parks’ closure can happen at any time and without a prior notice, due to bad road and weather considerations. No refund will be issued, regardless the reasons for which the trip may not reach its destination. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, there will be no refund or change of tour or dates offered either.

Guided tours in foreign languages: All tours in foreign languages are subject to extra fees to cover tour guides or freelancers we may hire to honor your tour in the required language.

Travel Agents:  Travel agents are liable for 20% gratuity when their customer does not tip the driver or tour guides. We require customers’ full name and contact information from all travel agent or the tour will be cancelled. Travel agent are also liable for all overtime when their clients do not pay for, and a credit card will be needed on file. Due to high cost of conducting business in California, we barely cover our business expenses and wages, therefore, all our tours are non-commissionable rates.

Gratuity:  15 to 20% gratuity is required and customary in the USA. Generally, a tip may vary between 15% to 20% of the total purchase amount, or it can be a flat amount that is near the appropriate percent. It really depends upon the situation.

– If you are subject to car or motion sickness, please consider asking your doctor for recommended medication. Some visitors underestimate this aspect and end up visiting only 50% of the tour as they suffer from this or altitude sickness and make an excessive number of stops along the way. Please consult your doctor and ensure you have the appropriate medication in advance.

– Consider leaving unnecessary luggage at your hotel and travel light so you have more room in the vehicle.

– Wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking and hiking (Snow shoes in winter are recommended, and a swimsuit to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub).

– Bring sunscreen, bug spray, extra memory cards, and batteries for your camera (if applicable).

– Warm layers for cooler weather and a raincoat for summer showers.

– Drink lots of water due to the high altitude and don’t hike alone, as we offer fully-guided tours.

– We are not responsible for injuries or accidents that may occur during this trip, in or out of Yosemite National Park. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.

-Expect rugged terrain with narrow, steep, and very curvy hiking trails to the sequoias. Also, be prepared for a downhill hike and then back uphill to the parking lot. The trail is very steep right at the beginning on the way back up but mellows out as you get closer to the parking lot. It depends on the grove your driver will choose for you, but they all require hiking. The elevation at the trail head of both top groves is about 6,200 feet (1,860 meters). The most popular is the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the distance is about 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip and takes about 1.5 – 2 hours of hiking, and recommended for everybody who can hike including kids.

-California Gold Country: When Tioga Pass road (located between Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra where a major highway leads to Tahoe) is closed due to heavy snow that may start as early as October until about June or July, we will drive through the infamous, yet legendary, California Gold Country on day 2 and day 3 of your adventure.

-Please note that we may start in Lake Tahoe first, and then head to Yosemite National Park or vice versa. This will depend on the hotels’ availability, the season, the weather and road conditions. We do not work on commission, so you are welcome to book your own hotel, but if you don’t want to deal with these details, we can take care of that on your behalf when you choose the option ‘hotel included’ from our shopping cart.

Hotel Reservation and Terms

To keep costs down, we offer a three-star hotel style in and Lake area or Lake Tahoe, based on availability. However, we may also manage to get a better hotel based on availability including casino hotels that comes with extra amenities and more things to do in and around the hotel or resort.

Yosemite Hotel Reservation:  hotels are a three-star hotel in and around Yosemite Valley area, based on availability. Please note that there are a very limited number of hotels in Yosemite, and they are often sold out 6 to 12 months in advance, so the sooner you book the better. However, we often manage to get a hotel reservation nearby Yosemite Valley, in one of the small resort or motel style hotels in the area, for reservations closer to the tour date.

If you have high-expectations regarding the hotel accommodation, and wish to upgrade, we recommend that you choose your own hotel and book it directly with the required resort or hotel as we don’t work on commission, and we do not profit from the hotel reservations- we rather focus on the tour experience to enjoy nature and Lake Tahoe/ Yosemite outdoor activities.  

Miscellaneous: Meals and tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour price unless indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation. Tour prices do not include additional fees including wine tasting, accommodations, and entry fees to see attractions and sites, winery tours, unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

-All vehicles operated by Golden Horizon Travel LLC are non-smoking according to state and federal laws.

-Golden Horizon Travel LLC reserves the right to hire independent tour guide/drivers, subcontractors and/or contractors to facilitate our tours, shuttle services and travel packages.

-In the event that we are unable to facilitate your tour due to weather and/or road conditions, we will attempt to reach each location, site and destination using alternative routes, but we are not liable nor responsible for these unforeseen weather/traffic conditions. No refunds will be available.

-All photos or videos taken by our staff of our customers or passengers, during the capacity of the tour, trip or transfer, may be included on our website. Customers hereby agree to the use of these photos and videos and under no circumstances can customers dispute.

-No substitution or refunds for any unused part of the tour(s) will be issued. All sales are final.

-No refunds will be issued for a no-show or unused portion of the tour.

-All refund and/or voided transactions paid on our website by credit or debit cards or via PayPal may take up to 2 weeks before you receive the funds (refunds) back into your account.

Our hot-air balloon rides are no guaranteed to depart and arrive back in Napa Valley and subject to last-minute cancelation for weather considerations. Golden Horizon Travel LLC reserves the right to fly anywhere within 80-mile radius of Napa Valley dependent on the weather conditions.

-We reserve the right to refuse service to any person or business who may refuse to comply with our safety instructions, our tour itinerary, or to anyone who may pose a threat to our customers and/or our tour guide-drivers. Screaming at or insulting tour guide-drivers or fellow passengers or third-party businesses and subcontractors is not acceptable under any circumstances and will terminate and cancel your tour without any refund. Discrimination against a customer or a tour guide–driver for any reason is not acceptable either under any circumstance.

Cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions: Weather/Unforeseen Circumstances like fires, landslide, road closure, vehicle breakdown, employees or driver’s medical emergency or due other weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances; we revere the right to offer you alternative tours, destinations for the same amount of time.

Modifications of these terms and conditions: Golden Horizon Travel LLC and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to change any of these terms and conditions under which this website is offered. We reserve the right to change our web contents, update our terms and privacy policy anytime and at our discretion without a prior notice. Learn more about our privacy policy and complete terms and conditions LEARN MORE

Read Some of our Latest Authentic Yosemite National Park Tour Reviews, Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes Trusted Testimonials

*****our goal is to exceed your expectations *****.

Our Bucket List Overflowed

Our Bucket List Overflowed, a wonderful day in an amazing park with the perfect tour guide!

Katheryn Kennedy - London, UK

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite Wonderland

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite Wonderland. We found this company on Trip Advisor & we were not disappointed!

The Jamesons. Sydney, Australia

The best experience ever!

A wonderful tour package in Yosemite National Park with Adam. This tour has totally exceeded expectations! The best experience ever!

Erin M. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Unforgettable & Fantastic!

Unforgettable & Fantastic! trust their reviews and believe what you read on Trip Advisor; they are consumed professionals.

Chris G., Dallas, Texas

How can you rate beauty ?

Explore nature at its best ! Yosemite is magical, unique and must be on everyone’s bucket-list. Golden Horizon Travel staff and tour guides are underrated.

Travel#mom#forver

Chicago, Illinois

Just Magnificent & Just Stunning!

Yosemite National Park and Sierra Nevada beauty exceed our expectations. This place is breathtaking but avoid the peak season and stay away from the Yosemite Valley . 5-stars to our tour guide Adam, he made this journey unforgettable. He is an expert photographer too!

M. Hachadourian. Greenwich Village, New York

Fun, informative & very professional

10 Stars! Fun, informative, flexible, indulgent, patient,& very professional guides in a warm & engaging manner.

Jarmila Sramkova. Prague, Czech Republic

Yosemite is Magical and Majestic!

Believe every good thing you read about this tour company; you will not be disappointed!

Mike and Jane - Nashville

Treated like King & Queen!

Treated like King & Queen! Breathtaking, OUTSTANDING and A MUST See!! Without any hesitation, 5 stars!

Loreena’s family Madrid, Spain

They are consummate professionals

They are consummate professionals who really care a lot for their customers' wellbeing and experience- a must do!

Rob & Marhta Baton Rouge

Unforgettable experience!

Impressive! Their Ability of organization, understanding , customizing , entertaining , educating - make them the best at what they do. What unforgettable experience with Buddy!

Natasha C Calgary, Canada

Outstanding bucket-list destination!

Outstanding tour package to Yosemite ,Mammoth Lakes , Sequoia national park & Death Valley with Adam and Jonathan . I've run out of superlatives to describe this unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience ...10 STARS + & Highly Recommended

Holly Millard- Holly Millard, IN

"Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizon!"

You won't be disappointed if you use Golden Horizon for all your tours! Top notch service!

Susan.S- McAllen, Texas

Top-Notch VIP Service!"

A 6-star experience! Their tag line is to “exceed expectations” and they certainly delivered. From the moment of making a booking to the actual tours - Superb!

Superdin0-Singapore

"OUTSTANDING"

10 Stars for Patricia & Golden Horizon: top guides & top-of-the-line luxury SUV tours

Brenna Q. Phoenixville

"Golden Horizon is Truly Golden!"

10 stars! Reliable company, responsive staff & accommodating, fun, informative, flexible, indulgent, passionate guides

Kw9196family- Thurmont, Maryland

I'm a real customer and not some PR guy writing this review!

First, I'd like to say I'm a real customer and not some PR guy writing this review. I'm writing this because I believe good service should be made aware to others who are looking for an unforgettable experience just as I was last week. To save on search time, I figured I'd write a review on my experience with golden horizon travel. I just came back from an amazing Yosemite Tour and I just have to say, our tour guide Adam was not only very knowledge but also super accommodating. When I was evaluating different tours, my priorities were to make the tour as comfortable as possible which meant I wanted a tour that was :

-small, comfortable means to accommodate my motion sickness (winding roads really mess me up)

-an SUV tour (only 3 tour companies offer SUV tours in San Francisco to Yosemite)

-see the Sequoia Trees (most tours do not offer sequoia tree viewings as part of their tours)

-a very knowledgeable and well-rounded tour guide.

-1-day tour... because we were just in town for Memorial Day weekend.

-hotel pickup. I didn't want to go around looking for a meet up point when visiting a city for the first time

- knows where their drivers are and their scheduling. I've called 3 other tour companies prior to this and learned a lot of tour companies just broker out their tours to other big tour companies. A lot of them didn't know what dates or what kind of cars we would be getting. There was another company that offered 4 door jeeps but riding those in a prior experience was beyond rough.

- was responsive to all our questions and wasn't condescending to whatever question we asked about the tour.

Well my girlfriend and I found all this with our tour guide adam not only stopped at a grocery store prior to arriving at the park to save on food for the hike (park prices are astronomical) but he also went as far as giving me the coat off his back to combat my cold and headache condition as a result of my car motion sickness on the way up. The weather conditions this memorial day weekend were rainy and despite how much we were a little bummed because it was cold and rainy, his spirits were up and still tailored on the fly which sites we still could see and better shortcuts to get there to avoid the major crowds.

By the afternoon, the crowd at Yosemite was insane and the 2 lane roads were all backed up in most cases, but Adam always seemed to know where to turn to avoid it. I was particularly impressed that he knew how to combat the areas where there was construction going on and how to get out of a backed-up situation so quickly to get to where we're going instead of wasting time waiting in traffic. We got to see Bridal Falls, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and a bunch of other places which I don't remember names of. now that I'm home and thoroughly exhausted from the tour ( which was just 2 days ago), my girlfriend and I were very happy we went and would more than likely book the tour again when we make it back to Yosemite. This time around it will probably be more than one day. Not knowing how many places there are to visit and hike in Yosemite...one day just isn't enough and there is something to be said about having a tour guide to show you around the in's and outs and knowing the key places to see most tours don't cover is a definite bonus especially for first timers like us.

I hope this helps others in their search for a tour.

Phillip Kuo

Houston, Texas A

“Alcatraz, Lake Tahoe & Yosemite tour experience from San Francisco!”

What an amazing trip around the entire Lake Tahoe after a 2-hour tour of Alcatraz Island and 4 hours’ drive from San Francisco. I know this is not the ordinary combo tour, but we booked the overnight trip package to South Lake Tahoe combined with a tour package of Yosemite National park, so we can squeeze in the tour of Alcatraz as well, since my kids wanted to see it so badly. My wife, mother in law and my kids loved the snowmobile guided adventure with Alex in Lake Tahoe high country. We enjoyed a thrilling ride throughout Tahoe forest and heavy snow. The stops and vistas along the way were breathtaking, what a peaceful and wonderful destination. Our custom adventure of Yosemite national park sights and attractions was the best trip ever! Go to Yosemite either before Traveling during the off-peak season was the prefect deal for my family, the parks we visited were less crowded; we got cheaper flights, and better hotels in Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.

Amazing travel package to Lake Tahoe combined with Yosemite National Park

We booked a tour package to Lake Tahoe combined with a trip to Yosemite National Park, starting in Napa Valley and ending in San Francisco. On day one, Adam came to pick us up at San Francisco International Airport and dropped us off at our hotel in downtown Napa Valley (Andaz Napa by the Hyatt). The next day, we had a private tour of Napa Valley with Adam, where we visited small wineries, including some castle wineries, and had lunch at the Auberge Du Soleil restaurant in Napa. We had a fantastic day in Napa Valley wine country.

On day 3, our tour guide Jonathan picked us up at our hotel in Napa Valley and drove us to Lake Tahoe. Jon was very friendly, informative and highly knowledgeable. We enjoyed the stops he made for us in the Gold Country and in Lake Tahoe, where we had a custom sightseeing tour around the lake. We loved the stop and walking tour to Emerald Bay state park.

This journey in the Sierra exceeded our expectations- what a marvelous place! Our hotel accommodation was in a casino resort style hotel in South Lake Tahoe. The resort has all the amenities and offer plenty of shows and nightlife. The rooms were large and comfortable, with views of the lake. Don’t miss out on the gorgeous sunset over Lake Tahoe.

The next day, we had ski lessons at Heavenly Ski Resort, and then had an exciting snowmobile adventure in the white snowy mountains of the Sierra Nevada. The views of Lake Tahoe from the High Country are breathtaking!

Yosemite on the other hands, is a true wonderland and a magical place. This is where we spent the last 3 days of our travel package to California. I highly recommend this tour package with Golden Horizon Travel to everyone, and specially to families with kids like ours (for spring breaks or holidays). My kids loved it, and my husband and I had a wonderful time.

Alex / Adeline Seah- Singapore

About our Lake Tahoe day trip from San Jose, California

We were a group of 7 travelers from Hong Kong on a business trip to San Jose, California. We booked this private day trip to Lake Tahoe with Golden Horizon Travel in San Francisco and San Jose, and we were not disappointed. We were so excited to play with the snow up at Heavenly Ski Resort, and the views are amazing over the lake from heavenly gondola overlook. We highly recommended this day trip to Tahoe. But if you have time, go for the overnight trip package, which is better because of the long drive from San Francisco. It took us more than 4 hours each way without traffic!

James Wang, Hong Kong

“Pure professionals and a memorable Tahoe -Yosemite combo tour experience”

One of the hardest things to do when trying to book excursions in California from overseas, is being able to trust unknown tour companies in California. After investigating many trip options in the San Francisco Bay Area, considering the costs and reading tour reviews on Trip Advisor, we chose a tour company trusted over many years. We booked two incredible and separate excursions with this travel company based upon older great reviews and friends’ recommendations. We booked the trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park, spent a night in the Yosemite Valley and then the next day we traveled to Lake Tahoe through the Tuolumne meadows - a land of wonders in every sense of the word.

We got to Lake Tahoe in the late afternoon and spent the night and extra day in Lake Tahoe south shore. The lake is picturesque and the cruise ship we took on the lake allowed us to get close to many state parks and beaches not accessible otherwise to vehicles. We highly recommended this travel agency in San Francisco, you will not be disappointed.

Naina Kwok- Jakarta- Indonesia

“Yosemite and Lake Tahoe full experience - excellent service and A 5-star private custom tour”

Our 3-day private tour to Lake Tahoe, Gold Country and Yosemite National Park was excellent and so was our guide Peter. He has immense knowledge of the Sierra and Lake Tahoe. He made stops along the way in Sacramento, Placerville, Lake Tahoe, and Reno in Nevada where we spent one night. Our 2-day trip to Tahoe and Reno were a bit short due to the driving time... but our last day in Yosemite was our favorite part of this outdoor adventure. Yosemite is a must-see place to explore with a real tour guide like our personal guide Pete. He didn’t disappoint us. We will certainly use this tour company again; a 5-star service all the way!

Nicky & BannySh. Kolkata (Calcutta), India

“Increible Vacación e innolvidable experiencia en Lake Tahoe y Reno!!”

Both our tours of Muir Woods and Point Reyes national seashores, combined with a horseback ride, were amazing and unforgettable thanks to our guide Luis. Both trips were totally customized to me and my family. The horseback ride was exciting, and Point Reyes national seashore sights are spectacular. Our adventure to Lake Tahoe and Reno, on the other hand, was a very long trip. It took us almost 5 hours to get to Reno from San Francisco. I wish I knew how far this was, but we still had a great time in both Reno and Tahoe. The next day, after the tour, we were dropped off at Sacramento Airport. Thank you, Nellie, for your help and patience during our booking process. You guys rock.

Gabriela & Oscar Reyes, Lima, Peru

Original review poste don trip advisor in Spanish:

“Increíble Vacaciones e inolvidable experiencia en Lago Tahoe y Reno! Los dos tours que reservamos con esta empresa fueron el combo Parque de Muir Woods y Reserva de Point Reyes con un paseo a caballo fue maravillo e inolvidable gracias a nuestro guía Luis. Ambas excursiones fueron personalizadas para nosotros. Mi hijo de 13 años le encantó. La cabalgata fue divertida y la reserva de Point Reyes fue espectacular.

Por otro lado, nuestra aventura para visitar Lago Tahoe y Reno fue un día largo, nos tomó 5 horas en llegar a Reno saliendo desde San Francisco, que lástima que no teníamos más días para quedarnos más tiempo, pero definitivamente la pasamos genial tanto en Reno como en Tahoe. Al día siguiente volamos a casa desde el aeropuerto de Sacramento. Muchas gracias, Nellie por toda tu ayuda y tu paciencia durante nuestro proceso de reserva. Chicos son lo máximo...! muchas gracias!

Gabriela & Oscar Reyes, Lima, Perú

“Lake Tahoe sights and attractions are stunning and spectacular!”

Lake Tahoe is the best of the West Coast of both Nevada and California sides. Even if you’re not a fan of the outdoors activities, Lake Tahoe is well worth the long drive from San Francisco. This is must-see destination with remarkable places to please everyone. Tahoe is such a special place; I recommend it to everybody who likes nature. We also booked Yosemite day trip with tour company, was a very long day trip but worth it.

Martha Frierrs and Family, Alabama

"Lake Tahoe and Yosemite: must-see places when visiting California"

Lake Tahoe region is one of the must-see places in California with an array of activities for both summer and winter. We loved it, and our kids already want to go back there. They took ski lessons and fell in love with Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe area. We would like to visit Tahoe in the summer as well, as I am sure it will look great; all green after the snow season. Don’t miss out on Emerald Bay during your stay - it’s beautiful. We can check that off our bucket list now-awesome):-

Jimmy & family -Belize

“Tahoe is a wonderful place and Yosemite is bucket-list destination”

We spent too much time in Southern California (in Los Angeles) during our last trip to California. But San Francisco Bay Area is way better and has so much to offer visitors. We did a half-day sightseeing tour of the city in Spanish, and then we head east to Lake Tahoe. The Lake is pristine, wonderful and so clean, the air was fresh and pure with magnificent surroundings. The hotel, booked for us by the company, was clean and well-located close to major attractions.

Our tour guide, Guillermo, was awesome - a very friendly and funny guy. Try to avoid school holidays as some places were a bit crowded, but there is no traffic once you get to the lake. As for trip to Yosemite, this was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and a unique experience, you got to visit Yosemite and see it with your own eyes.

Lucia & Rogelio Mérida-Mexico

"Epic family rafting adventure on the American River combined with Lake Tahoe!"

My family and I signed up for this Lake Tahoe and Whitewater Rafting combo adventure. We started off with the rafting experience, which offered incredible thrill rides on the south fork of the American River. We got a bit scared at some of the rapids, but we managed and had a blast. That was the highlight our 2-day tour package with Golden Horizon Travel They provided us with lots of info beforehand and all necessary equipment required for the trip, so we felt properly prepared and safe for the rafting adventure. The rapids are exciting, challenging and thrilling, and our guide was competent and fun. The Lake Tahoe guided tour was fun, and the alpine vistas are stunning. Overall, an exciting family adventure, with lots of fun, and the best trip so far with our kids.

Alice & Ian Rich, Calgary, Canada

“Absolutely the Perfect Private tour we needed to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco”

Our tour guide-driver, Pat, was the best! She was prompt, and very knowledgeable about the areas we drove through, from the San Francisco Bay area to Lake Tahoe. A beautiful SUV too, and very comfortable! I was nervous at first to book, as it was a little pricey, but it is well worth every single penny!! Trust me. We would definitely use this tour company in our future visits to San Francisco and Yosemite! Tahoe was another beautiful place we would have missed. My kids loved tubbing and sledding in Lake Tahoe meadows. Thank you, guys and good job!!

Gina W. Johnson. Wausau, Wisconsin

An authentic and outstanding Lake Tahoe and Yosemite adventure

From the moment we contacted Golden Horizon Travel via their live chat online, to the tour itself, the booking process and the high level of customer services and dedicated attention, everything went just perfect. They are true professionals and pay a lot of attention to detail. They responded promptly to all of our inquiries and questions, even late at night. As for the tour package, private tours and hikes we took with our passionate and fun tour guide Adam, we enjoyed every single minute of it in the High Sierra Nevada wilderness. Yosemite National Park is a magical place with unique biology and geology. We even had a close-up encounter with a bear by the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove. While Taft point and Glacier point are a must-see, don’t miss out on Tioga road through the Tuolumne Meadows area. We stopped at the Mono lake visitor center on the way to Lake Tahoe, and that was quite interesting with all these so-called tufa towers in the middle of the lake. Lake Tahoe is another wonderland of the Sierra, with a wide array of outdoor attractions. We were a bit tired, but luckily the 4x4 SUV allowed us to gain access to places where large vehicles are not allowed, so this saved us a lot of hiking. Highly recommended

Julius Ramesh Goodwood Park, Trinidad

Dream vacation to California top attractions: Tahoe, Yosemite, Sierra and Mammoth Lakes

My wife and I want you to know how much we enjoyed our time with you and how much we regret the distance that separates us. Adam was so welcoming and so generous in carrying oBook This Toun with our trip when the two American ladies withdrew at the last moment. Adam's passion for Yosemite and his educated and deeply-researched knowledge of the area, its geography, geology, trees and animals gave us insights, views and opportunities that made us feel less like tourists and more like students Most of all, we loved travelling with your company. We hope that both enjoyed the outing as much as we did. I started out thinking that Adam had taken us to "photographers' Heaven" but with so many subjects and such vast scenery to photograph and my cameras being so inadequate, it was frustrating not to have the skills and equipment to capture the beauty and scale of Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes and Tahoe. However, even better than photos are the vivid memories that we have brought home with us from the wonderful times we had in Lake Tahoe, Eastern Sierra and Yosemite National Park. I have some photos to send to you when I have finished editing and sorting. We thought that San Francisco was a great city and would love to return. We will return soon to go to Big Sur and Hearst Castle, or to the redwood national park area, and hope to visit this amazing place with your guide. Thank you for your company and kindness. If you ever have a chance to travel to Australia, please let us know so that we can attempt to return some of your hospitality. We hope that we can meet again. In the meantime, we are telling all our friends not to visit California without booking a trip with Golden Horizon Travel.

Yours sincerely Bob and Faith Australia

Our day trips to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe from Silicon Valley

We booked the day trip to Lake Tahoe from Palo Alto in Silicon Valley while visiting the area for business purposes, my son and I had a fantastic time with our Japanese tour guide Hiro in south lake Tahoe. We also booked a sperate day trip to Yosemite Valley, that was a long day drive from san Francisco bay area, but we had lot of fun in Yosemite Valley.

Awesome ski trip to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco

While visiting friends of mine in San Francisco, we decided to book this one-day trip to Tahoe with golden horizon tours, and we were not disappointed. Our tour guide Adam picked up the prefect ski resort for us; Squaw Valley (the Olympic Valley) and Alpine Meadows, they are now one ski resort with massive and beautiful terrain, quality snow, and friendly staff. This is our favorite place in lake Tahoe for skiing. As soon as we got off the Squaw Valley Aerial Tram (cable car), we fell in love with mastic and panoramic views of Lake Tahoe from this stunning overlook. From easy slopes to challenging bowls, there's something for the entire family, this is an awesome place for young and the elders even without skiing. Our driver Adam is also an expert skier which made it more fun as he knows very well both ski resorts (Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows).

Juan Sandoval and friends Santiago, Chile

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Authentic reviews from trip advisor.

Authentic Alcatraz and San Francisco Tour Reviews

Lake Tahoe & Yosemite tour experience

What an amazing trip around Lake Tahoe after a 3-day custom adventure of Yosemite national park sights and attractions - a wonderful destination.

Lake Tahoe is stunning & spectacular!!

Even if you’re not a fan of outdoors activities, Tahoe worth the long drive from San Francisco. This is a must-see destination with remarkable attractions.

Martha Frierrs, Alabama

Tahoe & Yosemite; must-see destinations in California

Tahoe is a must-see place & Yosemite is the crown jewel of California, they offer amazing outdoor activities for families with kids

Jimmy & family, Belize

A 5-star Yosemite & Tahoe experience

Our 3-day private tour package to Lake Tahoe wonders, Gold Country & Yosemite National Park top attractions was excellent, exciting & memorable!

Nicky & Bannysh. Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Tahoe is a bucket-list vacation destination

The Lake is pristine, wonderful, so clean, the air is so fresh & pure with magnificent surroundings, what an awesome paradise on earth?

Lucia & Rogelio Mérida, Mexico

Our Incredible experience in Lake Tahoe and Reno

Our adventure to Lake Tahoe and Reno from San Francisco was amazing and unforgettable thanks to Golden Horizon Travel attentive staff, and tour guide.

Gabriela & Oscar Reyes, Lima, Peru

Dream vacation to Tahoe, Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes

My wife and I want you to know how much we enjoyed our time in Tahoe & Yosemite, we loved travelling with your company

Bob and Faith, Australia

A memorable Tahoe -Yosemite combo tour experience

Trust their tour reviews on trip advisor 100%, they earned our satisfaction, they have a great customer service and amazing tour guides.

Naina Kwok- Jakarta, Indonesia

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Tours & Attractions

Discover Lake Tahoe Tours & Bus Rental

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Discover Lake Tahoe Tours & Transportation. We offer scenic tours of Lake Tahoe and beyond. (please refer to our current tour schedule listed on the website, www.demotours.com )

Click to Book for Tuesday Around the Lake Tour This is a narrated tour of the entire Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley – Site of 1960 Olympics. The tour is very informative and interactive. Besides our standard photo stops, tour includes a 1 ½ hour stop at The Tahoe City Mall where you can check out local merchandise and have lunch at one of the Restaurants or Sandwich shops ( Not Included ). During this tour, a series of photo stops will be made starting with the Emerald Bay, Truckee River Dam, Squaw Valley and gorgeous East Shore. Park your car, bring your camera, relax, learn and enjoy

Click to Book for Thursdays – Tour to Virginia City. (Mid-April through end of May and in November) Step back in time on this narrated tour following the Pony Express Trail through Genoa ( Nevada’s oldest settlement ), CARSON CITY and America’s largest historic landmark Virginia City – the Comstock Lode. Place, where Mark Twain roamed the streets and everybody wanted a piece of the “Richest Place on Earth.” Upon arrival you’ll have 3 hours to Experience this rich and colorful history by visiting our many museums Shops, mansions, go to a real mine and have lunch at the famous Delta Saloon Est. 1875 (Not included).

Click to Book for Thursdays – Tour to Yosemite This breathtaking adventure provides an unforgettable experience to savor the vast array stunning features of the High Sierra made famous by the likes of John Muir and Ansel Adams. This exclusive tour includes a full day of sightseeing by a Yosemite expert. You’ll make memories of a lifetime traveling from the Glacial peaks to Yosemite Valley “the incomparable valley. Tour includes private tour of park with multiple photo stops, picnic lunch with a variety of foods and beverages, walks to Bridalveil and or Yosemite Falls & more. *Itinerary subject to change due to Park conditions and regulations. Passengers must have ability to frequently enter/exit the bus and walk short distances.

Click to Book for Thursdays – Wild West Day Trip from Lake Tahoe with Train Ride (June through October) Step back in time on this narrated tour following the Pony Express Trail through Genoa ( Nevada’s oldest settlement ), CARSON CITY and America’s largest historic landmark Virginia City – the Comstock Lode. Place, where Mark Twain roamed the streets and everybody wanted a piece of the “Richest Place on Earth.” Upon arrival you’ll have 3 hours to Experience this rich and colorful history by visiting our many museums Shops, mansions, go to a real mine and have lunch at the famous Delta Saloon Est. 1875 (Not included). Tour includes a 7 mile train ride on a historic V&T railroad

Tours depart from the selected hotels at South Shore Lake Tahoe.

We also offer shuttle bus transfers for any occasion: Weddings – Restaurant transfers – Airport transfers – Corporate Events.

Our fleet consists of 3 luxury 28 passenger mini coaches.

Discover Lake Tahoe’s sightseeing tours and bus charters include local, regional, and statewide destinations, and is the only tour company ever to offer tours to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park from Lake Tahoe. We also offer bus charters/rentals for all occasions, such as weddings, corporate events, airport transfers, and private tours. Scenic bus tours are now only offered from mid-April to December. In the winter, we are the ski shuttle provider to Northstar and Kirkwood ski resorts.

Our fleet consists of the most modern, state of the art shuttle buses on the market equipped with flat screen TV, DVD player, AC, air ride suspension, reclining seats and more.

David Walley's Hot Springs Resort & Spa

Eagle Point Fishing Charters

1164 Lone Indian Trail, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

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Make planning easy with this guide to all the must-see vistas, must-eat dishes and must-experience attractions.

TAHOE CONVOY

Bay Area ↔︎ Lake Tahoe Luxury Weekend Shuttle

TAHOE CONVOY

Bay area ↔︎ lake tahoe luxury weekend shuttle.

TAHOE CONVOY – the luxury weekend shuttle connecting the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley to North Lake Tahoe

Serving Truckee, Palisades (Squaw Valley), Tahoe City, Tahoe Vista, Incline Village, Northstar – and everywhere in between

Unlike same-day ski buses, Tahoe Convoy travels eastbound on Friday night and returns westbound on Sunday night (or Monday night, during 3-day weekends). Tahoe Convoy caters to visitors with overnight accommodations.

Don't waste 8+ hours of your vacation driving in dark snowy conditions or fussing with tire chains! Let Tahoe Convoy whisk you up to the mountains on our spacious shuttle featuring reclining seats, power outlets, free drinks, a restroom, a professional driver, and plenty of storage space for all your gear and luggage. Instead of driving, s pend your time wrapping up  work, watching a movie, sipping a drink, enjoying the view, or taking a nap .

What people are saying about Tahoe Convoy

Excellent + outstanding services on times. 5 stars!

So glad we found Tahoe Convoy. Took a weekend trip with some friends. Greg is very friendly and professional. He kept us updated with departure times and let us know about any delays.

Pack a picnic dinner and a couple of beers, hop on after work, and by the time you’re done you’re getting dropped off in Squaw Valley. Super convenient.

Awesome service! Affordable, stress-free, faster way to Tahoe. Bus was comfortable and spacious. It's so nice to be able to recline the seats, stand up, and use the bathroom. Outlets in each row are a plus. We'll definitely use the service for future Tahoe trips.

Tahoe convoy was awesome! It's the only ski bus that does full weekend trips, so it's a great option if you don't want to do day trips. The pickup / drop off was super convenient and flexible based on where you want to go. The bus is pretty nice, and has free water/beer/snacks and bathrooms, which means its basically a nonstop trip  to Tahoe. Would definitely book again!

Chillest way to get to Tahoe. Read a book, watch a movie, drink a beer and/or sleep.

Tahoe Convoy is a great alternative to driving or flying to Tahoe for the weekend!  You can track the bus to see when it is arriving at your stop and the bus itself is super comfortable with outlets at each seat. It is also a good way to keep cars off the road and help the environment.

I'm too young to drive. Thanks to Tahoe Convoy, I can get to my friend's house in the mountains

Riding  Tahoe Convoy  is a great way you can help  Keep Tahoe Blue !

"We need to find people better ways to get to and around Lake Tahoe without having to be stuck in cars. We think a service like Tahoe Convoy can be part of the solution, so we encourage visitors to give it a try and  tell us about their experience ."

Jesse Patterson, Deputy Director 

League to Save Lake Tahoe   Press Release

Tahoe Convoy in the News

One company wants to use luxury tech buses to shuttle people to Tahoe on the weekend

       SFGate

Luxury shuttle service from Bay Area to Lake Tahoe to make maiden voyage

       Tahoe Daily Tribune

New luxury bus between Lake Tahoe and Bay Area hopes to ease traffic issues

       South Tahoe Now

Tahoe Convoy now serving all North Lake Tahoe communities

From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe: 4 Best Ways to Get There

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated May 11, 2023

Within as little as three or four hours of travel time from San Francisco , a pristine alpine environment awaits in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Tahoe merits the journey. Magnificent snowcapped peaks and aromatic pine trees surround a glimmering expanse of deep-blue waters. The breathtaking scenery and recreational activities, such as spring wildflower hikes, summer boating, and winter skiing, attract visitors year-round.

When deciding how to get to Lake Tahoe, remember that the best choice for you depends on your travel preferences and the seasonal road conditions. For instance, if you're unfamiliar with highway driving in California or you're apprehensive about getting caught in a snow flurry, you may want to opt for a train or bus ride. However, the trade-off is that public transportation takes much longer and limits where you can go in Lake Tahoe.

Start planning your trip from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe with our list of transportation options. We recommend four of the best ways to get to Lake Tahoe, along with the considerations to keep in mind with each option.

On This Page:

• From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Car
• From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Bus
• From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Train
• From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Plane

1. From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Car

Highlights: Allows you to stop along the way at key attractions and enjoy the sights

In terms of convenience, driving is the best way to get to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco. You can simply rev up your engine and go, without worrying about public transportation schedules and connections.

Also, driving allows you to break up the journey. Sacramento is a good stopping point. The city has many restaurants, shops, and hotels that appeal to travelers.

Once you get to Tahoe, you'll appreciate having a car to explore the area since some attractions are an hour's drive apart, and it takes at least three hours to drive around the entire shoreline of Lake Tahoe.

If you are renting a car in San Francisco, there are several options. Hertz offers rental cars from a location near San Francisco Airport. Budget provides rental cars from a location in downtown San Francisco.

Travel time and driving routes vary, depending on where you are going in Lake Tahoe and traffic conditions. You should expect traffic on weekends, holidays, and in the summertime. Also, on weekends during the ski season, Tahoe's world-class ski resorts draw crowds that can add to road congestion, plus winter storms often slow down traffic or cause road closures.

If you are driving from San Francisco to North Lake Tahoe , you will take Highway I-80 East . Favorite towns in North Lake Tahoe include Truckee (187 miles away), Tahoe City (199 miles away), and Kings Beach (200 miles away).

The drive from San Francisco to Truckee takes about four hours (slightly longer to reach Tahoe City and Kings Beach) with minimal traffic. Without any traffic, it's possible to arrive at Truckee in just over three hours.

Going to most destinations in South Lake Tahoe from San Francisco, you can start out on Highway I-80 East and then connect with US-50 East .

Top attractions of South Lake Tahoe are Emerald Bay (195 miles away) and just 188 miles away Camp Richardson , a historic resort and marina with lodging and camping options. Driving to Emerald Bay usually takes around four hours, but can be as quick as 3.5 hours with no traffic. The drive to Camp Richardson Resort takes slightly less time.

During the snow season, North Lake Tahoe attracts many visitors to several of California's top-rated ski resorts : Northstar (195 miles away), Squaw Valley (just a mile farther than Northstar), and Alpine Meadows (199 miles away).

South Lake Tahoe also boasts some of Lake Tahoe's best ski resorts : Sierra-at-Tahoe (176 miles away), Kirkwood Mountain Resort (185 miles away) with many advanced runs, and Heavenly (190 miles away), which is well worth the journey to experience its expansive ski terrain and gorgeous lake views.

Be prepared during the snow season . From November through April or May, there is always a chance that a snow storm will affect the road conditions. You either need a car with special snow tires, or chains to put on your tires, if it is snowing while you are driving. During snow storms, local service personnel provide assistance with chains (for a fee) at certain points along Tahoe roads.

2. From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Bus

Highlights: Budget-conscious, stress-free travel for skiing or sightseeing adventures

To enjoy a stress-free skiing excursion to Lake Tahoe, take a tip from the locals and hop on a ski bus. Several companies make it possible to go on a skiing day trip by bus. These services cater to San Francisco residents who go up to Tahoe frequently for weekend ski days.

Ski Bus Trips:

• Sourced Adventures shuttles skiers to two popular Tahoe ski areas: Boreal Mountain , and the easiest to access resort from San Francisco, Sugar Bowl . The Sourced Adventures ski bus trips include a convenient pickup location and round-trip transportation along with the option to add a lift ticket or ski lesson.
• Another option is the Sports Basement ski bus from San Francisco to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows , which runs every Saturday and Sunday of the ski season. There is also a Sports Basement ski bus that goes from San Francisco to Northstar every Saturday.

What if you simply want to take the bus to visit Lake Tahoe? The only option is to take a Greyhound bus trip from San Francisco to Truckee , which is about a six-hour ride. Greyhound is an excellent, budget-friendly choice if you don't mind relying on public transportation to get around Lake Tahoe (which can be time-consuming and limits your flexibility).

For those who prefer to take public transportation, Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit provides free bus service to Tahoe's North Shore attractions, including Tahoe Vista, Sand Harbor, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Crystal Bay, and Reno. Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit also goes to several North Lake Tahoe ski resorts: Squaw Valley, Northstar, and Homewood.

3. From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Train

Highlights: Slower-paced and economical service

Train travel to Lake Tahoe area is limited. You can take the train from San Francisco to Truckee , but this option takes some patience because you must coordinate connections on two different train systems.

Here's how to travel from San Francisco to Truckee by train: First, go to any BART station in San Francisco and get a ticket with enough value to go to the Richmond station. If you don't already have a BART ticket or Clipper card, use one of the station's vending machines to purchase a ticket (the fare is about $11 round-trip from San Francisco to Richmond).

Take the BART train from San Francisco to the Richmond station , the last stop on the " Richmond line ". (If you do not choose a "Richmond line" BART train from San Francisco, then you must transfer to a "Richmond line" train at the 19th Street/Oakland station). A direct BART train ride from San Francisco to Richmond takes about 35 minutes. The ride takes a bit longer (around 45 minutes) if you have to change trains at 19th Street/Oakland station.

Next take the Amtrak train from Richmond to Truckee on the " California Zephyr " train. To find the Amtrak train, you must exit the BART train at the Richmond station and walk over to the adjoining Amtrak train station (a few steps away). At the Richmond Amtrak station, purchase a ticket for the California Zephyr train to Truckee. The train ride from Richmond to Truckee takes 5 hours and 15 minutes.

One you're in Truckee, you can rely on the Truckee Area Regional Transit bus service. This free bus service provides transportation to the main attractions of North Lake Tahoe.

4. From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe by Plane

Highlights: Speedy arrival with frequent non-stop flights

The quickest way to travel to the Lake Tahoe area is by plane, however commercial flights only go to Reno (about 40 miles away from Lake Tahoe proper). United Airlines operates several non-stop flights from SFO to Reno every day. The flight takes just over one hour.

From Reno, the best option is to rent a car at the airport. The drive from Reno to Incline Village (the closest destination at Lake Tahoe) takes about 45 minutes. The public transportation system in Reno is not well designed for tourists.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Planning Your Trip to Lake Tahoe : To get the most out of your vacation, read about Lake Tahoe attractions before you go and organize your itinerary. The South Lake Tahoe area has some of Tahoe's best hiking trails for nature lovers of all fitness levels. If you're going skiing, pick one of the Tahoe ski resorts that suits your preferences whether you're seeking gentle slopes or sensational lake views.

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe : If you will be staying overnight, check out where to stay in Lake Tahoe and reserve your accommodation in advance. Booking ahead is particularly important if you plan to visit during a busy time, such as summer or ski season. For those who prefer to pitch a tent among the pine trees and snooze under the stars, Lake Tahoe's best campgrounds provide excellent camping facilities.

More on California

How to Travel From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe By Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

By far, the majority of people who go to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco drive there, and because of Tahoe's location nestled away in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it's the only way to get directly there. You can use a train, bus, or even a plane to get relatively close to Tahoe, but you'll still need additional transportation to get to the actual lakeshore.

It's about 200 miles by car from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, depending on if you're heading to North Shore or South Shore . It takes about three and a half hours to reach either side of the lake by car. The nearest train station and bus stop are in Truckee which is 25 minutes away from the North Shore, while the nearest airport is across the border in Reno, Nevada, an hour away from the lake by car.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe?

The bus is potentially the cheapest way to get from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, but it's a long trip that requires an additional transfer. You can take the Greyhound bus to Truckee or Reno with tickets starting at $31. If your final destination is the North Shore, Truckee is a more convenient stop to get off at, while Reno is a better choice for South Shore trips. Buses depart from the Salesforce Transit Center which is in the heart of downtown San Francisco, near the Embarcadero BART station .

The journey is about six hours to Truckee and seven hours to Reno, plus an additional 30 to 60 minutes to the lake. The easiest way to get from the bus station to Tahoe is to use an app like Uber or Lyft, although this can drastically raise the price, especially if you're traveling alone. If you're heading to one of the ski resorts , they sometimes provide shuttles to pick up passengers. Check with your hotel to see what they offer before you board the bus.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe?

Even though the flight is only an hour, all of the additional time to get to and from the airport, pass through security, and wait at your gate means the total travel time is actually much longer, and therefore driving is still the fastest way to get to Lake Tahoe. Using your own vehicle, you can get to either side of the lake in just over three hours—when there's no traffic. The final stretch is a winding highway through the mountains that quickly gets congested on long weekends and summer holidays or closes down completely if the weather is too harsh, so check road conditions before heading out.

If you're driving to the North Shore, you'll take I-80 across the Bay Bridge and all the way to Truckee, which is a short distance from the lakeshore. If you're heading to South Shore, take I-80 to Sacramento and then switch over to Highway 50, which will take you directly to the city of Stateline on the California/Nevada border.

Winter storms can dump massive amounts of snow on the roads leading to Lake Tahoe. Snow can sometimes start in early November and happen as late as May. If you're going to Lake Tahoe in the winter, you need to be prepared to drive in the snow, even if the sky is as bright as a midsummer day when you start out.

How Long Is the Flight?

The nearest "large" airport is in Reno, which is actually called Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and San Francisco is one of the cities with direct flights to the Biggest Little City in the World. The flight time is only an hour and tickets start at about $80 for a one-way flight, although they jump up significantly in price during winter holidays and three-day weekends.

Once you get to Reno, it's about an hour to either North Shore or South Shore. Because it's the closest airport to Tahoe, shuttles are waiting at the terminal to bring passengers to their final destinations. Many of the resorts even provide guests with complimentary transportation to and from the airport, so see if your hotel offers that amenity.

How Long Is the Train Ride?

The once-a-day Amtrak Zephyr train departs every morning from Emeryville and works its way across the country, passing through Truckee and Reno as it continues on to Chicago. The train is a bit faster than the bus, taking five and a half hours to Truckee or six and a half hours to Reno. It's also a bit more expensive, with tickets starting at $55. Just as with the bus, get off at Truckee if your final destination is North Shore and Reno if you're heading to South Shore; you'll then need to arrange additional transportation from there.

In addition to transportation from the station, you also need to get to the station, since no trains depart from San Francisco proper. The Emeryville Amtrak Station is right across the Bay next to Berkeley, and the easiest way to get there is to use a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft directly from San Francisco, or take BART to MacArthur Station and take a short taxi ride from there.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Lake Tahoe?

Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination, and every season offers something unique to enjoy. It's perhaps best-known for winter sports, and ski season in Tahoe can last from November until May. In the summer, the lakeshore fills up with families and groups of friends laying out, barbequing, and swimming in the alpine water.

If you're driving, be aware that Tahoe is a very popular getaway for millions of people who live around Northern California, Nevada, and Oregon, and the highways quickly become congested during long weekends or other holidays. Go during the middle of the week to avoid traffic jams and also get the best deals on accommodations and ski packages.

What's the Most Scenic Route to Lake Tahoe?

Regardless of how you enter Lake Tahoe, it's a scenic trip with incredible sights and breathtaking views. However, there a few ways to get the most out of your journey. One way is to take the train, as the Amtrak stretch from the Bay Area to Reno is considered one of the most stunning rail routes in the entire country and well worth the extra cost as opposed to the bus.

If you're driving, there are a few different routes you can choose from depending on what you want to see and how much time you have. Most drivers use I-80 or Highway 50 to get to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco, and either of them will provide lots of excellent views. But if you're interested in maximizing the picturesqueness of your drive, try one of the more scenic options.

• Start Off the Scenic Way:  No matter what route you take after you get out of San Francisco, start off the scenic way. When you leave San Francisco, ignore your GPS or navigation for a while—it might know the shortest route, but what it doesn't know is where to find the best scenery along the way. Instead of starting on I-80 and crossing the Bay Bridge, use the no-tolls route on northbound U.S. Highway 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge , then follow CA Highway 37 across  Sonoma and Napa wine country to get to I-80 near Vallejo.
• Take a Scenic Detour From I-80:  If you are traveling toward Tahoe on I-80, you can take a short detour through California Gold Country . Exit I-80 at Auburn and take CA Highway 49 through Grass Valley and Nevada City, then use CA Highway 20 to return to I-80 at Emigrant Gap.
• Drive Highway 88 Over the Carson Pass:  The scenic route that many Bay Area residents recommend most often will take an hour or two longer than driving on the main highways. To start this route, follow the directions above for getting out of San Francisco the scenic way. At Fairfield, exit I-80 onto CA Highway 12, traveling through Rio Vista. Stay on Highway 12 to CA Highway 89 and follow it over the mountains and Carson Pass, then on to Lake Tahoe.
• Head to Highway 4 for the Most Scenic and Slowest Trip:  Possibly the most scenic of all the routes to Lake Tahoe, this is also the slowest, and the roads can be narrow and steep. To reach it, drive east from San Francisco to Walnut Creek. From Walnut Creek, follow CA Highway 4 all the way to the lake, going through Concord, Antioch, and the Sacramento River Delta. Continue through Stockton, Angels Camp, and Murphys, then transfer to CA Highway 89 North through Markleeville. From there, consult your GPS or map to choose your route depending on what part of the lake you are going to.

Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport?

If you arrive at the Reno-Tahoe Airport, you'll need to arrange your own accommodation to get to Tahoe. Taking a shuttle from the airport is the easiest way, and some resorts even provide a free shuttle for guests. If your hotel or accommodations don't come with transportation, look into North Lake Tahoe Express or South Tahoe Airporter for paid shuttle services.

What Is There to Do in Lake Tahoe?

Winter sports fans, beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and gambling aficionados can all find something to love about Lake Tahoe, and many of the activities depend on what time of year you're visiting. Throughout winter and spring, alpine sports reign supreme , and the various ski resorts on both sides of the lake are open for skiers and snowboarders. As the weather warms up, the beaches fill with sunbathers, kayakers, and those brave enough to take a dip in the frigid water. The city of Stateline on the South Shore straddles the border of California and Nevada, and the Nevada side feels like a scaled-down version of the Las Vegas Strip with the area's best casinos , restaurants , and nightclubs .

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

How to Get to (and Around) Lake Tahoe

13 Top Things to Do at Lake Tahoe

The Best Restaurants in Lake Tahoe

How to Travel from Sacramento to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Get to California Wine Country

How to Travel from San Francisco to Napa Valley by Car, Bus, and Ferry

The 8 Most Adventurous Things to Do in Tahoe

How to Travel From Montreal to Quebec City by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel From Chicago to Las Vegas by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Touring the Lake Tahoe Basin

How to Travel From New York City to Woodbury Commons by Train, Bus, and Car

The Best Camping Spots at Lake Tahoe

How to Travel from Washington, DC to New York City by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Lake Tahoe Guide: What to Do and How to Get There

Your Trip to Lake Tahoe: The Complete Guide

• Airport group transfers
• Corporate Events transportation
• Restaurant shuttle
• Lake Tahoe Ski Shuttle
• South Lake Tahoe Wedding Shuttle
• Yosemite Grand Adventure
• Tour to Virginia City with Train Ride
• Wine and Harvest tour – not bookable
• Tour Around Lake Tahoe
• Tour to Virginia City / Carson City
• Tour to San Francisco – This tour has been discontinued
• Ski Resort Bus Charters
• Tahoe Guide
• Lake Tahoe’s premier tour and bus charter company

Welcome to Discover Lake Tahoe – Sightseeing Tours and Private Charters

To  print our seasonal tour program, refer to the Printable schedules on this page.

Discover Lake Tahoe is a locally owned tour / charter shuttle bus  company serving Lake Tahoe and the Sierra as well as northern California and Nevada. We specialize in sightseeing tours  ( weekly program ) for individuals or smaller groups and private charters which work best for groups of ten to eighty. Discover Lake Tahoe is dedicated to getting your group to its destination safely, comfortably and on time.

      E mail   [email protected]

• Reservations/Contact
• Tour to San Francisco – This tour has been discontinued
• Wine and Harvest tour – not bookable

Printable Schedules

• Book Activities

• Lake Tahoe Activity Guide
• Restaurants & Food
• Happy Hours & Bars
• Hotels & Camping

San Francisco To Lake Tahoe: Two Dreamy Road Trip Routes

We’re excited for you. Road tripping from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco or vice-versa is a fun trip, and there’s tons to see in the area. If you go direct, you can be from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe in just over three hours. We love that for sprint missions and weekend getaways, but if you want to really get into the goods, you can sprinkle your route with fun California destinations.

( Also, keep in mind —the drive times listed here are without traffic or stops. We suggest splitting up the drive over a few days’ time and staying in a destination or two along the way.)

San Francisco to Tahoe City | Stops in Tomales Bay, Napa, Sacramento & Truckee | 6 hours

California is a very special place, and a lot of what makes it so fits right here into this little San Francisco to Lake Tahoe road trip route. You get a taste of the rugged north coast, the world-renowned Napa Valley, the agricultural heartland and of course, the gem of it all—gorgeous Lake Tahoe.

In other words, this is one of our favorite California road trips, period.

San Francisco: The Embarcadero

It all begins in San Francisco, where you’ll weave through the northern end of the city. Enjoy this side of the bay with a crab sandwich at Fisherman’s Wharf and a tour of Alcatraz . Cruise past Crissy Field , where you can relax with a six-pack of local Fort Point or 21st Amendment beer before heading north.

Looking for other things to do while in the city? Catch a Giant’s game , check out the shops in the Haight & Ashbury district, embark on an afternoon sail through the San Francisco Bay or see it a little bit of it all on a guided e-bike tour .

Book a Sunset Sail with Adventure Cat Sailing Charters! Book a 1.5-hour sunset sail departing from Pier 39! Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and see the cityscape from the water.

Tomales Bay

When you’re done in the city, you’ll leave San Francisco behind via the Golden Gate Bridge . An hour and a half drive will get you to Point Reyes Station , a quaint coastal town positioned at the tip of Tomales Bay. Come hungry—cute cafés and open-air seafood shacks, like the famous Hog Island Oyster Company , offer fresh seafood in an idyllic setting. Top it off with a hike around the Point Reyes National Seashore .

Turn the wheels east and leave the coast behind for the ever iconic Napa Valley. Encompassed in the Napa Valley are a number of towns—Sonoma, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena—all of which offer a taste of the Napa Valley experience with world-renowned wineries, restaurants and shops.

If you’re heading into the town of Napa proper, plan an afternoon touring the downtown. Stop at any of the city’s dozens of fantastic wine bars or get a taste of all things Napa at the Oxbow Public Market . (Save a quick lunch for Gott’s !)

The area’s wineries range from central downtown locations to sprawling estates on the edge of town. Opt for a casual tour with aboard the Napa Valley Wine Trolley or enjoy the best Napa has to offer aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train .

One of California’s most underrated destinations also happens to be one of the state’s most important. Welcome to Sacramento—state capital, historic heart of the California gold rush, gateway to the Sierra Nevada mountains and agricultural home base.

Families will love the historic Old Sacramento district , where you can find the California State Railroad Museum . Couples will love the city’s wide range of local breweries and eateries with views of the American River.

You’re just two hours from Lake Tahoe now!

Tahoe’s cool little sister, when you’ve made it to Truckee you’ve basically made it to north Lake Tahoe. But before you cruise down to the lake, tour Truckee’s chic little downtown, stop in at the well-loved Dark Horse Coffee for a cup of joe, walk the Truckee River Legacy Trail or dig into some Donner Party history .

We’re honestly not opposed to you ending the route here. Truckee has tons of character, is less than 30 minutes from Tahoe City and even less than that to Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley). Plus, you can chill at the sleepier, smaller version of Lake Tahoe—Donner Lake.

North Lake Tahoe

This route drops you on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, or more specifically—Tahoe City. From there, you’ll have easy access to the west shore of the lake, Kings Beach, Incline Village or with a short drive, Reno and South Lake Tahoe.

Once you’ve made it to the Lake Tahoe area, the list of things to do and see grows! You’ll definitely want to invest some time in scoring an epic view of the lake , post up in a local vacation rental or test out one of Tahoe City’s tasty restaurants . Welcome to nirvana.

South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco | Stops in Hope Valley, Murphys, Santa Cruz & Half Moon Bay | 7 hours

For this itinerary, we’re going to start you out in South Lake Tahoe. Maybe you cruised over here from north Lake Tahoe or maybe you’ll want to take this drive plan and reverse it from San Francisco.

Either way, there’s some fun stops along the way that are worth the road trip.

Hope Valley

The first stop is just 30 minutes outside of South Lake Tahoe. In fact, Hope Valley is still considered a part of the Lake Tahoe area. (And if we’re being honest, it’s one of the best areas around Lake Tahoe.)

A sprawling valley surrounded by the Sierra Nevadas, Hope Valley is a recreation paradise. A dreamy setting for summer hikes, fly fishing and camping; winter snowshoeing, snowmobiling and backcountry skiing, it’s a must-stop locale for outdoor lovers.

If you only have a minute to spare, stop by the Wylder Hotel for a slice of pie from their general store, or a cold pint at Sorensen’s Cafe.

Sometimes, the journey is the destination. And in the drive along Highway 88, that’s partially true. After leaving Hope Valley, you’ll weave west through the mountains along a gorgeous route that’ll keep your face pressed to the window.

But, here, the destination is still the destination. Since you’ll be touching down in Murphys, the sleepy foothill town filled with quaint bed-and-breakfasts and a long list of local wineries.

Explore nearby towns for a taste of California’s gold rush history, hike through ancient redwood forests or simply enjoy the vast collection of wineries and cafés.

That’s the thing about California—a day that starts in the mountains of Lake Tahoe can end with a sunset over the sea. And no California road trip is truly complete with a visit to the coast.

Santa Cruz, although just about an hour and a half from San Francisco, is the perfect northern California beach town. With dozens of beaches, coastal hotels, epic surf, fresh seafood and unique beachside amusement park , it’s the kind of place that has something for everyone.

While you’re here, take a surf lesson at Pleasure Point , head out for a sunset sail with Chardonnay Sailing or try one of the area’s many breweries . Alternatively, cruise over to nearby Monterey for some of the most epic whale watching on the western coast!

Bring a camera! You’ll be getting up close and personal with the amazing sea life of the Monterey Bay on this 2.5-hour afternoon whale watching tour with Discovery Whale Watch!

Half Moon Bay

If you’re in a rush, the winding coastal road leading from Santa Cruz to San Francisco isn’t the quickest way, but it’s definitely the most beautiful. Highway 1 is iconic; and dotted with wild beaches and rustic farms.

On the way to Half Moon Bay, stop at Año Nuevo State Park for an up close look at an Elephant Seal breeding ground or stock up on picnic supplies at one of the local farm stands. When you get there, grab a famous cup of clam chowder at Sam’s Chowder House or take a stroll along the ever popular Coastal Trail .

San Francisco: Ocean Beach

Bet you didn’t know San Francisco was also home to a legendary stretch of beach. Get familiar with Ocean Beach as you roll in from from Half Moon Bay along Highway 1. This’ll drop you on the south/west side of San Francisco—the perfect end to a great road trip.

It’s just a few miles, but still a world away from downtown San Francisco. Now’s the time to visit local favorites like Golden Gate Park, the excellent Asian eateries of The Outer Sunset, and the cultural melting pot that is the Mission District.

You’ll also have easy access to the San Francisco airport from here if the journey is over and it’s time to catch a flight home.

San Francisco To Lake Tahoe: Direct Travel Routes

Want something a little more direct for making it to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco?

You really have two main options:

• Highway 50 – San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Cove, Nevada Beach, Emerald Bay, Heavenly & Kirkwood)
• Highway 80 – San Francisco to North Lake Tahoe (Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Homewood, Palisades/Squaw Valley & Sand Harbor)

With either, you’ll pass through Sacramento before heading to either the north or south end of the lake. The distance with both is about the same—200 miles.

San Francisco to Lake Tahoe: Travel Tips

Weather : During the ski season, be sure to check for winter storms prior to leaving. Heavy weather can lead to road closures and chain requirements, which can severely impact travel time.

Traffic: There are only a few main highways leading into Lake Tahoe. If you’re planning a trip from San Francisco, you’re guaranteed to be on one of those roads. Be aware if you’re traveling during peak drive times—namely weekends & holidays—as traffic can be insane.

Preparation : If you’re coming up in winter, be prepared! Winter driving is a different beast than dry, clear roads and you’ll want to have tire chains, 4WD, mud/snow tires or some combination of three. Packing basic supplies, like water and blankets, is smart too.

Pedal your way through the best of San Francisco on an electric bike tour with Dandyhorse SF Bike Tours! Soak in all of the must-visit sights of San Francisco in the best way possible.

We may be biased, but we think a Lake Tahoe road trip is a quintessential part of any good California experience. There’s a lot going on in this corner of the west coast, but the road from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe can show you a lot of it.

The good news? You’re bound to have the best trip no matter what path you take. Breweries and wineries; local farms and epic outdoor activities; coastal cruises and sunsets over the Sierras—it’s all just a few hours apart.

So take your time, explore hard and enjoy your visit!

• Activity Guide

[email protected]

Find cheap bus tickets from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco

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One passenger / one way

Next departures to South Lake Tahoe

Bus south lake tahoe to san francisco: trip overview, south lake tahoe to san francisco buses.

Busbud helps you find a bus from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco.

Discover how much the bus trip from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Where are the popular bus stations and stops in South Lake Tahoe and San Francisco?

4118 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA

700 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA

25 Cyril Magnin St , San Francisco, CA 94102-2812

255 Mason St,, San Francisco, CA 94102-2114

200 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94105

444 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA

Frequently asked questions for your trip South Lake Tahoe - San Francisco

How can i travel from south lake tahoe to san francisco without a car.

The best way to travel from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco is by bus. Traveling by bus offers a budget-friendly, secure, and easy way to go between the two cities. Alternatively, you can also use carpooling services.

How long does it take to get to San Francisco from South Lake Tahoe by bus?

The average travel time from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco is about 5h 50m, but you can get there in as little as 5h 30m with the quickest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 155 miles (250 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco?

The distance between the two cities is 155 miles (250 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco?

The majority of buses traveling from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco start their journey at Stateline Transit Center and wind up at Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf). These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, but you can also find other options that could better fit your plans.

What is the most affordable way to go from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco?

If you want the cheapest way to travel this route, pick the bus. $76 is the starting point for the cost-effective bus ride to San Francisco from South Lake Tahoe.

How much are the bus tickets from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco?

The average bus ticket price from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco is $76. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $76 and $76, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in San Francisco?

Once in San Francisco, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Cable Car Museum, San Francisco Cable Cars, Legion of Honor, Chinatown and Golden Gate Park.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $72 to $72 for a bus ticket from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $72 which is on 2024-05-19.

About Bus Travel

Bus travel tips.

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between South Lake Tahoe and San Francisco!

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you're bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco.

Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

Did you know that 80% of the buses in North America are equipped with WiFi and power outlets ? And 60% of bus travelers have used their electronic device on board during 2014.

Will you be returning to South Lake Tahoe by bus?

Top traveled bus routes.

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Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

Popular Buses Connecting South Lake Tahoe

Buses leaving from south lake tahoe.

• Bus from South Lake Tahoe to Reno
• Bus South Lake Tahoe - Sacramento
• South Lake Tahoe - San Francisco
• Bus from South Lake Tahoe to Cadillac
• Bus South Lake Tahoe - Kirkwood
• South Lake Tahoe - San Jose
• Bus from South Lake Tahoe to Los Angeles
• Bus South Lake Tahoe - Berkeley
• South Lake Tahoe - San Diego
• Bus from South Lake Tahoe to Las Vegas
• Bus South Lake Tahoe - Stockton
• South Lake Tahoe - Oakland
• Bus from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville
• Bus South Lake Tahoe - Santa Cruz
• South Lake Tahoe - Humansville

Buses Going to South Lake Tahoe

• Bus from Reno to South Lake Tahoe
• Bus Sacramento - South Lake Tahoe
• San Francisco - South Lake Tahoe
• Bus from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe
• Bus Placerville - South Lake Tahoe
• California - South Lake Tahoe
• Bus from Los Angeles to South Lake Tahoe
• Bus Yosemite National Park - South Lake Tahoe
• Oakland - South Lake Tahoe
• Bus from Las Vegas to South Lake Tahoe
• Bus Truckee - South Lake Tahoe
• Sparks - South Lake Tahoe
• Bus from Auburn to South Lake Tahoe
• Bus Colfax - South Lake Tahoe
• Fremont - South Lake Tahoe

Popular Buses Connecting San Francisco

Buses leaving from san francisco.

• Bus from San Francisco to Seattle
• Bus San Francisco - Richmond
• San Francisco - Los Angeles
• Bus from San Francisco to Boston
• Bus San Francisco - Santa Clara
• San Francisco - Houston
• Bus from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
• Bus San Francisco - South Lake Tahoe
• San Francisco - Sacramento
• Bus from San Francisco to Las Vegas
• Bus San Francisco - Monterey
• San Francisco - Reno
• Bus from San Francisco to San Diego
• Bus San Francisco - Santa Rosa
• San Francisco - Fresno

Buses Going to San Francisco

• Bus from Monroe to San Francisco
• Bus Los Angeles - San Francisco
• Phoenix - San Francisco
• Bus from Jackson to San Francisco
• Bus Bakersfield - San Francisco
• Pittsburgh - San Francisco
• Bus from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco
• Bus Sacramento - San Francisco
• Las Vegas - San Francisco
• Bus from San Jose to San Francisco
• Bus San Diego - San Francisco
• Reno - San Francisco
• Bus from Monterey to San Francisco
• Bus Seattle - San Francisco
• Fresno - San Francisco

Popular routes in this country

• Bus from Newark to Washington
• Bus Albany - New York
• Fort Lauderdale - Orlando
• Bus from New York to Atlantic City
• Bus Orlando - Fort Lauderdale
• New York - Buffalo
• Bus from New York to Niagara Falls
• Bus Las Vegas - Los Angeles
• Buffalo - New York
• Bus from Austin to Dallas
• Bus Washington - Newark
• Boston - Newark
• Bus from Hartford to New York
• Bus Dallas - Austin
• Seattle - Leavenworth

Popular airport transfers

• South Lake Tahoe to Reno-Tahoe International Airport
• South Lake Tahoe to Minneapolis International Airport
• South Lake Tahoe to Salt Lake City International Airport

Popular international trips

• Bus from Durban to Johannesburg
• Bus Johannesburg - Durban
• London - Toronto
• Bus from Edmonton to Calgary
• Bus Calgary - Edmonton