But with more than 25 waterfalls across the park’s 759,620 acres, it can be hard to narrow down which ones to visit on your Yosemite tour. That’s why Incredible Adventures has rounded up the top 10 waterfalls in Yosemite National Park for you to tick off your list!

As intrepid outdoors folk, we love nothing more than getting back to nature. Our Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco takes you from the city to the great outdoors, including several of the park’s landmarks. Prepare for views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and more!

For more information about our Yosemite day tour, get in touch. Incredible Adventures has been offering travelers a safe and reliable way to connect with nature since 1993. As the Greenest Tour Company in San Francisco, we’ll show you North America with a minimal eco-footprint.

So, let’s take a look at the top 10 waterfalls of Yosemite National Park and help you plan your perfect visit.

1. Visit Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. It is located in the eastern part of the park, near Yosemite Village. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, with a total height of 2,425 feet (739 meters).

The waterfall is divided into three sections: the Upper Fall, the Middle Cascade, and the Lower Fall. You can hike to the top of the waterfall for incredible views, or take a more leisurely stroll to the base of the waterfall for a closer look at its full majesty.

2. Hike to Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park

Bridalveil Fall is located in the western part of Yosemite Valley, just a short distance from Yosemite Village. The waterfall is 620 feet (189 meters) tall and is known for its delicate mist, which gives it a romantic, ethereal quality.

Take a short hike to the base of the waterfall, where you’ll feel the cool mist on your skin and enjoy the valley’s full expanse.

3. Enjoy the View at Vernal Fall, Yosemite National Park

Vernal Fall is located in the eastern part of Yosemite Valley, near the Happy Isles Trailhead. The waterfall is 317 feet (97 meters) tall and is known for its powerful flow and thundering sound.

Hike to the top of the waterfall via the Mist Trail, which offers vistas of the waterfall and the surrounding valley.

4. Explore the Bends of Nevada Fall, Yosemite National Park

Nevada Fall is located downstream from Vernal Fall, also on the Mist Trail. The waterfall is 594 feet (181 meters) tall and is known for its wide flow. You’ll find Nevada Fall below Liberty Cap, the granite dome at the west end of Little Yosemite Valley.

You’ll instantly recognize this waterfall’s ‘bent shape’, where the water falls freely for the first third of its length, roughly, to a steep slick-rock slope.

5. Experience the Lesser Known Illilouette Fall, Yosemite National Park

Illilouette Fall is located in the southern part of Yosemite Valley, near Glacier Point Road, just across from Vernal Fall. The waterfall is 370 feet (113 meters) tall and is known for its isolated location and serene beauty.

6. Welcome Spring at Ribbon Fall, Yosemite National Park

Ribbon Fall is located on the eastern side of El Capitan, one of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks. The waterfall is one of the tallest in the park, with a height of 1,612 feet (491 meters) that’s spectacular in spring.

You’ll be able to see the waterfall from various viewpoints along Tioga Road or take a longer hike to the base of the waterfall for a closer look.

7. Snap the Scenery at Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park

Horsetail Fall is located in the western part of Yosemite Valley, near El Capitan. The waterfall is 1,000 feet (305 meters) tall and is known for its stunning orange-red glow, which occurs during a few days in February when the setting sun hits the waterfall just right.

8. Discover Yosemite Creek Falls’ Beauty, Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Creek Falls is located in the northeastern part of Yosemite Valley, near Tioga Road. The waterfall is 1,430 feet (436 meters) tall and is known for its rugged beauty and powerful flow.

If you visit during the full moons of April and May, you may experience a ‘moonbow’, where the light refracts in the spray at Lower Yosemite Fall’s base to dazzling effect.

9. Retreat to Lehamite Falls, Yosemite National Park

Lehamite Falls is often overlooked compared to its park siblings. Located in the northern part of Yosemite National Park, near Tuolumne Meadows, this cascading waterfall is 1,180 feet (360 meters) tall and is known for its remote location.

10. Take a Dip in Chilnualna Falls, Yosemite National Park

Chilnualna Falls is located in the southern part of Yosemite National Park, near Wawona. This series of waterfalls totals 690 feet (210 meters) in height and is known for its pools and cascading flow.

The Chilnualna Falls Trail runs parallel to Chilnualna Creek, where you can take a dip in the gentle pools. There’s another swimming hole south of the trailhead on the South Fork of the Merced River, which is always popular with locals.

That concludes our virtual tour of these epic waterfalls. Which ones will you visit on your tour of Yosemite? Whether you’re a keen hiker or prefer a leisurely walk, or a relaxing swim, there are plenty of waterfalls to choose from.

We take in several of these landmarks on our Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco, but if you’d like to find out more, just get in touch! We’re only an email away and can help curate the perfect nature excursion in Yosemite National Park. Until then, happy travels!

These are just a few of the best things to do in San Francisco; you can find more places to visit on our blog. Incredible Adventures offers fantastic San Francisco tours and experiences. We are currently offering a 15% discount on all of our Yosemite tours until the end of June. 

Feel free to call us at +1 )415) 642-7378 if you have any questions about our discounts or tours.

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1. Mist Trail to Vernal Falls

The Mist Trail is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite since it accesses two beautiful waterfalls. You will come across the first views of Vernal Falls at the footbridge, and further down the path, you will find granite stairs to access the top of the falls.

Our Best of Yosemite Valley tour includes a hike on the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls.

2. Mist Trail to Nevada Falls

From the top of Vernal Falls, you can continue on the Mist Trail to reach Nevada Falls. The hike is approximately 1.5 miles of steep climbing to get to the picturesque 600-foot waterfall. The hike is known to be strenuous but worth it for the close-up views of Nevada Falls.

3. Half Dome via Mist Trail

If you are interested in hiking longer on the Mist Trail, you can continue from Nevada Fall to the iconic Half Dome. To reach Half Dome, you will have to ascend cables to the summit. This climb is incredibly challenging, so you must obtain a permit from the National Park Service before you go.

Even if you don’t want to hike to Half Dome, you can still witness incredible views of this landmark with the Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco and Best of Yosemite Valley.

4. Hike to Lower Yosemite Falls

The Lower Yosemite Fall Trails is an easy one-mile hike with picturesque views of North America’s largest waterfall. This paved trail will take you up close to the shortest section of the falls and includes views of the Upper Falls. Best seen in spring and early summer.

The Yosemite Valley Orientation Tour offers free time to explore the park, including the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead.

5. Hike Mariposa Grove

Yosemite Valley is the most visited section of the park, but Mariposa Grove is definitely worth visiting! The grove is home to Yosemite’s most extensive collection of giant sequoia trees. There are four trails to explore, including the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, which will take you to the park’s oldest and most impressive tree.

Choose our Mariposa Grove Giant Sequoias tour!

Save Big with Incredible Adventures!

Explore the top Yosemite hikes with knowledgeable guides at Incredible Adventures. We are currently offering discounts on all of our Yosemite tours when you book your trip in advance.

• Book 90 days prior to the departure date and SAVE 20% with the code EARLY90.
• Book 60 days prior to the departure date and SAVE 15% with the code EARLY60.
• Book 30 days prior to the departure date and SAVE 10% with the code EARLY30.

Feel free to call us at 415-642-7378 if you have any questions about our discounts or tours.

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Giant Sequoias & Alpine Lakes Tour

Our first Yosemite tour will take you outside the busy Yosemite valley to the less-visited high country. Hop on our eco-friendly transportation, and our expert guides will take you to several Yosemite highlights with a small tour group. Spend two hours walking among Giant Sequoias before driving to Olmstead Point for lunch. Afterward, you will hike up Pothole Dome, where you will experience views of meadows and jagged peaks. End the day with a swim at Tenaya Lake before heading back.

Best of Yosemite Valley Tour

Yosemite Valley is by far the most visited area of the park, and for a good reason. The incredible landscapes of the valley have inspired visitors for over a hundred years. You will stop for pictures at Tunnel View before arriving at Curry Village. The hike on Mist Trail is unforgettable, with views of cascading waterfalls and lunch beneath Yosemite Falls. After lunch, you will spend time in Yosemite Village, where you will see the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. The tour ends with a photo stop at El Captain Meadows.

Mariposa Grove Giant Sequoias

Visit the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite with our Mariposa Grove tour at Incredible Adventures. The forest is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias, some of which have stood here for thousands of years! You will see some of the most iconic trees at Mariposa, including the Grizzly Giant. This giant is the oldest tree in the grove and reaches over 200 feet into the sky. This route will also take you to the California Tunnel Tree; before you visit the Pioneer History Center at the end of the day.

The Best Yosemite Tours at Incredible Adventures

A tour with Incredible Adventures is the best way to see everything Yosemite has to offer. Our expert guides will tell you all about the geology and history of the park as you explore the varied landscapes. We can’t wait for a new year of Yosemite tours at Incredible Adventures!

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Why Choose Incredible Adventures?

Since Alcatraz Island is one of the most visited areas in San Francisco, there are many tour companies to choose from in the area. Incredible Adventures gives you the option to combine your Alcatraz tour with other exciting activities. Your tour can include a trip to places like wine country, Muir Woods, Silicon Valley, and even Yosemite. All of our tours provide transportation, your Alcatraz tour ticket, meals, and a knowledgeable guide. We are an excellent choice if you want to embark on the best Alcatraz tour while also seeing some of the most popular attractions around San Francisco.

What Can I Expect at Alcatraz?

Your Alcatraz tour will begin with a short ferry ride from San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront. The ferry ride provides beautiful views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge. The tour starts with a brief history of the island before you will enter the infamous prison. At this point, you will embark on a self-guided audio tour titled “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour.” The audio will recount stories from inmates and employees of the penitentiary. Hearing the voices of people who experienced the prison truly brings history to life. After the audio tour, feel free to explore the island further with a ranger-led tour before catching a ferry back to the city.

What Makes the Best Alcatraz Tour?

We offer several of the best Alcatraz tours that take you to several popular destinations near San Francisco. If you are visiting the city for the first time, we recommend our Two Day San Francisco City Tour + Alcatraz Island tour. And if you want to avoid the crowds at The Rock during the day, choose one of our Alcatraz night tours instead. Discover all of our tours of Alcatraz Island here and learn all about this historic site in San Francisco with Incredible Adventures.

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Experience the Beauty of Yosemite With a Guide

Our knowledgeable guides at Incredible Adventures are the best choice for touring Yosemite in the winter. Our tours are an excellent way to navigate the best of Yosemite in a short amount of time. Your tour includes snowshoe rentals, park entrance fees, transportation, and a freshly prepared lunch. 

What Will I See on the Tour?

The tour begins at Tunnel View, which offers one of the most iconic views of Yosemite. See the beauty of granite domes trapped in snow and frozen waterfalls in the distance. This location is an incredible photo opportunity before your snowshoeing adventure begins. 

You will then travel to another area of the park where you will snowshoe amongst Giant Sequoias. This hike is a three-mile round trip through Merced Grove until you reach a cluster of ancient Sequoias. At this point, we will stop for lunch amidst the giants before snowshoeing the way back. 

Book Your Snowshoeing Tour Today

Join us for an unforgettable day snowshoeing Yosemite National Park with our knowledgeable guides at Incredible Adventures. If you are interested in this tour, please keep in mind that it is very weather-dependent. We do our best to follow the itineraries, but severe weather conditions can close trails and affect travel. That being said, we love sharing the beauty of Yosemite year-round, and we can’t wait for you to join us on this beautiful winter tour.

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Silicon Valley Tech Tour

Embark on the Silicon Valley Tech Tour with Incredible Adventures. The tour begins outside the Facebook headquarters, where you can snap a picture in front of the Thumbs Up Sign. Next, you will be able to explore Googleplex, an expansive campus for Google employees in Silicon Valley. One of our favorite highlights of Googleplex is the Android Statue Garden. The garden releases a new candy-inspired sculpture each time they develop a new operating system. 

The next stop is the Computer History Museum, where you will learn about the fascinating history of technology. The day ends at the Apple Visitor Center, where you can experience interactive stations of their newest technologies. We can’t tour the Apple campus, but you can explore it via virtual reality- it doesn’t get techier than that! 

Silicon Valley & Alcatraz Tours

Alcatraz Island is the number one attraction in San Francisco, so we offer multiple combination tours, including our Silicon Valley and Alcatraz Tour. This package is a two-day tour where you will visit Alcatraz on the first and Silicon Valley on the second day. The day starts with a ferry to the island and a brief history of “The Rock” upon your arrival. From here, you will be able to listen along an audio tour with interviews from former inmates. You can stay and explore the island for as long as you want since the ferry departs every 30 to 40 minutes. 

The next day is the tour of Silicon Valley, where you will see and do everything previously mentioned. Attractions include the Computer History Museum and free time at the Google Campus, Facebook Sign, and Apple Visitor’s Center. 

San Francisco Tours with Incredible Adventures

There’s so much to do in San Francisco; that’s why Incredible Adventures provides tours of all the best activities and attractions in the area. Whether you are looking to spend a day in wine country or want to explore the city on a bike, we have a tour for you! Browse all of our San Francisco attractions and tours here and start planning your California getaway today. 

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Napa and Sonoma Full-Day Tasting Tour

Spend an entire day in wine country on a tasting tour with Incredible Adventures. You will start the day traveling on the coach bus past the panoramic cityscape towards Sonoma County. Along the way, your experienced guide will tell you about the fascinating history of Sonoma’s world-renowned wines. At this point, you will drive by rolling hills and lush valleys as you make your first stop in wine country. You will sample an assortment of wines before heading to Sonoma or Yountville for lunch. After lunch, there are two more wineries to visit. At one of these wineries, you will experience the entire process of how wine is made, from picking the grapes to sampling a glass. Book your Napa and Sonoma wine country tour here. 

Paso Robles Wine Country Tour

When you think of wine country, the first thing that probably comes to mind is Sonoma and Napa Valley. But, Paso Robles is an underrated spot when it comes to touring wine country. Your Incredible Adventures tour guide will take you to four local wineries and vineyards. If you are looking for a laid-back wine tasting experience with fewer crowds, this is the tour for you!

San Luis Obispo Wine Country Tour

San Luis Obispo is the smallest Central Coast Wine AVA in size, but the exceptional handcrafted wines here make up for that. This area is unique for its extensive collection of family-owned wineries that give it that local charm. You will visit four wineries on this tour with a knowledgeable guide. You will travel to each location in a comfortable SUV with a small group. Join us on the San Luis Obispo wine country tour and discover why this region has earned worldwide recognition. 

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tours and More

Napa and Sonoma wine country tours with Incredible Adventures are the best way to sample the unique wine of this famous region. Because Napa and Sonoma are the most known areas of wine country, the wineries are usually busy and crowded. If you are looking for a more relaxed day in wine country, we recommend our tours in the lesser-known Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. Visit wine country and let our experienced guides do the rest when booking a tour with Incredible Adventures. 

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We care about maintaining and preserving National Parks for generations to come. That’s why we have committed to minimizing our environmental impact by using petroleum-free biofuel made from renewable materials. Help us keep this precious area intact when choosing Incredible Adventures: the greenest tour company in San Francisco!

Kayaking Tour on the Colorado River

Kayak down the calm waters of the Colorado River with one of our experienced guides from Incredible Adventures. The Black Canyon Hoover Dam Kayaking Tour is a great way to experience nature during your Las Vegas trip. This trip launches right by the Hover Dam then takes you through the stunning green waters of the Black Canyon. You will then follow a narrow channel into the magnificent waters of Emerald Cave. From here you will reach a sandy beach where you will stop for a picnic lunch. The water here is a great place to swim in the Colorado River before kayaking back to Willow Beach. Embark on this kayaking tour and paddle down the Colorado River on this incredible adventure. 

San Francisco Kayaking Tour

If you’ve ever wanted to see the grandeur of the San Francisco skyline from the water, look no further than our Sausalito Kayak Tour. Learn the basics of kayaking with one of our professional guides at Incredible Adventures. During your trip, you will have the opportunity to see local wildlife such as seals, sea lions, pelicans, and more. You will paddle by the unique collection of houseboats on the shores of Sausalito. Upon your return to Sausalito, we recommend sticking around to explore this seaside community. Browse through the shops on main street or stop at a local restaurant for fresh seafood. Conclude the day with a stunning view of the sunset over the San Francisco skyline.

Kayaking Tours with Incredible Adventures

Kayaking tours are only the start of the exciting tours you can choose with Incredible Adventures. We have dozens of guided excursions throughout the San Francisco and Las Vegas areas. Browse all of our destinations here and take a tour with the most knowledgeable guides in the industry. Help us preserve our natural environment and make the responsible choice by traveling green with Incredible Adventures!

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Wind Dancer

Though it is the shortest Grand Canyon helicopter tour offered, Wind Dancer has enough packed into its four hours to keep any adventurer satisfied. Before arriving at the Grand Canyon, our Maverick helicopter will fly you over Lake Mead, Lake Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and the extinct volcano, Fortification Hill. Once you do arrive, the chopper will descend and land 3,500 feet into the Grand Canyon in Hualapai Indian Territory, where you’ll enjoy champagne, beverages, and a light snack where you’ll take in views of the mighty Colorado River below. 

Skywalk Odyssey 

The Skywalk Odyssey tour makes all guests feel like a VIP. Enjoy a direct flight departing from the renowned Las Vegas Strip, where you will take in a bird’s eye view of the Grand Canyon, Lake Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and the Las Vegas Strip itself. When you arrive at the West Rim, take full advantage of expedited admission to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon Skywalk that’s glass platform extends out more than 70 feet away from the edge of the rim and hangs 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. There’s no better way to conquer your fear of heights!

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours & More!

Experience the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon like never before with Incredible Adventures. Our unique Grand Canyon helicopter tours are varied enough to pique the interests of most Sin City visitors, and with perks including access to the Grand Canyon Skywalk and champagne, among other things, a ride in our state-of-the-art ECO-Star helicopters will foster memories to last a lifetime. If catching a birds-eye-view of the Grand Canyon is enough to get you aboard, give us a call at 1-800-777-8464 to reserve your spot today!

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Gaze upon Old Faithful

Possibly the most notorious of all Yellowstone National Park sights, Old Faithful was discovered in 1870 and is most well known for its frequent (and predictable) water eruptions that can soar up to 180 feet in the air! Luckily for you, it erupts about 20 times a day for a few minutes at a time, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch this spectacle live. 

Enjoy the Colors at Grand Prismatic Spring

Though Old Faithful garners much of the spotlight, the Grand Prismatic Spring provides the most well-known visual of all Yellowstone National Park attractions. Most notably, the hot spring’s stunning color makeup of orange, yellow, and green surrounding the deep blue waters offer a remarkable contrast. It is also the third-largest spring in the world and is deeper than a 10-story building! 

Take Millions of Photos at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Complete with three distinct and dynamic waterfalls, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is an explorers paradise. Spanning 24 miles, the canyon offers numerous hiking trails and lookout points that can take you all day to delve into. Still, if you’re short on time, we recommend heading to Artist Point, which offers an incredible view of the majestic Lower Falls Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. 

Geysers Galore at the Upper Geyser Basin

Even though Old Faithful resides in the Upper Geyser Basin, there is so much more to see. Unknown to many, the basin is home to the largest concentration of geysers in the world, including Castle Geyser, Daisy Geyser, and the tallest predictable geyser on the planet, Grand Geyser. Don’t forget to check out the eerily beautiful Morning Glory Pool on your way through the basin as well.  

Scratching the Surface of Yellowstone Tour Destinations

We’d be lying if we said that’s even close to everything Yellowstone National Park offers. The park itself expands over 3,000 square miles of nature, just waiting to be explored. And if you have any desire to see it to the fullest extent, consider booking a tour via Incredible Adventures. Our Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain Camping Tour is the perfect option for those wanting to spend a few days in the park and take in the sights and sounds at their own pace. If this interests you, give us a call at 1-800-777-8464 to reserve your spot on one of our tours!

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Go Camping on This Lake Tahoe Tour

For those comfortable with sleeping under the stars, the Tahoe Escape Camping Tour offers you the rawest experience of the three. This three-day trip makes a stop in Placerville before your Lake Tahoe arrival so that you can grab a lunch or get any last-minute goods. Afterward, you’ll arrive at the mountains and embark on a short hike before setting up your tent and enjoying a meal with your fellow campers around the campfire. Day two offers you the freedom to plan a full day of Lake Tahoe activities, including kayaking and hiking. When in doubt, ask your guide for advice, and they will recommend the best escapades that best suit your interests. On day three, you’ll have enough time to explore Emerald Bay and the Rubicon Trail before returning from your Lake Tahoe adventures. 

Tahoe Blue Views & Reno Craft Brews 

If you want a fun mix of both nature and nightlife, then you can’t go wrong on the Tahoe Blue Views & Reno Craft Brews 4-Day Tour! Day one consists of a short hike in the mountains before your hotel check-in. This is an excellent time to scout the area for Lake Tahoe activities that interest you. Day two is yours to spend as you please, whether that includes a peaceful morning kayak tour on the water, hiking the trails of picture-perfect Emerald Bay State Park, or shopping among the many stores in the area. Day three brings you to “The Biggest Little City in the World” (more prominently known as Reno), where you can arrange your own brewery crawl or explore the beautiful Midtown District complete with murals, vintage stores, and boho boutiques. Enjoy any Reno activities you didn’t have time for the next morning before heading back and concluding your Lake Tahoe overnight tour. 

Winter Lake Tahoe Excursions

Explore and take advantage of all of the Lake Tahoe activities only available during winter with the Lake Tahoe Winter Adventure Tour (3 days). On day one, you’ll depart from San Francisco before heading through the Sierra foothills and into the famous Gold Rush Country. Once you check-in to the centrally located hotel, either enjoy a happy hour with the Apres Ski crowd or retreat early for a good night’s rest. Wake up energized on day two and make your way to the mountain where you can carve up the fresh powder skiing or snowboarding, snowshoe through the scenic trails, or test out your luck at the nearby casinos. Hit the mountain up again on the morning of day three before heading back in the afternoon.

Fun Lake Tahoe Activities for All Via Incredible Adventures

As you can see, we here at Incredible Adventures leave no stone unturned to create the best tours that feature an assortment of Lake Tahoe activities. Our varied tours are sure to pique the interest of travelers from all backgrounds, and if you’d like to be one of them, make sure to give us a call at 1-800-777-8464 to arrange your Lake Tahoe getaway!

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History

Before departing on the Black Canyon tour, it might be nice to know a bit of the story behind this magical destination. The canyon was formed approximately 15 million years ago from erosion by the Colorado River. What’s launched this ancient gorge into the spotlight is its relationship with the Hoover Dam. This is where the construction of the Hoover Dam, its gauging stations, tramways, and catwalks all took place. Fortunately, the Black Canyon has kept much of its natural charm that dates back millions of years ago. 

Kayaking Tours

We have two river-based tours that will give you access to beautiful views of the Black Canyon and an adrenaline-pumping ride! For a full-day experience where you’ll spend between five and six hours on the water, book the Black Canyon kayaking tour. After your Las Vegas pick-up, you’ll meet your guide at the drop-in site, where he or she will provide a short safety demonstration for kayaking. From there, the guide will lead you through the best that the gorge has to offer, with stops at remote caves, coves, and hot springs along the way.

Rafting Tours

Our Black Canyon rafting tour also extends a full-day, but with only about three hours on the water. If you’d rather sit back and relax, this is the tour for you, as you’ll make your way through the Black Canyon of the Colorado River on a motorized raft, which frees up your hands to snap plenty of pictures. This laid back tour will delve even deeper into the rich history, archeology, and ecology of the land.

An Experience Millions of Years in the Making 

Whether you want to be the captain of your own boat or a passenger on the powered watercraft, a trip through the Black Canyon of the Colorado River will be an experience you’ll never forget. From the base of the Hoover Dam to the various caves and coves that have formed over the course of millions of years, there is beauty around every corner of the famed gorge. And who would be a better guide than us here at Incredible Adventures? Whether you’re in Vegas or just in the area, there’s no better way to take in the beautiful natural surroundings than on a tour with us. Call us at 1-800-777-8464 to get started on your adventure today!

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Canyonlands National Park Tour: Southwest Highlights

Truly immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of the Southwest when you go on an adventure with Incredible Adventures. If a tour of Canyonlands National Park is your main goal, don’t worry, because we will be sure to spend ample time exploring the beautiful park. However, you’ll get to see so much more on foot or even by air if you want! Our tour of Canyonlands National Park and beyond will have your family and friends back home oozing with jealousy. Read below to learn more about where you’ll go and what you do when you book our seven-night Southwest Highlights Camping Tour leaving from Las Vegas.

Before we get to discussing the destinations of this tour, we’ll tell you about the basics. This tour includes a complimentary pickup and drop off from the Super 8 hotel in Las Vegas by one of our experienced and knowledgable tour guides in one of our 14-passenger tour busses. You’ll get five light breakfasts, seven deli-style lunches, and six dinners if you decide to camp with us, as well as accommodations for camping or lodging. Park admissions are included, as well as a Navajo Guided Jeep tour of Monument Valley.

After being picked up in Las Vegas, we’ll bring you to the following destinations: the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, the Canyonlands, Arches National Park, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, and an optional helicopter ride so you can get amazing birds-eye views of the Southwest! Each destination is full of stunning scenery and nature, where you can take plenty of photos and bask in the beauty that surrounds you. 

The rate for this tour starts at $1199 per two people! Give us a call at 1-800-777-8464 with any questions or to book, or book easily online by visiting the Incredible Adventures website.

Incredible Adventures

There is no better way to tour the most beautiful destinations of the United States than with Incredible Adventures, our eco-friendly and knowledgeable company that has been serving families, friends, and couples for years. Not only do we bring you to beautiful regions of the country, but we have plenty to share with you about each place we go so that you can learn about what you’re experiencing. Book a tour with us by calling 1-800-777-8464 – we know you won’t regret it!

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We’ve noticed a few silver-linings for those who still crave exploration of this beautiful City by the Bay. For one, there’s little traffic, a lack of crowds and available parking. Three things which were previously non-existent on this densely packed peninsula before. Mix in favorable weather and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a short getaway or a special ‘staycation’.

So whether you’re a visitor or a local, we argue that this fall offers a perfect time to take to the streets of San Francisco. Sure, you still can’t hop on a cable car or enjoy the atmosphere of a historic Gold Rush era bar, but the pleasant weather and plethora of safe and socially-distanced activities should make up for it for the time being.

Explore new beaches

If you didn’t even know San Francisco had beaches (it happens!), it’s the ultimate time to find out. While summer can tend to be foggy and surprisingly chilly here, fall brings clear days and warm temperatures. Beach day in October? How could you not.

For the largest and most accessible beaches, you’ll probably head to Ocean Beach or Crissy Field. For a more picturesque experience, travel along the Land’s End Trail where you’ll find a handful of secluded coves and white sandy stretches to explore. Baker Beach itself has a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge and a public parking lot, but others involve climbing down some steep stairs to reach the sand.

Our favorite beach of all takes a little more effort to enjoy. On the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge inside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area lies Kirby Cove, a spectacular coarse-sand beach with panoramic views of the bridge and San Francisco skyline. To get there, you must hike down a steep 1 mile trail unless you happen to snag yourself a day-use or camping permit. These typically sell out  far in advance online, but it never hurts to look. If you get lucky and can grab a permit, you can skip the hike and drive directly down to the parking lot at the beach.

Rent a GoCar

One of the most unique and COVID-friendly ways to explore San Francisco is from the seat of a GoCar. These tiny yellow vehicles fit two people and allow you to self-drive around the city by following the ‘GPS guided storytelling’. Want to go your own way? That’s fine too. Use the provided map or your smartphone to guide your day.

Rent a go car with Incredible Adventures for the entire day and cruise down Lombard Street, through the mansions of the rich and famous and along the breezy Embarcadero. Or just wander and see the city from a new perspective.

Photograph the city without the crowds

If you’ve always dreamed about taking that perfect bridge photo or snap the ‘Painted Ladies’ at golden hour, consider it the time to do so. Without all the cars and pedestrians, San Francisco is a photographer’s dream.

Created in reaction to COVID-19, San Francisco now has 12 new ‘slow streets‘ which are closed to all vehicles. It’s never been easier to wander through neighborhoods without having to worry about busy traffic and small sidewalks.

Hit the city trails

While the hills of San Francisco make fine mountains to climb themselves, our city also happens to have spectacular green spaces and well-maintained urban hiking paths. Take to the Land’s End Trail for expansive ocean views and rugged coastline below. Alternatively, take your dog and explore the bluff trails through coastal Fort Funston. Ready for an all day cross-city adventure? The Crosstown Trail connects San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods through a variety of urban trails and open spaces. Beginning at Candlestick Park in the southeastern part of the city and concluding at Land’s End, these 17 miles will bring you through the heart of the city and some of its most impressive views.

Grab your ‘travel pod’ and go wine tasting

Although the recent fires have been devastating for parts of wine country, that does not mean the whole area is closed. In fact, it’s a more important time than ever to support our favorite local wineries and businesses. Already struggling from COVID-19 shutdowns, nearby fires will also hurt business long after they have been put out. Air quality has improved drastically recently. To check for current conditions, visit Airnow.gov.

Ready to visit but need a DD? No problem. With the onset of the pandemic we expanded our private tours to offer services to “travel pods”, close family/friend groups that stick together to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Gather your pod, kick back and leave the driving to us.

For private groups, you have the option to follow one of our current wine country tour itineraries, or have us create something custom and personalized. The choice is up to you.

Rates start at $178/per person for a full day wine country tour with two included tasting flights. Contact us for more details & to arrange.

Take a walk in the woods

If serene nature is what your heart desires, no need to travel far. Just twenty minutes from San Francisco lies Muir Woods National Monument. Walk beneath towering coastal redwoods over the many meandering trails and boardwalks.

Muir Woods National Monument requires a permit for parking, so be prepared before you visit.  Alternatively, skip the permit and join one of our Muir Woods & Sausalito Half Day Tours.  There’s no better way to spend a morning or afternoon then by exploring Muir Woods and also Sausalito. Make it into a whole day outing by taking the ferry from Sausalito to Pier 39 and walking along the Embarcadero to end your day.

Special offer through November 30! Use promo code ‘GOLOCAL‘ and get 15% off any Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour.

Cross Yosemite National Park off your bucket list

A staggering amount of Californians tell us they have never visited Yosemite. What a missed opportunity! But whether you are a Californian or not, right now is an optimal time to go. With pleasant autumn weather and little crowds, this is the Yosemite you want to experience. Don’t wait until high season arrives, or you might end up sitting in Yosemite Valley traffic.

There are many ways to explore the beauty of this park. If you plan to drive yourself, check out our favorite hotels on offer. Whether it’s a heated tent cabin or a comfy room inside Yosemite Valley, book as early as possible. With reduced hotel room capacity during the pandemic, they may quickly sell out. We also have tours that pickup in El Portal, right outside the park.

From San Francisco, there are many tours to choose from. Leave the winter driving to us and join one of our excursions. Relax and unwind on the drive then explore awe-inspiring Yosemite Valley at your leisure.

Tell us, which COVID-19 friendly activities or tours would you want to partake in this fall and winter?

The post Exploring San Francisco this 2021: COVID-friendly Activities & Tours appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Incredible Adventures: Hoover Dam Tours

On the Nevada-Arizona state line, you’ll find the magnificent Hoover Dam standing 726 feet high. This concrete arch-gravity dam harnesses the flow of the Colorado River and once-formed Lake Mead. This popular tourist attraction brings in about a million people per year, which is why we make sure we host only the very best tours. To learn more about our two favorite Hoover Dam tours, continue reading!

The Hoover Dam Tour

This tour of the Hoover Dam is a great option if you’re looking to spend an afternoon doing something adventurous. We’ll start by picking you up at your hotel in Las Vegas and continue  on to the VIP Hoover Dam Discovery Tour. We’ll also stop at the famous Las Vegas sign, as well as visit the generator room, visitor’s center, and observation deck at the Hoover Dam. The rate is $72 based on double occupancy, so you don’t have to break the bank to see some of the most famous attractions in the states!

The Black Canyon Hoover Dam Kayaking Tour

Float along the Colorado River below the Hoover Dam during this unique tour. You’ll launch right by the Hoover Dam and be able to admire it from below before heading over to the immaculate Emerald Cove Waterfalls. After seeing the picturesque waterfalls, kayak over to the Arizona hot springs and Black Canyon for a full day of amazing views. This tour costs $231 per person and is well worth it!

To view the multiple other tours that Incredible Adventures offers to the Hoover Dam, visit us online and book!

The post Experience Luxury Hoover Dam Tours with Incredible Adventures appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park: Incredible Adventures

There are so many different tour options of Bryce Canyon National Park through Incredible Adventures.  Whether you want to go with a large group or just you and your significant other, we have you covered! Continue reading to learn more about the amazing tours that Incredible Adventures has to offer of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.

Bryce Canyon Day Tour

On this day tour, you’ll be able to explore all of Bryce Canyon and its beauty in the perfect amount of time. Explore and take photos of the Bryce Canyon hoodoos, Thor’s Hammer, Inspiration Point, and all sorts of rural Utah landscapes. For just $248, you can see one of the most beautiful areas in all of Utah with excellent guides!

Bryce & Zion Camping Tour from Las Vegas

Travel across state lines to get to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. On this two-day tour, you’ll be able to completely immerse yourself in the natural beauty. From Las Vegas, spend a full day in Zion National Park and a full afternoon in Bryce Canyon National Park. The Virgin River, hoodoo Sandstone Spires, and Emerald Pools are an added bonus! Book this two-day camping tour for $310.

Bryce and Zion Canyon Day Tour

If one day is enough for you, but you want to see more than just Bryce Canyon National Park, then this day tour is perfect for you. See the beautiful Bryce Canyon hoodoos up close, as well as Zion Canyon and High Country, the Virgin River gorge, and picturesque rural Utah landscapes for just $269 per person.

These three tours of Bryce Canyon National Park are just a few of the many that are offered through Incredible Adventures. To view the rest of these tours, visit the Incredible Adventures website!

The post Visit the Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

The Top 3 Grand Canyon Tours

We have 14 amazing Grand Canyon tours that we know you’ll love – because there are so many, it might be hard for you to choose which one to go on! Each of our tours offers a distinct experience. To make it easier on you, read below to learn more about the top three Grand Canyon tours for this summer.

2-Day Grand Canyon Camping Tour From Las Vegas

If you love camping, or even if you don’t, you’re going to fall in love with our Grand Canyon camping tours. On this two-day tour, you’ll see Las Vegas, the sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, the Historic Route 66, the Railroad town of Williams, as well as the Colorado River. You’ll also be able to enjoy hiking and exploring the South Rim! Camping under the stars is an experience you won’t soon forget. At $310 for double occupancy, you can choose to do a private tour or a group tour.

3-Day National Parks Camping Tour From Las Vegas

This three-day camping trip is one you’ll remember forever. Aside from an optional helicopter ride, you’ll experience Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley. You’ll also be able to explore two national parks – Zion National Park and Bryce National Park. Everywhere you go will be scenic, and perfect for some photo ops. At $675 for double occupancy with private tour options available, you’ll be blown away when you take this tour!

Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour

Riding in a helicopter is a surreal experience in itself, but the views you’ll get from up above are breathtaking! From the luxury Eco-Star helicopter, you’ll see the Grand Canyon West Rim, the Hualapai Indian Reservation, Fortification Hill, the Bowl of Fire, the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Temple Rock, Wild Pinto Wash, and the Iceberg Canyon! This tour is $524 for double occupancy and well worth it – the views from up above are unbeatable.

Incredible Adventures

For years, we have been offering travelers a safe and reliable way to connect with nature. We were founded on a love for the outdoors, which is why we give some of the best tours. When you choose any of our tours, you’ll love the fun-filled atmosphere of each excursion. We are known as the ‘Greenest Tour Company in San Francisco,’ where we promote sustainability of everywhere we visit through the use of eco-friendly renewable alternative biofuels – no matter how we travel, you can sleep peacefully and guilt-free. To contact us to book a tour, call us at 1-800-777-8464. 

The post Experience a Grand Canyon Tour With Incredible Adventures appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Unfortunately, a visit to our National Parks isn’t always synonymous with the above. In the past decade, our parks have seen a surge in visitors resulting in traffic, crowded trails and a lack of wildlife. Just as the pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives, it will also change how we visit our parks.

As Yosemite National Park experts since 1993, you can trust Incredible Adventures for up-to-date information on visiting this paradise of the Sierra Nevadas. Whether you decide to come with us or visit on your own, protect this special place by remembering to ‘Leave No Trace‘ and by following all social-distancing guidelines throughout the parks.

WHAT TO EXPECT

With 83 days being mostly visitor-free, Yosemite National Park (and all U.S. parks) have had some room to breath. Alpine meadows are growing thick and wildlife has been free to emerge without the fear of humans. While you will need a day permit to visit this year (see below for permit details), you can be certain to have some room to breath yourself. For the time being, gone are the days of sitting in Yosemite Valley bottleneck traffic to enter or exit the park. This year, Yosemite will only be returning to a 50% capacity of last year’s numbers.

Even though visitor numbers will be well-below year’s past, there are still a few things to keep in mind. Yosemite National Park covers an unbelievable 1,169 square miles, with 94% of that being designated wilderness. While those are some huge numbers, most everyone that visits Yosemite visits the same contained area—Yosemite Valley. What’s more, Yosemite Valley barely makes up 1% of the entire National Park.

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, regardless of if you are visiting during a pandemic or not, make sure to visit multiple areas of the park. While Yosemite Valley is the most well known, there are numerous regions of the park which are just as beautiful but with less crowds.

What’s Open

Yosemite is currently engaging in a ‘phased reopening’. That being said, most of the park is open for visitors, minus some services. For the full and up-to-date list of what’s open and what’s not, be sure to check the Yosemite National Park Website.

As of June 11, 2020 the following areas and services are open:

• Trails: All trails are open as normal, with route modifications for the Mist Trail due to popularity.
• Campgrounds: Currently Upper Pines Campground is open at 50% capacity and Wawona Horse Camp (horse camping required) is open. All other campgrounds are yet to officially open. It is not recommended to show up to the park for an overnight stay without a reservation. Sleeping in cars is only allowed with a campground reservations.
• Hotels: Most hotels are open at a reduced capacity including Yosemite Valley Lodge and the Curry Village Tent Cabins.
• Services: Facilities and services are reduced throughout Yosemite National Park. In Yosemite Valley, the theater and Yosemite Museum are both closed. The Yosemite National Park shuttle will also not be operating.
• Roads: All roads (including Tioga Road) are now open as normal with the exception of Hetch Hetchy Road, which is only open from 8AM to 5PM.
• Sequoia Groves: There are multiple Sequoia groves around the park, all of which are currently open. Mariposa Grove can be reached by parking at the Mariposa Welcome Plaza, but once that is full you must walk the two-miles (each way) on the Washburn Trail or on Mariposa Grove Road to reach the trails of the grove itself.
• Gas: Gas is currently available in Wawona, El Portal, and Crane Flat.

It is invaluable to remember that the free park shuttle will NOT be operating this year. If you planned on a car-free visit to the park, see our recommendations below.

Wilderness Permits

Wilderness permits for overnight hikes to Half Dome and the backcountry are currently open. All wilderness permits and quotas still remain in effect. If you have a wilderness permit for anytime past June 5th, it will be honored and you will be contacted on how to receive the permit via email.

The Best Time to Visit

All seasons are unique and beautiful within Yosemite National Park. Typically, summer is hot, dry and full of crowds. If you’ve always avoided Yosemite during the summer, maybe this is your best chance to visit. If you have the flexibility, the fall typically offers warm and clear days, but more comfortable temperatures.

Don’t be hesitant about visiting Yosemite during shoulder or slow seasons. Whether it’s a foggy and cool morning or a snow-covered scene, Yosemite is a sight to behold.

How to Visit

Visiting Yosemite National Park this year will differ drastically than years past. Basically, there are three main ways to visit until further notice.

1. By private vehicle

To visit the park in your own vehicle, Yosemite National Park has implemented a day-use reservation system on recreation.gov.  Permits must be reserved prior to your visit, with 80% being available one month in advance and 20% being available 2 days in advance. You must make sure to enter the park on the first day of your permit or risk it being cancelled. Permits last for 7 days and cost $35 per car. You do not need to pay per person, only per vehicle.

Since the implementation of this permit system, reservations have been going quickly. It is highly recommended to be logged on at 7am Pacific Time one month prior to your visit to try and get a permit. Remember, permit numbers are based on 50% capacity of last year, so as tourism picks up there will not be enough permits to go around. Once in the park though, you’ll have the freedom to go wherever you like. Since the free park shuttle is not operating this year, it will be more difficult to reach areas outside of Yosemite Valley without a personal vehicle.

Don’t forget, it is highly discouraged to come to the park and plan to stay overnight without a reservation. For comfortable and conveniently located rooms, you can easily make your reservation with us. We often times have availability even though other sites are still sold out.

For comfortable rooms nearly at the base of Yosemite Falls, be sure to check out Yosemite Valley Lodge. If you’d rather feel closer to nature, look into the historic tent cabins in Curry Village. With heated or unheated rooms and multiple occupancy styles, this rustic option involves all the best parts of camping, without having to sacrifice comfort.

2. By public transportation

As stated above, the free National Park shuttle is not operating this year within the park. Fortunately, YARTS, the Yosemite public transit service, will still be in operation with some slight changes. The public transportation connecting Highways 108,120, 140, 41 and 395 to Yosemite Valley will offer a reduced capacity service, allowing 22 advance reservations with a maximum of 30 passengers per vehicle.

It is important to remember that while you can take YARTS into the Yosemite Valley, once you are there there will be no transportation available to visit other areas of the park. Make sure to visit https://www.yarts.com/ for more information.

3. By small-group tour

By far our favorite option, joining a tour allows you to easily visit all areas of the park while not needing to have obtained a day-use permit in advance. Yosemite Hospitality will not be operating their typical bus tours this year, but there are still a few other operators to choose from, including ourselves!

Benefits of joining our tours:

• No day-use permit needed. All of our tours include Yosemite National Park entry
• Leave the stressors of driving around a mountainous and expansive park to our professional drivers
• No need to deal with parking inside the park
• During this unpredictable time, our guides have expert knowledge of what’s currently going on around the park
• Leave lunch to us. Our Best of Yosemite and High Country Tour both include a fresh box lunch we source from outside the park
• Get tips on the best trails and how to visit the park like a pro, even under time constraints

We’ve implemented many health and safety protocols in response to COVID-19. See our Health & Safety page dedicated to the subject for all the ways we are keeping you safe.

Click above to see our four NEW Yosemite tours to help you expertly explore the park during COVID-19.

Are you planning on visiting Yosemite this 2020?

The post Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Yosemite National Park in 2020 appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

With so many different trails, it’s hard not to spend at least one day hiking in Big Sur. Immerse yourself in nature and explore the gorgeous coastline, trees, ocean, and everything else Big Sur offers.

Big Sur’s Beautiful Hiking Trails

There are dozens of beautiful trails for hiking in Big Sur. These hikes will bring you through enchanted greenery or to the crashing waves, depending on what type of scenery you’d like to see. Below are a few favorite Big Sur hiking trails.

Mill Creek Trail

Mill Creek Trail is known as one of Big Sur’s most significant hikes. The 3.6-mile hike is almost completely shaded underneath giant redwood, sycamore, and maple trees, making it a refreshing hike during all four seasons. At the beginning of the hike, you’ll be surrounded by California bay trees and a rushing creek. Eventually, the trail and the creek join together, and you will be able to hike upstream the rest of the way and wade through the water.

The Sand Dollar Beach Trail

This hike is a lovely combination of beach and trail. While hiking here, you’ll be able to see up and down the coast as you take the mile-long path to the overlook. From there, you might even be able to see whales or dolphins as they move up and down the coast. Hike back down the same trail to head to the beach. Sand Dollar Beach is the broadest unbroken swathe of sand along the Big Sur, making it a great place to hike and hangout.

Jade Cove Trail

The Jade Cove Trail is a simple, flat path that loops out to the coast and down to the water so that hikers can search for jade. Hikers are encouraged to look for the trail that heads northwest out to Plaskett Rock point before heading down to the cove. Take caution, as hiking down to the cove is steep and can be treacherous. Once you’ve reached the cove, the views and the refreshing water makes it all worth it.

Monterey & Big Sur Discovery 2-Day Hotel Tour

If you’re visiting Big Sur but want to do so much more than hiking, then this tour is the right one for you. Incredible Adventures created this excursion so that visitors can have a well-rounded experience in Big Sur. Explore the coastal redwoods of Big Sur and take some photos of the breathtaking coastline. You’ll have the option of visiting the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or hop onto an e-bike for a 17-mile tour. All of the activities will be over two days, with one night spent at a lovely beachside hotel.

Enjoy Big Sur With Incredible Adventures

We have made it our mission to create some of the best tours, for anything, all around the world. If you want to do more than just hiking in Big Sur, then book with Incredible Adventures. Our Big Sur tours are second to none – we make sure that you get a little taste of everything that Big Sur has to offer. Be at one with nature, but also with luxury and comfort as you make your way around Big Sur with us! To book the tour that is perfect for you, check availability online or give us a call at 1-800-777-8464.

The post Spend the Day Hiking in Big Sur appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

What is Firefall?

Firefall is a natural phenomenon that happens every late winter/early spring in Yosemite National Park. As the sun begins to set, Horsetail Falls becomes a thin ribbon of embered orange with hues of red, cascading to the valley floor. This mystical glow is a timely manner, only striking for 2 weeks in February, 10-15 minutes before the sun fully disappears behind towering rock faces. This year, the naturally occurring Firefall starts February 14, 2020.

The Firefall is a fickle phenomena as several variables must perfectly converge. There must be enough snow melt where Horsetail Falls is actually flowing, but this fall has a peak flow season of December through April, keeping chances quite high. Furthermore, the sky must be crystal clear at sunset. Even subtle clouds can block sun rays from making their way through to the falls. When nature harmoniously merges during this time, visitors are left with one of Yosemite’s breathtaking sights adding to the supernatural effect of the park.’

The History of Firefall in Yosemite

‘Last Light on Horsetail Falls‘ is the first known photograph to capture the Firefall in all its vivid glory. Taken in 1973 by Galen Rowell, a National Geographic photographer, the photograph made the annual event a bucket list view for aspiring photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. “The most interesting parts of the natural world are the edges, places where ocean meets land, meadow meets forest, timberline touches the heights,” stated Rowell, or in this case where sun meets water.

Although the name is reminiscent of the spectacle’s similarity to the golden blaze of summer bonfires, the naturally occurring Firefall inherited its name from a Yosemite tradition dating back to the nineteenth century.

A small inn, known as ‘The Mountain House’ was built at the top of Glacier Point in 1873. It served as a resting place for those traveling James McCauley’s toll trail from Yosemite Valley to the base of Sentinel Rock, a route now known as ‘The Four Mile Trail’ and one of the valley’s most popular hikes. The building of ‘The Mountain House’ and the addition of The Glacier Point Hotel in 1917 made the area more suitable for travelers, growing in popularity. As a form of summer entertainment, large bonfires were built during the evenings with red fir bark on the edge of Glacier Point. As flames gave way and the night continued to darken, piles of crimson embers were pushed over the edge, creating a steady flow of light.

To view a stream of fire tumbling down 3,000 feet became a sought-after event from Camp Curry (now Curry Village) down in the valley. Starting in 1872, the event became a ritual, occurring every evening at 9:00pm until it’s last descent in January 1968. After almost a century, the park service banned the firefall event due to its unnatural essence and severe damage among local meadows.

How to see Firefall this February

Despite the end of an era with the man-made firefall tradition, the history lives on each February as visitors flock to witness the grandeur of it’s natural replacement. Let us take you to see the Yosemite Firefall this winter! This year the Firefalls are scheduled to occur February 14th through 27th, and luckily we still have hotel rooms available within the Valley.

There are two ways to experience this must-see phenomenon: Take the trip at your own pace and book a hotel room or join one of our tours to receive both transportation, a guided tour of Yosemite Valley and a hotel room.

Here are more details on how to secure your spot:

1. Book a hotel room and self-drive to the park

It is recommended to stay in Yosemite Valley when viewing Firefall. With the additional visitors during this time period and a lack of parking, staying within Yosemite Valley is the most convenient option. These rooms book up fast online, but we still have a few rooms available at a few of our preferred accommodation options: Yosemite Valley Lodge and the Half Dome Village Tent Cabins (weekends only through winter).

Check our hotels page to see live availability for both of those hotels and to find out more information. Remember, book quickly for the 2020 event!

2. Take in the sights as you journey to Yosemite on one of our tours!

Our Yosemite Winter Hotel Tour covers your transportation to and from Yosemite, letting you focus on the snow-capped mountains rather than the winding roads. Enjoy a full afternoon of roaming the valley, cross Firefall off your bucket list, and wake up to the morning light gushing over Half Dome.

Yosemite National Park in February is as good as winter gets!

Act fast before all rooms sell out. For more information, feel free to call us at (415) 642-7378

The post Witness Yosemite’s ‘Firefall’ this 2020 appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

In 2017 we brought thousands of guests to our National Parks, and it never gets old seeing people’s faces when they experience places like Yosemite for the first time. We sipped countless glasses of the best wine and beer in California. We nerded out at Apple, Google, Facebook and the Computer History Museum on our brand new Silicon Valley Tour. We spared the air with our biodiesel transportation. We gave back to communities in need such as Sonoma and Napa Valley. Most of all, we made millions of memories happen for every guest, which is something we are so proud of.

This year we’re focusing a lot on impact, and what it means for us as a company, and as individuals. We believe in leaving the world a better place today than it was yesterday, and as such, here are our biggest resolutions and goals for 2018:

It IS easy being green!

Incredible Adventures runs on renewable biofuels. In order to minimize the environmental impact of our business on the destinations we visit, we operate our vehicles on sustainable, petroleum-free biofuel made from recycled cooking oil and renewable plant-based stocks. However, we’re determined to go even further. From the paper we use in our offices, to the cleaning products we use on our vans, we are always striving to be kinder to the Earth.

This year we will be launching some tips for our partners and customers on how to stay green, that way we can all work together to make the world a better place.

Give back!

Last year we spent several days volunteering to clean up Muir Woods to keep the natural beauty of the park preserved. We want to double up our efforts this year, and open up opportunities to join in the fun for our customers and partners. We have some exciting upcoming opportunities, such as a cleanup of the Marin Headlands in February.

Another way to give back (and score some awesome swag) is by purchasing from our Gear Shop. A portion of the proceeds from these sales will be donated to the Parks Conservancy to beautify and protect our public lands.

Grow our community

Your adventure doesn’t just stop when your tour ends! We are building out a great community of like-minded travelers, so that no matter where you are in the world, Incredible Adventures can connect you. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to constantly get travel inspo and #findyourselfanywhere.

We’re also in the midst of developing an online group in the coming weeks that will provide you with cool travel tips, special deals on Incredible Adventures trips, and a place to connect with new friends. Stay tuned for an email update when our community goes live!

Become global citizens

Incredible Adventures meets people from all over the world every single day, so that’s why we’re starting to expand beyond the USA. We’re now offering tours through the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and we can’t wait to see how much farther we can go!

The post Incredible Adventures New Years Resolutions appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

We asked our staff about the greatest travel gift they’ve ever received, from life changing trips to nifty gadgets they use every day. Though we all have diverse memories and experiences, we’re all bonded together by reminiscing on the things that made us fall in love with travel, and what drives us to share that love with others.

We hope you enjoy these stories, and feel free to share memories of your own with us (or come on one of our tours and make new memories and traditions with old friends and new!)

Happy Holidays from The Incredible Adventures staff!

The greatest gifts are the ones you give.

“The greatest travel gift I’ve ever received was also a gift I got to give to someone else. Last year I was planning an amazing solo trek to Iceland for the first time. Shortly before I was scheduled to leave, I fell in love with this amazing man, and learned that he had never been outside of California! Every time I mentioned my upcoming trip and all the waterfalls I’d be seeing and the hot springs I was excited to dive into, I saw his eyes light up. So on Christmas I told him to check his email – I had purchased him a ticket to come out to Iceland with me. While I probably would have had a great time on my own, I was so excited to have an amazing travel companion and be a part of this special milestone in his life. It was better than I could have ever imagined, and we still talk about this trip and the memories we shared almost daily!”

– Lauren, Digital Marketing Manager

Two gifts that got me moving… literally!

“My sisters have always been supportive of my desire for travelling, even when it was just beginning. I remember one Christmas in the early 90’s when one of my sisters got me a rugged travel bag and the other gave me a sweet, old school Pentax K1000 film camera. I felt like both of those items actually made it somewhat mandatory that I plan some kind of big trip…So I did. I put the bag on the back of my motorcycle packed it full of gear, Pentax included, and rode on out of Kentucky, more than 2000 miles, all the way out to San Diego, CA! “

– JD, General Manager

A thoughtful reminder of home that traveled across the world.

“In 2008, I made the decision to move to South Korea to teach English. I was really nervous about leaving my family, friends, and awesome job as a tutor at a community college behind. I truly loved working there; the students and staff were an amazing group of people. On my last day of work, one of my co-workers handed me a leather bound journal, wrapped in a single gold bow. Inside, each of my co-workers filled a page or two with memories, drawings, words of encouragement and – most importantly for an English major – poems. I’ve never received anything so personal and a gift that so perfectly reflected that point in my life. I still have the journal and I occasionally read through the pages when I’m feeling a bit nostalgic or in need a bit of direction.”

– Damian, Operations Manager

The gift of beautiful Christmas traditions.

“We always go up north to go foraging on New Year’s Day – it’s a tradition with some of our close friends to have a great dinner, a quiet night on NYE, and then get up at 4am to head to the mountains. Because of the holiday, the (well-known and usually bustling) wilderness area is mostly deserted. Usually by the end of December, California has had enough rain for the winter mushrooms to come up, and we scramble up trails and into ravines with our eyes peeled for exciting finds: delicate yellowfoot chanterelles, stunning black trumpets, quirky “hedgehogs”, and the famed delicacy matsutake. What better way to spend the first day of the year than exploring nature and feeling grateful for the earth’s natural bounty? A few years back, my boyfriend got me a fancy French Opinel foraging knife for Christmas; every time I look at it, it reminds me of the quiet moments in the mountains.”

– Jessa, Sales and Marketing Director

Perfect camp gear built to last!

“Many years ago my mom got me these little solar powered camp lights. They were designed very well and have held up through rain, snow, and of course, beating sun. About 5 years later they are still going strong. Another cool thing about the lights is that they are designed for developing countries, and the company that makes them is a social enterprise with the goal of bringing affordable solar power to 100 million people by 2020.”

– Dan, Financial Controller

Small tokens that led to big adventures.

“A book exchange from college led me to one of my greatest and most challenging adventures to date: A bike ride following the historic Lewis and Clark Trail. The pact written onto the inside of the cover stayed in my bookshelf for 6 years until it was packed into one of my shiny new rear bike panniers. With a wave to my parents on a cool September morning, Tracy and I embarked on a 7 week journey. Being avid backpackers, this was a completely new type of travel for the both of us, seeing so much of our country and meeting amazing people along the way.”

– Anne, Business Development Manager

A European extravaganza to usher in the year 2000!

“I’ll never forget during 5th grade, my father took me and my older sister to Germany for Christmas and the Millennium. It was my first big slice of travel, not to mention my first overseas trip. Because he served in the army, it was cheaper for us to catch a military flight out of Delaware than drive out west to the Rockies. We snow skied our butts off, ate way too many giant bowls of fries, drank gluhwein (age was just a #), and they let me dance at the adult NYE party like it was 1999…because it was. This and many other family trips only stoked that wanderlust fire.”

– Nicole, Tour Guide

The post What’s the best travel gift you’ve ever received? appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

“Of all the mountain ranges I have climbed, I like the Sierra Nevada the best.” – John Muir

If the mountain man himself, John Muir, could come to such a bold conclusion about the Sierras, you KNOW it must be true! The Sierra Nevada Mountain range is a naturalist’s definition of perfection.

Year after year, our 3-day Camping trip to Yosemite National Park has been our best seller. Yosemite’s High Country leaves passengers captivated: with more time to explore, we take groups beyond Yosemite’s crowded valley and into the less-traveled areas of the park. Our guides can skip the tourist traps on longer road trips and show off why we Californians love our state!

Interest has increased for new and unique experiences, so we started designing an itinerary that incorporated more of the Sierra Nevada mountain range’s diversity. in 2016, Incredible Adventures launched a 4-day road trip highlighting the best of the Sierras. On this trip, we spend one day and night each in Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, and South Lake Tahoe with fun, unique add-ons in between. With both hotel and camping accommodation options, travelers of all different spending budgets and comfort levels can join the fun!

Interested in spending four days in on the road with us? Here’s how Northern California’s ultimate mountain road trip plays out:

Denise’s Farmers Market

Before even hitting your first National Park, you’ll be introduced to California’s flourishing Agricultural region: cherries, strawberries, almonds, OH MY! California’s Central Valley provides more than half of the USA’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts: it’s the state’s single most productive agricultural region, and one of the most productive in the world!  Denise’s Farmers Market is one of our favorite spots on the way out. Sample and purchase fresh and dried produce – and every flavor of corn nuts! Our passengers love to stock up on snacks here and avoid the concession queues in the park. This rest stop that doubles up as a midway point to Yosemite for bathroom breaks and yummy treats, and will leave you happy, healthy, and with more time to explore when you get to the park!

Yosemite National Park

Your first stop along the Sierras will be America’s Favorite National Park. Everyone from John Muir to Teddy Roosevelt to Barack Obama and millions of visitors in between cannot help but be astonished by Yosemite’s beauty. Your guide will show off the Valley, High Country, and groves of Giant Sequoias. Then you’ll spend the night at the Yosemite Bug – a quaint Mountain Resort known for their comfortable rooms and hearty buffet!

Mammoth Lakes

Next, you’ll head North through the Sierras on your way to Mammoth Lakes. Located at almost 8,000 ft elevation, this town is known as a top ski destination in California. In the summer, mountain biking and hiking are popular in the area. The gondola ride up to Mammoth Mountain and a visit to Mammoth Brewing company are not to be missed!

Devil’s Postpile National Monument in Ansel Adams Wilderness

Talk about geographic phenomenon! The Devil’s Postpile is a dark cliff of columnar basalt formed from lava flow an estimated 10,000 years ago. This unique rock formation is located in between Mammoth Lakes and Lake Tahoe along the John Muir Trail.

Bodie Ghost Town

After discovering gold in nearby Mono Lake back in 1859, W. S. Bodie triggered a massive settlement to the Sierras just North of his find. However, all these new neighbors only had one thing in mind: once they mined through all of the gold, the party ended pretty abruptly. Then, around 1912, the population began declining. By 1915, newspapers were already officially labeling Bodie a proper “Ghost Town”.

Everyone seemingly just up and left. Cars, churches, saloons, have all been preserved and protected as National/State Historic Landmarks. It’s a really neat glimpse of a town stopped in time, and a great stop on your way to glorious South Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe

Lastly, we head to South Lake Tahoe. Located right on top of the state line between California and Nevada, South Lake is El Dorado County’s most populous city.  Tahoe is known for its snow activities in the winter, lake activities in the summer, and 24-casinos where you can win big year-round!

From the luxurious sunset walks along the lake to rugged hikes to flowing waterfalls with expansive views of the Emerald Bay, ending this 4-day road trip through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in South Lake Tahoe is the perfect final act. In the morning, you’ll pack up and return to beautiful San Francisco, seeing the gorgeous views of the city from Treasure Island and the Bay Bridge.

Best of the Sierras Reviews – See what passengers have said about the tour:

“Tops on the “living it up” list should be the Yosemite and Tahoe Sierras Tour offered by Incredible Adventures, the only tour company that offers a round trip to Yosemite National Park, the mountain resort town of Mammoth Lakes and spectacular Lake Tahoe.” -Steve, 2016

“This was truly an incredible adventure. Leo took us to the most breathtaking spots! Our phrase after each first view was ‘Oh My Goodness – WOW’. I loved this trip as it was all about Nature. And Leo made it easy and fun to enjoy every day of it.” – sfran2017, 2017

“We saw the drop-dead gorgeous Yosemite and Lake Tahoe views, and also enjoyed great food stops along the way. The Bug is a charming stay! Highly recommend this tour!” -tripper4040, 2017

“We’ve just returned from the most awesome tour of Yosemite and Lake Tahoe with Leo from Incredible Adventures. The key to a great tour is a great guide! The itinerary was awesome but Leo bought it all to life with an incredible range of knowledge and experience. His familiarity with the best routes and photo opportunities put us at ease very early on.” -Dan, 2017

The post Best of the Sierras: Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes & Lake Tahoe appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Book your Alcatraz Tickets Months or Weeks in Advance

If you’d like to book directly through the Alcatraz Cruises website, you’ll need to do so well in advance. High season for Alcatraz tickets is from June-August. Tickets can be sold out for weeks or even months prior to departure! In fact, June just started and tickets for the Alcatraz night tour are not available until mid/late-August. And let us tell you, that sunset from Alcatraz is spectacular, and does a phenomenal job of really setting the mood. Lucky for you, we have an allocation of Night Tour tickets, so please do read on

Find Alcatraz Tickets for Sold Out Days, or Only Several Days in Advance

Incredible Adventures is given an allotment of Alcatraz tickets from the National Park Service each month! We receive both day and night options to accommodate different requests and schedule needs. Two things that are very important to note though:

1. We MUST package these Alcatraz tickets with one of our tours. We’re a one-stop shop if you were already planning on visiting Yosemite National Park, Muir Woods, Wine Country, Silicon Valley, etc. We even can package Alcatraz tickets with Hop-On-Hop-Off options  or a quick Muir Woods and Sausalito tour if you’re without the flexibility to leave the city for more than a day. Tickets are no more expensive than buying directly through Alcatraz’s website. We’re just here to facilitate a chance to see make it over there!
2. Tickets must be arranged through Incredible Adventures at least four days in advance! We have to turn in our “manifest” to the parks service 4 days before departure. Ordering your Alcatraz tickets through Incredible Adventures works best at LEAST a week out, if not earlier.

Already in town and Alcatraz tickets appear to be sold out?

Wait… You want to go tomorrow?! Well, you still have options. They aren’t great, but you do have options!

Rise and Shine! If you are interested in lining up at Pier 33 at 5am on the morning of your desired tour date there is a last-chance option for you. Alcatraz Cruises releases up to 50 tickets the morning of the tour, on a first-come/first-served basis and subject to availability. Everyone in your party must be present to receive a ticket, so gather the troops, get a big commuter mug of coffee, and make a morning out of it. You won’t know what time of day your tour will be until you get it, so make sure you account for that in your day’s plans. All part of the experience, right?

Resellers.  The only legit way to get tickets within 4 days of the ferry tour is through Alcatraz Cruises at pier 33. But, just like at a sports arena or a music venue, Fisherman’s Wharf often has ticket scalpers offering last-minute Alcatraz ferry tickets at a high price. You may be thinking, “hmm, that seems a bit sketchy…” – that’s because it can be!  Incredible Adventures doesn’t recommend this option. ALWAYS use your best judgment. Trust your sources. There are plenty of scammers out there taking advantage of unsuspecting tourists.

Moral of the story: Plan ahead. We can help. Join Incredible Adventures on a tour to maximize your time in the Bay Area. Explore More. Explore Often. See it all! And follow these tips for your best shot at Alcatraz Tickets.

The post How to Get Last Minute Alcatraz Tickets This Summer! appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Breakfast Camping Recipes (serves ~6 people)

Breakfast Burritos

(can be adjusted for any quantity of campers)

• Olive Oil
• Frozen Hashbrowns
• Your choice of meat (chorizo, breakfast sausage, ham, bacon, etc)
• 2 Eggs/person
• Taco Seasoning
• Salsa
• Sour Cream (or Yogurt as a substitute)
• Cheese
• Tortillas (flour or corn)

Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in large skillet. Add hashbrowns and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.

Add in your meat of choice and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until both have browned (about 8-10 minutes). Note: if the meat is very greasy, you can cook it separately and drain it before adding it to the cooked hashbrowns.

Whisk eggs in separate bowl. Add taco seasoning. Pour eggs into skillet with hashbrowns and meat. Stir frequently until eggs are set.
Warm tortillas, and place desired amount of egg mixture onto each tortilla. Add Salsa, Sour Cream, Cheese as desired. Roll up and enjoy!

Lunch Camping Recipes

Chicken Gyro Wraps (serves ~6 people)

• Greek Yogurt
• Feta Cheese
• Cucumbers
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Grape/Cherry tomatoes
• 2 Lemons
• Red Onion
• Parsley
• Pitas
• 2 lb boneless chicken breast or thigh (or 1 pre-cooked rotisserie chicken)
• Olive oil
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Salt & Pepper
• Dill

Tzatziki Sauce/Dressing

Dice or grate cucumbers (pour off any excess liquid). Add to yogurt. Add garlic, dill, and lemon juice.

Salad Toppings
Dice/quarter the tomatoes, dice the red onion, & chop parsley. Mix with the tzatziki dressing, and season with salt and pepper

Chicken (if raw)
Heat up a wok with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Sear the chicken for 7 minutes – add water, bring to a boil, flip chicken until cooked ~15 mins. Once cooked let cool enough to shred the chicken. Add the shredded chicken back to wok with more olive oil, oregano, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pita bread.

Dinner Camping Recipes

Pesto Chicken Pasta (serves ~6 people)

• Box of pasta
• 1lb Boneless chicken breast or thigh (can be skipped, for a vegetarian camping recipe option)
• 1 jar/2c Pesto
• 1 jar/1c Sundried tomatoes (cut the sun-dried tomatoes in half or in strips if they’re big, drain the oil off & reserve)
• ½c pine nuts
• Parmesan cheese

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cook the chicken in a few tablespoons of the reserved oil from the sundried tomatoes. Toast the pine nuts in a small pan on low while chicken is cooking; make sure to watch them, though – they can burn quickly! Cook pasta according to packaging. Combine additional ingredients and serve with salad.

Vegan Camping Recipes

Vegan Coconut Sweet Potato Soup (serves ~6 people)

• 2-3 cans Veggie Broth (~6-8 cups) OR ¼ jar of veggie bullion + water
• 1-2 cups of uncooked rice
• 3-4 cloves of Garlic (minced)
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 Serrano Chili (if you like spice)
• 2 cans of Coconut milk
• 2-3 Sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 Small Bag/Bunch of Kale, washed and cut into small pieces.
• Turmeric powder
• Ginger powder
• Sriracha
• Fresh cilantro (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)

Prepare rice as directed on package, set aside.

Bring the veggie broth to a boil, and add in coconut milk. Bring this back to a simmer. Add in onion, sweet potato, chili, garlic and spice to taste. Cook for 15 mins until sweet potatoes are soft. Add kale and let cook for 5 more minutes to let soften.

Serve over rice, add sriracha if desired. Garnish with cilantro/lime.

Couscous Salad

• Box of Israeli couscous (big grains) about 2 servings per box – double check servings per box
• 3 Tbs olive oil (plus more for “dressing”)
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 1/2 lb Green Beans
• 1/2 Red, yellow, or green bell pepper
• 1/2 bunch radishes (4-5)
• 1/2 can corn off the cob
• Cilantro or basil

Cook couscous according to box. Saute garlic and onions in olive oil. Add diced veggies and cook to al dente. Mix al dente veggies and couscous together. Add corn, radish and cilantro/basil raw, add more olive oil if needed for moisture.

Dessert Camping Recipes

Banana Boats (1 per camper)

• Aluminum foil
• Bananas
• Chocolate/Nutella/Peanut Butter
• Cinnamon
• Marshmallows, Chopped nuts, etc.

Slice a slit in the inside curve of a banana lengthwise while the peel is still on, making a “boat”. Place this in a large square of aluminum foil (this will need to wrap all around the banana, so maybe 20″ square. Stuff your banana with chocolate, Nutella and/or peanut butter or sprinkle with cinnamon. Add anything else you want! Wrap the foil tightly and toss your parcel directly into the fire/coals for a few minutes. Carefully remove, check to see that contents inside are melted to your preference, and enjoy!

Smores (duh)

• Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate Bar of choice (Hersheys and Reeses are our favorites!)

Put a stick through your marshmallow, long enough that the marshmallow can be roasted without endangering your arm. Be careful to use a stick that isn’t chemically treated (lumber) or secretly poison oak. Trust us.

Prepare graham cracker by first breaking it into two pieces. Cover one of those halves with chocolate. Make sure it’s nearby and ready to receive your melted marshmallow BEFORE you start roasting.

Roast your marshmallow over the fire till golden all around (it’s an art, and a personal preference). Then, squish the toasted marshmallow on top of chocolate graham cracker with its plain counterpart. Allow your masterpiece to rest a few minutes so heated marshmallow can melt the chocolate a bit, then devour. Repeat as desired.

Enjoy!

These camping recipes may require a stove, propane tank, pots, pans, dishes and other kitchen tools, though some can be accomplished with nothing more than a roll of aluminum foil! No worries, though – all of these tools are included on our 3-day Camping Escape Tour in Yosemite National Park!

…And when all else fails, there’s always PB&J.

The post Camping Recipes for Your Next Camping Escape appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Camping Video

There are parts of the park that many people never see because of time and transportation limitations. It’s said that more than 80% of visitors only see about 7% of Yosemite National Park, which is 1,169 square miles of wilderness. On this adventure, you’ll go beyond Yosemite’s Valley floor. This is your chance to explore more! Our small-group tours have unique access to Yosemite’s High Country and the Giant Sequoias. We’ve also opened up more tours this year with five departures a week from May to October.

We provide the camping equipment, and offer sleeping bags for a small rental fee. We’ll also include five fresh meals for your crew. Experience what it’s like to Camp like a Californian as we roast s’mores around the campfire, hike to astounding vistas, and sleep under the stars.

One could easily spend months, or maybe even YEARS, in Yosemite and find a new hike or vantage point almost every day. As you can see in this camping video, there is so much to see and do! If you don’t have time in your vacation to San Francisco for a 3-day camping trip, we also offer one and two-day trips to the park that will still leave you in awe.

However much time you spend out there, be sure to FIND YOURSELF in Yosemite National Park this Summer!

The post Camping Video: Find Yourself in Yosemite National Park appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

They say 80% visitors to Yosemite National Park only end up seeing about 7% of it – the Valley.

The park is enormous and hard to sum up in a couple of hours. Heck, it’s hard to see a good portion of it in a couple of days. But for first timers to the park, and especially for first-time campers, this is the best kickstart to understanding the area.

On top of spending time in the Valley, this tour includes a visit to the Giant Sequoias and a day spent in High Country! We supply all of the camping equipment, and offer sleeping bags for a small rental fee, so even adventurers traveling light can join us. Five fresh meals are also provided and we’ll spend time camping like Californians around the campfire.

Have no fear, there is also running water at our campsite. So, while we may not be completely ‘roughing it, you can guarantee you’ll have everything you need on this Incredible Adventure.

Thanks TravelMag.com for the mention!

time you’re traveling, be sure to give their site a peek. They have travel tips for destinations all across the globe.

The Best Yosemite Tours from San Francisco

The post Best Tour to Yosemite from SF by TravelMag.com appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

One great thing about traveling with Incredible Adventures is that we’ll be continuing our tours to the park daily throughout the season. Our vehicles are small enough and our guides are trained to apply chains to our tires if road restrictions are enforced. Travelers can avoid the stress of driving in uncharted territories by hitching a ride in our small group biofueled mini-coaches!

Once you make it to The Valley, there’s still a lot to see and do. We have single day options, but our if you have the time, we’d recommend our Overnight Hotel Stay-and Play option to experience it all! Here are our favorite Winter activities to check out on our 1 and 2-day tours to the park:

Hike to Lower Yosemite Falls

An easy 30-minute loop trail. While the falls themselves may be dry until rain or snow return, there are still plenty of educational exhibits or places to stop in awe over the nature that surrounds you!

Hike around Mirror Lake

The trail around Mirror lake is open year round and provides a unique perspective to some of the park’s most photographed icons. This hour trail made the list of our favorite Winter Activities for its base views of Half Dome.

Yosemite Museum

Too cold outside? Venture into the museum formerly known as Ansel Adam’s Gallery, to learn about the cultural history of Yosemite’s native Miwok and Paiute people from 1850-present. Demonstrations of basket-weaving, beadwork, and traditional games are presented.

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center

Strike a pose with John Muir! View the exhibit hall where you can learn how Yosemite’s spectacular landscape was formed, how people have interacted with it through the centuries, how wildlife adapts and survives, and how your national park continues to evolve.

Pro Tip: There’s a free 23-minute film that will provide a stunning overview of Yosemite’s splendor

Ansel Adams Gallery

One of the first people to capture Yosemite’s essence was Ansel Adams. Check out his gallery of photos that inspired a nation to head West and recognize the park’s significance!

Majestic Yosemite Hotel

Formerly known as the famous Ahwahnee Hotel, here’s a chance to step back to an earlier era of history as you explore the National Historic Landmark erected in 1927. The hotel provides a cozy atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy a warm drink!

View Half Dome at Sunset

Towering more than 4,000ft above the Eastern end of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is in a prime location for some pristine sunsets!

Fireside Storytelling campfire at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel

Totally family friendly

Starry Night Skies Over Yosemite

Discover the stories of the night sky. Advanced Registration required at any tour & activity desk once you’re in the park.

Ice Skating

Half Dome Village Ice Rink is open and weather permitting, it costs $9.75/adult, $9/child. Skate Rentals are an additional $4.

Rent Snow Shoes

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a pair at Half Dome Village!

Other Evening Presentations are weather permitting. Have a look at the Park’s website for the most up-to-date winter activities information: http://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/evening-programs/

The post 11 Winter Activities in Yosemite National Park appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

The media likes to hype us up for Black Friday. “Save big on the Holidays” “Holiday Sales” “If you don’t buy it now, you’ll be a big, fat, broke, GRINCH come Christmas!” Instead of bringing joy, these sentiments leave both the consumer and businesses with pressure-ridden anxieties! How can you combat the corporate giants this holiday season? Two words: Get Outside! Being out amongst nature and avoiding the malls today will bring many benefits that will make you want to say “Thanks” year-round! Here are our 3 favorite reasons to  opt outside this Black Friday!

Save Money

Consumerism. Capitalism. Some other ‘ism’ that dictates how you should be spending. With less cash registers and price tags out in the wilderness, you’ll have less temptation to throw your money away. Besides a possible park entrance fee (Here’s a list of California State Parks that waived their fees today), maybe some gear and a couple of snacks, your bank account will thank you for making it outside!

Live Stress Free

You know all of those crazy videos where people get trampled running around the store for savings? Or the ones where grown adults physically fight over toys because of a sale sticker? Don’t camp overnight in line for the malls to open their doors. Put your tent to better use and camp in the great outdoors. Sit around the campfire and wake up to the fresh air and freedom to do what you please.

Support Responsible Businesses

Materialism and the selfish desire to always get ahead has employers acting all sorts of crazy this time of year. The hours start earlier and go way later. The expectation of spending time with family is pretty much out the window. Consumers expect accessibility and some employees pay the price.

Last year, REI shook up the idea of Black Friday and the crowd went wild! The president closed their stores nationwide, urged it’s employees to ‘opt outside’ with loved ones and their target market couldn’t agree more. We support businesses like REI in their efforts to respect the sustainability of their workers and the environment.

So what are you doing looking at your screen right now? Get outside! Unplug your devices. Disconnect from you WiFi and your comfort zone. Forget about Black Friday. Let’s make it a Green Friday! Find yourself in nature today.

The post 3 Reasons to Find Yourself Outside this Black Friday appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

We sent out Mari Johnson, a California native, as a tourist in her own city. Whether you’re traveling from across the world or across the Bay, a day spent in Wine Country is always a treat!

Check out the video from her day tour below:

This tour includes an educational tram ride around the Benziger Family Winery, tastings at Benziger and Imagery, lunch from Glen Ellen Market and property visits to 4-6 wineries.

The post Video Footage: An Incredible Day in Wine Country appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Step One: Safety

The most crucial aspect of our training process is our focus on Safety. Once a permit is acquired we can begin driving practice. It is no easy feat learning how to reverse or cruise through the city in a transit van with a trailer properly hitched to the back. We focus on skills like J-Docking, Alley-Docking and Offside Parallel Parking to prepare them for their Commercial Driver’s License test that lies ahead.

However, before anyone steps into the vehicle and starts the ignition, a thorough Pre-Trip Inspection MUST occur. Required by law, every time our drivers approach one of our vans, they are to check tire pressure, fluid levels and suspension systems. They make sure that all the seatbelts buckle, turning-signals blink and brakes…. brake. Passengers boarding our vehicles can rest assured that our fleet has been well vetted.

Recently, Incredible Adventures became certified Smith System administers. This nationally recognized standardized safety training adds an extra stamp of security for our guests. 

Step Two: Knowledge

Most of our guides come to us with a respectable amount of experience already! Whether they’ve previously guided cross-country, were born in the Bay Area, or are just Incredible world travelers, we love the diversity they each bring to our tours. We have a guide that lived and worked inside in Yosemite National Park, and another that rock-climbed back in the 70’s – some of the park’s greatest years of elite climbers. Some specialize in their knowledge of Indigenous People and others might as well be certified sommeliers.

To ensure consistency on our tours, we provide study material for *everyone* to learn Yosemite and Wine Country basics. We let them shadow our experienced guides and practice their guiding and narration a few times in front of their peers before the true test – their first group of eager passengers! From there, we let their personalities and creative storytelling techniques take it away to deliver an incredible product.

Our guides are also expected to value our green ethics and know what it takes to be green both on the road and back at the office. This includes recycling, composting and powering our vehicles with alternative biofuels. Ask your guide about what makes Incredible Adventures so proud to be San Francisco’s greenest tour provider!

Step Three: Hospitality and Fun!

In the end, even if you are safer than a risk manager and smarter than a neurologist, if you’re not a total people’s person, this line of duty may not be entirely for you. Tourists coming from all over the world come equipped with a diverse set of expectations, needs, sensitivities and aspirations! We train our guides on customer service to prepare them for almost any situation.

The intimacy our small-group tours provide require our guides to engage with and build camaraderie amongst our passengers. This means more flexible and customizable options as we go. We can stop at one photo stop or one winery over another depending on the group’s communicated wishes.

Incredible guides are exhilarated to lead hikes, recommend tastings and have a s’more around the campfire to involve, get to know and better serve their guests. It’s not all fun and games, but when you’re a tour guide, sometimes it’s just part of the job!

So if you thought we just hired a bunch of hooligans that got lucky with their GPS systems and Google searches – Think Again. Tour guides are all around rock&roll all-stars and we like to think we have hired and trained the most incredible of them all!

See for yourself and book a tour with us today! Experience anything from the mild to the wild and Find Yourself Anywhere.

The post Guide to Incredible Guiding appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

See below to learn what’s going on, how it is affecting Incredible Adventures, and how you can help! 

Incredible Adventures’ owners, Jolie Ginsburg and Brian Deninger, have been part of the Biodiesel community since its roots in San Francisco.  This started in 2002 with our vision of having Incredible Adventures become the first fleet in the US  to power its vehicles entirely free of petroleum.  Our petroleum-free fleet helps protect our National Parks which we value so dearly and rely on for our families’ livelihood.

Over the years we have enjoyed many successes, but we have also endured many challenges, whether it be fueling our fleet or ensuring our community has access to a petroleum-free alternative.   Dogpatch Biofuels has always struggled and never been profitable. However, we have stayed the course and continue to advocate and provide a cleaner fuel to promote a cleaner planet.

We regret to inform you of our biggest challenge to date.  As of January 1, 2016, sale of Biodiesel blends above 20% is prohibited by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations. Our variance from the State of California Department of Weights and Measures to sell blends above B20 does not override this new CARB regulation.

Interestingly enough, this prohibition comes on the heels of Incredible Adventures receiving a Cool California Business Award. The award is issued by CARB for California businesses who demonstrate the ability to reduce CO2 emissions and help California achieve it goals of reduced green house gases for a cleaner tomorrow.

We will continue to work with CARB on the possibility of obtaining an “Executive Order” to resume B99 sales in the near future.  In the interim, we are committed to fueling our community and our fleet on petroleum-free fuel.  To achieve our goal, we are changing the fuel sold at Dogpatch Biofuels to a blend we term RB20 (80% Renewable Diesel, 20% Biodiesel).

Much like Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel is derived from both the waste stream and plant oils.  Renewable diesel is a drop-in diesel alternative with no compatibility issues.  Its emissions profile is better than traditional diesel and is not controlled by big petroleum.  With RB20, we are able to have more competitive pricing when compared with petroleum diesel.  This is due to potential volume increases at the station as vehicle engine compatibility is a non-issue.  Over the last 4 years, renewable diesel pricing is more consistent with petrodiesel than biofuel has been.

According to the Air Resource Board and the EPA, the single biggest positive impact that alternative fuels can have on air quality is in the mid-heavy duty fleets.  Dogpatch Biofuels’ RB20 is compatible with all mid-heavy duty vehicles.  With this fuel change, we have an opportunity to reduce petroleum addiction and improve local air quality. So whether you have a connection with Google Bus or know a small construction company looking to lower their impact, please have them call our office (415) 642-7378 and ask for Brian Deninger.

We ask our community to stand with us.  Whether you are a retail customer, fleet customer, traveled with us, friend, family, employee, or motivated to create a cleaner planet, please share this newsletter.  Other positive actions could include writing your representatives, putting pressure on car manufacturers to support alternative fuels, and/or demanding better products that support local business and a cleaner future.

We urge you to contact the Air Resource Board to express any concerns.  General inquiries 800-242-4450 or email helpline@arb.ca.gov.

Brian Deninger and Jolie Ginsburg
Owners of Dogpatch Biofuels and Incredible Adventures

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Could you imagine your day getting any better? Well just around lunchtime – it does!

Here are some ways you can spend your free time in historic Sonoma Town Square:

Grab a Bite to Eat
Lunchtime’s main focus should be the act of lunch. Especially considering the 3-4 tastings on your itinerary, you’ll want some food to soak up the alcohol. Nobody wants to be THAT passenger

A couple of our favorites in the square are Sunflower Caffe as a sit-down option, Sonoma Cheese Factory for a sandwich and cheese sample, or The Girl & The Fig.

Cheese Tastings
While not an official tasting, there are definitely samples to try before you buy. Grab a toothpick and go to town. Try the Jacks; try the cheddars; try em all! We have a feeling you’ll think they’re all grate.

Drink More Wine
Don’t let lunch get in the way of a good time. Keep the wine tastings going! It’s not everyday you’re in a premium wine-growing region. Choose between free pours or pay-to-play. Maybe multitask and order a bite to eat to accompany your glass. However you’re feeling,

Have A Beer
There is a tavern and Irish Pub to take a break from tasting grapes. Sonoma is becoming more recognized for their craft brews so you may want to pair lunch with what’s on tap.

Shop til You Drop
Or at least until you’re supposed to meet back up with your guide! Browse through boutiques full of high-fashion clothing and accessories. Maybe you’ll find the shoes to match that dress you’ve been waiting to wear. Or that dress to match your shoes. Maybe a the perfect golf-themed wine bottle holder for your uncle (no kidding). Skip the cheesy souvenirs (unless it is literally cheese…) and buy yourself something nice!

Learn Something
Sonoma Town Square has a lot of history to it. It’s the site of the Bear Flag Revolt – yes that cute little bear on our state flag – and home of California’s northernmost mission, Mission San Francisco de Solano. Explore the Barracks whose first inhabitants were Mexican soldiers back in 1835!

Chocolate Tastings
Tucked away in a little alley of shops is a delightful chocolate shop sure to appease your sweet tooth. No reservation necessary, you can waltz in and sample their truffle ganache flavor of the day and taste chocolates in varying cacao percentages. Try their world class truffles filled with ganaches made of fruit, honeys, peanut butter, and you guessed it – more wine!

Our guides spend a lot of time in Sonoma Town Square. They’re friends with the locals that work downtown and know all of the hidden gems. Be sure to ask your guide for advice if you’re not sure what to do! However you choose to spend your time – we’re sure you’ll enjoy your break on this Incredible Woods and Wine Combo Tour!

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In 1882, Yellowstone was signed into law as protected land. As some years went by, other monuments and natural/historic areas were recognized, but the management of these properties was assigned to multiple agencies from the War Department to the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture.

In 1915, to help streamline operations, Teddy Roosevelt established the National Park Service; a federal organization whose mission was to protect and manage the 35 national parks and monuments acknowledged at the time.

In celebration of this milestone and to kickoff their centennial year, NPS is offering free admission to more than 400 parks across the US on August 25 – including Muir Woods National Monument and Yosemite National Park (two of our favorites!).

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You know the bottle we’re talking about. The expensive one you bought on vacation in Napa 5 years ago. The one you got as an anniversary present, or from your boss for a job well done, or that you bought for a “special occasion” that never really manifested. Yeah, THAT bottle. The one gathering dust in your cabinet.

Maybe it feels like the time isn’t right, or that you haven’t reached your goal yet, or that it’s just too “special” to open. Maybe your friends aren’t wine connoisseurs and you think you shouldn’t “waste” it. While those excuses may be legitimate for you, you may be missing out on the chance to celebrate and re-live the experiences that got you the wine in the first place.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY: save BIG on a wine tour!
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It’s time to live a little: National Open That Bottle Night is coming up on February 28th (this Saturday). This is an opportunity to come together with friends, get creative with a special meal, and finally breathe life into that aging beverage; making new memories and savoring the old ones. Open That Bottle Night was invented by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brechter of the Wall Street Journal’s weekly wine “Tastings” column (see their article about OTBN here, and learn some tips to ensure success). They believe that “wine is more than the liquid in the bottle. It’s about history, geography, relationships and all of the things that are really important in life”.

Regardless of the age, price, or varietal, open a bottle of wine this Saturday and relive the memories that make it special.

…And hey, you’ll need some new memories, so come along with us on a Muir Woods and Sonoma Tour, a Napa & Sonoma Wine Education Tour, or even our Napa & Sonoma Overnight Hotel Tour and get a couple new bottles, bring them home, and stick them in the back of the cupboard for a special occasion*. There’s another Open That Bottle Night coming along on February 27, 2016, after all.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY: save BIG on a wine tour!
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*Here at Incredible Adventures, we believe strongly that Wednesdays are special occasions (#WineWednesday). Also any day when traffic is bad, or there’s nothing but reruns. Also all other days. YOU make it special! OPEN THAT BOTTLE!

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A) Incredible Adventures travels to Yosemite EVERY DAY. Many tour companies around here shut down their Yosemite operations during the snowy winter months, but we’re one of the few that stay operational year ’round! With the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years’ Day (the only 3 days we don’t operate tours), we run our Yosemite Day Tours daily, year ’round, and our Yosemite Winter Stay & Play Hotel Tours daily throughout the winter season! Our Yosemite Hotel Tours run 3 times a week in the summertime, as do our Yosemite Escape 3-Day Camping Tours.

Q2) What about all the snow and road closures in Yosemite in the winter?

A2) Yosemite is located up in the Sierra Nevada mountains, so it gets quite a bit of snow in the winter time. For us coastal-California types, this is super exciting (we’re not very used to snow down here at sea-level)! Still, it can make transportation through the mountain passes a little more complicated, so we are always well-prepared for any kind of weather. All of our vehicles are small-format (no more than 15 passengers), which makes it easier for us to get around. Every mini-coach in our fleet is prepared with snow chains, and our guides are rigorously trained to know when and how to use them safely. In the winter months, we check the road conditions several times a day, making sure that our routes to and from Yosemite are the safest and clearest available (to assure the safety and comfort of our guests, and also to maximize the amount of time you get to explore the park)!

Q3) Are there differences in the tour in the wintertime?

A3)There are  a lot of areas of Yosemite that aren’t accessible in the wintertime, and you’d be pretty miserable in the cold if you COULD get there. So, we try to format our tours to make sure you’re getting the best options for you within the season that you’re traveling! The links below will take you to our summer and winter itineraries for both our day and overnight tours:

SUMMER:

Yosemite Day Tour
Yosemite Experience 2-Day Hotel Tour
Yosemite Escape 3-Day Camping Tour

WINTER:

Yosemite Day Tour
Yosemite Stay & Play 2-Day Winter Hotel Tour

If you have any concerns or questions, you can ALWAYS contact us and we’ll help you with anything you need to fully enjoy your time in Yosemite!

The post FAQ: Winter in Yosemite appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Our 

href=”https://incadventures.com/tour/yosemite-winter-day-tour/”>Yosemite 1-Day , Muir Woods and Wine, and Napa & Sonoma Wine Education tours run every day during the winter, providing a great get-away for guests who don’t have a lot of time (but would like to get a glimpse of California’s beautiful countryside). For travelers with a little more time to explore, we offer two-day tour packages (hotel stay included) of both Yosemite and Wine Country through the winter. These tours are a great way for passengers to take in everything California has to offer.

This is an excellent time of year to see Wine Country, and there’s no better way than to get a hotel right next to beautiful Sonoma Square and spend a couple of days! With our Napa, Sonoma, and Muir Woods 2-Day Hotel Tour, you can do just that! This time of year the tasting rooms are less crowded, everyone is starting to get into the holiday cheer, and new wines are being pulled out for special holiday sales (yay)!

In addition to folding up the tents from our last camping trip of the season, we’ve also completed all of our summer hotel tours to Yosemite National Park. The roads to Glacier Point and the Giant Sequoias will be closed soon, and the trails are beginning to be snowed in. Now we move to our winter itinerary, which focuses on the beautiful solitude of Yosemite Valley in the snow, as well as offering our more active guests an option for some skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, and fun on the slopes! This trip includes a stay in a cozy hotel INSIDE Yosemite Valley, where you’ll be immersed in the winter beauty throughout your stay. Our Yosemite Stay & Play Winter Hotel Tour is an awesome way to experience Yosemite Park.

As the busier summer months fall away, the shoulder season is the optimal time to finally go on that wine country tour you’ve been meaning to arrange with us. Or catch a glimpse of Yosemite, made no less beautiful by the winter months. Bundle up and come away with us on an Incredible Winter Adventure!

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Tomorrow, over a hundred world leaders in many fields (including President Barack Obama) are gathering for a Climate Summit at the UN headquarters in New York to begin work on a global agreement to address climate change. The Climate Summit’s website says “The Climate Summit will be about action and solutions that are focused on accelerating progress in areas that can significantly contribute to reducing emissions and strengthening resilience – such as agriculture, cities, energy, financing, forests, pollutants, resilience and transportation.”

“By promoting climate action, it aims to show that leaders across sectors and at all levels are taking action, thus expanding the reach of what is possible today, in 2015, and beyond.”

To kick things off, more than 300,000 people showed up in New York for the People’s Climate March over the weekend, making it the largest climate-focused march in history. This march filled 4 miles of streets around Columbus Circle and Central Park West and got a LOT of news coverage. Among the crowd were politicians, policymakers, and famous environmentalists – including Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo was recently named a “Messenger of Peace on Climate Change” by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, joining the likes of Edward Norton, Michael Douglas, Charlize Theron, and Jane Goodall (to name a few influential folks that also hold the MOP title). Leonardo will be speaking at the summit tomorrow as well.

Things are starting to change. In the news this week, it was reported that the Rockefeller family is divesting of their shares in fossil fuels, and have pledged to invest in cleaner alternatives. According to the New York Times, “their actions…could help spur international debate, while the shift of investment funds to energy alternatives could lead to solutions to the carbon puzzle.” (read the full article).

At Incredible Adventures, we use biofuel fuel made from locally-sourced, 100% recycled waste vegetable oil to run our fleet of mini-coaches. We think protecting the environment from global warming and traveling the world shouldn’t be conflicting goals, and are dedicated to finding ways to travel responsibly. To see so many people taking to the streets (and putting their money where their mouth is) to bring awareness to these environmental issues is encouraging and inspiring!

The post People Don’t Care About Climate Change? Think Again. appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

We believe strongly in responsible tourism and sustainable travel. In order to minimize waste and support our community, Incredible Adventures has several ways that we reuse and donate these items:

1. FIX IT: We order new parts (instead of buying whole new sets) to decrease waste and make the most use out of our gear. If we wind up with equipment that’s too damaged to donate or pass on, we’ll take any usable parts off of them, so that we can repair our equipment.

2. RECYCLE: We then try to recycle anything we can. San Francisco has launched a zero-waste initiative that now includes textiles, and we’re very excited to have new options for safely and responsibly recycling these items when they’re too worn to use or donate!

3. DONATE: There are many programs in San Francisco dedicated to providing shelter, food, and safety to the low-income and homeless populations in the city. We donate all of our usable sleeping bags and blankets to Project Homeless Connect to be passed down to people in need. Side note: the PHC office also saves all of their single-side printed paper for us to re-use for our own internal printing needs (so that we’re only using new printer paper when it’s necessary)!

This week, Incredible Adventures also donated roughly 30 sleeping bags and some tents to SFUSD Starr King elementary school’s 5th grade class camping trip.  This school serves a large population of low income families, and camping trips like this can help inner city kids get in touch with nature and learn more about the environment.

We’re happy to be able to provide assistance to our community, and are glad that the equipment we accrue can go to good causes.

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A new study called “In Vino Veritas” was presented on September 2, 2014 at the ESC Congress by Prof Milos Taborsky of the Czech Republic. This study showed that though wine DOES protect against cardiovascular disease, it only works if you exercise. The theory of heart-healthy wine consumption has been kicking around since the ’90s, but this is the “first randomised trial comparing the effects of red and white wine on markers of atherosclerosis in people at mild to moderate risk of CVD”, said Taborsky. “We found that moderate wine drinking was only protective in people who exercised”. 

Basically, a bunch of folks had to drink wine (Pinot Noir or Chardonnay-Pinot) for a year FOR SCIENCE. Sounds like a great job. Corks were collected to prevent cheating (who would cheat by NOT drinking wine?), and the participants tracked both their consumption and exercise, and maintained their regular diets. Their cholesterol levels were tested after a year.

Ultimately, it was found that wine alone isn’t a magic heart-protector, but that when paired with moderate exercise (defined as “at least twice a week”), good things happened. HDL (“good cholesterol“, which protects your heart) levels increased in this subgroup, and LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and total cholesterol levels decreased overall.

You can read a detailed description of the In Vino Veritas study and Taborsky’s findings here.

Soooooo…basically, you should probably go for a walk, and then have some wine. If you need some help with that, check out our Muir Woods and Wine Tour, our Napa & Sonoma Wine Education Tour, or our Woods & Wine Overnight tour. We’re not saying it’ll help your heart, but it sure won’t hurt to try!

The post I Heart Wine: Drinking for Health appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

A) Incredible Adventures picks up at nearly every hotel in the city proper: hotels in SOMA, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, the Financial District, the Embarcadero, and Lombard Street are all within our pickup radius! That said, we cannot pick you up (or drop you off) at the San Francisco Airport, or at any of the nearby airport hotels. Here’s why:

It’s a little-known fact that the San Francisco Airport (SFO) isn’t actually located in San Francisco proper! Because of our city’s unique geography (we’re bordered on 3 sides by water), there’s not a lot of space for things like airports, so it got placed approximately 13 miles to the south. San Francisco has mastered this complication fairly well, with several public transportation options (and many cabs and airport shuttles) to make sure folks visiting our fair city can get here.

Because of this additional space and the long haul to the city, many “Airport Hotels” have popped up in the South San Francisco, Burlingame, and Millbrae areas. These hotels are often less expensive than hotels in the center of the city, and are ideal for business travelers and people who are arriving or departing very early (or very late) from SFO.

Still, this 13 miles from the city can be quite a long way, especially in high-traffic commute hours. This means an added 20+ minutes each direction to get to these hotels, which cuts into the precious time we have to take our guests to see the amazing views of Yosemite Valley (or worse, it cuts into your wine tasting time)! Also, commercial vehicles like Incredible Adventures’ mini-coaches are required to have special permits before they’re allowed onto airport property. Because of this, we do not have pickups available from SFO or the surrounding area.

Q2) So…How can I meet your tour, then?

A2) You have several great options:

– Some airport hotels have a shuttle into the city, or to the airport (where you can catch BART easily). Check with your concierge or the front desk; they will be able to assist you in making the best choice of transportation.

– If you’re staying at an airport hotel with a car, we can suggest a local hotel in the city proper that has very reasonable flat-rate all-day parking. Contact us and we’ll give you directions.

– You can take a cab or Uber, but make sure you check the price before you go. It can sometimes be very pricey, so unless you have a large group and are splitting the fare, be careful!

– Our public transportation systems are very reliable and are a great way to get around. We often suggest taking BART into the city and meeting us right by the Powell St station at a central hotel meeting point (usually the Wyndham Parc 55, which is right next to the station), or taking CalTrain in to the San Francisco Station at 4th and Townsend. We know navigating a new city can be tricky; feel free to give us a call and our staff will be happy to help you figure out the right transportation for you!

The post FAQ: Pickups from SFO / San Francisco Airport appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

A. Incredible Adventures uses a petroleum-free biofuel fuel. This this isn’t yet common in the industry and isn’t directly influenced by gas prices, but we’re still at the effect of market prices for our fuel, and sometimes even subject to limited supply. The surcharge is designed to adjust for fluctuating fuel/operation prices during the tour season. Generally the surcharge is about $10 per-tour and is limited to the tours with the longest drive-times (our Yosemite Tours). If your tour has an additional fuel surcharge, it will be clearly stated on the website or in the brochure.

We believe that protecting the environment from harmful emissions (and not being reliant on oil) is worth the additional cost of using an alternative fuel, and worth the extra work we do to maintain biofuel as a viable alternative in our industry. Our hope is that we can always be clear with our guests about these sorts of additions so there are no surprises, and make sure our clients know exactly what they’re getting, and what they’re paying for it.

The post FAQ: Biodiesel Fuel Surcharge on Yosemite Tours appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Within two years of his first experience of this area, Galen had built himself a log cabin which became known as “Clark’s Station”. Here he provided visitors (including John Muir, when he first traveled to Yosemite) with food, shelter, and education about the area. He and John became friends; Muir later stating that Clark was “the best mountaineer” he’d ever met.

On June 30th, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant (which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year!), designating Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove as a grant “inalienable for all time” to the state of California “for public use, resort and recreation” – not for settlement. A guardian was chosen to oversee the board of commissioners, and that guardian was Galen Clark. He maintained this position for the next 24 years.

It is said Galen used to hike through the park barefoot, and was quoted as saying that shoes are “cruel and silly instruments of torture, at once uncivilized, unhuman and unnecessary.”

To see the beautiful Giant Sequoias and Yosemite Valley that inspired Galen Clark, join us on our Yosemite Experience 2-Day Hotel Tours or our Yosemite Escape 3- Day Camping Tour. Shoes are optional, but strongly advised – sorry Galen!

The post Did You Know? Galen Clark Was First Guardian of The Yosemite Grant appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

You’ve seen it in the news, in advertisements, on the television, and in your local stores. With the mainstream media *finally* recognizing the devastating effects of global warming and conscious consumers demanding change, being green is “cool” these days and everyone’s jumping on-board.

Corporate “greenwashing” is rampant. You may see the words  “Sustainable”, “Eco-Conscious”, “Good for the Environment”, “Smart Choice”, or “Responsible”, but….how do you know what that means? How do you quantify “green”?

1. Know Where You Stand. If you don’t know enough about the issue, how can you make an informed decision? Knowledge is power, and knowing the details can help you choose the businesses and causes you support. Learn where your boundaries are, and know enough to stand up for them when they’re challenged. Here are some Biodiesel Basics to get you started.

2. Do Your Research. Just because a company says they’re doing something to combat climate change doesn’t mean they’re doing it, or that they’re doing it the way you think they are. Go to the source (if you can) and find out what actual steps they’re taking. Look up reviews and articles to see what people are saying, and ask questions directly if you can’t find the anwers online. Here’s a great resource for finding more local San Francisco Green Businesses while you’re visiting!

3. Beware of Greenwashing. There’s lots of ways to look responsible without having to actually BE responsible (usually by paying someone to do it for you). In our industry, the most common form of this is buying Carbon Credits in order to “offset” transportation emissions (read: exhaust from their vehicles). The thing is, pollution is pollution, so even if you’re planting trees or buying credits from a company that’s decreasing its emissions “on your behalf”, that stuff is still going into the air. It shouldn’t be about someone doing less damage, so you can do more damage and “it’ll balance out”. We ALL need to be doing our part. Incredible Adventures’ Biodiesel Tours are carbon-neutral right out of the tailpipe (no carbon credits needed here)!

4. Walk the Talk. If you want to use these words, be prepared to show you know what they mean. You can learn more about Incredible Adventures’ sustainability efforts here: What Does it Mean to be Green?

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