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.

The post Top 10 Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

From the infamous Alcatraz Island and Fort Point to a storied indie bookstore and the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, keep scrolling to find out what makes this west coast city unique. Maybe you’ll even get a little travel inspiration, too!

Incredible Adventures is a small family owned and operated business based in the heart of San Francisco. As the greenest tour company in the city, we pride ourselves on offering travelers a safe and reliable way to connect with the nature and history of our hometown and surrounding areas. There’s no need to worry about your carbon footprint. With us, we’ll offset it with our biodiesel fueled vehicles!

We understand how precious vacations are, and that’s why our San Francisco tours are no-fuss, flexible excursions that show you the highlights of the city with our local knowledge. If you’d like to hear more about what we do, get in touch.

But for now, let’s look at some of San Francisco’s most historic landmarks.

Do Time at the Historic Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is a must-see for any history buff visiting San Francisco. Converted into a federal prison in 1934, the island is famous for holding notorious gangsters like Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud (the “Birdman of Alcatraz”), and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.

While the prison closed in 1963, it is a fascinating site of protest and history. Embark on a fifteen-minute ferry ride to Alcatraz for amazing views of the classic San Francisco skyline, including the red arches of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island.

If you’re brave enough, join us on our Alcatraz Night Tour & San Francisco Bay Tour to encounter ‘The Rock’ by moonlight. The night shift gives visitors exclusive access to parts of the former jail not open to the public by day. The multi-language audio tour “Doing Time” paints a vivid scene with interviews with former inmates.

Uncover Defense History at Fort Point

Fort Point is a must-see for military enthusiasts. Also known as “the pride of the Pacific”, Fort Point’s exemplary mason work was constructed at the height of the California Gold Rush. Designed as part of a naval defense system, the Fort was positioned to protect the bay against a Confederate attack from the sea that never came.

The Fort has seen many uses in its history. In World Wars I and II, it became active once more. In WWI, it was designed as a detention barracks but remained unused. In WWII, soldiers were stationed to guard the entrance of Golden Gate from potential submarine attacks.

If you’d like to grab a cool one after your tour, Fort Point is now home to a local brewery — the Fort Point Beer Company — just a twenty-minute walk from the historic site. Grab a beer and head down to Golden Gate Beach and look out over the bay with Alcatraz in the distance.

Learn about Literary History at City Lights Bookstore

This iconic bookstore is the symbol of the 1950s Beat Generation. Founded in 1953 in North Beach by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights gained notoriety when it faced charges of obscenity for publishing Allen Ginsberg’s Howl.

City Lights gained its iconic status as a place where counterculture came to flourish. Once host to Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, among dozens of other famous writers, visitors can now search its three levels of books for a classic or drop in for a night of poetry.

Once you’ve chosen your next vacation read, take a cab or a stroll down to Haight-Ashbury, the nexus of the 60s hippie movement. Here you can get a flavor of Woodstock and check out the Grateful Dead House or Jimmy Hendrix’s former red house. Speaking of houses, look out for the colorful Victorian Painted Ladies on your way.

Hop Aboard Living History at The San Francisco Cable Car Museum

If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to take a cable car while wearing flowers in your hair! Nothing will get you up and down the hilly streets in style like a ride on a cable car. There are three lines still in operation, but if you want to learn more about this mode of transport, visit the Cable Car Museum.

At this working museum, you can watch the engines and winding wheels pull the cables of these cars into motion. Compare the cable cars of today with the preserved cars of the past and learn all about the grips, cables, and brakes that keep these cars running.

Did we mention the museum is free? Our local tip is to avoid waiting in line by walking to the next cable car stop and board en route, wherever you see the brown and white cable car sign.

Explore the Historic Sutro Baths

If you want to extend your historic tour after Alcatraz, head on down to the Sutro Baths. Its ruins are located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and, while they’re not open for swimming, the baths offer an insight into public pastimes of years gone by.

The Sutro Baths were opened in 1896 by the former San Francisco mayor Adolph Sutro and advertised as the world’s largest indoor swimming pool. The high running costs saw it transformed into an ice rink and an apartment complex was planned before the building was lost in an arson attack.

The nearby Cliff House was also owned by Sutro and is an example of neo-classical architecture. The building has been rebuilt several times and has been a roadhouse, a penny arcade, and a restaurant complex until its closure in 2020.

Today, visitors can look at the site of former glory and stroll along the beach absorbing the eerie atmosphere.

Taste Local Flavors at the Ferry Building Marketplace

Walk up to the Ferry Building and stand beneath the dramatic clock tower that overlooks the San Francisco waterfront. Once a central hub for visitors on ferry boats to the city in the Gold Rush era, the building has been converted into a vibrant marketplace and food hall full of local foods, wines, and music.

The farmers market runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. The plentiful stalls offer everything from fresh meat, eggs, and vegetables to flowers, herbs, and jams. Step inside the Ferry Building’s historic walls and experience new flavors among the thronging crowd.

If you’re a wine connoisseur looking for a calmer crowd, why not head out to Napa and Sonoma on our Wine Country Tour? Delicious grapes await in these idyllic vineyards. Cheers!

Step Back in Time at The Walt Disney Family Museum

There’s more than a mouse in the house! The Walt Disney Family Museum is a great place for families to explore the history of the world-renowned American animator. Also located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy the interactive exhibits and a 12-foot diameter model of Disneyland.

Learn about what made Walt tick and take in the impressive collection of more than 248 awards he won during his career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. There’s a theater on the lower level that screens daily Disney movies, so grab some popcorn for your visit and spend a few hours reliving your childhood or making new memories with your kids.

And that brings us to our close of some of our local favorites We hope this list has inspired you to start chartering your map around San Francisco’s historic hotspots. Whether you’re looking for a multi-day tour of San Francisco or a tour that’s customized to your needs, let us know! We’re here to make sure your San Francisco adventure is a dream come true.

If you’re looking for a minibreak from the hustle and bustle of the city streets, our Yosemite National Park tours will be a breath of fresh air. Just a four-hour drive from San Francisco, Yosemite’s ancient sequoia trees and granite cliffs are waiting for you via our environmentally friendly biofuel mini-coaches.

In the meantime, we’ll be waiting in the City of Fog to welcome you to our shores, whether you arrive by ferry boat, plane, or cable car.

Save Big with Incredible Adventures!

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 discounts on all of our 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.

The post What Are The Most Historical Places To Visit In San Francisco? appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Volunteering isn’t only helpful for others. Studies show that giving back can be beneficial for our own well-being as well. Focusing on something or someone else reduces stress and increases both self-confidence and brain function. Volunteering can also help you feel connected to your community, make new friends and get active in the process.

Finding a way to give some of your time to help our environment and community doesn’t have to be hard. Here are our favorite avenues for giving back to the Bay Area.

1. Volunteer with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

One of our favorite ways as a company to get together and give back at the same time is by volunteering with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Not only do these opportunities help benefit the important natural areas so dear to us, but we always have a good time while we’re at it too.

Just recently, the Incredible Adventures crew spent a morning at Muir Woods getting our hands dirty and helping clean up the under-appreciated but always important boardwalks. These boardwalks through the park not only provide a nice terrain for visitors, but they also are crucial for protecting the coastal redwoods which we all cherish so much. In order to keep these boardwalks in good condition and safe for visitors, they must be swept and cleaned regularly, which is a large undertaking for anyone.

Volunteering with the G.G.N.R.A can offer opportunities from curb painting to beach cleanup, but ‘deck flossing’ was both a fun and satisfying activity. With the use of a sharp flossing tool, we dug all of the debris from the trees out from in between the wooden planks. This way, the rain water can drain to the root systems down below and the wooden boardwalks can stay in good condition. After digging up all the “duff,” we swept the area to provide a clear and non-slippery surface for all the visitors to the woods.

If you’re looking for a group volunteer activity, we can’t recommend working with the G.G.N.R.A enough!

2. Help out at the SF Food Bank

With a mission to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, the SF Food Bank could use volunteer help more than ever. Currently, 141,000 people count on the the food bank each week. From morning snacks for low-income students to home delivered groceries for seniors, the food bank plays a critical role in keeping hunger at bay in our community.

It’s also extremely easy to plan your visit. With the ease of the online calendar, choose an available shift any day of the week in one of their two locations. Shifts typically last for two hours and involve sorting and packaging food. The food bank also offers seasonal opportunities and most events accept children.

3. Donate to a shelter for holiday meals

Don’t currently have the time to choose and attend a volunteer event? One easy way to give back is by donating to Bay Area Rescue Mission so they can provide meals for those in need, especially over the holiday season. All it takes is $2.05 to feed a hungry person, so donating $50 provides 24 meals and care for those in need.

Bay Area Rescue Mission is a non-profit and you can make these donations online through PayPal or over the phone.

4. Help some furry friends with Family Dog Rescue

Our furry friends need some care this holiday season too. With the help of volunteers, Family Dog Rescue is able to rescue over 1,000 dogs per year. If you’re an animal lover, this may be the most fun you could have giving back. All first-time volunteers will need to attend a short training program before beginning but after that you’re free to help by walking, grooming, training and playing with the dogs.

5. Find more creative options with Hands On Bay Area

If you’re looking for something different to try, or a volunteer outing that’s more unique, Hands On Bay Area has a plethora of option to choose from. Whether it’s gardening or trail building, their volunteer calendar is bound to have something you’re interested in.

Hands On Bay Area also organizes volunteer events for groups and companies, so you’ll be able to give back regardless of your group size.

Whatever you decide to do, your efforts will go a long way to make sure we are taking care of this wonderful city and the residents that call it home, regardless of the season.

The post 5 Ways to Give Back in the Bay Area this Holiday Season appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

…and we are compelled to THANK her! We admire her commitment to transparency and honesty in the green community. We believe it is vital that we hold ourselves and each other accountable!

The response to this simple question (“Fueled by Biofuels? Really?!?”) is complex. As the discussion unfolded, it transformed into a teachable moment that we thought opened itself up to a larger audience, and we wanted to talk about it here.

This conversation is bigger than one driver filling up one vehicle for one tour bus company. It’s about the lack of available fueling stations for alternative fuels both in California and across the US. It’s wrapped up in all sorts of red tape at both the state and federal levels. The answer provides an opportunity to educate our communities and the next generation about renewable energies. And ultimately, our answer to ALL of our followers will be best demonstrated through our actions at the micro-level while we continue to do our best to spread the word at the macro-level.

Seeking Biofuel Station

Incredible Adventures strives to run 100% of our fleet with fully petroleum-free alternative biofuels. However, due to the lack of supply in certain areas that we visit, we’re occasionally forced to supplement. In the photo captured, our guide, Aaron, is fueling up at the Tesoro in Oakdale. There are no alternative fuel stations in/near Yosemite National Park. Many stations around California have closed or dropped their alternative fuel selections due to heavy regulations and lack of demand. Although we’re constantly researching fuel stations offering alternative fuel blends in their tanks, this proves difficult in remote areas.

Even though many of our vehicles are capable of traveling our standard routes without the need to fill up with traditional fuel, it is not always possible. It is increasingly difficult on our multi-day tours to maintain non-petroleum fuel in our vehicles throughout the entire trip. This particular photo was taken during Aaron’s overnight tour through Yosemite. Travelling from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park and back (round-trip) is impossible on a single tank of biofuel. With our mini-coaches’ smaller tanks, we maximize our usage of biofuel and supplement with diesel given the availability in the surrounding area. We train our drivers to fuel up with the least amount of petroleum fuel as possible. If you see our vehicles fueling at traditional gas stations, they are often only putting in the number of gallons it requires for us to safely return to Dogpatch Biofuels back in the city.

Supplying Biofuels

Incredible Adventures has been running on non-petroleum-based fuels since 2003. In order to secure a more consistent flow of biofuels, our owners bought Dogpatch Biofuel in 2010. It’s the only alternative fueling station in San Francisco open to the public, benefitting not only our fleet, but also the community at large. We’re proud to say that all of our vehicles leave the city for their trips with 100% renewable fuel. Since 2008 the station has sold 666,133.7 gallons of none petroleum fuel, offsetting the equivalent of 15,860.32 barrels of oil. Our dedication to reducing tailpipe emissions in our fleet and community exceeds the efforts of any other privately held transportation company.

Fighting for Biofuels

Alternative fuels are fighting for survival against strong Big Oil lobbyists and motor companies. These interests are increasing restrictions to commercial alternative fuel in California, and reducing spend on alternative fuel research. You can often find our owners on the front lines of this Big Oil battle: our company engages in the promotion and education of alternative fuels and their benefits, and the owners and staff have spent countless hours lobbying both at the local and state levels. Once we even volunteered at a Willie Nelson concert with ReVerb to advocate for renewable alternatives. Willie’s a strong supporter of biofuels!

Most recently our owner, Brian Deninger, spoke on a panel at the Green Transportation Summit and Expo in Portland. The conference encouraged municipal and private fleets to embrace the adoption of non-petroleum fuels as a tool to slow global warming and reduce carbon emissions. These efforts do not only have a local impact, but also lasting impact globally.

It’s important to gather legislative support for wider distribution of Biofuel and alternative energies. Increasing access to fueling stations will allow our fleet to run higher volumes of alternative fuel on our tours, and will allow us to provide retail fuel customers with more sustainable options as well.

Worth the Costs

We know that doing the right thing for our environment’s future can make for tough financial decisions. We encourage business owners to make those decisions anyway! Incredible Adventures is committed to finding sustainable solutions at the state, national, and global stages, and we encourage citizens in tourism and other sectors to consider petroleum alternatives as often as they can.

As we venture to priceless destinations like Yosemite National Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and beyond, we’ve got to work together sustainably! We know that travel positively impacts our souls, but ironically (and inevitably), it causes negative impacts on our environment. We’re constantly reviewing how we can do better, and hope that consumers everywhere will do the same.

So thank you to our allies online, on the road, and across the globe that are monitoring the playing field. We need more watchdogs out there to keep us all in check. Our goal to run completely petroleum-free is ongoing – but it’s not beyond reach. Stay tuned and join us as we continue to campaign for sustainability!

The post FAQ: Fueled by Biofuels? Really?!? 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.

Those things are great, but this year, all we need are our National Parks!

While there are so many things to love on this special day, there are few things in this world that we adore more than our National Parks. As Edwin C. Bearss, NPS Chief Historian, 1981-1994, said, “Our national park system belongs to all of us, both legally and spiritually.”

Whenever you’re down, our National Parks are there for you. If you need peace and quiet away from your routinely busy lifestyle, our National Parks are there for you. If you are itching for an escape outdoors, a taste of fresh air or a night under the stars, our National Parks are there for you. If you want to learn something new, our National Parks (and thousands of volunteer docents, scientists, and rangers) are there for you!

We feel immensely connected to these protected plots of land. And we wanted to share our love with the whole world (wide web). We shout it from soaring maintained mountain tops and scream it to beautifully sheltered seas. So for Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing Trading Cards for our land conserving followers to share with loved ones all over the Earth!

*that said, if you ARE going to propose, what better way to do so than in one of these amazing locations? The national parks are an inspiring and beautiful backdrop for you to pop the big question, or even celebrate the big day! 

The post Valentine’s Day Trading Cards: National Parks Edition 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.

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

The post The Current State of Biofuels appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

On Wednesday, March 3, California Air Resources Board (CARB), a division of the state’s Environmental Protection Agency, presented San Francisco’s greenest tour provider, Incredible Adventures, with a CoolCalifornia Small Business Climate Leader award!

CoolCalifornia’s Small Business program acknowledges steps a company takes to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize its environmental impact. To qualify for this award, a business must have less than 100 employees and be in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. Much of what already qualifies us as an SF Green Business  made us eligible to apply.

Submissions from a wide array of businesses from all over the state were thoroughly vetted by a panel of 17 judges. Nineteen winners represented an auto body shop, a dental office, a pet cleaning company, a winery and vineyard, a hotel, a catering company, a gym and more!

Our biofuel fueled mission on the road and green practices in the office demonstrated to the committee our approach to integrate sustainable practices throughout our operations. Factors taken into consideration during judgement were our plumbing, light fixtures, recycling, composting and green purchasing policy that all align to reduce our costs and increase sustainable efficiency.

As a designated climate leader, we now qualify to distinguish ourselves as a Business of the Year at their next event. We look forward to documenting our improvements this coming year and continuously evolving our operations to proactively work with the environmental issues at hand.

Our commitment to protect the natural areas that we visit on our trips is more than just the physical award or a few paragraphs for the blog. We are leading California towards a healthier economic future. We look forward to the day when green business becomes less of a trend and more of our reality. Less award recognition necessary – we’ll just all do what’s right! But hey, in the meantime – our beautiful, shiny, heavy, blue and perfect award made of recycled glass sure does look nice at our receptionist’s desk

Congratulations to all who shared this prestigious honor!

We are proud to be grouped  together with such an incredible crowd!

The post CoolCA Small Business Climate Leaders appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Check out their video interview here!

It was the middle of the night when our owner, Jolie Ginsburg, woke up with a harsh realization: Our petroleum tours to the natural gems surrounding San Francisco were harmful and unsustainable. She woke her partner, Brian Deninger, up and confessed her unwillingness to be complacent on the matter any longer.  From then on, they vowed to only use alternative fuels whenever possible.

And we did! Today, our growing fleet sets the standard for sustainability by running on 99.9% biofuel!

Click here to learn why IA chooses eco-friendly biofuel alternative fuel!

The post Biodiesel: By All Means appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

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!

The post Open That Bottle! appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Since our previous GM (Gussy Haun) made the move to grad school in South Carolina in December and transitioned to managing our group contracts, we’ve been on the hunt for the right person to join our team and fill her role. JD comes to us with a lot of industry experience, and a passion for Adventure Travel and sustainability. Here’s a little bit about JD (you can learn about all of our staff and guides on our Staff Bio page):

JD found his way to the mountains of Steamboat Springs, Colorado from the hills of Kentucky in 1995. He quickly began to expand his knowledge and love of the wilderness as a white water rafting guide, a rock climber and an avid backpacker. Moving south to continue his education at Fort Lewis College in Durango turned out to be a perfect fit as it was situated near all of the outdoor activities he loved and the study of the surrounding geology was absolutely enthralling.

In the spring of 2000, after guiding raft trips for four years, JD began his career as a North American Tour Leader spending most of that decade guiding people from all over the world to the highlights of the USA, Canada and Mexico as well as Guatemala and Belize.

After several years on the road as a guide, JD took a more serious role in transportation working with Con-Way Truckload and became a Certified Director of Safety through the North American Transportation Management Institute. He served as an Operations Assistant Manager, then the Fleet Safety and Compliance Manager and Head of Department for an international tourism organization.

The sense of adventure and care for the environment is still strong for JD, as he pedals his Surly LHT to work most days and with the recent purchase of a 37 foot sailboat, he’ll often be found exploring the San Francisco Bay under the power of the wind and, of course, the occasional use of some of that sweet recycled cooking oil from Dogpatch Biofuels when he has to crank up the diesel.

JD says, “There’s a lot of positive change happening in tourism and transportation right now. I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the Incredible Adventures team, our partners, and our clients up the path toward true sustainability and meaningful adventure.”

Welcome to the team, JD!

The post Meet Our New General Manager: JD Boyle! appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

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.

The post Sustainable Travel: Donating Camping Gear appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

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 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.

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?

The post Let’s Talk About Greenwashing appeared first on Incredible Adventures.