Self-Launched California Road Trip: Yosemite Hiking & Venice Beach Surfing
6 days · California, USA
G Adventures charges £1,299
No-markup version: ~£418 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 6-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "USA Road Trip — Yosemite Hiking & Cali Surfing" (trip code NUYL). You'll travel independently from San Francisco to Venice Beach using public transport and affordable hostel/motel stays. Instead of a private tour van and a group leader, you'll use Amtrak/Greyhound coaches, YARTS (the public Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System), and self-bookable surf lessons. You'll hike Tuolumne Grove's giant sequoias, tackle the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls, and finish with a beginner surf lesson on the southern California coast. Costs are approximate and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
San Francisco to Yosemite — Sequoias and El Capitan
San Francisco → Yosemite National Park
Start early in San Francisco and make your way to Yosemite independently. The cheapest route is a pre-booked YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) bus from the Bay Area, or an Amtrak San Joaquins train to Merced combined with a connecting YARTS bus into the park (roughly £25-35 total, book ahead especially in summer). Arrive at the park, check into a hostel or campground in Midpines/El Portal, then walk the easy 2.5km trail to Tuolumne Grove to see the giant sequoias. In the late afternoon head into Yosemite Valley to catch El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall before dark.
🚌YARTS bus or Amtrak San Joaquins + YARTS connection, £25-35
🛏Hostel or tent campground in Midpines/El Portal (e.g. Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort dorm, or a public campground site)
- →YARTS/Amtrak journey to Yosemite
- →Tuolumne Grove giant sequoia walk
- →El Capitan viewpoint
- →Bridalveil Fall
Yosemite Valley at your own pace
Yosemite Valley
A free day to explore Yosemite Valley. Use the free park shuttle to reach trailheads. Start with the easy Lower Yosemite Fall Trail and the Swinging Bridge Loop for views of Half Dome and El Capitan. If you want a challenge, hike the Upper Yosemite Falls trail or the Four Mile Trail. In the late afternoon, watch climbers on El Capitan from El Cap Meadow and pick up groceries at the Valley Store for dinner at camp.
🚌Free Yosemite Valley shuttle; walking
🛏Hostel or tent campground in Midpines/El Portal
- →Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
- →Swinging Bridge Loop
- →Half Dome viewpoint
- →Optional Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile Trail hike
Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls
Yosemite National Park
The big hike day. Take the shuttle to Happy Isles and hike the legendary Mist Trail to Vernal Fall (and on to Nevada Fall if you have the legs — about 8-11km round trip depending on how far you go). Bring plenty of water, lunch and a rain jacket for the spray near the falls. Alternatively, rent a bike in the valley and cruise the paved loop (about £25-30). Evening: campfire, star-gazing and an early night.
🚌Free Yosemite Valley shuttle; walking
🛏Hostel or tent campground in Midpines/El Portal
- →Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
- →Optional continuation to Nevada Fall
- →Optional bike rental in Yosemite Valley
Yosemite to Venice Beach
Yosemite → Los Angeles (Venice Beach)
A long travel day with no private van — plan it properly. Easiest route: morning YARTS bus to Merced, then Amtrak San Joaquins to Bakersfield and the Amtrak Thruway bus or train onward to Los Angeles Union Station (roughly £50-70 total, 10-12 hours). Alternatively, book a Greyhound/FlixBus from Merced to LA. From Union Station take Metro light rail (E Line) to downtown Santa Monica and a short bus to Venice Beach. Arrive in time for golden hour on the sand and a seaside burrito or taco dinner.
🚌YARTS + Amtrak San Joaquins + Amtrak Thruway/Greyhound, £50-70; LA Metro E Line, ~£1.50
🛏Beachfront hostel in Venice Beach (dorm, e.g. a Venice/Santa Monica hostel)
- →YARTS to Merced
- →Amtrak/Greyhound to Los Angeles
- →Venice Beach sunset walk
Surf lesson & Venice Beach life
Venice Beach
Book a beginner surf lesson independently on Venice or Santa Monica beach through GetYourGuide or Klook (or direct with a local surf school) — expect around £50-75 for a 1.5-2 hour group lesson with board and wetsuit included. Afterwards, wander the Venice Boardwalk, watch the street performers at Muscle Beach, walk out to the pier, or rent a bike along the Strand to Santa Monica. Evening: pick your favourite of the beachfront burrito spots.
🚌Walking/cycling locally; optional Big Blue Bus, ~£1.50
🛏Beachfront hostel in Venice Beach (dorm)
- →Beginner surf lesson (self-booked)
- →Venice Beach Boardwalk & Muscle Beach
- →Optional bike rental along the Strand
Departure
Venice Beach → Los Angeles Airport
Check out and head to LAX. Take the Big Blue Bus or Metro E Line to a FlyAway bus stop at Union Station, or a rideshare directly to the airport (roughly £3-15). Book onward travel for after midday to allow for the journey across the city.
🚌Big Blue Bus/Metro + LAX FlyAway, £3-15
🛏None (departure day)
- →FlyAway bus/Metro to LAX
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£418 | £1,299 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £881 per person (68%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£418
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched California Road Trip: Yosemite Hiking & Venice Beach Surfing cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £418 per person for 6 days in California, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,299 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £418 — a saving of roughly £881 (68%) per person.
How long is the California, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through California, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, beaches trip through California, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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