Hike & E-Bike Yosemite and California's Wine Country: The Self-Launched Version

Fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and make your own way into the city. The BART train from SFO to Powell Street Station is the cheapest and easiest option (~£7), then jump on the historic F Line streetcar to Fisherman's Wharf. Check into a budget hotel or hostel in the Fisherman's Wharf or North Beach area — both put you close to the waterfront and the action. Spend the afternoon stretching your legs along the Embarcadero, watching the sea lions at Pier 39, or hiking up to Coit Tower for Golden Gate Bridge views. Grab dinner at one of the many affordable taquerias or seafood shacks nearby.

🚌BART from SFO to Powell Street (~£7pp), then F Line streetcar to Fisherman's Wharf (~£2pp)

🛏HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel or Mosser Hotel — budget double/twin ~£80-120/night for two

• →Arrive at SFO and take BART to Powell Street (~£7)
• →Walk the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf waterfront
• →Hike up to Coit Tower for Golden Gate Bridge and bay views
• →Explore North Beach neighbourhood for dinner options

Pick up your rental car from the city (book in advance — companies like Enterprise or Alamo at SFO offer good rates) and drive north on US-101 to Healdsburg in Sonoma County (~1.5hrs). Book a guided e-bike tour through Dry Creek Valley with Spoke Folk Cyclery or a local operator via GetYourGuide — these self-bookable tours take you through rolling vineyards and typically include a wine tasting stop. Alternatively, rent e-bikes independently from Spoke Folk (~£40pp/day) and follow the Dry Creek Valley loop yourself. Stop for lunch at the legendary Dry Creek General Store (open since 1881 — famous sandwiches and local deli food, ~£12-15). Taste wines at Preston Farm & Winery or Lambert Bridge Winery (tastings from ~£20pp). Head to a budget motel in Windsor or Santa Rosa for the night, then find a local craft brewery for dinner — Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa is a must.

🚌Rental car (budget ~£50/day split between two = ~£25pp/day including fuel)

🛏Flamingo Resort Santa Rosa or Astro Motel — budget double ~£90-130/night for two

• →Drive San Francisco to Healdsburg via US-101 (~1.5hrs)
• →E-bike through Dry Creek Valley — book via Spoke Folk Cyclery or GetYourGuide (~£40-55pp)
• →Lunch at Dry Creek General Store (est. 1881)
• →Wine tasting at a local Sonoma vineyard (~£20pp)
• →Short evening walk through coastal redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (free entry)

Rise early and drive west to the Sonoma Coast (~40 mins) for a spectacular morning hike above the Pacific cliffs. Bodega Head Trail (2 miles, ~1.5hrs) is a stunning loop above dramatic sea cliffs — free to access. Back at the trailhead, hit the road for the classic Californian road trip inland to Yosemite (~4hrs drive). Stop at a roadside farmers' market or deli in a small town like Merced or Mariposa for lunch. Wind up through the Sierra Nevada foothills and enter Yosemite via the Big Oak Flat entrance (West Gate). Note: you'll need to book a vehicle reservation in advance via recreation.gov if entering during peak season (typically May–Sept, ~£4pp). Check in to Hodgdon Meadow Campground near the west gate, or Crane Flat Campground — both require advance booking on recreation.gov (~£18-22/night per site). Set up camp, cook a simple dinner on a camp stove, and enjoy the evening under the stars.

🚌Rental car — Sonoma Coast to Yosemite ~4hrs driving

🛏Hodgdon Meadow or Crane Flat Campground, Yosemite — book via recreation.gov (~£18-22/night per site)

• →Morning hike at Bodega Head Trail, Sonoma Coast (free, ~2 miles, 1.5hrs)
• →Drive Sonoma Coast → Yosemite via CA-120 (~4hrs total)
• →Lunch stop at a farmers' market or deli in Mariposa or Merced
• →Enter Yosemite National Park (Yosemite entry fee ~£30/vehicle, valid 7 days — America the Beautiful annual pass ~£60 covers all national parks and saves money if visiting multiple)
• →Set up camp at Hodgdon Meadow or Crane Flat Campground (~£18-22/night per site)

An early start for one of Yosemite's most spectacular backcountry hikes. Drive across the scenic Tioga Road (CA-120) to Tuolumne Meadows (~45 mins from the west gate area). Note: Tioga Road is only open late May through early November. The Glen Aulin Trail (12 miles out-and-back, ~6hrs) takes you through pristine alpine scenery past granite domes, cascading waterfalls, and lush meadows to the stunning Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp and its tumbling waterfall — a perfect lunch spot. No additional permit is required for this day hike. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and layers — altitude here sits around 8,600ft so pace yourself. Return to camp in the late afternoon for a well-earned rest and a camp-cooked dinner (bring a portable stove and pre-packed meals from a supermarket).

🚌Rental car — drive to/from Tuolumne Meadows (~45 mins each way)

🛏Hodgdon Meadow or Crane Flat Campground (same site as Day 3)

• →Drive to Tuolumne Meadows via Tioga Road (~45 mins from camp)
• →Full-day hike: Glen Aulin Trail (12 miles, ~6hrs, out-and-back from Tuolumne Meadows trailhead — free, no day-hike permit required)
• →Picnic lunch at Glen Aulin waterfall
• →Camp dinner — buy supplies at Tuolumne Meadows Grill/Store or pre-stock from a Merced supermarket

Today hits Yosemite's greatest hits. Start early to beat the crowds on the Mist Trail — one of America's most iconic hikes. The route climbs steeply beside the roaring Merced River, past Vernal Falls (1.5 miles from trailhead) and up to Nevada Falls (3 miles, ~2,000ft gain). Expect wooden steps, granite switchbacks, and glorious spray. Important: a Yosemite Valley day-hike permit may be required for the Mist Trail during peak season — book in advance via recreation.gov (free, but competitive). After the falls, drive up to Glacier Point Road for panoramic views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Valley — absolutely breathtaking. Then hike to Sentinel Dome (2.2 miles round trip, ~1hr) for 360-degree views including unobstructed sightlines of Half Dome. Grab a celebratory dinner in the charming town of Groveland (~30 mins from camp) — try the Iron Door Saloon (California's oldest bar) for burgers and craft beers.

🚌Rental car — drive within Yosemite Valley and up to Glacier Point Road

🛏Hodgdon Meadow or Crane Flat Campground (same site as Days 3–4)

• →Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls (~5-6 miles, ~5hrs — book free day-hike permit in advance on recreation.gov during peak season)
• →Drive to Glacier Point for panoramic Yosemite Valley views (Glacier Point Road toll not required — included in park entry)
• →Hike Sentinel Dome (2.2 miles round trip, ~1hr) for 360° views of Half Dome and El Capitan
• →Celebratory dinner in Groveland — try the Iron Door Saloon

One last morning in Yosemite. Break camp and drive to Tuolumne Grove (near Hodgdon Meadow, ~10 mins) for a short, awe-inspiring walk among ancient giant sequoias (~2 miles, 1.5hrs). Some of these trees are over 1,000 years old and tower to 200ft — an unforgettable finale to your Yosemite adventure. Then hit the road for the drive back to San Francisco (~3.5hrs via CA-120 W and I-580). Stop for a final lunch at a diner or taqueria in Tracy or Livermore en route. Drop your rental car back at SFO or a city-centre location. If you have an evening flight, head straight to the airport via BART — check in shouldn't be an issue if you leave Yosemite by 9am. If staying on, drop bags at a hostel and enjoy a final evening in the city.

🚌Rental car — Yosemite to San Francisco (~3.5hrs); BART to airport if needed (~£7pp)

🛏No accommodation required — trip ends in San Francisco

• →Morning walk through Tuolumne Grove giant sequoias (~2 miles, 1.5hrs — included in park entry)
• →Break camp and pack up
• →Drive Yosemite → San Francisco via CA-120 W and I-580 (~3.5hrs)
• →Lunch stop en route in Tracy or Livermore
• →Return rental car at SFO or city centre; BART to city or airport (~£7)