Located only a few hours’ drive east of San Francisco, Yosemite National Park was one of the first protected wilderness areas in the United States. With over 750,000 acres of parkland that holds dramatic granite cliffs, ancient Sequoia stands, pristine streams and waterfalls and a wide range of flora and fauna, it’s not surprising that this park attracts more than 3.5 million visitors each year. The hub of the park is the Yosemite Valley, which is easily accessible by vehicle and home to many attractions and amenities, including hiking trails that will take you up to great viewpoints, historical buildings like the Ahwahnee Hotel and LeConte Memorial Lodge, and places to eat and browse. There are several San Francisco-based companies that offer bus tours to Yosemite, most of which are day trips that leave early in the morning and return in the evening. Bus sizes can range from smaller 13-passenger vans to large 55-seat coaches. While some bus tours may have a more structured itinerary than others, pretty much all of them will spend at least four hours in the park itself and leave you with time to explore on your own. While snow conditions might mean some trails and roads are inaccessible in the winter months, the park is open year-round.