As you plan your trip to Merced this July, consider extending your stay by joining our UC Tech-organized, optional post-conference outing to Yosemite National Park on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Tickets will be available for purchase until July 10, or when tickets sell out.

More information about charter bus location and amenities, parking, and other logistics will be sent to participants as we get closer to the conference date.

Purchase Yosemite National Park Tickets

About the Park

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, this park is famous for its ancient sequoia trees, rushing waterfalls, and granite cliffs! Some fun facts about the park:

• After California’s 1849 Gold Rush, word of Yosemite’s beauty spread, inspiring the first hotels and stagecoach routes that brought tourists to the valley.
• Yosemite’s smooth domes, country peaks, and dramatic walls were shaped by glaciers over thousands of years.
• More than 400 vertebrate species, including bighorn sheep, rainbow trout, and great grey owls, call the park home.
• Yosemite’s 800 miles of trails span elevations from 1,800 to over 13,000 feet, providing access to diverse vegetation zones.

About the Tickets

• What’s included in the cost: Each ticket is $50, which includes round-trip transportation via charter bus and park entrance fee. On July 11th, pick-up from campus is at 7:00 a.m. and drop-off to campus is at 5:00 p.m. Please plan your own sightseeing and activities for the day. At the park, one UC Merced alumni will talk about their experiences with the Yosemite Leadership Program as an undergraduate.
• How travel extension works at UC: This trip is a personally-paid expense for UC participants. If you extend your stay beyond the conference dates, the University will reimburse up to the cost of a standard round-trip itinerary aligned with conference travel. Any additional costs associated with a personal extension are the responsibility of the traveler. Read more about the UC Travel Extension Policy.
• Who can purchase tickets: In addition to our attendees, tickets can be purchased for/by non-conference participants, such as friends and family.

How to Purchase Tickets

Tickets will be available for purchase until July 10, or when tickets sell out. Space on the charter buses is limited, so those who plan to participate are encouraged to register early.

1. On the UCOP Events landing page, select “UC Tech Conference Registration.” You will be redirected to the Yosemite National Park Registration page.
2. Check the Available Quantity under the Quantity field to see how many tickets remain.
3. Fill out your information and click Add to Cart. Then click Checkout or the cart icon to complete your payment.
4. That’s it – After payment, check your email for your receipt.

Ready? Purchase tickets for UC Tech-organized Yosemite National Park outing.

Trip-Planning Resources

• Learn About the Park: Read about hundreds of species, history and culture, and news in the park.
• Plan Your Visit to Yosemite Valley: See points of interest, museums and centers, and activities in the area.
• Review Things to Do in Yosemite: From photography and birdwatching to hikes and picnics, there’s so much to do. Check out some day hikes in Yosemite Valley and be sure to research trail difficulty, distance, and elevation before you go.
• See Getting Around Yosemite: Use the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle System to explore inside the park.
• View Accessibility Options: The park has several accessible services, facilities, and activities.
• See Dining Options: Yosemite Valley has options ranging from groceries to fine dining. We also recommend you pack your own meals.
• Review Safety Tips: Explore Yosemite while practicing safety with wildlife, the environment, and activities.