Get Acquainted with Our Team of Seasoned Tour Guides and Staff

Brandon: Meet Brandon, a San Francisco native who wears many hats – photographer, guitarist, and avid outdoorsman. With a deep-rooted passion for exploration, he's a seasoned tour guide, well-versed in California's diverse landscapes and vibrant cities. From Yosemite's granite cliffs to Tahoe's serene shores, Brandon's guided countless adventurers, sharing insider tips and weaving captivating stories along the way. Family ties in Yosemite, Monterey, and San Francisco, along with friends in Tahoe and Reno, keep Brandon grounded amidst his whirlwind of adventures. Each tour he leads is a journey of discovery and wonder, whether it's capturing a Pacific sunset or diving into the cultural tapestry of the Bay Area and Yosemite. Beyond guiding, Brandon's talents shine bright – he's a skilled photographer, musician, and sports enthusiast. From motorcycle rides to cycling, and baseball games to basketball matches, Brandon's diverse interests promise an unforgettable experience. Join Brandon on an exploration of California's iconic destinations, where every step sparks a new discovery and every moment is infused with adventure. Let him help you create memories to last a lifetime.

Buddy: Originally from Florida, Buddy developed a fascination with the unique biology and ecology of the San Francisco Bay Area, Yosemite, and the American West. After spending a decade abroad, he and his family made the decision to make California their permanent home. His experiences as an international student and traveler have instilled in him a profound understanding of literature, art history, and language (he is fluent in six). In addition to his diverse cultural background, Buddy is also an accomplished artist, photographer, and dedicated community volunteer.

Few tour guides in California can rival Buddy's expertise and knowledge in this field. He is not simply a driver; he is an expert and engaging tour guide who brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to every excursion.

Mary: A native of San Francisco with Irish heritage, Mary brings 25 years of experience as a certified professional tour guide to her passion for her job. Her knowledge, personality, and sense of humor shine through on every tour. She has a remarkable ability to blend in with any travel group, particularly families with kids. Mary excels in leading private tours to destinations such as Redwood National Park, San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and Central California.

Mary is not your average tour guide; she possesses unique skills and a passion for her job that are rare in today's tour guides. Her love for her city by the bay only grows stronger with time, making her more than just your typical American tour guide; she's the one who can make your day and ensure you enjoy the experience. Having grown up in San Francisco, she knows the city like the back of her hand. Fluent in German, Mary loves meeting people and showing them the beauty of our bay area.

Her father used to own a restaurant near the financial district with views of the bay, and Mary enjoys sharing stories about how San Francisco has transformed over the years while still retaining its magical allure.

Meet Adam: Adam has lived all around the world. He considers himself a global citizen. He grew up in Paris, France, where he studied history and literature at Sorbonne University before pursuing Art History at another university in Paris. He was certified as a state tour guide in many of the top museums in Paris, including the Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre. He has led tours of all the top French castles, wine regions, attractions, parks, and monuments. He also led travel package journeys as a guide to Belgium, Holland, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Peru, and Mexico.

In 1996, Adam traveled to the US as a volunteer for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, and soon found himself crisscrossing the nation. After touring up and down the East Coast, he extensively explored the Midwest and most of the Western states before settling in San Francisco, where he has lived since. In 1998, he started working as an adventure tour guide, leading excursions and providing VIP service in California, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado.

In early 2000, he founded Golden Horizon Travel but decided to continue working as an outdoor adventure guide. He is a people person driven by a love for his profession, who still prefers to be on the ground as a guide after 20 years in the business. With Adam, a tour is like a photograph. He captures real moments and creates happy memories that last a lifetime. His approach makes every journey unique and memorable. His rich and unique experience, combined with a fun personality, guarantees that he’ll bring your tour experience to life.

Leo: A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Leo has spent more time exploring Yosemite than in his hometown. He is an experienced and professional tour guide, specializing in backpacking and hiking. Leo possesses an intimate knowledge of both the famous sights and hidden gems of Yosemite. His exceptional guiding service and unique style have garnered him hundreds of 5-star reviews.

Outside of guiding, Leo pursues his passion as a professional artist and sculptor. Additionally, he is currently pursuing studies to become a national park ranger. Leo's dedication knows no bounds, as he consistently goes the extra mile to ensure our customers have an unforgettable Yosemite experience.

For off-the-beaten-path treks, backpacking trips, or day hikes, Leo is your go-to guide. He's not your average hiker; Leo is an avid rock climber and hiker who knows the Eastern Sierra, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite wilderness like the back of his hand. If you're seeking new horizons and challenges, look no further than Leo; you'll be in very good hands.

Tom: Originally from western Ireland, Tom relocated to Louisiana in the early 1980s, where his two sons were born. Later, he settled in San Francisco and has since conducted over a thousand private guided tours and private motor coach charter trips to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. Tom is known for his dedication, organization, and meticulous approach to his job. He also served as the president of the San Francisco Guild, the organization responsible for educating and certifying professional tour guides.

Patricia: Born in Dublin, Ireland, Patricia spent her formative years there before relocating to the USA. Initially visiting San Francisco as a tourist, she quickly fell under the city's spell and made the decision to call the Bay Area her home, eventually settling in Sausalito. An engaging guide, Patricia specializes in tours of San Francisco, Point Reyes, Hearst Castle, and Big Sur. Her passion for her job is evident, fueled by her genuine love for both her work and the people she encounters along the way.

Gerard: Originally from Paris, France, Gerard led group tours from Paris to Normandy, the Châteaux of the Loire Valley, and the Champagne wine region. Since 1980, he has called Oakland home, working as a professional tour guide and driver. With an intimate knowledge of Northern California, nothing brings him more joy than leading guided tours to Yosemite National Park. Gerard is known for his patience, expertise, and passion for everything he does.

Jonathan: Jonathan hails from Auckland, New Zealand, and was a professional rugby player in college. In 1998, Jon moved to New York where he lived and worked as tour guide for a couple of years, before relocating to Las Vegas. In Vegas, he worked as tour guide with small groups doing daily and weekly tours to the Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Brice Canyon, Lake Powell, Sedona, and Antelope Canyon. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a tour guide for 5 years. In 2004 he started working as a professional tour guide in Yosemite National Park. Jon has 2 loves: Rugby and Yosemite. He recently reached a new milestone of having given 1,000 tours of Yosemite!

Peter: Originally from London, Peter moved to California in the early 1990s. He has a deep affection for Yosemite and has escorted hundreds of customers to the park's famous hidden gems. With a great sense of humor, Peter is highly knowledgeable and passionate about his job. He excels as both a hiking guide and a photographer.

Jimmy: Jimmy grew up in the old town of Mariposa, which was first settled in 1849 and located in the southernmost part of the Gold Rush chain. Jimmy loved fishing trout in Yosemite rivers when he was younger, which is how he fell in love with the Yosemite wilderness and became a professional tour guide. Being so close to Yosemite National Park all his life, Jimmy has an unsurpassed knowledge of the park and he spends more time in Yosemite than in his own home. As an avid hiker and guide, he loves sharing his passion with his customers and taking them to hidden and magical places that most visitors never see.

The backbone of our tour company, our back-office staff and managers have been delivering exceptional service and earning 5-star reviews since early 2004. Their hard work, reliability, accountability, and unwavering commitment to assisting and accommodating our valued clients have been integral to our success. They oversee daily operations, dispatch drivers, assign vehicles, and handle administrative and legal tasks. Our management team includes General Manager Nelly Young, Operations Manager Adam, Executive Assistant Manager Mike, online customer service and live chat agent Nick, Buddy (affectionately known as the company's Godfather), Danielle, and Maryanne and Tom, who manage various administrative and legal responsibilities.

Our mission is to ensure that your journey with us is truly unique and creates lasting memories. For an unparalleled experience, trust us with your tour and travel package needs in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.