Muir Woods Redwood Forest and Sausalito Morning Tour with Park Admission

Muir Woods Redwood Forest and Sausalito Morning Tour

Park Admission Included
Park entrance fee is included in tour price!
Duration: 5 hours

Overview

This tour of Muir Woods and Sausalito from San Francisco starts with beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge on your way to the redwoods. Walk among the world’s tallest trees. Enjoy free time for dining and shopping in the seaside town of Sausalito. Return to San Francisco by ferry. Tour Length - 5 hours approximately

Included

Included
Muir Woods park entrance fee
Included
Up to 1,5 hours in Muir Woods
Included
Time to eat and explore seaside Sausalito
Included
Optional ferry return back to San Francisco (if selected)
Included
Expert guided narration (English)
Included
Foreign language audios in six languages
Included
Pickup at two major San Francisco hotels

Excluded

Excluded
Meals or beverages
Excluded
Guide gratuity: recommended

Important information

Is admission to the park included?

Yes. The Muir Woods park entrance fee is included in your tour cost.

Will I see the Golden Gate Bridge?

Yes. You will cross the Golden Gate Bridge on your way to Muir Woods and again on your return. Weather and time permitting, we will make a stop for photographs.

Is the Muir Woods tour guided?

Yes. The live tour to Muir Woods is fully guided in English. For foreign language speakers, we offer recorded audio guides in: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Japanese. Please specify your preferred language when booking. Guided tours are not permitted inside the park but we offer an entertaining audio guide that you can add to your booking at checkout.

How difficult is the Muir Woods hike?

Very easy as long as you stay on the main Redwood Creek trail. The loop trail to Bridge 3 is a bit less than two miles on a mostly paved and flat walkway.

What should I wear?

Muir Woods can be chilly in the morning and is nearly always shaded by the forest canopy. It’s best to dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals. High heels or flip-flops are not recommended. Bring along a waterproof top layer in case of rain.

What should I bring?

Bring a valid government-issued ID, camera or phone, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, umbrella (if the forecast calls for rain), and cash or a credit card for snacks and souvenirs.

Are meals included? Can I buy or bring my own?

Meals are not included. Picnics are not allowed in the park. There is a small café just inside the entry gate but it is best to have a meal before the tour so you don’t spend precious time standing in line for food.

How much time do we spend in Muir Woods?

Muir Woods is extremely popular and officials strictly limit the time for visitors. You will spend 1.5 hours exploring the ancient redwoods and other endangered creatures along Redwood Creek trail.

How much time do we spend in Sausalito?

If you return to San Francisco on the tour vehicle, you will have approximately an hour in Sausalito. If you’d like to spend more time in Sausalito, there is an option to return to Pier 41 in San Francisco on the bay ferry.

What should I know about the ferry option back to San Francisco from Sausalito?

The Sausalito/San Francisco ferry is super fun and offers not-to-miss photos of Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline. The return ferry has multiple afternoon departures so you can spend as much time as you like in Sausalito! If you’d like to return via ferry, just add the tickets at check out. Note: you will be responsible for transportation from Pier 41 back to your hotel.

Where do we stop for lunch? How long is the stop?

Sausalito is a picture-perfect spot for lunch and there are several restaurants on the bay’s shore where you can enjoy a meal during the hour-long stop.

Highlights

More information

Highlights of Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

  • Stand and admire coast redwood trees, the tallest living things on the planet
  • Follow Muir Woods trails to Cathedral or the Bohemian grove of redwoods
  • Pick up some unique redwood souvenirs at the visitor center
  • From the Sausalito shoreline and take awesome pictures of San Francisco’s skyline
  • Enjoy browsing in Sausalito’s art studios and craft shops
  • Have lunch with an San Francisco Bay view in Sausalito (not included)

Tour Details

This guided tour has a relaxed pace so you can take the time to fully experience Muir Woods National Monument, the giant redwood forest nearest to San Francisco. The tour features a morning crossing of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on your way to the Muir Wood National Monument and a bonus stop at mid-day in the charming seaside town of Sausalito.

After arriving at serene Muir Woods, you will enjoy up to 90 minutes of free time exploring this natural treasure set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as a national monument. There are a good number of park rangers on the Muir Woods trails, they are always happy to answer your questions.

There are many trails to choose from, all with towering California Redwoods, some over 250 feet tall. Our favorite trail meanders along the shadowy Redwood Creek where the tallest trees are located. Be on the lookout for the northern spotted owl, deer, and other native creatures to the area.

Although the stars of the show are the redwoods, Muir Woods is host to 13 species of ferns, a plant that has been on earth for more than 300 million years. Take the time to identify lady, maidenhair and goldback ferns as you lower your gaze from the redwood canopy above you.

Then, your guide will gather the group and head to Sausalito, a seaside community full of charm and unforgettable views of San Francisco. You’ll have time to browse the charming shops and perhaps have some lunch. Take pictures against the city skyline across the bay, then post them to your social media timeline so your friends can share the experience with you.

After our excursion in Sausalito, we will make our return trip back to San Francisco but not before a satisfying southbound jaunt across the Golden Gate Bridge as the sun nears the Pacific Ocean horizon.

If you select the option to return by ferry, we will have the ticket waiting for you. The Blue and Gold ferry will cruise past Angel Island and Alcatraz as you marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge and snap shareable panoramic memories of the San Francisco skyline.

Why Choose Us

Instead of hassling with parking reservations and navigating San Francisco’s busy streets, our tour guides will entertain you all the way to the park. To make it special, we have designed this tour to give you maximum time in Muir Woods and included a visit to delightful Sausalito.

Tour Itinerary

07:40 AM to 08:00 AM

  • Hotel Pickup and Incredible bay views crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Journey through picturesque Marin County to Muir Woods

9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

  • Hike the Muir Woods trails and bridges
  • Photograph giant Coastal Redwoods in Cathedral and Bohemian Groves
  • Take a moment for some old-growth “forest bathing”

11:40 AM to 12:40 PM

  • Arrive in the charming seaside town of Sausalito
  • Take time to explore, shop and have lunch

Optional Return: Extend your time in Sausalito by taking a later Blue and Gold ferry to San Francisco’s Pier 41 or the Ferry Building.

12:30 PM to 1:00 PM

  • Return to San Francisco with the tour vehicle and conclude the tour at your pickup location

Note: For the rare event that commercial parking is not available at Muir Woods, we reserve the right to arrange an alternative destination for experiencing Giant Coastal Redwoods during your half a day in San Francisco trip.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Golden Gate National Recreation Area now requires private vehicles to have an advance reservation for the parking area at Muir Woods National Monument.