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Muir Woods Redwood Forest and Sausalito Afternoon Tour with Park Admission

Muir Woods Redwood Forest and Sausalito Afternoon Tour

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

Overview

This 5-hour Muir Woods National Monument and Sausalito tour from San Francisco begins with a crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge on your way to one of the best redwood forests in California. Enjoy 1 ½ hours strolling Muir Woods trails and seeing the world’s tallest redwood trees. As a bonus, enjoy dining and shopping in the seaside town of Sausalito.

Included

  • Muir Woods park entrance fee
  • Muir Woods parking reservation
  • Up to 1.5 hours to explore Muir Woods
  • Visit to the seaside town of Sausalito
  • Pickup at most San Francisco hotels
  • Expert live narration (English)
  • Foreign language audios in 6 languages

Excluded

  • Meals or beverages
  • 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? In what languages?

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

Note: This tour is not available from October to March. Please check out our Muir Woods Redwood Forest and Sausalito Morning Tour

This guided tour slows down the pace so you can fully experience Muir Woods National Monument, one of the last remaining groves of giant coast redwood trees in California. Since it is the giant redwood forest nearest to San Francisco, you can fill your morning with other activities and do this tour in the afternoon.

What you can do in Muir Woods:

  • See coast redwood trees nearly 1,000 years old and taller than the U.S. Capitol Building
  • Hike Muir Woods trails that weave thru the giant redwoods and over Redwood Creek
  • Take a moment for reflection at the Cathedral or the Bohemian grove of redwoods
  • Learn about giant redwoods in California; get redwood souvenirs at the visitor center

What you can do in Sausalito:

  • Stroll to the shoreline and take incredible pictures of the San Francisco skyline
  • Do some shopping (or just looking) in the town’s art studios and craft shops
  • Have a California seafood at one of the historic boardwalk restaurants

Why choose us:

Our Muir Woods guides will make sure you arrive in great spirits, never hassling with parking reservations or entry tickets. Unlike others, we have designed this tour to give you most time in Muir Woods and added a visit to the town of Sausalito.

As part of our commitment to a sustainable environment, Extranomical Tours supports NatureBridge, whose proven in-the-field programs at national parks inspire self-discovery and environmental stewardship in young learners.  Help us by donating at checkout.

TOUR DETAILS

Your Muir Woods tour from San Francisco begins with a scenic trip across the 1.7-mile Golden Gate Bridge with views of the Pacific Ocean on you left and San Francisco Bay on your right. Along the way, your guide will tell you all about San Francisco’s giant redwoods and the fascinating story of how the government of President Theodore Roosevelt acquired the land, then set it aside for future generations to honor naturalist John Muir.

Grab a Muir Woods map as you enter the park. Then, enjoy 1 ½ hours of free time exploring on 6 miles (9.7 km) of Muir Woods trails. Depending on your pace, you will have time to follow the flat and easy walking Redwood Creek Trail up to either Bridge 2 or 3 and return via the Bohemian Grove trail.

Besides giant redwoods be on the lookout for northern spotted owl, deer, and other native creatures. Muir Woods is host to 13 species of ferns. Take the time to identify lady, maidenhair and goldback ferns as you lower your gaze from the redwood canopy above you.

When you’ve had your fill, we’ll reboard and make the short trip to Sausalito, a charming seaside community with unforgettable views of San Francisco. You’ll have time for food and browsing its California-themed shops. Share your experience with your friends by grabbing a selfie with the San Francisco skyline.

You have the option of extending your time in Sausalito by returning whenever you are ready to San Francisco via ferry boat. If not, just stay with the group and be dropped off at your hotel.

TOUR ITINERARY

1:20PM to 2:00 PM

  • Make memories crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Journey through picturesque Marin County to Muir Woods

2:00PM to 3:30 PM

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM

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

5:00 PM

  • Arrive back to San Francisco 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.

Read more helpful articles about Muir Woods in our BLOG.