More about: 4 Best Day Trips to Sausalito and Muir Woods from San Francisco
San Francisco is a charming city but in its surroundings there are also amazing places worth visiting. Such is the case of Sausalito, a beautiful town with Mediterranean flair just 13 kilometers away that is usually visited in combination with a visit to Muir Woods, home of the giant sequoias. Would you like to go? I'll tell you what are the best excursions!
1. Half-day tour to Sausalito and Muir Woods
Just across the bay from San Francisco is Sausalito, a picturesque town well known for its typical houseboats on the water that was a haven for bohemian artists during World War II. In fact, the streets of this small town are full of cozy cafes, boutiques and art galleries that are a delight to stroll through and its fishing port is also a marvel.
Making an organized half-day excursion to Sausalito you will have the opportunity to explore other landscapes of the west coast and enjoy the beautiful views of San Francisco from another perspective. It will also take you to discover Muir Woods, a forest famous for growing giant redwoods, the largest trees in the world!
In my opinion, visiting Muir Woods as part of a Sausalito tour is an excellent option if you don't have enough time to visit Yosemite National Park, where there is also a spectacular world famous redwood forest but it is 300 kilometers away.
Details of interest
- Price: - from $96.
- Duration: approximately 4 hours.
- Includes: round-trip transportation from San Francisco, entrance to Muir Woods National Park and free time to explore the charming seaside town of Sausalito.
- Transportation: air-conditioned bus departing from a central location in San Francisco.
2. Alcatraz, Sausalito and Muir Woods tour: a full day of nature and history
If you want to experience one of the most complete days in San Francisco, you can't miss this excursion to Alcatraz, Sausalito and Muir Woods. In just one day, you will visit the famous giant redwood forest, stroll through the charming streets of Sausalito and explore the legendary Alcatraz prison, one of the most iconic places in the United States.
The tour begins with a route to Muir Woods National Park, where you can admire trees over 250 meters high. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore Sausalito, a small seaside town full of art galleries, stores and cafes with spectacular views of the bay.
In the afternoon, you will board the ferry to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided audio tour. You will discover the stories and legends of this former maximum security prison, where celebrities such as Al Capone were held.
Details of interest
- Price: - from $167.
- Duration: approximately 7-8 hours.
- Includes: transportation from San Francisco, entrance fees to Muir Woods and Alcatraz, ferry to the island and free time in Sausalito.
- Transportation: air-conditioned bus and ferry.
3. Private tour to Muir Woods and Sausalito from San Francisco
For those looking for a more exclusive experience, the best option is this private tour to Muir Woods and Sausalito from San Francisco. You will travel in a private vehicle accompanied by a guide just for your group, allowing you to enjoy a personalized and flexible tour through the impressive redwood forests and the picturesque coastal town of Sausalito.
The first stop will be at Muir Woods National Park, where you will walk among giant redwoods in a peaceful environment. As this is a private tour, you can explore at your own pace and choose how much time to spend in each area of the park.
After the visit to Muir Woods, the route continues to Sausalito, where you will have time to stroll, have lunch or simply enjoy the views of the San Francisco Bay. Your return transportation will also be fully coordinated to ensure a comfortable and carefree day.
Details of interest
- Price: - from $201.
- Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- Includes: private transportation from San Francisco, exclusive guide and stops at Muir Woods and Sausalito.
- Transportation: private vehicle.
4. Combined excursion with Bay Cruise or San Francisco tour
If you want to get to know San Francisco in depth and also escape to the natural environment of Muir Woods National Park, this combination bus tour of San Francisco, Sausalito and Muir Woods is the perfect choice. In a very complete day, you will tour the main neighborhoods and monuments of the city and walk among the majestic giant redwoods.
The city tour includes stops at landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and Twin Peaks, among others. Along the way, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will explain the history, culture and curiosities of each area of San Francisco.
After the city tour, the bus will take you to Muir Woods National Monument. There you will enjoy free time to explore the trails surrounded by the tallest and oldest redwoods on the West Coast. The combination of city and nature makes this tour a very complete experience for your visit to San Francisco.
Details of interest
- Price: - from $110.
- Duration: approximately 6 to 7 hours.
- Includes: guided bus tour of San Francisco, transportation to Muir Woods and entrance to the park.
- Transportation: air-conditioned tour bus.
How much does the Sausalito and Muir Woods tour cost?
If you are wondering how much it costs to take a tour to Sausalito and Muir Woods, you should know that you can find options starting at around 60-80 euros, depending on the type of tour you choose. The price varies depending on factors such as duration, group size, activities included or if you have a guide during the tour.
A trip to San Francisco is not complete if you don't take a tour to Sausalito and Muir Woods. These two California must-see places are very close to the city, so it's easy to include them in your itinerary. You will get a change of scenery, discover other spectacular landscapes and live a different experience without getting too far away from San Francisco.
My recommendation is to book an organized tour to make the best use of your time and not worry about transportation or access. There are several alternatives available to suit different budgets and travel styles.
Is it worth visiting Sausalito and Muir Woods? What will I see?
Absolutely. Both Sausalito and Muir Woods are two fascinating enclaves on the U.S. West Coast that you have to see. Here's why and what you'll see there.
Sausalito
Sausalito is considered the most beautiful town in California and given its proximity to San Francisco is an essential visit to make during your trip.
It is a charming little town with a bohemian air built on the edge of the bay on a hill. It is known for its quiet atmosphere and beautiful scenery, so it is not surprising that many artists chose it as a refuge for inspiration.
In fact, strolling through downtown Sausalito you will immediately notice that it is a place linked to culture, as there are plenty of art galleries and cafes. A great place where you will want to spend some time browsing the streets and stores and enjoy the views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate or Alcatraz from another perspective.
Get your camera ready because here you will take some of the coolest pictures of your trip to the west coast of the United States!
Muir Woods
Although Yosemite National Park gets all the fame, just a few miles from San Francisco is Mauir Woods, another beautiful National Park where you can also see giant sequoias in case you don't have much time in your schedule to embark on a long trip to Yosemite.
If you are passionate about ecotourism, this place wrapped in a beautiful emerald landscape will leave you speechless. During your visit you will not only be able to take a beautiful photographic report on nature but you can also go hiking on some of the trails that exist in the park (the most popular are the Ocean View trail and the Dispea trail).
Visiting Muir Woods is a great plan to do during a stay in San Francisco because it will allow you to change of scenery, leave the bustling urban environment and disconnect for a while walking through the forest and enjoying a fun day in nature.
Do not forget to buy your small redwood at the exit of the park! They sell them in the Muir Woods gift store as souvenirs.
How long does it take to get to Sausalito and Muir Woods from San Francisco?
The great thing about taking a tour to Sausalito and Muir Woods is that you'll see breathtaking scenery without spending a lot of time on the road, as given its proximity to San Francisco it only takes about 20 minutes to get there.
So do not hesitate, this getaway will be one of the most beautiful memories you will take home from your trip to the United States.
Could I visit Sausalito and Muir Woods Park on my own? Why is it better to take an organized tour?
That's right, you can visit them on your own. To get to Sausalito you can take public transportation but if you also want to visit Muir Woods, then it is best to rent a car to do both visits because public transportation does not reach there. Also you need to reserve a parking space in the National Park to visit it.
However, in my opinion it is more comfortable and entertaining to join one of the organized tours Sausalito and Muir Woods that depart from San Francisco because you will not have to worry about finding transportation or making transfers along the route, so you will save time on the way by going directly to the tourist attractions.
In addition, you won't have to wait in line at the Muir Woods National Park ticket office to get your tickets as they are included in the tour.
On the other hand, in this type of activities not only these two locations are usually visited but if you select the option you can complete the experience with other types of entertainment such as a cruise on the San Francisco Bay, ride the ferry back to the city from Sausalito or rent a bike. So by making a single reservation you will be able to do a variety of activities, making the most of your trip to San Francisco.