More about: 4 Best Day Trips to Sausalito and Muir Woods from San Francisco
San Francisco is a charming city, but the surrounding area is also home to some amazing places worth visiting. Such is the case of Sausalito, a beautiful Mediterranean-style town just 13 kilometres away that is often visited in combination with a visit to Muir Woods, home of the giant sequoias. Would you like to go? I'll tell you the best excursions!
1. Sausalito and Muir Woods Half Day Tour
Just across the bay from San Francisco is Sausalito, a picturesque town known for its quaint houseboats on the water and a haven for bohemian artists during World War II. In fact, the streets of this little town are lined with quaint cafes, boutiques and art galleries that are a delight to stroll through and its fishing harbour is also a delight.
A half-day organised tour to Sausalito gives you the opportunity to explore other West Coast landscapes and enjoy the beautiful views of San Francisco from a different perspective. It will also take you to discover Muir Woods, a forest famous for its giant redwoods- the largest trees in the world!
In my opinion, visiting Muir Woods as part of a tour to Sausalito 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 kilometres away.
Interesting details
- Price: - from £74.
- Duration: approximately 4 hours.
- Includes: transport to and from San Francisco, entrance to Muir Woods National Park and free time to explore the charming seaside town of Sausalito.
- Transport: 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 tour 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 drive to Muir Woods National Park, where you can admire trees over 250 metres high. Afterwards, you'll have free time to explore Sausalito, a small seaside town full of art galleries, shops and cafes with spectacular views of the bay.
In the afternoon, you'll board the ferry to Alcatraz Island, where you'll take a self-guided audio tour. You'll discover the stories and legends of this former maximum security prison, where celebrities such as Al Capone were held.
Interesting details
- Price: - from £126.
- Duration: approximately 7-8 hours.
- Includes: transport from San Francisco, entrance fees to Muir Woods and Alcatraz, ferry to the island and free time in Sausalito.
- Transport: air-conditioned bus and ferry.
3. Private tour to Muir Woods & 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 personalised and flexible tour through the stunning redwood forests and the picturesque coastal town of Sausalito.
The first stop will be at Muir Woods National Park, where you will hike through giant redwoods in a tranquil setting. 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 national park.
After visiting Muir Woods, the route continues to Sausalito, where you will have time to stroll around, have lunch or simply enjoy the views of the San Francisco Bay. Your return transport will also be fully coordinated to ensure a comfortable and carefree day.
Details of interest
- Price: - from £151.
- Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- Includes: private transport from San Francisco, exclusive guide and stops at Muir Woods and Sausalito.
- Transport: 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 option. In one full day, you'll tour the city's main neighbourhoods and monuments and walk among the majestic giant redwoods.
The city tour includes stops at iconic 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 have free time to explore the trails surrounded by the tallest and oldest redwood trees 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 £82.
- Duration: approximately 6 to 7 hours.
- Includes: guided bus tour of San Francisco, transport to Muir Woods and entrance to the park.
- Transport: 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 the duration, the size of the group, the activities included or if you have a guide during the tour.
A trip to San Francisco is not complete without a trip to Sausalito and Muir Woods. These are two of California's must-see places that are very close to the city, so it's easy to include them in your itinerary. You'll get a change of scenery, discover other spectacular landscapes and have a different experience without getting too far from San Francisco.
My recommendation is to book an organised tour to make the most of your time and not worry about transport 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 American West Coast that you have to see. Here's why and what you'll see there.
Sausalito
Sausalito is considered the prettiest town in California and given its proximity to San Francisco, it's a must-see during your trip.
It's a charming little town with a bohemian feel, built on the edge of the bay on a hillside. It's known for its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful scenery, so it's not surprising that many artists have chosen it as a haven for inspiration.
In fact, strolling around downtown Sausalito you'll quickly realise that it's a place of culture, with art galleries and cafes abounding. It's a great place to spend some time browsing the streets and shops and enjoying the views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate or Alcatraz from a different perspective.
Get your camera ready because this is the place to take some of the coolest pictures of your trip to the west coast of the United States!
Muir Woods
While Yosemite National Park may get all the fame, just a few kilometres from San Francisco lies Mauir Woods, another beautiful National Park where you can also see giant sequoias if you don't have much time in your schedule to embark on a long trip to Yosemite.
If you're into ecotourism, you'll be blown away by this beautiful emerald landscape. During your visit, not only will you be able to take a beautiful nature photo, but you can also hike 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 as 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.
Don't forget to buy your little redwood at the exit of the park! They sell them in the Muir Woods gift shop as souvenirs.
How long does it take to get to Sausalito and Muir Woods from San Francisco?
The great thing about a trip to Sausalito and Muir Woods is that you'll see breathtaking scenery without spending a lot of time on the road, as it only takes about 20 minutes to get there due to its proximity to San Francisco.
So don't hesitate, this getaway will be one of the most beautiful memories you'll take home from your trip to the United States.
Can I visit Sausalito and Muir Woods Park on my own? Why is it better to take an organised tour?
That's right, you can visit on your own. To get to Sausalito you can take public transport but if you also want to visit Muir Woods, then it is best to hire a car for both visits because there is no public transport there. It is also necessary to reserve a parking space at the National Park to visit it.
However, in my opinion it is more convenient and enjoyable to join one of the organised Sausalito and Muir Woods tours that depart from San Francisco as you don't have to worry about finding transport or making transfers along the route, so you will save time on the way by going directly to the tourist attractions.
Plus, you won't have to queue at the Muir Woods National Park ticket booths to get your tickets as they are included in the tour - one less hassle!
On the other hand, this type of activity is not only about visiting these two locations, but if you choose the option you can complete the experience with other types of entertainment such as a cruise on the San Francisco Bay, a ferry ride back to the city from Sausalito or a bike rental. So with just one booking you can do a variety of activities, making the most of your trip to San Francisco.