The Muir Woods Tour with a Ferry Option
In short: the San Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Ferry Option is a coach tour in English with a driver-guide, from Union Square or near Fisherman’s Wharf. It guarantees 90 minutes in Muir Woods and 60 minutes in Sausalito, and can end with the ferry back to Pier 41. It lasts 5 to 8 hours depending on the option; the entrance fee is included except on the option without park entry.
What it is
A coach tour with the most ways to end the day. Everyone rides out together, spends a guaranteed 90 minutes in Muir Woods and an hour in Sausalito, then either returns by coach or stays on in Sausalito and takes the ferry across the bay. Another option adds a guided bike ride, and one option leaves out park entry. The option chosen at booking sets the length, from 5 to 8 hours.
The itinerary, stop by stop
- Meeting point: 478 Post St (Union Square) or 2805 Leavenworth St (Fisherman’s Wharf area). There is no hotel pickup.
- Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint: a stop on the way north.
- Muir Woods, 90 minutes, guaranteed.
- Sausalito, 60 minutes. The route passes the houseboat (floating home) colony.
- Return, by coach, or by ferry from Sausalito: about 20 minutes to Pier 41, with views of Alcatraz and the skyline.
- Bike option: a 2 to 3 hour guided bike ride, helmet and bag included.
Which loop 90 minutes fits
The guaranteed 90 minutes covers the Bridge 3 loop (1 mile, about an hour) with time for Cathedral Grove and the creek, or, just, the Bridge 4 loop with the Hillside Trail (2 miles, 90 feet of gain, about 1.5 hours). The Main Trail loop lists the bridges, and the best hike for the time available explains why the climbing trails do not fit.
Who it suits
Travellers staying near Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf who can reach a meeting point, and those who want the ferry crossing as part of the day. The bike option suits riders who want more than the coach. Bikes are not allowed inside the monument itself, so the ride is a separate part of the day.
It does not collect from hotels. Visitors who already hold an annual pass can look at the option without park entry; the entrance fee page covers passes. Wheelchair access is not stated on the listing.
What travellers mention
Laine from the US found the driver-guide knowledgeable and funny, and Jessica from the UK describes guide Doug as kind and funny. Elka from the US found guide Dawn interesting and wanted more time in Muir Woods. Hellen from Germany mentions guide Jo.
Victoria from the US calls it educational and the redwoods “breathtaking”, and Stefano from Italy calls Muir Woods “magical”. Raimondo from the US enjoyed the boat back, and Claudia from Mexico would have liked longer in Sausalito.
Practicalities
Included
- Air-conditioned coach and driver-guide
- Muir Woods admission, unless the no-entry option is chosen
- Ferry ticket, if the ferry option is chosen
- Helmet and bag, on the bike option
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Not included
- Hotel pickup
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Start times are not published as fixed: check the calendar in the booking widget. Reserve now, pay later is available. Sausalito covers the waterfront, the houseboats and the ferry pier.
Muir Woods has no cell signal. The ferry option and the coach are both arranged in advance, so no ride needs to be called from the forest.
Two alternatives
Early startSan Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip
Audio in 7 languagesSan Francisco: Guided Muir Woods Tour with Roundtrip Journey
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry back from Sausalito?
About 20 minutes to Pier 41, with views of Alcatraz and the skyline, on the option that includes the ferry ticket. Sausalito covers the ferry pier.
Is the 90 minutes in Muir Woods guaranteed?
Yes, the listing states a guaranteed 90-minute stop. That covers the Bridge 3 loop with time to spare; the Main Trail loop gives each loop’s length.
Does the ferry option tour pick up from hotels?
No. It starts from 478 Post St (Union Square) or 2805 Leavenworth St. For hotel pickup, the half-day trip and the small-group tour both collect.