Which Muir Woods Tour Fits Which Visit
By time available
3 to 4 hours. The private Jeep tour from 2870 Hyde Street, with a forest stop of unstated length.
About 4.5 hours. The roundtrip guided tour from Fisherman’s Wharf, with 1.5 hours in the forest.
5 hours. The half-day trip, with 1.5 hours in the forest, and the small-group tour, with 80 minutes.
5 to 8 hours. The ferry-option tour, longer when the ferry return or the 2 to 3-hour bike ride is added.
A full day. The redwoods-and-wine tour, 10 hours with about an hour in the forest.
By who is travelling
Children. Under-16s enter Muir Woods free. The Jeep tour does not take children under 5 and offers child seats on request; strollers that do not fold are not carried. The flat Main Trail loops to Bridge 2 and Bridge 3 are stroller accessible. Emma from the UK described the half-day trip as good for families. The children page has more.
Wheelchair users. The small-group tour is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users, and the Jeep tour as not wheelchair accessible. The half-day trip, the ferry-option tour, the roundtrip tour and the wine day do not state wheelchair access, so the operator is the one to ask before booking. In the forest, the Bridge 2 and Bridge 3 loops are wheelchair accessible; the wheelchair access page explains the ADA shuttle too.
Wine drinkers. The wine day includes three tastings, from age 21 with ID. Lunch at Sonoma Plaza is at own expense.
A private party. Only the Jeep tour is private, for up to 6 people. The small-group tour uses a 14-passenger van and the wine day caps its group at 13.
By whether the day should include a hike
Every tour stops on the valley floor, where the Main Trail is flat and partly boardwalk. The 80 to 90-minute stops fit the Bridge 3 loop comfortably, and the Bridge 4 loop with the Hillside Trail, 2 miles with 90 feet of climbing, at a steady pace. The climbing trails up the canyon walls take longer: the Ben Johnson and Dipsea loop is 4 to 5 miles, 925 feet of gain and about 3 hours. A visitor who wants that hike needs a parking or shuttle reservation, or arrives on foot, by bicycle (left outside the forest) or by ride-share with the return arranged in advance. The hike-by-time page and the getting-there page cover the independent route.
By language
All six are guided live in English. The roundtrip tour adds an optional audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Korean.
By pickup
Three tours collect from hotels: the half-day trip at four central points, dropping off at the Hotel Riu Plaza; the small-group tour from most San Francisco hotels; and the wine day from selected locations. Three use a meeting point: the ferry-option tour at 478 Post Street or 2805 Leavenworth Street, the roundtrip tour at 99 Jefferson Street, and the Jeep tour at 2870 Hyde Street.
Three tours, side by side
The half-day trip, the small-group tour and the private Jeep are the three that fit a morning or an afternoon with hotel or near-wharf starts. The table sets them out.
| Early startSan Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip | San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Small-Group Tour | Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge & Sausalito Private Tour 3+hr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total duration | 5 hours | 5 hours | 3 to 4 hours |
| Time in the forest | 1.5 hours | 80 minutes | Not stated |
| Entrance fee | Included | Included | Not included |
| Pickup or start | Hotel pickup at four points | Pickup from most San Francisco hotels | 2870 Hyde St |
| Vehicle and group | Minibus | 14-passenger van | Private open-air Jeep, up to 6 |
| Wheelchair access | Not stated | Not suitable | Not accessible |
| Time in Sausalito | 45 minutes | 1 hour | Waterfront stop; 1-hour upgrade |
| Book this | Book this | Book this |
Early startSan Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip
- Total duration
- 5 hours
- Time in the forest
- 1.5 hours
- Entrance fee
- Included
- Pickup or start
- Hotel pickup at four points
- Vehicle and group
- Minibus
- Wheelchair access
- Not stated
- Time in Sausalito
- 45 minutes
San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Small-Group Tour
- Total duration
- 5 hours
- Time in the forest
- 80 minutes
- Entrance fee
- Included
- Pickup or start
- Pickup from most San Francisco hotels
- Vehicle and group
- 14-passenger van
- Wheelchair access
- Not suitable
- Time in Sausalito
- 1 hour
Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge & Sausalito Private Tour 3+hr
- Total duration
- 3 to 4 hours
- Time in the forest
- Not stated
- Entrance fee
- Not included
- Pickup or start
- 2870 Hyde St
- Vehicle and group
- Private open-air Jeep, up to 6
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Time in Sausalito
- Waterfront stop; 1-hour upgrade
Whichever tour is booked, the confirmation should be saved to the phone before leaving: there is no cell signal or Wi-Fi at or around Muir Woods.
Check dates for the half-day trip
The 5-hour trip with hotel pickup, the entrance fee and 1.5 hours in the forest. The tours hub has the other five.
Frequently asked questions
Which Muir Woods tour is the shortest?
The private Jeep tour, at 3 to 4 hours from 2870 Hyde Street. The Jeep tour close-up covers its route and what it excludes.
Which Muir Woods tour suits a wheelchair user?
None of the six states wheelchair access. The small-group and Jeep tours are listed as not suitable; the others do not say. The wheelchair access page covers the accessible loops and the ADA shuttle.
Is there a Muir Woods tour in another language?
The live guide speaks English on all six. The roundtrip tour adds an optional audio guide in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Korean as well as English.
Which tour leaves the most time to hike?
The half-day trip, the ferry-option tour and the roundtrip tour each give 90 minutes or 1.5 hours. For a longer hike, the car-free options page lists the independent routes.