Muir Woods Redwood Forest and Sausalito Morning Tour

FAQs

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• Is admission to the Muir Woods included?

  Yes, the entrance fee to Muir Woods is included on Extranomical’s redwood forest tour from San Francisco.

• Will I see the Golden Gate Bridge on this tour?

  Yes, you will cross the Golden Gate Bridge on your way to Muir Woods and again on your return. We will make a stop for photographs if weather and time permits.

• Is the Muir Woods tour guided?

  Yes, our tour is fully-guided in English with recorded audio guides available in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Japanese.

• How does this redwood forest tour compare to other options?

  Our redwood forest tour offers several advantages over other ways to get to Muir woods from San Francisco: guaranteed park admission, expert commentary about the redwood ecosystem, convenient hotel pickup, and the bonus of visiting Sausalito.

  Driving to Muir Woods requires a parking reservation, while a shuttle requires advance tickets that often sell out. An Uber from Sausalito to Muir Woods costs $25-40 each way. Our tour includes everything for better value and zero transportation stress.

• How difficult is the Muir Woods hike?

  The Muir Woods hike is 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. It’s family-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

• What should I wear to Muir Woods and Sausalito?

  When visiting Muir Woods, dress in layers since the redwood forest is almost always cool and shady. Wear comfortable walking shoes – no heels or flip-flops — especially when the trail is muddy. Bring a waterproof layer for possible morning fog or drizzle.

  Layers also work well for Sausalito. The waterfront can be breezy, so keep a light jacket handy as you adjust from forest shade to sunny waterfront. The town has paved paths and boardwalks, so wear casual shoes for browsing shops and waterfront dining.

• What should I bring to Muir Woods?

  Bring a camera or phone, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, umbrella if rainy, and cash or a credit card for snacks and souvenirs.

• Are meals included? Can I buy or bring my own?

  Meals are not included on the tour, and picnics are not allowed in Muir Woods National Monument. 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. See our dining recommendations in San Francisco before or after your tour.

• How much time do we spend in Muir Woods and what's the best time to visit?

  On this tour, you’ll spend about 1.5 hours among the redwoods along Redwood Creek trail. Our morning departure (8 AM) is ideal timing – you’ll arrive at 9:30 AM when the forest is peaceful and often shrouded in mystical fog before afternoon crowds arrive.

• Is Muir Woods the best redwood forest near San Francisco?

  Yes, Muir Woods is one of the best redwood forests near San Francisco. Many visitors ask if Muir Woods is better than Armstrong Redwoods – while both are beautiful, Muir Woods is much more accessible, (30 minutes vs. 2+ hours), offers easier walking trails, and can be combined with charming Sausalito in the same half-day trip. 

• What can you do in Muir Woods?

  The best thing to do in Muir Woods is simply walk among the redwoods. You can walk the paved trails to Cathedral Grove, spot wildlife like deer and owls, take photos of the redwoods, and enjoy the peaceful silence among the 1,000-year-old trees.

• How much time do we spend in Sausalito?

  If you return to San Francisco on our tour bus, you’ll have about an hour in Sausalito. If you choose the ferry return option, you can stay as long as you want.

• Is Sausalito worth visiting?

  Yes, Sausalito is worth visiting, especially if it’s your first time in San Francisco! This picturesque waterfront town is renowned for its stunning San Francisco skyline views, Mediterranean-style architecture, floating houseboats, and thriving arts scene dating back to the 1960s bohemian movement.

  You’ll enjoy waterfront restaurants with bay views, unique boutique shops, art galleries, and some of the best photo opportunities of the Golden Gate Bridge and city skyline.

• What should I know about the ferry option back to San Francisco from Sausalito?

  The Sausalito/San Francisco ferry is a fun mode of transportation in San Francisco, with incredible views of Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco skyline. The 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.

• How does our redwood forest tour compare to visiting independently?

  Our redwood forest tours from San Francisco take the hassle out of visiting Muir Woods independently. Independent visits require parking reservations, separate entrance fees, and transportation from San Francisco. These costs can add up quickly: gas, parking fees ($10) or rideshare costs ($25-40), plus the stress of navigation and timing.

  Our guided tour eliminates these hassles with guaranteed admission, professional drivers who know the best photo stops, expert commentary, and the convenience of a hotel pickup/drop-off in San Francisco. You’ll also get the bonus of visiting Sausalito, which would be difficult to visit independently in the same timeframe.

• Can I spend more time in either location?

  Yes. For more time in Sausalito, choose our ferry return option. This option lets you stay as long as you’d like, explore the floating homes, dine at waterfront restaurants, browse art galleries, and take the scenic ferry back to San Francisco (ferry tickets are included when you select this option).
  

  For more time in Muir Woods, consider our private Muir Woods tour with more flexible timing, or book our afternoon tour for a different atmosphere and experience.