Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Pickup & Ferry

Summary

San Francisco day trip with redwoods ferry ride art stops and prison tales

You’ll cross San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge with local stories from your guide, walk beneath ancient redwoods in Muir Woods, enjoy Sausalito’s waterfront art scene and seafood lunch options, then take a ferry to Alcatraz Island with an audio guide included. Expect moments of calm awe—and maybe even some laughter—along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I felt a weird mix of excitement and nerves as we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge—maybe it was the fog rolling in or just realizing I was finally seeing these places for real. Our guide, Mark, kept tossing out little stories about the city (he grew up in the Richmond District, apparently), and he pointed out the Palace of Fine Arts as we passed. The bridge itself looked almost unreal in that orange-red paint—someone said it’s called “International Orange,” which sounds fancier than it looks when you’re standing there shivering a bit at Vista Point. I snapped a photo but mostly just stared at the bay for a while.

The drive to Muir Woods was quieter. You could smell eucalyptus through the cracked window, and then suddenly those giant sequoias were everywhere—taller than I’d pictured, honestly. The air felt damp and cool, like stepping into another world. There were a few families whispering along the boardwalks; someone’s kid tried to spot chipmunks (I didn’t see any). Mark handed us flyers in Spanish for my partner’s mom—she appreciated that—and told us not to miss Cathedral Grove. I touched one of the trees just because I could. It felt rougher than I expected.

Sausalito came next—a jumble of boats and bright houses along the water. We wandered past art galleries (one had these odd glass sculptures) and ended up sharing fish tacos at a tiny spot by the marina. The sun finally broke through for a minute there; people seemed happier all of a sudden. After lunch, Mark drove us back to Pier 33 for our Alcatraz ferry. The boat ride was choppy but quick—you get headphones for the audio tour once you land on Alcatraz Island (they had them in German too, which surprised me). Walking those old prison halls gave me chills; hearing stories about escapes made it feel less like a museum and more like something still alive somehow.

I keep thinking about that moment under the redwoods—the quiet there sticks with you longer than you’d think. If you’re looking for a day trip from San Francisco that actually feels full (and not rushed), this combo tour is worth it—even if your hair gets frizzy from all that fog.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Alcatraz

• Ride from hotel to Golden Gate Bridge
• Listen to narrated city tour
• Drive through Presidio area
• Cross Golden Gate Bridge and stop for photos
• Drive to Muir Woods with scenic views
• Explore Muir Woods for 80 minutes
• Visit Sausalito waterfront and shops
• Drive to Pier 33, Alcatraz landing
• Take ferry to Alcatraz Island
• Tour Alcatraz Prison with audio guide
• Return ferry to Pier 33

Top questions

How long do you spend at Muir Woods during this tour?

You’ll have about 1 hour and 20 minutes to explore Muir Woods National Monument on foot before heading to Sausalito.

Is hotel pickup included in this Alcatraz & Muir Woods tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if you’re staying downtown or near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.

Are Alcatraz tickets included or do I need to book separately?

Your official Alcatraz ticket—including ferry ride and audio guide—is included with this combo tour booking.

Can I get an audio guide on Alcatraz in my language?

Yes, audio guides are available on Alcatraz in 12 languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin.

Is lunch provided during this San Francisco day trip?

No set lunch is included but you’ll have free time in Sausalito where you can eat at local seafood restaurants or cafes.

How many people are on this tour group?

The maximum group size is 14 people per booking; minimum is 3 people required for departure.

Are entrance fees to Muir Woods covered?

Yes, your entry fee to Muir Woods National Monument is included in the price of the tour.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants and small children can join using prams or strollers.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from downtown or Fisherman’s Wharf hotels, narrated driving with a local guide through San Francisco landmarks like the Presidio and Golden Gate Bridge, entry fees to Muir Woods National Monument with multilingual flyers available on request, free time to explore Sausalito’s shops or restaurants at your own pace before being dropped off at Pier 33 for your official Alcatraz ticket—which covers both ferry transport and an audio guide—plus bottled water along the way before returning independently after your visit to Alcatraz Island.