Muir Woods & Sausalito: Small-Group Morning Tour with Pickup

Summary

Redwoods sunrise, Golden Gate mist, Sausalito coffee breaks

You’ll start your day with hotel pickup in San Francisco before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge for photo stops and stories from your local guide. Walk among ancient redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument (entry included), then relax along Sausalito’s sunny waterfront cafés before returning to the city—or linger longer by ferry if you want to stretch out that feeling.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly missed our pickup because I couldn’t find my other shoe — classic me. But our guide, Mark, just grinned and waved from the van like he’d seen it all before. We rolled through San Francisco’s quiet morning streets, headlights flickering off old houses. The Palace of Fine Arts looked almost out of place in the fog — like a Roman ruin dropped in by mistake. It was colder than I expected; my hands kept finding their way into my pockets.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge felt less like a postcard moment and more like some kind of rite of passage. Mark pulled over at the Vista Point and let us pile out for photos — but honestly, I just stood there breathing in that eucalyptus-and-ocean smell. There was this weird hush under all the wind and traffic, like everyone knew we were about to see something bigger than ourselves. He pointed out Alcatraz in the distance, but I was already thinking about trees.

Muir Woods is quieter than I thought it would be. The redwoods don’t really care if you’re impressed or not — they just stand there, tall and patient. The air felt cold and damp against my face (I kept touching one of the trunks when nobody was looking). There were families whispering, a kid trying to skip rocks in the creek, and somewhere a bird that sounded like it was laughing at us city people craning our necks. Mark told us how some of these trees have been here since before Europeans even landed on this coast. That stuck with me.

Sausalito came next — sunlight finally breaking through as we walked along the boardwalk. Cafés spilling out onto the street, boats bobbing on blue water, locals chatting over pastries (I tried saying “thank you” in my rusty Spanish to a barista; she smiled anyway). We had about an hour there before heading back or catching the ferry if we wanted more time. I almost stayed longer just for another coffee by the water. Still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Muir Woods and Sausalito tour

• Cross San Francisco city
• Stop at Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point
• Explore Muir Woods Coastal Sequoias
• Drive to Sausalito
• Spend one hour in Sausalito
• Return to city or continue tour

Top questions

How long does the Muir Woods & Sausalito morning tour last?

The tour is a half-day experience starting in the morning and lasting several hours including travel time from San Francisco.

Is hotel pickup included for this small-group tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for guests staying in San Francisco.

Are entrance fees to Muir Woods included?

Entrance fees to Muir Woods National Monument are included for tickets purchased after July 1st, 2024.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

What happens after visiting Sausalito?

You can return to San Francisco by van or stay longer in Sausalito and return on your own by ferry or join a Half-Day Wine Country tour.

How many people are usually on this tour?

The group size is small—up to 14 people per booking with a minimum of 3 required.

Is public transportation available near pickup points?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby for added convenience.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within San Francisco, entrance fees to Muir Woods National Monument (for tickets after July 1st), plus guidance from a knowledgeable local throughout your journey—so you can just focus on soaking up those redwoods and waterfront views without worrying about logistics or tickets.