San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Tour

Three Bay Area landmarks in one day without driving yourself

You travel in a small van across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods, where you walk among 1000-year-old redwoods at your own pace, then explore Sausalito's boardwalk and galleries. A ferry takes you to Alcatraz Island with an award-winning audio guide covering the prison's history and famous inmates. You choose your departure time and whether you want a day or sunset night tour, and you stay on the island as long as you want before catching the last ferry back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Golden Gate Bridgepass by
2. Sausalito Vista Point10m
3. Muir Woods1h 15m
4. Sausalito Boardwalk1h
5. 13th Arrondissement2h 30m · entry included

Visit Muir Woods, Sausalito, and Alcatraz

• Cross Golden Gate Bridge
• Stop at Sausalito Vista Point
• Walk in Muir Woods among redwoods
• Explore Sausalito town and lunch
• Board ferry to Alcatraz at Pier 33
• Take audio tour of Alcatraz Island

The experience

The Sausalito Vista Point hits different when you're not the one navigating the curves. You pull up in a small-group van, the Golden Gate Bridge fills the windshield, and suddenly the whole thing (the bridge, the bay, Alcatraz sitting out there in the water) clicks into place at once. That's the first stop on this San Francisco tour, and it's the moment you realize you made the right call letting someone else handle the route.

From there you head into Muir Woods, where the redwoods are old enough that the scale stops making sense. You walk at your own pace on an easy path, no guide narrating every tree, just the quiet and the size of things. After that comes Sausalito, the boardwalk, lunch if you want it, galleries and shops scattered along the waterfront. It's the kind of place where two hours disappears without trying. Then you're back in the van heading to Pier 33 for the ferry to Alcatraz, which is where the day shifts. The audio guide, "Doing Time", walks you through the cellhouse with commentary from former inmates and staff, stories about Al Capone and escape attempts. If you book the night tour, you get a sunset cruise on the way out and cell door demonstrations. Either way, you stay on the island as long as you want. The last ferry back is yours to catch.

Pickup happens at 488 Post Street (look for the black Mercedes Sprinter van) or at Pier 33, depending on which departure time you choose. The 8:30am and 9:45am starts go Muir Woods first, then Sausalito, then Alcatraz. The 9:10am and 10:35am starts flip it. Alcatraz first, then the woods and the waterfront. The night tours (12:50pm and 2pm departures) save Alcatraz for sunset. All of it fits into one day without feeling rushed, which is harder than it sounds when you're covering three separate places.

What’s included

Your day includes small-group van transport in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter across the Golden Gate Bridge, free time to walk Muir Woods at your own pace, time to explore Sausalito's boardwalk and shops, round-trip ferry service from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island, admission to Alcatraz, and the award-winning "Doing Time" audio guide featuring commentary from former inmates and staff. If you choose the night tour, a narrated sunset cruise and cell door demonstrations are added.

Options for this experience

3 options

Muir Woods first, Alcatraz after, from Post StGuide in English · 08:30 and 09:45

Alcatraz first, Muir Woods and Sausalito afterGuide in English · 09:10 and 10:35

Muir Woods and Sausalito first, Alcatraz by nightGuide in English · 12:50 and 14:10

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:10

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Must See - Alcatraz tours / Muir Woods and Sausalito tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see three major Bay Area attractions in one day without renting a car or coordinating separate tickets and ferries. The van handles the driving and the route, the audio guide handles the history, and you control the pace at each stop.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What time does the tour start?

Four departure times: 8:30am and 9:45am from 488 Post Street; 9:10am and 10:35am from Pier 33; 12:50pm and 2pm from Pier 33 (night tour). Each follows a different order of stops.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Sausalito to eat at restaurants along the boardwalk, but meals are not part of the tour.

How long do you spend on Alcatraz Island?

As long as you want. You stay until the last ferry back to Pier 33, which gives you several hours to explore the cellhouse and grounds.

What's included in the price?

Small-group van transport, ferry tickets (round-trip), Alcatraz admission, and the award-winning audio guide. The night tour adds a narrated sunset cruise and special cell demonstrations.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The walking in Muir Woods is on an easy path. Alcatraz involves some stairs inside the cellhouse, but the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Can I choose between day and night Alcatraz?

Yes. The 8:30am, 9:45am, 9:10am, and 10:35am departures visit Alcatraz during the day. The 12:50pm and 2pm departures include a sunset tour with special demonstrations.

Is transportation provided after Alcatraz?

No. Alcatraz is your final stop. You return to Pier 33 by ferry on your own schedule and can use public transit from there.

What language is the Alcatraz audio guide available in?

Multiple languages. The specific list is provided when you book.