San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip

One Day Across the Golden Gate, Through Redwoods, and Into Sausalito

You ride a luxury coach through San Francisco's major neighborhoods and landmarks—Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf—with four photo stops and narrated commentary. Then you switch buses and head across the Golden Gate Bridge to spend 90 minutes walking among the giant redwoods of Muir Woods (entry included), followed by an hour in Sausalito's waterfront shops and restaurants. The whole day runs from morning departure at Union Square through late afternoon return.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Depart from Union Square
• Pass by Union Square sights
• Travel north on Van Ness Avenue
• Pass through Cow Hollow neighborhood
• Explore Palace of Fine Arts
• Cross Golden Gate Bridge
• Pass by Presidio area
• Stop at Lands End viewpoint
• Drive through Golden Gate Park
• Pass Haight-Ashbury district
• Visit Twin Peaks viewpoint
• Pass through The Castro neighborhood
• Drive along Market Street
• Pass downtown Financial District
• Pass through Chinatown
• Pass through North Beach
• Tour city from Bay to Ocean
• Stop at Fisherman's Wharf
• Switch buses at Union Square
• Travel across Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County
• Visit Muir Woods National Monument
• Stop in Sausalito town

The Experience

The coach pulls away from Union Square and heads straight toward the Golden Gate Bridge—that first glimpse of the orange span cutting through the fog is the moment you realize you're actually here. The route takes you north on Van Ness Avenue, past the neighborhoods that rebuilt themselves after 1906, through Cow Hollow with its boutiques and bistros, and then to the Palace of Fine Arts, where you step off the bus to walk around Bernard Maybeck's 162-foot rotunda and its lagoon. The bridge crossing itself is narrated, and on a clear day the view opens up to the entire bay and the city skyline behind you.

After the bridge, you're in Marin County, heading toward Muir Woods National Monument. This is where the day shifts—the coach winds through rugged coastal mountains where the Coastal Miwok once lived, and then the trees start. The ancient redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) tower over Redwood Creek, and you get 90 minutes to walk among them, which is longer than most tour companies offer. The entrance fee is already included, so you don't stop at a ticket booth. After that, it's a short drive to Sausalito, a Mediterranean-style waterfront town with galleries, shops, and restaurants where you have an hour to eat, walk, or just sit by the water before heading back across the bridge to San Francisco.

The full San Francisco city tour hits the main neighborhoods on the way out: the Castro, Chinatown (under the Dragon Gates), North Beach with its Italian cafes, and Fisherman's Wharf, where the tour makes its first drop-off. You'll also pass Twin Peaks for the 360-degree views, Haight-Ashbury where the Summer of Love happened, Golden Gate Park with its windmills and gardens, and Lands End with its cliffs and Sutro Bath ruins. The driver points things out as you go, and there are four designated photo stops built into the route. It's a lot of ground in one day, but the coach does the moving and the narration keeps it from feeling like you're just sitting still.

What’s included

• Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach.
• narrated tour of San Francisco with four photo stop opportunities.
• narrated tour to Muir Woods (90-minute stop) and Sausalito (60-minute stop) with driver guide.
• admission to Muir Woods National Monument ($15 value included).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line San Francisco

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see San Francisco's main neighborhoods, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the redwoods of Muir Woods in a single day without arranging separate transportation, park tickets, or timing—the fixed schedule and included coach handle all three.

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Top questions

What time does the tour start and end?

The San Francisco city tour departs from Union Square in the morning. The Muir Woods and Sausalito portion departs at 1:40 PM from 478 Post Street (Union Square) after the city tour concludes at Fisherman's Wharf. Return time to San Francisco is in the late afternoon.

Is the Muir Woods entrance fee included?

Yes, the $15 Muir Woods National Monument admission is included in the tour price.

How long do you spend at Muir Woods?

You get 90 minutes at Muir Woods, which is the longest stop offered by this tour company for that location.

How long is the stop in Sausalito?

You have 60 minutes in Sausalito to explore shops, galleries, and waterfront restaurants.

What neighborhoods and landmarks are included in the city tour?

The route covers Union Square, Van Ness Avenue, Cow Hollow, Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Lands End, Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, Twin Peaks, The Castro, Market Street, Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman's Wharf.

Is transportation between the city tour and Muir Woods included?

Yes, you switch to a second coach at Fisherman's Wharf for the drive to Muir Woods and Sausalito, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge both ways.

Are there photo stops?

Yes, the tour includes four designated photo stop opportunities during the San Francisco city portion.

Can I bring a stroller or car seat?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Infants are required to sit on an adult's lap during the ride.

Is the coach air-conditioned?

Yes, transportation is by luxury air-conditioned coach.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.