San Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip with Pickup

Summary

Walk beneath ancient redwoods then drift along Sausalito’s bay

You’ll step into the cool hush of Muir Woods’ ancient redwoods before drifting into sunny Sausalito for waterfront wandering. With roundtrip transport from San Francisco and time to explore at your own pace, you’ll get both forest silence and seaside color — plus stories from your local guide that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever smell a forest that feels older than your own memories?” That’s what I blurted out to our guide, Ben, about ten minutes after we stepped off the bus at Muir Woods. He just grinned and said, “Wait until you hear them creak.” And he was right — there’s this hush under those redwoods, but every so often you catch a groan or whisper above you, like the trees are swapping secrets. The air was chilly (definitely glad I brought my jacket), and everything felt damp in that way that makes your skin tingle a little. We wandered along the wooden paths, not really talking much — it felt weird to break the spell. I kept running my hand along the bark when no one was looking. It’s rough but kind of soft at the same time, if that makes sense.

I didn’t expect to feel so small there — not in a bad way, just… sort of humbled? Ben pointed out some ferns that have been growing for decades and told us how some of these coastal redwoods are over 1,000 years old. There was this family with two little kids ahead of us; the youngest kept trying to spot banana slugs (she found three). At one point, a beam of light cut through all that green and hit the path in front of me — I still think about that moment sometimes. Like being let in on something private.

After about an hour and a half wandering Muir Woods, we piled back onto the bus (which was warmer than I remembered) and headed toward Sausalito. The vibe totally shifted: suddenly it was all sunlight bouncing off blue water, people laughing outside cafés, seagulls yelling at each other over dropped fries. We had about 45 minutes to just do our thing — I grabbed coffee from a spot by the ferry dock and watched locals walk their dogs along the marina. Didn’t buy anything except maybe too many postcards. There’s something easy about Sausalito; maybe it’s just knowing you don’t have anywhere else to be for a bit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Muir Woods and Sausalito

• Walk through Muir Woods redwoods
• Stop in Sausalito for 45 minutes

Top questions

How long is the Muir Woods & Sausalito day trip from San Francisco?

The tour includes about 1.5 hours in Muir Woods and a 45-minute stop in Sausalito, plus travel time between locations.

Is pickup included for the Muir Woods & Sausalito tour?

Yes, roundtrip transport from San Francisco is included aboard a luxury motorcoach.

Can I bring children or infants on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Do I need to book parking at Muir Woods separately?

No need — parking is limited at Muir Woods but transport is included with this tour.

How much free time do we get in Sausalito?

You’ll have around 45 minutes to explore Sausalito on your own during the day trip.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels; paths are easy to walk.

Should I bring anything special for Muir Woods?

A jacket is recommended as it stays chilly year-round in Muir Woods.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted throughout the excursion.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip guided transport from San Francisco aboard a comfortable coach, entry to stroll among Muir Woods’ redwoods for 1.5 hours, plus free time (about 45 minutes) to wander through Sausalito’s waterfront cafés and shops before heading back — all with stories and tips from your local guide along the way.