The Six Muir Woods Tours, Close Up
In short: GetYourGuide sells six guided tours from San Francisco that include Muir Woods. All six are guided in English, handle the transport, so no parking reservation is needed, and allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Five include the entrance fee; the private Jeep tour does not. On the ground they give between about an hour and 90 minutes, which fits the flat Main Trail loop and not a climbing hike. Each page below takes one tour at a time.
The four half-day tours with Sausalito
Four tours follow the same basic shape: a Golden Gate Bridge stop, Muir Woods, then free time in Sausalito. The half-day trip runs 5 hours by minibus with hotel pickup at four central points and 1.5 hours in the forest, early in the morning. The small-group tour runs 5 hours in a 14-passenger van with pickup from most San Francisco hotels and 80 minutes in the forest; it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
The ferry option tour goes by coach from Union Square or near Fisherman’s Wharf, guarantees a 90-minute stop in Muir Woods and can end with the ferry back across the bay. The roundtrip guided tour starts at 99 Jefferson St, Fisherman’s Wharf, takes about 4.5 hours with 1.5 hours guided on the trails, and adds an optional audio guide in seven languages.
The private Jeep and the wine day
The private Jeep tour takes up to 6 people in an open-air Jeep for 3 to 4 hours, adds the Muir Beach Overlook, and does not include the Muir Woods entrance fee. It is not suitable for children under 5 and is not wheelchair accessible. The redwoods and wine tour is a 10-hour day for a group of no more than 13: about an hour’s walk in Muir Woods, lunch in Sonoma, then three wine tastings, which are for guests aged 21 and older.
Choose a tour
San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip
Early start, hotel pickup, 1.5 hours in the forest and 45 minutes of free time in Sausalito. Entrance fee included.
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San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Small-Group Tour
A 14-passenger van through the Presidio, 80 minutes in the forest and an hour in Sausalito. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
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San Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Ferry Option
A guaranteed 90 minutes in Muir Woods, an hour in Sausalito and the choice of coach or ferry back to the city.
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San Francisco: Guided Muir Woods Tour with Roundtrip Journey
From Fisherman’s Wharf over the Golden Gate Bridge, 1.5 hours guided on the trails, audio guide in seven languages.
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Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge & Sausalito Private Tour 3+hr
Up to 6 people in an open Jeep, with the Marin Headlands and Muir Beach Overlook. Entrance fee not included; no children under 5.
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From San Francisco: Muir Woods & 3 Wineries in Napa & Sonoma
About an hour’s walk in Muir Woods, lunch on Sonoma Plaza and three winery tastings. Tasting from age 21.
Read the close-up ›What none of them is
None of the six leaves enough time for the Ben Johnson and Dipsea loop, which is 4 to 5 miles with 925 feet of gain and takes about 3 hours. A tour covers the valley floor; the climbing trails need a parking or shuttle reservation, or a start on foot. The best hike for the time available sets out which route fits which length of visit, and which tour sorts the six by time, group, access and pickup.
Frequently asked questions
What does each close-up cover?
One tour per page: the itinerary stop by stop with the minutes the listing gives, the Main Trail loop the time in the forest fits, pickup or start point, group size, access limits, inclusions and what travellers mention by first name. No prices appear; the current price shows in each page’s booking widget. All six tours sets them side by side.
Which tours include the Muir Woods entrance fee?
Five of the six: the half-day trip, the small-group tour, the ferry option tour (except its option without park entry), the roundtrip guided tour and the redwoods and wine tour. The private Jeep tour does not; the fee is paid separately for visitors aged 16 and older. The entrance fee page explains passes and exemptions.
Which tours have access limits?
The small-group tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. The private Jeep tour is not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for children under 5. Wine tasting on the redwoods and wine tour is from age 21. The other listings do not state wheelchair access; wheelchair and stroller access covers the paved and boardwalk Main Trail.
Do any of the tours include a real hike?
No. The longest stops are 90 minutes, enough for the flat Main Trail and, just, the 2-mile Bridge 4 loop with the Hillside Trail. The climbing routes are on the trails page.