The Guided Muir Woods Roundtrip Tour
In short: the San Francisco: Guided Muir Woods Tour with Roundtrip Journey starts and ends at 99 Jefferson St, Fisherman’s Wharf, and takes about 4.5 hours. It crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, gives 1.5 hours guided on the Muir Woods trails and 45 minutes in Sausalito. The live guide speaks English, and an optional audio guide covers seven languages. The entrance fee is included.
What it is
The shortest of the four tours that pair Muir Woods with Sausalito, and the only one with an audio guide in languages other than English: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Korean, as well as English. The coach ride out includes commentary and a short city tour. Combination options with a hop-on hop-off bus exist; the bus is used on a separate day.
The itinerary, stop by stop
- 99 Jefferson St, Fisherman’s Wharf: the meeting point.
- By coach to Muir Woods: about 1 hour with commentary, across the Golden Gate Bridge, with a short city tour on the way.
- Muir Woods, 1.5 hours, guided on the trails.
- Drive to Sausalito: 30 minutes.
- Sausalito, 45 minutes. Sausalito covers the waterfront.
- Return to Fisherman’s Wharf: 45 minutes.
Which loop 1.5 hours fits
With the guide on the trails, 1.5 hours covers the Bridge 3 loop (1 mile, about an hour) and a pause at Cathedral Grove, or, just, the Bridge 4 loop with the Hillside Trail (2 miles, 90 feet of gain, about 1.5 hours). The Bridge 2 loop (0.5 mile) takes about 30 minutes. The Main Trail loop has the details.
Who it suits
Travellers staying near Fisherman’s Wharf, since the tour starts and ends there, and groups in which not everyone follows English, who can use the audio guide. It suits visitors who want the forest time led by a guide rather than on their own.
There is no hotel pickup, and the listing does not state wheelchair access. The 45 minutes in Sausalito leave time for the waterfront or a quick bite; the small-group tour gives an hour there.
What travellers mention
Guide Patrick comes up in several accounts: Mario and Stuart from the US and Kevin from the UK describe him as knowledgeable and funny and mention the bridge stop. Manuela from Germany mentions driver James, a lot of information and impressive trees. Katherine from the US mentions guide Debbie’s overview, and Bálint from Hungary a friendly guide.
Sophie from the UK describes a good half-day and peaceful woods. Dave from the US was on the tour on a day Muir Woods was closed; the team took the group to Armstrong Redwoods instead. Other redwood forests covers Armstrong Redwoods in Sonoma County.
Practicalities
Included
- Round-trip transport
- Guide
- Muir Woods entry fee
- Golden Gate Bridge crossing
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Start times are not published as fixed: check the calendar in the booking widget. The listing asks for comfortable shoes; on the Main Trail, trainers are enough, as what to wear explains.
Two alternatives
Ferry optionSan Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Ferry Option
Early startSan Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip
Frequently asked questions
Which languages does the roundtrip tour have?
The live guide speaks English. An optional audio guide is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Korean. Which tour sorts the six by language.
What happens if Muir Woods is closed on the day?
One traveller, Dave, reports that on a closure day the team took the group to Armstrong Redwoods instead. The listing does not state a policy. Other redwood forests describes Armstrong Redwoods.
Where does the roundtrip tour start?
At 99 Jefferson St, Fisherman’s Wharf, where it also ends. There is no hotel pickup; Muir Woods without a car sets out the other ways to get there.