How to Visit Muir Woods

San Francisco has so much to offer visitors, but there is even more to explore beyond the City. Across the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most beautiful and accessible groves of Coastal Redwoods on the West Coast. This national monument was never logged and has been carefully preserved so you can experiences an ancient redwood forest just as the first people did when they arrived thousands of years ago. It takes some effort to visit the woods, but it’s worth it to experience trees 258 feet high and 20 feet across!

https://flic.kr/p/m7BHsi photo by Ashley Deason

Muir Woods is about a forty-five minute drive from downtown San Francisco, so it’s easy to reach from hotels in the Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf areas. The route will take you across the Golden Gate Bridge, above the resort town of Sausalito and through the town of Mill Valley. You will then climb out of Mill Valley and over the spur of Mount Tamalpais before dropping into the valley of Muir Woods. The route starts on the multi-lane freeway of US-101 but ends with a narrow and twisting road that clings to the steep hillside as it descends to the grove. It’s a truly breathtaking drive.

https://flic.kr/p/bUzgS6 photo by Steve Baker

Before you hop in the rental and head out, there are two things to consider. First, advance reservations are required to park at Muir Woods. And I mean REQUIRED! You will be turned away if you arrive without one and you cannot purchase one there, even if there are parking spaces available, and there is nowhere else to park within a few miles of the grove. You can reserve parking in advance at www.gomuirwoods.com. This is the only way to access Muir Woods if you are driving yourself. Second, consider whether you even want to drive yourself? Renting a car is expensive - as is parking it - and San Francisco is easy to get around on foot, by public transit, and by ride share or taxi. I recommend that my tour guests skip the rental car while they are here.

If you don’t drive yourself there are several great ways to get to Muir Woods. The first is by shuttle and it’s free. The shuttle leaves from the Park and Ride lot in Sausalito and it’s free to use. You can use ride share to get to the lot or take the ferry from San Francisco and a Sausalito city bus to the meeting point. (Do not use rideshare to get to Muir Woods. They can drop you off there, but there is no cell or data signal in Muir Woods so you can’t call them back!) This is a great, free, way to get to Muir Woods, but it does make for a long day!

Another option is to take a day tour from San Francisco. All the major companies (Tower Tours, Big Bus, Extranomical) offer them. Local companies have some more interesting offers. Dylan’s Tours, for example, offers a bike rental plus Muir Woods shuttle. You rent a bicycle and ride it across the Golden Gate Bridge, then they give you a lift up into the woods and drop you back in the City. Private guides like Gary Tours or Small Car, Big Time Tours can also do private runs for family groups.

But if you really want to make a splash and have a great time, join us on the Morning in Marin! This experience includes early access to the redwoods - we are one of the first groups up in the grove each morning - and an incredible experience of Marin. After visiting Muir Woods we will check out the rugged beauty and incredible city views from the Marin Headlands or Fort Baker, then head in to Sausalito to link up with Seaplane Adventures. Enjoy a thirty minute flight over the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais, and the San Francisco skyline in their six-passenger DeHavilland Beaver float planes. On your return we will pop the cork on a bottle of champagne (or something celebratory and non-alcoholic if you prefer) and enjoy a picnic lunch. The experience ends with drop off in downtown Sausalito, where you can browse the art galleries and funky shops at your leisure before returning to San Francisco by ferry (tickets included).

Cheers

-Eric

Is there anything I missed about getting to Muir Woods? What is your favorite way to check out the park? Let me know at eric@fogcuttertours.com