How to Plan a Day Trip from San Francisco to Muir Woods

Last updated on August 6th, 2024 at 12:04 pm

Just a short drive away from busy San Francisco is the stunning redwood forest of the Muir Woods National Monument. It’s amazing that you don’t have to drive too far to witness some of the oldest (over 1,000 years old) and tallest trees (over 250 feet) in the world. I’ve had the privilege to visit Muir Woods numerous times over the years. I usually bring friends visiting San Francisco for the first time here, but I also love a solo trip to Muir Woods opting to hike down to the forest floor from Mt. Tam, avoiding most of the crowds. In this blog post, I’ll share with you everything I’ve learned about visiting Muir Woods and how you can easily add a Muir Woods day trip to your San Francisco itinerary.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a tiny bit of income if you decide to make a purchase or booking. For more, check out my disclosure. 

Tips for Visiting Muir Woods

Before we get into how to visit this popular destination, a few quick tips.

1. Plan transportation in advance: There is no cell phone reception in Muir Woods, so if you think you can call an Uber, think again. See below for public transportation options and the best way to get to Muir Woods.
2. Download maps offline: Since there is no cell service, be sure to download maps offline using Google or AllTrails.
3. Pack snacks: Within the park there is a cafe and gift shop called Muir Woods Trading Company that has a pretty decent menu of sandwiches and snacks. But I always like to bring my own to save time and money!
4. Dress for cool temperatures: The temperature under the shade of the Redwoods rarely gets over 70 degrees.
5. Leave no trace: Anything you bring with you, bring back home. 

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Muir Woods

The Muir Woods park entrance fee is $15 per adult (16 years and older). Children 15 years and younger are free!

Remember that if you have an Annual National Park Pass, the park entrance fee to Muir Woods is included. The Annual Park Pass allows entry for you and up to three other adults. 

If you don’t have a National Park Pass, no worries! Visit Go Muir Woods to purchase your entrance ticket. You’ll use the same reservation system for your shuttle ticket or parking reservation. 

Best Way to Get from San Francisco to Muir Woods

There are three ways to get to Muir Woods: driving your own vehicle, utilizing the Go Muir Woods Shuttle, or with a guided tour.

Getting to Muir Woods by Car

Muir Woods is located in Marin County about 12 miles north of San Francisco, nestled within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  

If you have your own car, the best way to get from San Francisco to Muir Woods is to drive. From Fisherman’s Wharf it’s a scenic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Mt. Tamalpais to Muir Woods. The drive should take about 40 minutes.

On the weekends, expect traffic as you drive through Tamalpais Homestead, especially in the early afternoon as people are heading this direction for the variety of outdoor activities in the area.

It’s a gorgeous, yet windy, road through Mount Tamalpais State Park. Prepare for lots of twists and turns and take your time.

If you don’t have a car, I highly recommend renting one for the day. Sure, an Uber could get you to Muir Woods, but there is no cell phone service, so you will likely not be able to call one to return you to the city.

Muir Woods Parking Reservations

To ensure a seamless visit to Muir Woods, you need to make parking and ticket reservations in advance. Parking spots are released in 30-minute increments. The earliest parking reservation is at 8:00 am and the last is at 6:30 pm (this may change based on the season).

However, once you park, you can park there all day long. There is no time limit for parking. 

A parking reservation costs $9.50 for a standard vehicle. To reserve your parking spot go to gomuirwoods.com

Getting to Muir Woods with the Go Muir Woods Shuttle

If you don’t have a car and don’t want to rent one, no worries, there is a shuttle that will take you to Muir Woods! Taking the shuttle is a great alternative to driving due to parking lot limitations and especially if you don’t have a car.

Muir Woods Shuttle Locations

• Larkspur Landing: This shuttle stop is recommend for those visitors who do have a vehicle, but don’t want to drive to Muir Woods. You can park here and hop on the shuttle. This shuttle runs on weekends and holidays only.
• Sausalito Ferry Terminal: If you’re staying in the seaside town of Sausalito head to the ferry terminal to meet the shuttle. The shuttle bus from Sausalito runs during summer weekdays.

There is no shuttle service directly from downtown San Francisco (unless you take an organized tour, which I’ll cover shortly). To get to the shuttle stop, take the ferry from San Francisco to Sausalito and catch the shuttle from the Sausalito stop.

Check the ferry schedule here.

All shuttle reservations are location-specific, tickets are round trip, and you don’t need a parking reservation. You do still need to pay your Muir Woods entrance fee.

Shuttle tickets cost $3.75 per adult, children 15 and younger ride free. 

The shuttles run all weekends and holidays and during peak season (June – August).

Book your Muir Woods shuttle reservation here.

Getting to Muir Woods with a Guided Tour

While this post is geared towards creating a DIY Muir Woods day trip, several tour companies run tours to Muir Woods.

I personally have not taken a Muir Woods tour, but they’re a great option if you’d like to combine other fun things to do in San Francisco like wine tastings or a visit to Alcatraz Island. 

Muir Woods with Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour: Where are my wine lovers at?! This one is for you! You’ll start your day with an hour-long hike at Muir Woods and end it by tasting local wines from Napa and Sonoma. On your way back to the city, you’ll have time for Golden Gate Bridge photos! What I love about this tour is that it’s a small group on an eco-friendly bus! 

Book your tour here.

Muir Woods Sausalito & Alcatraz: Check two items off of your San Francisco bucket list with this tour. The tour provides transportation to Muir Woods and the ferry for Alcatraz. After your Alcatraz tour take a ferry back to the city at your leisure. I like this tour because it’s the perfect combination of an organized tour and DIY since you’re left to your own devices at Alcatraz. You don’t need to rush through! 

Book your tour here.

Best Time of Year to Visit Muir Woods

The best time to visit Muir Woods largely depends on what kind of experience you’re seeking, but generally, spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are considered ideal.

• Spring (March-May): The weather is mild, and the forest is lush and green from winter rains. Wildflowers bloom, adding vibrant colors to the landscape. It’s a great time for photography and enjoying the serenity before the summer crowds arrive.
• Summer (June to August): The weather is warm and dry, making it a popular time for tourists. However, this also means the park can get quite crowded. If you visit during summer, consider arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the peak crowds.
• Fall (September to November): The temperatures are still pleasant, and the summer crowds have dwindled. The forest remains green and peaceful, making it an excellent time for hiking and exploring the trails without the high season’s hustle.
• Winter (December to February): While the park is less crowded, the weather can be cool and damp, with occasional rain. The misty atmosphere can add a mystical charm to the redwoods, and the park’s trails are generally quieter, providing a more solitary experience.

Regardless of the season, visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon can help you avoid the crowds and experience the beauty of Muir Woods at its best.

What to Wear to Muir Woods

The first thing you need to know about visiting Muir Woods is the temperature underneath the Redwoods is much cooler than what your phone might say. As with the rest of what to wear in San Francisco, layers are key. They will keep you warm on the main trails and should you decide to explore a bit further you can shed layers as you warm up!

If you’re planning on staying on the main trails a good pair of sneakers and comfortable activewear is suitable.

If you’re planning on leaving the main trail to explore the variety of Muir Woods trails I highly recommend wearing hiking boots instead of sneakers as you’ll be contending with multiple tree roots! In this case, I also suggest wearing sunscreen and packing a hat to protect your skin from the sun!

If the forecast calls for rain, Blundstones would be the perfect boot. They’re cute, waterproof, and suitable for longer, easy walks.

If you’re planning a serious hike, I suggest these Keen hiking boots . They are what I wear rain or shine along with Darn Tough socks to prevent blisters. Also, bring a rain jacket and umbrella. 

For more information on what to bring to Muir Woods check out this short hike packing list.

The Best Things to Do in Muir Woods

The two main things to do in Muir Woods are to admire the Redwood Trees and hike Muir Woods’ miles of trails.

The beauty of these two Muir Woods activities is that you can easily do both at the same time.

Admire the Redwoods

Muir Woods is home to old growth coastal Redwoods. The most popular location to see the giant Redwoods is at Cathedral Grove. The Redwoods here are the tallest and oldest trees in Muir Woods. The trees anywhere from 600 to 800 years old, with some of the oldest trees being 1,200 years old!

There are signs in Cathedral Grove recommending silence as this is a great place to disconnect from the hustle of city life and reconnect to yourself and the natural world.

I highly recommend spending some time enjoying the quiet sounds of nature as you walk through the grove.

Muir Woods Hiking Trails

Multiple hiking trails start from the Muir Woods visitor center from a flat. 05-mile loop to a multiple-mile adventure. There are 3 loops you can do on the main trail which is a flat, boardwalk trail that meanders through Cathedral Grove and next to Redwood Creek.

Loop 1 

This is the shortest and easiest trail in Muir Woods. You’ll simply follow the main trail to Bridge 2 for a total of 0.5 miles. It should take you about 30 minutes. This is great if you just want to see the Redwoods and move on with your day or head down to Muir Beach.

Loop 2

This trail is still on the flat and paved main trail, however, you’ll walk to Bridge 3 to extend your time with the Redwood Forest. This is a 1-mile hike and will take about 1 hour at a leisurely pace.

Loop 3

This Loop is a bit more challenging than the other two mentioned above. You’ll start on the main trail, following the Creek until you reach Bridge 4. Once you get here, the trail is no longer paved and leads uphill. It will connect to Hillside Trail which loops you back along a dirt path to Bridge 2. This Loop is a nice mix of challenging and pretty, offering a different vantage point to Loops 1 and 2.

Canopy View Trail

Surrounding Muir Woods is Mount Tamalpais State Park so there are some interconnecting trails, including Dipsea Trail if you’re looking for something more challenging.

However, one of my favorites moderate hikes is the Canopy View Trail. Just before Bridge 2 is the Canopy View Trail which takes you gradually uphill to a view of above the tops of the Redwood Trees to the Pacific Ocean.

Once you reach the top, head back down for the Lost Trail that connects to Fern Creek Trail and will loop you back to the Muir Woods Main Trail. The Canopy View Trail is 3 miles and will take about 2 hours. 

I highly recommend this trail if you’re looking for something more challenging and a way to escape any crowds on the Main Trail.

Where to Stay Nearby

You may consider extending your stay for a night or two in Sausalito or Tiburon. This part of the Bay Area is filled with a variety of fun activities, good restaurants, and gorgeous views. Both of the hotels below are treat-yo-self-style hotels. And totally worth it IMHO.

Cavallo Point: Cavallo Point Lodge is located below the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge in a former military base, Fort Baker. You can even stay in some of the historic homes on the property that have classic period details. There is a spa onsite, a heated outdoor pool, and an onsite restaurant and bar.  

Check rates and availability here.

Water’s Edge: This charming boutique hotel is located on the Tiburon waterfront, just a few minutes walk away from the ferry which can take you to Angel Island or back to San Francisco. They offer a complimentary breakfast served in the comforts of your room and in the evening enjoy a complimentary wine reception on the deck! 

Check rates and availability here.

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa: Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa is a treasured landmark – literally, it’s on the National Register of Historical Places. The Mansion, now part of the hotel, was built in 1885, but sold in 1906 to an attorney who converted it into the Casa Madrona Hotel. It fell into disrepair after World War II, but a French family renovated it drawing attention from people like Dick Van Dyke and the band Pink Floyd! Over the years, the hotel has evolved and been renovated to offer a 3,000 square foot spa, 63 stunning rooms, and the Poggio restaurant. 

Check rates and availability here. 

Things to Do Nearby

• Muir Beach: If you’re only planning to spend an hour or so at Muir Woods, consider adding on Muir Beach. This small cove beach is about 3 miles down the road. You can hike there or drive. The parking lot is very small and fills up fast, especially on a nice weekend, so be prepared to walk a bit. 
• Mt. Tamalpais: as mentioned above, Mt. Tam has awesome hiking trails and views! If you’re up for a good, long hike check out the Dipsea Trail or Cataract Falls.
• Sausalito: After your day exploring Muir Woods, head into Sausalito for dinner. There are many excellent restaurants to choose from and epic views across the Bay to the city.
• Angel Island: If you’re spending some time on this side of the bridge, check out Angel Island. Angel Island is referred to as the Ellis Island of the west. You can go to learn about the immigration process here, walk the perimeter trail with epic San Francisco views, or chill out at a gorgeous beach.
• Battery Spencer: On your way back to San Francisco, consider stopping at Battery Spencer for sunset. Battery Spencer offers awesome views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, Alcatraz, and the city skyline. It does tend to get windy here, though so layer up!

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