We spend 1 hour and 15 minutes in Muir Woods and we spend 1 hour in Sausalito. You will have free time in both locations to explore at your leisure.
You can spend as long as you wish as long as it fits your schedule and allows for time to meet any other tour you may have booked. While you will be booked on a specific departure time to Alcatraz Island, you may take any ferry back to Pier 33 after you’ve finished your visit until the last available ferry.
For Muir Woods tours, the maximum group size is 14 passengers. You will be traveling in a small-group luxury Mercedes sprinter van. For the Alcatraz cruise, you will be in a larger group, as the boat capacity is larger.
The Muir Woods entrance fee is not included, however you may purchase your ticket directly at Muir Woods. The cost is $15 for adults and free for anyone 15 years or younger.
Your Muir Woods and Sausalito tour will be guided by a San Francisco local as you are picked up and transported across the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll learn all about the history of the area from your knowledgeable tour guide.
Once you arrive in Muir Woods, you will have free time to explore on your own. We don’t guide in Muir Woods because it’s not allowed, so no company offers this. It also allows you to enjoy the peace and serenity and take in the meditative atmosphere of Muir Woods among the old growth Redwood trees. Your time in Sausalito will also be free to shop and wander at your own pace.
Your Alcatraz tour will be self-guided, but you will have an award-winning cellhouse audio guide to lead you through the various parts of the prison. The languages offered are: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Guiding is also not allowed on Alcatraz, but the audio guide is excellent, filled with history and stories of the inmates and we think it’s even better than a live guide!
Yes! Included in your ticket is the award-winning cellhouse audio guide, offered in multiple languages. The languages offered are: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
The meeting point depends on the departure time you booked.
The drop-off location depends on the departure time you booked.
For Alcatraz tours, we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes in advance. For all other tours, please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.
We recommend using Google Maps to plan your route with public transportation as it depends on where you’re coming from. Pier 33 is accessible by the F Line Muni train. Union Square has multiple options for muni train and bus travel.
Parking in San Francisco can be a challenge, so we recommend taking public transportation or a taxi/ride share service. However there are parking garages in downtown San Francisco and Fisherman’s Wharf.
We always recommend booking as early as possible to guarantee a spot on our tours. Our Muir Woods tours are in small groups so they can sell out quickly, especially in the summer and on weekends. Alcatraz is also one of the most popular destinations and can even sell out months in advance, so we highly recommend booking as early as you can.
You will receive your Alcatraz tickets with a QR code the day before your tour. Once you arrive at Pier 33, simply go to the boarding line with your ticket to board the boat, not the ticket booth. No need to wait in this line for a ticket since you already have it. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.
You do not need to print your tickets as long as you can access them on a mobile device, such as your iPhone or Android.
You can use your National Parks Pass to enter Muir Woods, which will grant free access for up to 4 people. The Alcatraz tour is not included with your National Parks Pass, however.
While the weather is mild in San Francisco, we are known for our foggy mornings and evenings and it can be especially cold on the Bay. Muir Woods can also be quite chilly especially in the mornings. We recommend bringing layers and a jacket, as well as comfortable walking shoes. Always check the weather before your tour and you should be warm and comfortable!
In Muir Woods you can purchase small snacks at the cafe by the entrance. There will also be opportunities to purchase food in Sausalito, which has a variety of dining options. There is no food allowed on Alcatraz Island, however, there will be snacks available for purchase on the Alcatraz ferry.
Alcatraz only allows small backpacks, but does not allow any large luggage items, coolers, or strollers. The maximum acceptable size for a backpack is 16” x 20”. For securtity large items are not allowed.
No, you don’t need to bring an ID on our tours.
Muir Woods and Alcatraz do not allow pets except for service animals. Please give us advance notice if you plan to bring a service animal on the tour.
Muir Woods has a flat paved surface, so the walk is not considered strenuous. You may also walk as little or as much as you’d like, as you will have free time once you arrive in Muir Woods. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge at Muir Woods.
Our tours are wheelchair accessible and we can keep the wheelchair in the van, however guests must be able to get in and out of the van without the wheelchair.
For our Muir Woods tour, children who are 8 years of age or younger must have a booster seat. Please contact us in advance if you’d like us to provide one or you may provide your own. For the Alcatraz tour, you do not need a car seat.
Yes, all children require a ticket on our tours.
All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult on our tours.
We understand that plans can change and we do our best to accommodate our guests whenever possible. However, all Alcatraz tours and packages are non-refundable.
The weather in San Francisco is quite mild year-round so generally our tours will run rain or shine. Only in cases of an extreme weather event will our tours be canceled, however in this rare event, we will of course provide a refund.
The weather in San Francisco is typically mild and doesn’t change too much between seasons. However we do have colder summers than visitors might expect due to our famous fog, whose name is Karl. The main rule is to always check the weather and wear layers and a light jacket.
In general we recommend tipping your guide 15-20% of your ticket price if you feel they did a great job. It’s a nice way to say thank you and to show your appreciation for the work they do.
As our Covid-19 cases have dropped significantly, we no longer have vaccine or mask requirements, however we recommend taking any precaution you feel comfortable with as we understand everyone has different circumstances.
Unfortunately if you miss or are late for any part of your tour, you will not be able to join the scheduled Alcatraz tour, since this portion has a strict departure time.
