MUIR WOODS AND SAUSALITO & ALCATRAZ ISLAND AND AQUARIUM OF THE BAY

On our Muir Woods and Sausalito tour you can wander through the ancient groves of coastal redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument and walk along the quaint sidewalks of Downtown Sausalito. Muir Woods is an example of an old-growth redwood forest located only about 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. You will have an hour and a half to roam through this ‘living museum’ where you can get a glimpse of the towering trees that used to dominate the west coast from Santa Barbara to Washington.

After exploring Muir Woods you will get a 15-20 minute narrated tour through the beautiful seaside Mediterranean-style town of Sausalito. From there, you’ll hop off the motorcoach and take a picturesque ferry ride back to San Francisco!

Once you’re back in the city, you can explore the Aquarium of the Bay before it’s time to pick up your Alcatraz tickets for your Alcatraz Night Tour. This tour will give you an exclusive experience of this historic island.

ABOUT YOUR ALCATRAZ TOUR

Alcatraz is a must-see for any traveler visiting San Francisco.

You’ll take the ferry out to the island, with amazing views of the San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island.

Upon arrival, you’ll learn a brief history of “The Rock” and then head up to the prison. You’ll be equipped with an audio tour titled “Doing Time”, in which you’ll hear interviews from former inmates and learn more history about Alcatraz. You may explore for as long as you want (the ferry departs for the mainland approximately every 30-40 minutes).

The tour generally takes people about two and a half hours. Don’t forget your jacket – it can get chilly out on the bay!

Alcatraz Info:

• For security purposes, a government-issued photo ID is required for all guests to board the Alcatraz ferry
• Alcatraz audio tour is available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Mandarin, Portuguese and Korean
• Ferries depart Alcatraz Island 8:40pm & 9:25pm.

Alcatraz tickets are subject to limited availability, so book your tickets today!

ABOUT THE AQUARIUM OF THE BAY

You’ve crossed the bay, now see what’s swimming below!

On the first day of your tour, you’ll visit the 20,000 animals living in the Aquarium, from 8-foot native seven gill sharks, to eels, rays, and jellies – all of which can be found in the San Francisco Bay.

The Aquarium of the Bay is the ONLY aquarium dedicated to the diverse marine life of the the San Francisco Bay and its watershed. Like us, Aquarium of the Bay is a certified San Francisco Green Business, doing its part by educating guests about endangered animals and habitats, participating in ongoing research, distributing information about sustainable seafood sourcing, and partnering with America Cup’s “Healthy Ocean Project” to educate about marine protected areas and the effects of marine debris and plastics.

It is just as fun and entertaining for the whole family as it is educational, and you’ll definitely walk away learning something new about our Bay and its ecosystems!

SAMPLE ITINERARY

7:15am Pick up from Hilton San Francisco Union Square (333 O’Farrell Street).  Meet on the Mason Street side of the hotel.

Morning: The day begins with a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, which offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the skyline of San Francisco. We wind our way through the coastal mountains of the Marin Headlands, along the base of Mt. Tamalpais (the highest point in the North Bay region) on our way to Muir Woods National Monument where you will have 1-1 1/2 hrs to walk around.

Late Morning: Arrive at Muir Woods National Monument. The coastal redwood is the tallest tree species in the world. These trees only thrive in Northern California and Oregon, due to the thick fog that blankets the west coast in the summer months. In 1908, Senator William Kent and his wife donated their land to the state and President Theodore Roosevelt designated it as a federally protected area. Muir Woods is the only surviving stand of old-growth forest in the Bay Area. Wandering amongst these towering giants, the sights, sounds and smells of this living museum are sure to reconnect you with a natural world that was almost lost forever.

Mid-Day: From Muir Woods it’s a short drive to Sausalito, a picturesque town that starts with hilltop mansions and spills down to boutique shops and cafes along the waterfront. The pier offers a panoramic view of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and Angel Island. Take it all in with a 20 minute in-coach narrated tour and then hop off the coach and linger at one of the sidewalk cafes, shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, or sample freshly caught seafood before taking the ferry back to the city on your own schedule – just make sure you’re back to pick up your Alcatraz tickets!

Afternoon: Catch the Sausalito ferry back across the bay to Fisherman’s Wharf.  Ferry times change throughout the year.  Please check on the most updated times, here. (Keeping in mind your 5:55pm Alcatraz departure)  Once you’re back on land, check out the awesome exhibits and friendly fishes at the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39.

Evening: Your Alcatraz Tour departs Pier 33 at 5:55pm.  You must make your way there to pick up your Alcatraz Night Tour tickets from the Group Services Window and meet the ferry. You may pick up your tickets any time the day of your tour, but they MUST be claimed no later than 30 minutes prior to the tour departure. You will need a valid ID and your paid voucher to pick up the tickets.

Departing for Alcatraz

Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time. Board your ferry and ride across the San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island. See the San Francisco Skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island from the ferry! Take a loop around the island for exclusive views. Depart the ferry at Alcatraz and follow your guide up into the prison.

On Alcatraz Island

Enjoy the audio tour “Doing Time” with commentary from inmates and guards that experienced the prison when it was operational. You’ll have access to areas of the island that are not open to the public on the day tours.

**Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to conditions outside of our control (special events, traffic), it is sometimes necessary to alter your itinerary to best suit the needs of the group. While we guarantee that we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this itinerary (conditions permitting), we do not guarantee them in this specific order. **