We are planning a trip and will be staying in either Glen Ellen or Sebastopol for 2 nights. On our way back to SF we wanted to stop at both Pt Reyes and Muir Woods. Our rental car is due back at the airport at 5PM. Is it possible to see both places and get the car back in time?

We did not go to Pt Reyes but Muir Woods is lovely and can be done in a couple hours. Of course you could stay longer but we felt we did it justice.

Some advice from a former, long time Sebastopol area resident:

This would be physically possible, if you just wanted to see both places quickly at not get into thir mood at leisure, and you got on the road very early in the morning. But not recommended.

These are both places which rather than being awesome spectacles you can stop your car at one point to see, you want to be able to meander around by walking (Muir Woods) or driving and walking (Point Reyes) and getting into their mood. You will be too hurried to do this.

You have indicated that you will be staying in Sonoma County, and since the two places you mentioned are not big hotel centers, perhaps you will be staying with friends or relatives and have a full schedule during the time you are there, until departure day.

If not, I would spend part of your time in Sonoma County either visiting Armstrong Redwoods State Park near Guerneville as a very good substititue for Muir Woods, or driving out from Sebastopol to Bodega Bay and driving north along the Coast at least as far as Jenner as a substitute for Point Reyes, or both. Either of these trips can be easily combined with a drive through the Russian River Valley wine area and a visit to the wine center of Healdsburg, if you like and have the time.

Both Muir Woods and Armstrong Woods are excellent redwood groves, and in my opinion the major distinction between them is that Muir Woods is much closer to S.F., and so much easier to get to for most people.

Doing the drive between Bodega Bay and Jenner or further north, you will miss the lack of commercialism you would experience within the National Seashore at Point Reyes, but much of the territory is a chain of state parks, or private ranchland that goes right down the hillsides to the sea, so it is not too commercial. This is a spectacular stretch of coast, and representative of the type of scenery you would see at Point Reyes.

If you are staying with, or can ask local people, and they (or a map or Mapquest.com) can direct you to Coleman Valley Road going down to the ocean near Bodega Bay from the town of Occidental, this is in my opinion one of the most thrillingly scenic drives in all California, although something of a local secret. By all means use this as an alternative to the highway from Sebastopol out to Bodega Bay if you can find it and have the time. For scenic reasons, be sure to drive it heading towards the ocean rather than in the other direction.

It's possible but not feasible.

The one place to go to at Point Reyes would be the lighthouse and the fantastic views from there of the ten mile long beach. For this, you need good weather and early morning you could get fog. Then you will be tempted to walk that gorgeous strand of beach.

Muir Woods is very user friendly and has what I consider the best explanatory markers along the easy walk. Muir Woods also has some wonderful hikes which could take all day.

I'd suggest that you do Muir Woods (easy walk only) and then on the way to the airport (is it SFO?), you stop off at Marin Headlands for the spectacular views of the entire Bay Area and of SF in particular. This will more than make up for not going to Point Reyes.

Welcome to California!

Skip Muir Woods. If you've been to any other redwood grove, it really pales in comparison, and there are such crowds. The suggestion to go to Armstrong Redwoods is a good one if you had more time, but since you have so little, I'd skip that too. I really wouldn't miss Point Reyes-if you can only do one thing, make it Point Reyes. It is truly spectacular, especially the drive to the lighthouse (you could do the walk to Chimney Rock, close to the Lighthouse, too, if you had time). The drive back down Hwy 1 from Point Reyes to SF is wonderful, but if you were in a bit of a hurry, you could take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from Olema to Hwy 101, then to SF.

Shouldn't miss Muis Woods, because of the redwood trees.

Not much in redwoods in Pt Reyes

Two very different environments.

beth,
JBC411 above gives the most comprehensive answer so far.
The problem as I see it is that Pt. Reyes has many vista points and beaches which take anywhere from an additional 20 to 40 minutes drive once you exit Highway 1 towards Inverness. It IS a peninsula, so you have to drive westwards. For instance, the drive out to the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse is one of the best destinations at the National Seashore. But it's a good 30 minute drive, not to be hurried because of both the views and the narrow roads (not to mention the occasional cow asleep in the road). Once there, whether you hike to the lighthouse or the adjacent beaches, that's another hour or so to park, walk and enjoy (it is about enjoying, not hurrying, after all).

The stretch of Sonoma coastline between Bodega Bay and Jenner consists of numerous "pocket beaches" - not long or large, but very pretty. These can be accessed immediately from the road and are good opportunities for photos and restrooms. Do be aware that Highway 1 is exceptionally curvy around here, so take your time driving!

Forgot to second Coleman Valley Road, if you can get directions to it. Do the drive as a westbound one, for an incredible view of the coast towards the end. There are some upland plateaus on this road that are full of wildflowers in the spring. Great drive, and actually a good way to connect to the coast from the Freestone/Occidental area.