kodi

We will be flying into SF on a Thurs and will have that afternoon, and then Fri, Sat and Sun to see and enjoy.


My question is... with so little time to spend in the city, should we give up a good part of a day to go to Muir Woods?

We will be spending 3 nights in Yosemite later in the trip.

Then we will have to bee line it back to SFO from Yosemite for our flight the next morning. Is it possible to see very much on that day, or will we really have to hussle to get to SFO area?

Thanks for any advice.

cabovacation

That's a hard question to answer. I think it is worth the time. En route you will cross the GG bridge and there is a viewpoint just on the far side so you can stop there and take some photos of the skyline. Then continuing on you can include Sausalito in your day. The on to Muir Woods. It really is all part of the beauty of the Bay Area. You won't feel that you missed anything.

maj

From a tourist point of view (mine) I would definitely hit the Marin Headlands and Muir Woods. It doesn't take long to visit Muir Woods unless you are planning some long hikes there. Go early AM to Muir Woods. Also, I think you will appreciate the redwoods there more if you see them before the sequoias at Yosemite (different trees).

We got to Muir Woods around 9am, walked the trail and looped around on the one above it, drove Highway 1 by Muir Beach lookout to Stinson Beach (fantastic views) and then went up to the lookout at Mt. Tam and then on to Sausalito for lunch. We were done by about 2PM. We had already gone to the viewpoint mentioned above on the north side of the Bridge (a definite must see IMO).

I totally agree with cabovacation about the beauty of the bay area. The city with all its culture, history, etc. and then just across the GGB are mountains and fantastic scenery.

I think it takes about 4 hours from Yosemite to San Francisco.

kodi

Thank you both so much. Sounds like it's a must do!! I'll include it in our plans for sure.

I'm glad to hear we can take our time getting back from Yosemite.

cabovacation

that's 4 hours plus any time for traffic once you get into the bay area.... so even if you leave Yosemite at 2 or 3pm you should be able to have a comfortable late dinner and a normal sleep before heading to the flight.

kodi

Thanks Cabo. We'll have to time it so we don't hit rush hour.

If it's like Toronto , it's always busy, but rush hour is a nightmare.

kodi

I just remembered.. we aren't picking up our rental car til the day we leave SF. So we may take a tour to Muir Woods.
Does anyone have any experience with any tours?

TC

We were just in SF a couple of weeks ago. We took the ferry across to Sausalito and had a wonderful time walking around and then having dinner in an outdoor cafe. I noticed as we exited the ferry in Sausalito signs for tours from there to Muir Woods. I believe the tours were only 2-3 hours long. I'm sorry not to have more details, but we didn't have the time to take a tour so no need. Maybe others know more.

kodi

Thank you TC. I was thinking of a tour from downtown Sf, but this might be a good option. At least we'd have the time in Sausalito on our own.

Grassshopper

If you are going to Yosemite, I wouldn't give up the time from what you have for SF, particularly if I had to take a tour. I definitely would take a ferry to Sausalito and back though.

kodi

Grasshopper, I hadn't really been thinking very much about Sausalito, but will definately add it to our 'must do's'. Thanks.

mommybryant

We did a similar trip in June and I would suggest using the time to sightsee in SF rather than Muir Woods since you are going to Yosemite. The coastal tress are different than the inland redwoods, but the trees in Yosemite are more spectacular IMHO. I might suggest you rent bikes and bike around the Embarcadero and over the Golden Gate bridge into Sausalito. My family did that and it was the most fun things. We left by 10:00, took our time riding around and over the bridge, stopping often for views and pictures and had a fun picnic lunch in Sausalito. There are lots of places to lock your bikes. Then you can ferry back to the city and get those views. It was a great day for us.

mommybryant

I forgot...it will take you a good four hours to get back to San Francisco from Yosemite. We didt have slow traffic though, it was all outgoing. So that was good. Also, allow a minimum of two hours to return the rental car and get through security, etc at the airport.

maj

I'm not sure if it is worth a tour that just goes to Muir Woods if you don't have your own car. Really depends on what else you have planned for your time in San Francisco. But everyone's interests are different. You can probably decide when you are there.

Try to get to that viewpoint mentioned across the Golden Gate Bridge to the left (there is also one to the right when you cross the bridge, good also, but not the same) -- the view looking at San Francisco above the GGB is great.

kodi

Oh, I can't wait!
Mommy, it sounds like you had a fantastic time. I'm not sure renting bikes would be agood idea for us. I haven't been on one in years, and I'd probably break my neck!! Not a good thing to do on vacation !!

We have the full day to get back to SF, so it sounds like we won't be too rushed.

Maj, for sure we will try and get that view. It sounds beautiful.

I won't book a tour and we'll see what happens when we get there. So much to see, so little time!