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by Jill Loeffler •
Published: June 30, 2025
I've been to Muir Woods more than a dozen times, and I've tried all the different ways to get there. I've driven, taken guided tours, and ridden the official shuttles.
Each option has its pros and cons, but the Muir Woods shuttles are one of the most affordable ways to get there if you know how to make them work for you.
Since I live in San Francisco, I've had the opportunity to test the shuttle routes on more than one occasion. Over time, I've picked up a lot of tips, including how to avoid missing your shuttle connection, which stop is easier to reach, and how to easily plan out your entire visit.
Standing beneath these towering trees in Muir Woods, many hundreds of years old, always stops me in my tracks. It's quiet, cool, and humbling in the best way.
This is one of the reasons I created this guide for you. My experience allows you to skip the confusion when planning your visit, so you can focus on the fun part, thinking about your unforgettable experience ahead!
My guide offers details on what you need to know and what to expect from the experience before you book.
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There are two places you can pick up the Muir Woods shuttles. Both offer direct service to Muir Woods with no stops along the routes.
No Muir Woods Shuttles from San Francisco: You will see some tour companies in San Francisco promoting the "Muir Woods Shuttle from SF." This is actually a tour and not the shuttles described on this page. The tours are great, but they offer a very different experience from the two shuttles from Sausalito and Larkspur. If you prefer this option, you can check out the most popular tour here.
Both of these shuttles are seasonal. Here is their schedule for 2025:
Each year, the schedule for these shuttles changes with little communication on dates when they will start and stop for the season. These dates are what is currently available in the reservation system.
They may extend out later in the season, but I have no way of knowing until they make the changes in the reservation system. I check frequently to make sure I have the latest dates available.
After taking the Muir Woods shuttle several times myself, I’ve learned exactly what works and what can trip you up if you’re not prepared. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown based on my own experience to help make your visit as smooth as possible:
You will need to reserve your shuttle online through GoMuirWoods. This is the only official site for the shuttle.
Be careful not to confuse it with guided tours that use the word shuttle in their names (the tours are great, but offer a different experience).
The cost is $3.75 for anyone 16 and older. Kids 15 and younger ride free, but still need a reservation.
You’ll be asked to select both your departure and return times.
They recommend giving yourself about three hours total, and I’ve found that to be a good baseline.
It gives you around two hours inside the park, which is usually enough for the main trails.
If you’re planning a longer hike, I suggest booking your return shuttle for 4 to 5 hours after your departure.
Once you select your times, you'll be prompted to pay for park admission. I usually pay in advance using the system as it's one less thing to think about when I arrive.
You can also pay at the ticket booth upon arrival or use your America the Beautiful National Parks Pass for entry.
Don't cut this close. I've seen people miss their shuttle because they end up arriving just a few minutes late.
I always try to arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes early. If you miss your shuttle time, you may end up waiting a few hours for an open seat on another shuttle.
The Muir Woods shuttles (from both locations) take about 30 to 45 minutes. The seats are super comfortable, and it's a nice ride into the park.
The first part is a smooth highway drive, but the second half is completely different. This part of the ride feels like driving through a hidden path carved through the hills, a narrow, twisting road that weaves through coastal forests, with glimpses of deep ravines and dense trees.
One warning, though, if you're prone to motion sickness (which I am), it's a good idea to come prepared. This is what I usually take.
Once the shuttle drops you off, you're on your own. There are no guides or tours.
Walk up to the entrance, show your ticket (or buy one there), and enjoy the redwoods.
I love wandering off the main paths into hushed corners, where the only sounds are your footsteps on the trails and the occasional creak of a redwood swaying hundreds of feet above.
Even on busy days, there are peaceful pockets.
Here are also a few things you'll want to bring along:
All of these will also be great for the days you are exploring San Francisco.
The same rules apply for your return ride. Don't be late!
Shuttles leave right on time, and they won't wait for stragglers. However, they are a bit more flexible on this end.
If you finish early or want to stay longer, you can hop on a different shuttle as long as there’s space. I’ve done this a few times with no problem.
The return ride follows the same winding road back to your original stop.
By this point, you’ll probably be tired and ready to relax like I usually am. I like to just sit back, look out the window, and soak in the scenery.
I think one of the biggest challenges with taking one of these Muir Woods Shuttles is planning out how to get to your departure stops. I'm familiar with all the buses and ferries used to get here, and it still took me about 30 minutes to figure out the best timing.
I didn't want to arrive too early. I also didn't want to sit around for a long time waiting for either the shuttle or the public transit back to San Francisco. I changed my mind a few times on when I wanted to leave and return from the shuttle stops based on when I could get to and from the shuttle stops by bus and ferry.
I highly recommend spending a little time thinking through this part of the process before you book your shuttle times. It will make for a more pleasant journey on the day of your visit.
You have three options to get to the Sausalito Muir Woods Shuttle from San Francisco. It leaves from the corner of Bay and Bridgeway in downtown Sausalito.
You have two ferry options to get from San Francisco to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal (purple star on map).
Both arrive in the same location in Sausalito.
These ferries run on a limited schedule throughout the year. In the summer, there are typically around 5 or 6 ferry rides from each location to Sausalito and back. Be sure to check the schedule to see if you can arrive in time for your shuttle if you select this option.
The good news is that it only takes about 5 minutes to walk from the ferry terminal over to where the Muir Woods shuttle picks up. I've added a walking path to the map above, so you can get a sense of how far you'll need to walk. It's all flat.
Here are the schedules for the ferries:
Also, double-check the service times for the day you plan to head over in case they make a last-minute schedule change, are running late, or have a last-minute cancellation.
Another option to get you to the Muir Woods shuttle is the 130 Golden Gate Transit Bus.
This bus starts at the Transbay Terminal in the South of Market District, picks up along Mission Street, in the Civic Center area, along Van Ness, and along Lombard Street.
It then drives over the Golden Gate Bridge and through downtown Sausalito.
You will want to exit at the Bridgeway and Bay Street stop, which is just a short walk away from your Muir Woods shuttle stop.
The first bus leaves San Francisco around 6:00 a.m. and runs approximately every hour. This makes it a great option if you have morning shuttle tickets to Muir Woods.
Here is a map with the best stop in San Francisco for those coming from Fisherman's Wharf.
The map above shows two stars. The red star is a generic star showing you the heart of Fisherman's Wharf. The purple star in the lower left corner is the best bus stop to pick up the 130.
This stop is on the northwest corner of Lombard and Fillmore Streets. It's about a mile and a half from the heart of Fisherman's Wharf.
You can reach this stop by walking, taking the 28 bus (which will drop you off directly at the stop), or using an Uber or Lyft.
Here is a map with the best stop for those staying in Union Square (red star) and downtown San Francisco.
The best stop to pick up the 130 if you are staying in Union Square is along Mission Street (purple star).
This stop is on Mission Street between 4th Street and Jessie East.
It is just a few blocks from Union Square, so you can walk or take a quick Uber/Lyft to catch this bus.
You can also take a Lyft or Uber to Sausalito. The drive takes about 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco and about 20 minutes from Fisherman's Wharf.
The cost will vary based on the time you head over and the traffic, but I'd estimate it's about $35 to $50 for the ride before tax and tip.
You have three options to get to the Larkspur Muir Woods Shuttle from San Francisco. Each one takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get from San Francisco to the Larkspur Shuttle stop.
The ferry leaves from the northeast side of the Larkspur Ferry parking lot.
Here is a map showing details for the ferry and the bus stops.
It takes about two minutes to walk from the ferry stop to the Muir Woods shuttle stop.
The Golden Gate Transit's 130 bus drops you off at the Lucky Drive Bus Pad. It's about a 10-minute walk from this stop. There is a walking path located just next to the Redwood Highway/101, which you can use to safely walk to the shuttle stop.
The northbound stop is on the eastern side. You can access the southbound stop by walking over 101 on the Lucky Drive Pedestrian Bridge and south about three blocks to find the southbound Lucky Drive Bus Pad.
I wish I could say that taking the Muir Woods Shuttle is the best option. It is for some and not for others.
Here are a few things I recommend you think about before booking your shuttle tickets.
The cost for this is WAY less expensive than taking a tour. But the $3.75 price tag only covers the shuttle ride.
Here are all the associated costs without a car:
Here are some estimated costs for taking the Muir Woods without a car. I calculated this using the cash cost for each one, so it will be a bit cheaper if you use a Clipper Card.
I also used the Golden Gate Ferry prices, so add $.75 per ride if you plan to use the Blue and Gold Ferry.
Is parking available at the shuttle stops? Parking at Larkspur is $5 for the day. There is no official parking in Sausalito for the ferry, so you either need to find street parking or park in a lot, which will be more expensive. If you have a car, I recommend just booking a parking spot at Muir Woods for $9.50 for the day.
This is the one piece that caught me off guard when I took the Muir Woods Shuttle the first time. While the shuttle itself is only a 30 to 45-minute ride, it does take some effort to get to the shuttle stops.
Including the three hours to take the shuttle and visit the park, you need to figure in time to get to the stops.
Given that both options only run so often, the total travel time to take the Muir Woods Shuttle could be anywhere from a minimum of 5 hours to 7 hours. You'll need most of the day set aside if you plan to take the shuttles.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of most visitors. With all the tips and details above, you should have a clear idea of how the Muir Woods shuttles work, what to expect, and how to plan around them.
That said, the shuttles aren’t the quickest way to visit. They’re affordable, reliable, and a great choice if you’ve got the time, especially for longer stays or those looking to avoid the cost of a tour or the hassle of renting a car.
But if your visit is short or you’re trying to squeeze in as much as possible, booking a guided tour from San Francisco might be the more efficient option.
However you get there, I hope you take a moment to stop, look up, and let the silence of the redwoods work its magic. It always does for me.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!