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San Francisco to Muir Woods: 6 Best Ways to Get Here
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: July 27, 2025
You will find a few options to travel between San Francisco and Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County.
Even though it's only about 16 miles from SF, the drive usually takes anywhere from 35 to 50 minutes along some winding roads.
What is the best way to get there?
You can take one of two Muir Woods shuttles, drive, or go on one of three unique guided tours. I've tried all of these options to help provide you with the best tips for each one.
They all offer you the chance to explore this fantastic coastal redwood forest north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Most of these transit options require that you pre-book and pay in advance. Some include an entrance ticket into the park, and others require that you pay when you enter.
If you have a National Parks Pass (also called America the Beautiful National Park Pass or the Interagency Pass), you can use that to enter the park at no additional cost.
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The links below will take you to the section that interests you the most.
A Little About Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods is a National Monument that sits within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is surrounded by Mount Tamalpais State Park.
It spans more than 558 acres and is home to dozens of coastal redwoods. Many redwood trees in this forest are around 600 years old, with the oldest recently being dated to be almost 800 years old.
They previously thought the oldest tree here was between 1,200 and 1,500 years old, but new dating techniques on the tree showed it was a bit younger.
This is one of my favorite exhibits here to check out when I visit. It shows you what was happening in the world during specific times of this tree's life.Inside the park, you can stroll its well-maintained and level trails, check out its informational exhibits, or head up the hills for a more heart-pumping hike.
You can also step inside the visitor center or grab a coffee and sit back to admire these ancient beauties on one of the benches throughout the park.
>> Learn more about what you'll see when you visit
1. Sausalito Shuttle to Muir Woods
The Sausalito Shuttle is the most popular option for those wanting to get from San Francisco to Muir Woods. This shuttle stop (orange star on the map) is about a five-minute walk from the Sausalito Ferry Terminal.
During peak season (mid-June through mid-August), this option runs on weekdays with departures roughly every half-hour. You must book tickets in advance. Do this early, as your desired departure or return time might sell out.
The first shuttle departs from Sausalito to Muir Woods at around 8:30 am, and the final shuttle leaves Sausalito around 3:15 pm. You'll find the stop at the corner of Bay and Bridgeway.
You must arrive 15 minutes before your departure, and they will not wait for those running late. You won't be able to jump on a later shuttle, so make sure you time your arrival so you don't miss your reservation.
This is a round-trip ticket, so you do not need to buy a second ticket to return to Sausalito.
When you book, you will also need to select your return shuttle time (between 10:30 am and 5:15 pm) and show your ticket again to board. You can no longer jump on any shuttle when you want to leave.
Here are a few additional details about this shuttle:
- Children 15 and under ride free, but you must book their tickets through the system.
- The shuttle takes about 30 minutes to get to Muir Woods from Sausalito.
- The cost is $3.75 for each adult (16 and older).
>> Tips for taking the shuttles
2. Larkspur Landing Shuttle to Muir Woods
Larkspur Landing is a little farther north than Sausalito. It's a great option for those coming from Marin County, Sonoma, and other places around Northern California.
The Larkspur - Muir Woods shuttle runs on weekends from April to October.
Larkspur departure times are roughly every half-hour between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Return times from the park are roughly every half-hour between 10:45 am and 6:45 pm.
Here are a few more details about this Muir Woods shuttle:
- Picks up right near the Larkspur Ferry at 101 E. Sir Francis Drak Blvd. in Larkspur.
- You need to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.
- To get here, you can take the Larkspur Ferry, the 130 bus, or drive. There is free parking available.
- The cost is $3.75 round-trip for each adult (16+).
>> Visit their official site to book your shuttle ticket
Details About the Muir Woods Tours
There are three different types of Muir Woods tours. Each one offers you the chance to explore the park on your own for anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.
This is plenty of time to visit Muir Woods National Monument and explore some of its gorgeous redwoods. Entrance fees are included in almost all of these tours.
Please keep in mind that the tours will not wait for stragglers when they are returning to SF. The last time I visited on a guided tour, one person did not arrive in time. We waited for about 10 minutes but ended up leaving them.
This person then had to find their own way back to San Francisco from Muir Woods. There is no cell phone reception or Wi-Fi service in the park, so this isn't an easy task.
Be very aware of the meet-up time to return to SF and make sure you don't miss it, since you will have plenty of time to explore.
This is the easiest and fastest way to get to Muir Woods from San Francisco without a car.
3. Muir Woods Only Tour
The first tour option available is the Muir Woods only tour. This is a half-day tour that really just offers transportation to and from the park, entrance fee included.
You will get views of the Golden Gate Bridge as your guide drives you over it, as well as a short in-coach tour of Sausalito on the way back—with the option to get dropped off there, explore at your own pace, and take the ferry to SF when you're ready.
The entire tour is about 4.5 hours, with about 1.5 hours spent visiting the redwoods.
It's also the most cost-effective of the three tours since it's the shortest. It runs once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
>> Find out more about this tour
4. Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour from San Francisco
The second tour option to get from San Francisco to Muir Woods is this combo tour.
It departs from the Hilton Union Square Hotel, then takes you over the Golden Gate Bridge into the Marin Headlands. If the fog is clear, you'll get a chance to get out and take close-up photos of the bridge from the northern end.
You will then have 1.5 hours to admire the redwoods in the park, before heading to Sausalito for a short in-coach tour through the quaint seaside town. You will have some time to walk around on your own.
You can then either get back on the bus to return to San Francisco, or choose to stay for shopping or a waterfront meal before taking the ferry back on your own.
This tour is about 5 hours and also runs most mornings and afternoons.
>> Find out more about this Muir Woods combo tour from San Francisco
5. Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour
The third tour option includes visiting Muir Woods in the morning and Northern California wine country in the afternoon.
You will have about an hour to explore the historic coastal redwood forest (shorter than the time offered on the half-day tours listed above, entry fee not included). You will then jump back onto the tour bus and make your way north to wine country.
You will enjoy a lunch stop at Sonoma Plaza (lunch not included in the tour price) and stops at three Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries (wine tastings included).
On the way back, fog permitting, you will stop at the Golden Gate Bridge for photos.
The tour lasts around 10 hours.
>> Find out more about this fun Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour
>> Tips on how far in advance to book for Muir Woods and other top attractions in San Francisco
6. Driving from San Francisco to Muir Woods
The final option to get from San Francisco to Muir Woods is to drive. The drive is fairly easy and is about 45 minutes away from San Francisco, even though it's only about 16 miles.
You'll start by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and exiting Highway 101 at Exit 445B.
You will then continue along CA-1 N through Mill Valley to the Muir Woods entrance.
You will need to make a Muir Woods parking reservation before you arrive. Reservations are $9.50 for a standard car or $12.50 if you want to charge your electric vehicle while you are here. There is an extra charge for vehicles over 17 feet.
Make sure you download your parking reservation to your phone before you arrive, as there is no cell service or Wi-Fi available in or near Muir Woods.
>> Visit their official site to book a parking pass
NOTE: If you're not driving your own car, you can rent one at locations all around San Francisco. Find out more about car rentals in SF.
More Details About Getting from San Francisco to Muir Woods
The Ride Into Muir Woods
Before your visit to Muir Woods, there is a little you need to know about the road that takes you to the park.
Once you leave Mill Valley, the final 3 to 4 miles of the trip are on a two-lane, windy road. If you get motion sickness, I recommend preparing before you get on the tour, shuttle, or car.
I get mild motion sickness, but I've never taken motion sickness medication for the journey. Sometimes, I have to close my eyes for parts of the ride, so I don't get sick.
However, if motion sickness is a big problem, I want to make sure you know that about 15 minutes of the ride is on gorgeous but very curvy roads. This will allow you to prepare before your departure.
What About Uber/Lyft from San Francisco to Muir Woods?
I always get asked if it's okay to take an Uber/Lyft from San Francisco to Muir Woods. I don't recommend this option.
While you can easily get to Muir Woods, you will find it's not very easy to get back. There is no cell service or wifi in or around the park, so you will not be able to use the app to return.
There is no public transit (except the pre-booked shuttles mentioned above), so it becomes difficult to get back.
Is It Safe to Cycle from San Francisco to Muir Woods?
I took this photo from a car pull-out along the road, but as you can see, there is no shoulder (and some sections of the road drop straight down into a canyon).If you love to cycle and are considering cycling to get from San Francisco to Muir Woods, I do caution that it's a little dangerous.
You would start your journey in San Francisco, make your way across the Golden Gate Bridge, and then down through Sausalito. You would then follow the trail through Mill Valley and make your way on the two-lane highway to the park entrance.
The ride is about 13 to 17 miles from different locations around San Francisco. The first 10 miles of the journey are pretty straightforward and safe. It's the last few miles that are a bit tricky.
This last part of the ride from San Francisco to Muir Woods is on a tight, two-lane highway. It's long and steep, and there are no shoulders or bike lanes.
The road also has quite a few twists and turns, so can be quite dangerous as some drivers get a thrill when they whip around the corners quickly.
A couple of times I've driven out here, I've seen people cycling this road. It's gorgeous but doesn't look safe to me. Cars will line up behind cyclists trying to get around them. Some cars will swerve out and around with little time to see if someone is coming from the opposite direction.
I would not recommend this ride unless you are familiar with the road and know how to avoid a potential collision with cars around the corners. There are other great cycling options nearby, but I would not recommend this to anyone who hasn't taken this road before.
Please also note that bikes are not allowed within Muir Woods, but bike racks are available outside the park entrance. They are also not allowed on the Muir Woods shuttle.
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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