San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off + Muir Woods Tour

The tallest redwoods in the world are not in a remote wilderness. You can reach a fine grove from San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge on an open-top bus, and spend time among towering trees at Muir Woods National Monument. The same outing adds Sausalito, then gives you two days to tour San Francisco by bus.

I like the two-day hop-on hop-off ticket, which lets you split sightseeing into manageable pieces instead of racing around town. I also like that Muir Woods admission and parking are included, a useful saving at a price of $159 per person. The main drawback is simple: this is a bus-based outing with a fixed departure point, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Key points to know

• Muir Woods admission is included: The $15 entrance fee and parking charges are covered.
• The Golden Gate Bridge is part of the show: Cross the 1.7-mile span on an open-top bus with views toward Alcatraz Island and San Francisco.
• Sausalito gives you a choice: Stay on the bus back to Fisherman’s Wharf or get off and return by ferry at your own cost.
• Two days make the city tour more useful: Visit the waterfront one day and save neighborhoods such as Chinatown, North Beach, or Haight Ashbury for another.
• Muir Woods has easy and harder walks: Paved paths suit a relaxed visit, while unpaved trails climb into the hills.
• Start at 99 Jefferson Street: Both portions leave from the corner of Mason Street, and you should arrive at least 20 minutes before the Muir Woods departure.

Why this pairing works for a San Francisco visit

San Francisco rewards a bit of planning. Its hills, spread-out districts, bridge views, and waterfront attractions can eat up time if you rely only on walking. This experience handles the long moves by bus, then lets you explore on foot at the stops that matter most.

The combination also balances city and nature. One part takes you through famous San Francisco neighborhoods and waterfront sights. The other crosses into Marin County, where the city noise gives way to tall redwoods and quiet trails.

I see this as a particularly practical choice if you have limited time or prefer not to rent a car. You get transportation to Muir Woods, the entry fee, and a city sightseeing ticket in one purchase. You will still need to pay for food and, if you choose the ferry from Sausalito, the ferry ticket.

Beginning at Fisherman’s Wharf

Both tours begin at 99 Jefferson Street, at the corner of Mason Street. This is in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, close to several major sights and restaurants. For the Muir Woods outing, arrive at least 20 minutes before departure. The city bus portion can be used at your own pace during the two-day period.

The Muir Woods trip has a guide on board. As you leave San Francisco, the guide shares facts and points out scenery along the route. English is the live language, while audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

You do not get hotel pickup, so plan your route to the meeting point in advance. Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. The open-top bus can feel exposed, especially when crossing the bridge, so a light extra layer is sensible even when San Francisco looks sunny.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in the open air

The bridge crossing is one of the strongest parts of the outing. From an open-top bus, you get a broad view rather than the boxed-in feeling of a regular coach. The span stretches 1.7 miles across the bay, and the views include the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island, and the bridge itself.

The route may stop at North Vista Point. This is the place to get a clear bridge photograph and look back toward San Francisco. You can also walk across the bridge from there if you want more exercise, though the amount of walking you choose is up to you.

Weather and traffic can change the route or stop pattern. That matters in San Francisco, where fog and congestion can quickly alter a sightseeing schedule. Treat the bridge crossing as a major part of the experience, but avoid planning a tight appointment immediately afterward.

Walking beneath the redwoods at Muir Woods

Muir Woods is the reason many people choose this package. Once you arrive, you have time to explore at your own pace rather than being rushed from one photo stop to the next. You receive a map, and the monument has paved walking paths close to the giant trees.

The first impression is scale. The redwoods rise far above the trail, creating a very different setting from the open bay and city streets you have just left. The paved routes make it possible to enjoy the grove without committing to a strenuous hike.

If you want more than a level stroll, unpaved trails climb into the surrounding hills. These routes give you a more active visit, but comfortable footwear becomes important. You should choose your walk based on the time available and your energy, since the tour continues to Sausalito after the woods.

The included entrance ticket is worth noting. Muir Woods admission is listed at $15, and parking fees are included too. Those costs can make a separately arranged visit less attractive, especially if you would otherwise need to organize transport and parking yourself.

The visit is not a backcountry adventure. It is a well-known national monument with marked routes and a planned bus stop. That is good news if you want a reliable introduction to the redwoods, though people seeking a long, quiet hike may find the visit too brief or structured.

Sausalito and the choice of ferry or bus

After Muir Woods, the bus continues to Sausalito. This small seaside town has a Mediterranean style, bay views, boutique shops, art galleries, and parks. It feels like a pleasant change from the formal grid and steep streets of San Francisco.

You have two options. Stay on the bus and return to Fisherman’s Wharf, or get off in Sausalito and spend more time there before taking a ferry back to San Francisco. The ferry ticket is not included, so check the cost and departure details before choosing that plan.

Sausalito is best for a slower pause. You can browse shops, look through galleries, sit in a park, or simply enjoy the water views. The town is not the main event in the same way as Muir Woods, but it gives the day a relaxed finish.

If you stay on the bus, the schedule is easier and your return is covered by the tour. If you take the ferry, you gain a different view of the bay and more control over your afternoon, but you pay extra and must manage the return on your own. I would choose the ferry only if you want dedicated time in Sausalito rather than a quick look.

Using the two-day city ticket well

The city portion is an open-top Official City Tour bus. You can ride the full route in about two hours, or get off at sights and rejoin another bus later. The value comes from using it as transportation, not merely as a narrated ride.

A first ride without getting off helps you understand the city’s layout. After that, use the bus to connect areas that would take more effort on foot. The route covers major parts of the city, including:

• Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
• The sea lion colony
• Chinatown
• North Beach
• Civic Center
• Haight Ashbury
• Union Square
• Golden Gate Park
• The Palace of Fine Arts
• Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints

Pier 39 and the waterfront work well for an early stop, especially if you want to see the sea lions and browse the piers. Fisherman’s Wharf also has plenty of food, including fresh catch-of-the-day options, though meals are not included.

Chinatown and North Beach offer a change in mood from the waterfront. You can use the bus to reach these districts, then walk around before continuing. Union Square suits shopping and central city errands, while Haight Ashbury gives you a look at one of San Francisco’s best-known historic neighborhoods.

Golden Gate Park and the Palace of Fine Arts are better suited to a longer stop. You may want to choose one rather than trying to see everything in a single afternoon. The two-day ticket helps here, since you can reserve one day for the waterfront and bridge, then use the other for neighborhoods and parks.

What the live guide and audio options add

The Muir Woods route includes an English-speaking live guide. That is useful during the drive, when road signs and scenery pass too quickly for you to interpret on your own. The guide also helps give the trip a sense of direction, especially for first-time visitors.

The city sightseeing portion includes live English commentary or audio guide options in several languages. This is a practical feature for couples or families who want to learn as they ride but do not all prefer the same format.

Do not expect a private tour or a highly customized route. This is shared sightseeing by bus, with route changes possible because of traffic and weather. The benefit is convenience and broad coverage. The tradeoff is less control over exact timing.

Is $159 a good value?

At $159 per person, this is not the cheapest way to ride around San Francisco. The price makes more sense when you use every major inclusion: the Muir Woods excursion, the $15 entrance fee, parking charges, and two days of city bus access.

The package is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a Muir Woods transfer and a city sightseeing bus. It also saves you from arranging a car, navigating the roads across the Golden Gate Bridge, and finding parking near the redwoods.

The value drops if you plan to walk everywhere in San Francisco, do not care about Muir Woods, or expect to spend only a few hours on the city bus. It also drops slightly if Sausalito is your main goal, since the ferry back requires an extra ticket.

I would compare the cost with your likely transport needs, not just with the price of a standard city bus ticket. If Muir Woods is high on your list, the included entrance and parking charges make the combined package easier to justify.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a clear introduction to San Francisco without renting a car. It also suits families, couples, and anyone who wants both an urban sightseeing route and a memorable redwood walk.

The two-day format helps older visitors and people who prefer a relaxed pace. You can ride the full route first, then choose only the stops that interest you. It is also useful for visitors who want to spend one day around the waterfront and another in neighborhoods such as Chinatown, North Beach, or Haight Ashbury.

This is less suitable if you want a long hike, a private guide, or complete control over departure times. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, according to the activity information. Anyone with limited mobility should check the arrangements carefully before booking.

The tour runs daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Children under two ride free. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still taking shape.

My booking advice

Book this if you want the redwoods to be a firm part of your San Francisco visit and you like the ease of a planned bus connection. Make the most of it by using the city ticket on two separate days, rather than riding the full loop once and calling it finished.

Arrive early for the Muir Woods departure, wear shoes you can walk in, and decide ahead of time if Sausalito deserves a longer stop. If you prefer a leisurely town visit, budget for the ferry. If you want the simplest return, stay on the bus.

For a first visit, the mix is hard to beat: giant trees, a bridge crossing, bay views, Sausalito, and the city’s major districts in one flexible package. Just remember that convenience comes with a shared schedule and possible weather or traffic changes.

FAQ

Where does the San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off plus Muir Woods Tour begin?

Both the city tour and Muir Woods tour leave from 99 Jefferson Street, at the corner of Mason Street, in San Francisco.

How early should I arrive for the Muir Woods tour?

Arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Is the Muir Woods entrance fee included?

Yes. The tour includes the Muir Woods entrance fee, listed as a $15 value, along with parking fees.

How long can I use the hop-on hop-off city ticket?

The city sightseeing ticket is valid for two days, and you can hop on and off at your own pace during that period.

Can I take the ferry from Sausalito back to San Francisco?

Yes. You can leave the tour in Sausalito and take the ferry back to San Francisco, but the ferry ticket is not included.

What languages are available?

The live guide is in English. Audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and beverages are not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.