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San Francisco Highlights: Alcatraz & Muir Woods
4.8
1,305 Ratings
San Francisco
Experience the best of San Francisco in one day! Explore iconic neighborhoods, visit Muir Woods, have lunch in Sausalito, and optionally take a tour of Alcatraz Island.
Experience the best of San Francisco in one day! Explore iconic neighborhoods, visit Muir Woods, have lunch in Sausalito, and optionally take a tour of Alcatraz Island.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Alcatraz Island - For those selecting the Two-Day Tour, the Alcatraz adventure begins on Day 1. Guests will independently travel to Pier 33 to board the ferry to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided exploration, allowing them to immerse themselves in the island’s rich history at their own pace.
For the One-Day Tour, the day starts with a morning bus…
- Alcatraz Island - For those selecting the Two-Day Tour, the Alcatraz adventure begins on Day 1. Guests will independently travel to Pier 33 to board the ferry to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided exploration, allowing them to immerse themselves in the island’s rich history at their own pace.
For the One-Day Tour, the day starts with a morning bus tour of San Francisco, Muir Woods, and Sausalito, followed by a lunch break in Sausalito. In the afternoon, guests will be conveniently dropped off at Pier 33 to board the Alcatraz ferry and enjoy the iconic prison tour.
Regardless of the option chosen, the Alcatraz visit promises to be an unforgettable historical journey, made seamless with our self-guided tour offerings and official ticket.
- North Beach - Start the adventure at our conveniently located shop at 782 Columbus Ave, in the heart of Little Italy. After a quick and easy check-in, guests will board the bus to explore the city’s most iconic neighborhoods!
- Fisherman’s Wharf - One of San Francisco’s most popular destinations, featuring beautiful old shipyards, Boudin’s Bakery with the aroma of fresh clam chowder, and the sea lions of Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf offers it all.
- Pacific Heights - Known for one of the most scenic views in Northern California, Pacific Heights is home to Billionaire’s Row, showcasing the estates of politicians, tech moguls, and other San Francisco celebrities (including the Mrs. Doubtfire house!).
- Presidio of San Francisco - Once a military base, now a stunning park that includes Crissy Field, Fort Point, Lucasfilm’s (George Lucas) headquarters, and the Walt Disney Museum.
- Fort Point National Historic Site - Situated just beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point offers a prime view of the Bay and is an excellent photo opportunity. This former military fortification was active during WWII.
- Chinatown - Featuring the largest Chinatown in the United States, this 24-block area is vibrant with energy, delicious food, and unique, colorful shops that add to its charm.
- Muir Woods National Monument - Home to some of the oldest and most magnificent trees in the world, many guests consider this stop the highlight of their trip.
- Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition, this urban temple has become a cherished San Francisco landmark, adored by both residents and visitors.
- Sausalito - Enjoy a quick and easy break, with guides offering plenty of recommendations for favorite local spots during the visit. Guests are sure to fall in love with this charming little town.
- Golden Gate Bridge - Recognized as “one of the 10 wonders of the modern world,” the Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco’s most iconic symbols. Simply breathtaking!
What's Included
- Local guide
- Expert guides: Enjoy safe transportation and rich stories about San Francisco’s history and culture.
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Flexibility to choose your departure dates and times
- Official Alcatraz Ticket and Tour: Ferry ticket and tour of the prison included
- Live commentary on board where you will learn the history and culture of the Bay Area
- Local guide
- Expert guides: Enjoy safe transportation and rich stories about San Francisco’s history and culture.
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Flexibility to choose your departure dates and times
- Official Alcatraz Ticket and Tour: Ferry ticket and tour of the prison included
- Live commentary on board where you will learn the history and culture of the Bay Area
What's Not Included
- Optional: Gratuities
- Meals on own with a lunch stop in Sausalito
- Muir Woods Entrance Fee (Free entrance for National Parks Pass holders and children 15 and under)
- Optional: Gratuities
- Meals on own with a lunch stop in Sausalito
- Muir Woods Entrance Fee (Free entrance for National Parks Pass holders and children 15 and under)
Additional Information
Discover the highlights of San Francisco with a customizable tour that allows you to explore at your own pace. Visit the city’s premier neighborhoods and landmarks, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning vistas. Stroll among the majestic redwoods in Muir Woods, savor lunch in Sausalito, and delve into the fascinating history of Alcatraz Island…
Discover the highlights of San Francisco with a customizable tour that allows you to explore at your own pace. Visit the city’s premier neighborhoods and landmarks, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning vistas. Stroll among the majestic redwoods in Muir Woods, savor lunch in Sausalito, and delve into the fascinating history of Alcatraz Island with a self-guided audio tour. Opt to experience everything in one day or spread it over two days for a more leisurely schedule.
Choose Your Adventure:
One-Day Tour – Enjoy a guided city tour in the morning, followed by Muir Woods and Sausalito, then take an afternoon ferry to Alcatraz.
Two-Day Tour – Explore Alcatraz on Day 1, then discover San Francisco, Muir Woods & Sausalito on Day 2.
We take care of transportation, tickets, and logistics—so you can relax. Whether you’re pressed for time or seeking a stress-free experience, this tour ensures you effortlessly see the city’s top attractions.
Ideal for families, first-time visitors, and anyone seeking a well-organized adventure.
- A current passport or any government issued ID is required to redeem Alcatraz tickets.
- Please contact us directly in regards to hotel pick-ups.
Location
782 Columbus Ave
Columbus Avenue
IMPORTANT: This experience is broken up into two tours. A bus tour portion exploring the City, Muir Woods, Sausalito. And a separate Alcatraz portion.
There will be two different meeting locations for these tours:
Alcatraz Tour: Pier 33
Bus Tour: 782 Columbus Avenue
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(1305 Ratings)
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Ricky_b
Apr 30, 2025
Alcatraz/Muir/Sausalito - Alcatraz was great! Definitely a must see! I split my tours up in two days. First/Alcatraz. Second, Muir and Sausalito. All of these things are a must see if you’re in San Fran. I want to use most of this review to speak on the tour guide. Pear! I’ve been on a good amount of tours in my travels and the guide can make/break the tour. This gentleman was knowledgeable, fun, helpful, down to earth. Was everything you’d want in a tour guide! Make sure the tour is thru Dylans Tours. Not sure if he does other tours with them but any tour you go on with him will be a great time!! Overall 5 stars for these tours and 10 for the guide!
Review provided by Viator
Deas0702
Apr 25, 2025
A nice one day tour to explore SF - The tour was well organised. Jeffrey, our tour guide was very kind and had many jokes to tell. Everybody on the bus was laughing. He drove us through San Francisco city center, shared many interesting facts about Frisco. After the city center tour we drove to the Muir woods national monument. It is such an amazing place! So quiet , majestic and peaceful. We had enough time to walk in the woods and admire its beauty. Then we drove to Sausalito where we had a free time to enjoy a nice lunch and walk along the bay. From there we drove to the ferry station to Alcatraz near pier 39, where we picked our tickets, took the ferry and explored the Alcatraz on our own. It was a long day (roughly 12h) but worth it. Great option for people who spend only a day or two in SF but want to see as much as possible. Thanks Jeffrey, i had so much fun with you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K6992mwelizabethd
Apr 18, 2025
Mark and the tour were great! - My 13 and 15-year-old took this tour and loved it, Mark was very friendly. They really enjoyed all the stops. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debracamper
Apr 17, 2025
Great San Francisco tour! - We had a great tour! Mark was excellent and had many facts and stories about San Francisco! We also visited Muir Woods which was amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traveler828194
Apr 17, 2025
Don’t hesitate- Dylan’s Tours is it! - Now this is how you do a tour! If you’re wondering who to choose for your San Francisco and area tours, Dylan’s Tours is the way to go! Small but comfortable tour bus with limited amount of people. Jeffrey, our tour guide was fantastic- funny, warm, engaging and very knowledgeable! I did the “Famous Tour+ Muir Woods+Alcatraz” and it was worth every penny-Jeffrey took us through the city with some great insight and anecdotes, and we had plenty of time to explore Muir Woods, had lunch in Sausalito and do the Alcatraz tour. I felt like I was with a trusted friend who wanted to show off the area!
As a music fan I had heard about the Record Plant in Sausalito (since closed) where many classic albums had been recorded. When we left Muir woods for lunch in Sausalito I actually made a note on my phone to ask Jeffrey if the studio was still there and if it was within walking distance so I could find it. Craziest thing is just as we were approaching Sausalito Jeffrey started talking about this very same recording studio and all of the cool bands and albums that had been recorded there- he must have read my mind (I hadn’t mentioned it)! He took us down some backstreets and there it was! So cool!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eahle0
Apr 15, 2025
Beautiful tour - Tour size was right (about 20 people), comfortable shuttle bus, good speaker system, good information, and gorgeous sights. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kim_j
Apr 13, 2025
It was a great day.... - It was a great day. Dylan’s tour did a really nice job with everything. The bus tour was very informative and gave interesting highlights of San Francisco. The Muir park was a nice way to see the redwoods and perfect timing for a nice hike. The lunch stop was great at Sausalito and we ended with a nice tour of Alcatraz.
Review provided by Viator
Jenna_h
Apr 21, 2025
Dylan's was great- Viator, not so much. - Overall my experience with Dylan's tours was fantastic. The tour operator, Patrick was funny, lighthearted, and had tons of information to share along the way of our tour. He also incorporated a music tour while we were around Sausalito given the famous music studio. 10/10 would recommend Dylan's tours!
My issue actually came with Viator itself. We booked the tour through Viator, who then booked it with Dylan's tours. Again- the tour with Dylan's was great and we had no issues. But I could book the tour for cheaper on Dylan's website. I asked Viator about this and they refused to price match the rate even though it meets all of the criteria. For anyone reading this- save yourself some money and book directly with Dylan's Tours!
Review provided by Viator
April_c
Apr 28, 2025
Just okay - Guide was not the best. Spent too much time talking about himself. Not enough time at Muir Woods. Enjoyed Napa Valley Burgers.
Review provided by Viator
John_c
Apr 15, 2025
Our trip to Muir Woods and Alcatraz - We met at the office of the tour company. Small place. No bathroom. Use the one up the block for the park. Thought that was strange. You leave from there and get a quick tour of the city with the driver narrating. Mostly just a drive by and was difficult to see what he was pointing out from the back of the bus. After this you have about a 15 minute stop at Palace of fine arts. That’s time for a quick pic and a brief walk. Then we head over the Golden Gate Bridge. Another 15 minute stop at a look out point. Our day was a foggy one so you get some view of the bridge. That’s what is so interesting about the fog here. But you never know what the fog will do. From there you drive to Muir Woods. This was what I was most interested in. You stop there for about 2hrs. It’s enough time to walk the lower loop and back. And maybe 10 minutes in the gift shop. ( I could have hiked more but I know we still have more to do)
After Muir we drive to Sausalito for lunch. You get about an hour and fifteen minutes to spend here. I went to a sit down lunch which in hindsight I should’ve skipped. The town had a deli so a sandwich for the walk probably would’ve been a better choice. Then I could have seen more of the town.
On the way back to catch the ferry we made a stop under the bridge for another photo. And then through town to pier 39 to catch the 2:45 ferry to Alcatraz. We spent about 2 hours on a self guided tour of the island. It was cold by now and very windy ( welcome to the rock!) we were tired and this was a 8-1/2 mile day so wear comfortable shoes!!
Review provided by Viator
