Do you want to explore San Francisco’s #1 visitor attraction before heading underwater to observe the marine life that calls the Bay and nearby rivers and watersheds home? Welcome to day one of this Alcatraz, Aquarium of the Bay, Muir Woods, and Wine Country tour!
By joining an Alcatraz night tour, you can explore one of our country’s most notorious prisons from a whole new perspective. The night experience is incredible for several reasons, but primarily for the eerie ambiance and the exclusive access you receive to parts of the island that are closed during the daytime.
On arrival at “The Rock”, you’ll pick up your guided audio tour titled “Doing Time”. As you wander through Alcatraz at night, you’ll hear interviews from former inmates and learn more about the history of this remarkable place. The tour typically takes two to three hours to complete. And don’t forget your jacket – it can get chilly out on the bay!
You will pair your Alcatraz night tour with entry to Aquarium of the Bay. This is the perfect way to get up close and personal with our underwater neighbors. The aquarium focuses on local aquatic animals, so visiting this incredible place in the heart of the city is a fantastic way to connect with Northern California’s nature.
Find out more about both of these experiences below! Do you have any questions about our Alcatraz night tour or Aquarium of the Bay experience? Please just get in touch for the answers you need.
If you’d like a splash of wine country with your expedition through the Bay Area’s only old-growth redwood forest, you’re in luck! Traverse through two of California’s most unique landscapes with one trip in a unique tour that combines nature and culture.
After a beautiful panoramic view of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the boat-speckled bay, you’ll pass through the beautiful Marin Headlands on your way to Muir Woods National Monument. You’ll spend over an hour and a half wandering through the Coastal Redwoods, which are among some of the tallest trees in the world.
Once we’ve had our fill of these gentle giants, we’ll continue north to visit the first of three wineries. But our next stop afterward will be a quick lunch in the historic Sonoma Town Square. Next, you’ll enjoy an expertly curated tour of two wineries where you’ll get an all-inclusive set of tastings and views of the serene rolling hills of both the Sonoma landscape and Napa Valley.
Looking to spend more time in Wine Country? Consider our Napa and Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour!
And check out our full range of day and multi-day tours from San Francisco for even more unmissable Northern California experiences.
Your 2-day package includes the Alcatraz Ferry and Aquarium of the Bay access on day one, and your Incredible Adventures tour on day two. There is no transportation provided on day one; you must make your own way to Fisherman’s Wharf for the day.
Please note that the hotel pickup time listed in your reservation is for the SECOND DAY. This is for your Incredible Adventures day tour to Napa and Sonoma Wine Country ONLY.
As a guide, leading tours through Muir Woods and wine country is an absolute joy. In Muir Woods, the towering redwoods inspire awe and reverence, while the serene beauty of the forest provides a peaceful escape from the bustle of everyday life. Transitioning to wine country, the rolling vineyards and quaint wineries offer a delightful sensory journey, where I have the privilege of introducing guests to exquisite wines and the rich culture of winemaking. Each visit is a reminder of the natural wonders and the rich traditions that make California truly special.
Please note: This is a sample itinerary. Due to rapidly changing conditions (weather, crowds, traffic) and our small-group size, we allow our guides the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to best suit the needs of the group. While we guarantee to provide the highlights and inclusions within this itinerary, we do not guarantee them in this specific order.
Alcatraz is a must-visit attraction for any traveler visiting San Francisco. You’ll take the ferry out to “The Rock”, taking in amazing views of the San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island along the way.
You’ve crossed the bay, now see what’s swimming below the surface! At this stage of your tour, you’ll visit the 20,000 animals living in the Aquarium, from eight-foot native seven-gill sharks to eels, rays, and jellies – all of which can be found in the San Francisco Bay.
7:40 – 8:15am:
We’ll embark on this journey from the prearranged hotel pick-up locations. (Pro tip: arrive 10-15 minutes early!)
8:15 – 9:00am:
From the cozy vantage of the mini-coach, take in panoramic scenes that span the city skyline, Alcatraz Island and the boat-speckled bay. We’ll next take the winding coastal mountain path through the Marin Headlands where you’ll see the base of Mt. Tamalpais (the highest point in the North Bay region) before we arrive in the cool shaded canyon home to these special coastal redwoods.
9:00– 10:30am:
Are you ready to feel small next to a redwood? You’ll step off the mini-couch into a wonderland of greenery, where you’ll have an hour to an hour and a half to wander along the wooden boardwalks through the tallest species of tree in the world. These unique trees only thrive in Northern California and Oregon, due to the thick fog that blankets the west coast in the summer months.
In 1908, Senator William Kent and his wife donated their land to the state and President Theodore Roosevelt designated it as a federally protected area. Muir Woods is the only surviving stand of old-growth forest in the Bay Area. Wandering amongst these towering giants is sure to reconnect you with a natural world that was almost lost forever.
10:30 – 12:30pm:
After our immersive sensory tour of Muir Woods, we’ll begin our journey into Wine Country to visit our first winery. As we make our way north, your guide will give you a brief history of the land where exceptional wines have been produced since before California was a part of the Union. The landscape of rolling hills laced with rows of grapevines has served as inspiration for many renowned artists.
12:30 – 1:45pm:
Next, we’ll make a stop for lunch in the Sonoma’s historic town square. You can choose to pack a lunch or purchase a bite to eat in town. If you have time, take the chance to meander through Mission San Francisco de Solano, sample cheeses at Sonoma Jack’s Cheese Factory or peruse the boutique shops of this quaint town square.
1:45 – 4:30pm:
Now is the time to kick back, practice your wine-swill technique, and enjoy the incredible selection of wines offered by our expert selection of wineries, one in picturesque Sonoma Valley and one in the famous Napa Valley. Our friendly hosts will take us through a variety of white, red, and dessert wines at our favorite wineries such as Bouchaine, Kieu Hoang, Homewood, Larson and Robledo, among others. While each winery offers a selection of tastings included in this package, additional tasting fees may apply if you’re hankering to try a selection not on the tasting menu.
4:30 – 6:30pm:
Once you’re cozy from all the wine-tasting your heart desires, we’ll set our course back toward San Francisco. Have you been waiting for that iconic Golden Gate Bridge photo op? Wait no longer! Our final stop will be to stop and take in the awe-inspiring views from the bridge, which contrary to popular belief, is named for the Golden Gate Strait which is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean.
6:30pm:
We’ll end the day with a drop-off at your San Francisco hotel with plenty of time to find a nice spot to grab dinner.
SF & International: (415) 642-7378
US & Canada toll free: 1 (800) 777-8464
info@incadventures.com
