SAMPLE ITINERARY
7:15 – 9:00am: Pick up from a central San Francisco hotel.
Morning: The day begins with a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, which offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the skyline of San Francisco. We wind our way through the coastal mountains of the Marin Headlands, along the base of Mt. Tamalpais (the highest point in the North Bay region) on our way to Muir Woods National Monument where you will have 1-1 1/2 hrs to walk around.
Late Morning: Arrive at Muir Woods National Monument. The coastal redwood is the tallest tree species in the world. These 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, the sights, sounds and smells of this living museum are sure to reconnect you with a natural world that was almost lost forever.
Mid-Day: From Muir Woods it’s a short drive to Sausalito, a picturesque town that starts with hilltop mansions and spills down to boutique shops and cafes along the waterfront. The pier offers a panoramic view of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and Angel Island. Take it all in with a 20 minute in-coach narrated tour and then hop off the coach and linger at one of the sidewalk cafes, shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, or sample freshly caught seafood before taking the ferry back to the city on your own schedule – just make sure you’re back to pick up your Alcatraz tickets!
Afternoon: Catch the Sausalito ferry back across the bay to Fisherman’s wharf; you may choose from a 2:20 or 3:40 ferry. Once you’re back on land, check out the awesome exhibits and friendly fishes at the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39.
Evening: Make your way to Pier 33 in Fisherman’s Wharf to pick up your Alcatraz Night Tour tickets from the Group Services Window and meet the ferry. You may pick up your tickets any time the day of your tour, but they MUST be claimed no later than 30 minutes prior to the tour departure (example 6pm for 6:30pm departure). You will need a valid ID and your paid voucher to pick up the tickets.
Departing for Alcatraz
Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time. Board your ferry and ride across the San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island. See the San Francisco Skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island from the ferry! Take a loop around the island for exclusive views. Depart the ferry at Alcatraz and follow your guide up into the prison.
On Alcatraz Island
Enjoy the audio tour “Doing Time” with commentary from inmates and guards that experienced the prison when it was operational. You’ll have access to areas of the island that are not open to the public on the day tours.
**Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to conditions outside of our control (special events, traffic), it is sometimes necessary to alter your itinerary to best suit the needs of the group. While we guarantee that we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this itinerary (conditions permitting), we do not guarantee them in this specific order. **
