point reyes national seashore tours

Point Reyes National Seashore Bucket List: 25+ Things to Do

If you’re planning a trip to Sonoma County, you’re in for a treat – especially if you take a detour to Point Reyes National Seashore, just a twenty-minute drive from my hometown. It’s one of those more unknown places to visit in California that often flies under the radar, overshadowed by the glitz of Napa and Sonoma wine country. But trust me, Point Reyes has its own magic to offer.

From the epic lighthouse to the picturesque cypress tree tunnel to the best hikes, they hold their own for outdoor adventurers. The downtown is quaint and features all the essentials of the more popular neighboring towns; shopping, dining, art galleries, etc. There are plenty of things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore , and I am here to share my top picks.

The Best Things to Do in California’s Point Reyes National Seashore (Trail Hikes, An Epic Lighthouse, Tree Tunnel & More!)

1. relax at one of the many beaches.

Stretching over 80 miles along the Pacific shoreline, visiting a number of the diverse selection of its beaches is among the top things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore. Each beach has its own fun activities to offer; one may be perfect for admiring the high cliffs, another may offer you the best sunbathing opportunities.

• Drake’s Beach

Located towards the northern end of Point Reyes, right on Drake’s Bay , is this wide sandy beach, complete with majestic white sandstone cliffs. The beach is easily accessible and also quite safe for families with children as well, due to the waves not getting as big as they might on some other beaches in Point Reyes.

• Heart’s Desire Beach

Another particularly family-friendly beach in Point Reyes is Heart’s Desire Beach . Located within Tomales Bay State Park, here you can enjoy a sunny day swimming and kayaking in the water or by having a picnic on the sandy beach or the nearby grassy area. You can also go for a hike on one of the nearby trails.

• Limantour Beach

Limantour Beach , stretching across four long miles, is another beach great for families and for those looking for swimming spots where the waves stay controlled and small. There’s a hiking trail and a picnic area nearby to enjoy if you somehow happen to get tired of playing in the water or chilling on the beach.

2. Drink in Dive Bar: Old Western Saloon

After finishing with beach bumming for the day, is there anything better than heading to a dive bar that looks like it could be straight out of your favorite Western? The Old Western Saloon is located in Point Reyes Station, this vintage bar offers not only tasty drinks but fun times dancing to the tunes of the jukebox or live music.

3. Spot a Tule Elk at Tule Elk Preserve

This natural preserve exists to protect a small herd of tule elk, a species that once upon a time was under the threat of extinction. Today nearly 6,000 of these majestic-looking animals roam on the California grasslands, and you’ll be likely to spot them especially between late summer and early autumn.

4. Eat Local Cheese (Especially Point Reyes Blue!)

I am the ultimate cheese lover and one of the most delicious things to do in Point Reyes is to sample all the local cheese. Point Reyes Blue is a top contender for cheese you’ve got to try, but the cheese producers in Point Reyes also have plenty of other delicious kinds..

• Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company
• Cowgirl Creamery

Also offering nearly a dozen different types of cheeses to sample from is Cowgirl Creamery , another cheese creamery founded by women. By visiting Cowgirl Creamery, you can see how their famed Red Hawk cheese is made on the spot! 

• Toluma Farms

Toluma Farms offers a slightly smaller production, with eight seasonal cheeses produced, from sheep and goats. It is actually one of the few dairies you can find in the world that specializes in milking more than one kind of an animal.

5. Take in the View at the South Beach Overlook

If you want to catch some amazing views of Point Reyes Beach and relax watching the waves crash against the shore, head over to the South Beach Overlook . Not only is it a relaxing site to visit, if you’re in good luck, you may catch some sightings of gray whales! Even better, bring along your binoculars and you’ll get to admire the elephant seal colony on South Beach.

6. Go Bird Watching

At Point Reyes, you won’t run short of bird watching stops. There are nearly ten different locations around the park to catch sightings of different birds, with nearly 490 different species around for you to spot!

7. Do a Mead Tasting at Heidrun Meadery

Have you ever been mead tasting? It’s a fermented bubbly beverage made of honey, water, and yeast. At Heidrun Meadery you can do a tasting of various meads made with honey from different regions.

You can get a tasting flight, or a glass or a bottle of a specific mead. You can also bring along some local cheese and crackers to turn your tasting experience into a picnic.

8. Check Out the Ten Thousand Buddhas Mural

A mural like this may not be something you’d expect to find at Point Reyes, and yet right outside Point Reyes Yoga you can indeed discover a Ten Thousand Buddha mural , painted by a local artist Amanda Giacomini who vowed to paint 10,000 Buddhas around the globe.

9. Snap the Ultimate Instagram Photo at the Leaning Tree

A perfect place to stop by on your way to the Point Reyes Lighthouse is this Leaning Tree, which has been featured on many Instagram feeds—maybe yours next?

10. See the Earthquake Fence on the Earthquake Trail

Most of us are quite familiar with the 1906 earthquake that absolutely wrecked San Francisco, right? The area of Point Reyes, sitting right on San Andreas Fault, didn’t make it through the earthquake any more unscathed, and experienced dramatic tears and ruptures in its landscape during.

Today one of the most significant remnants of the major quake is a fence that sits on the Earthquake Trail. Although it was reconstructed in the 60s, it illuminates the way the earthquake in 1906 separated parts of the fence.

11. Shop & Stroll Point Reyes Station

Located at the center of Point Reyes, Point Reyes Station is a small downtown section that offers a lot of fun for visitors. On the weekends the sidewalks are bustling, bubbling, and lively. Here are a few top spots to stop at.

• Get a Pastry at Bovine Bakery

At Bovine Bakery , you can expect to be served top quality pastries and other baked goods, as the same bakery team has been operating from this location for more than 15 years now. Besides sweet and savory pastries, you can find muffins, scones, cookies, pies, and even pizza and quiche!

• Pick Up a Souvenir & a Coffee at Toby’s

Toby’s Feed Barn is a general store that is owned and operated as a family business. You can shop around for some souvenirs to bring back from Point Reyes, and pop by for coffee at Toby’s CoffeeBar before heading back out.

• Peruse Point Reyes Book

Yes, bookstores exist everywhere, but it’s never a bad time to visit an indie one like Point Reyes Books . You may not find every book in the world here, but you will find a carefully curated selection of new titles and old goodies.

12. Kayak Tomales Bay 

One of the most amazing physical activities you could get up to in Point Reyes is kayaking, specifically in Tomales Bay. For the best experience, book a guided tour, which lasts 3 hours. During the day you’ll get to experience wildlife and stunning sceneries, whereas at night time you’ll not only get to stargaze from the kayak, but be marveled by the bioluminescent organisms.

A couple of top kayaking companies to take your tour with (or rent a kayak from) are Blue Waters Kayaking and Tomales Bay Expeditions .

13. Photograph The Point Reyes Shipwreck

This shipwreck of a cargo steamship from more than 100 years ago is located ashore in Inverness. It won’t take too long to check out, so it’s totally possible to go see even on a tighter schedule. Just like the leaning tree, the shipwreck offers possibilities for some awesome photographs.

14. Walk the 308 Stairs to the Iconic Point Reyes Lighthouse

Built in 1870, the Point Reyes Lighthouse offers a touch of history to its surroundings. It is no longer in operation, but can be visited for leisure. However, there are over 300 steps to descend to reach the lighthouse, although each of them is worth it to see this lovely looking lighthouse from up close.

15. Pop By a Visitor’s Center

While the first purpose of a Visitor’s Center is to arm tourists in the area with various information, other points of interest are often offered as well. In the case of Point Reyes, a few visitor centers have been established, each of them with their own reasons for being worth the visit.

• The Point Reyes National Seashore Visitor Center

Here you can learn more about the lighthouse’s history through exhibitions. In addition, there are additional exhibitions on maritime history and current marine life in the surrounding areas. There is even a small bookstore located here for you to explore.

• Bear Valley Visitor Center

This is the primary visitor center in the Point Reyes area. Here you can find information on the roads in the area, as well as the different trails you can go for hikes in. There’s also an indoor exhibition teaching visitors about the cultural heritage and ecosystems of the park.

• Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center

The third visitor center in Point Reyes is Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, which you can find by Drakes Beach. Here, too, you can find an exhibit focused around marine life and maritime history, specifically from around the 1500s, even including marine fossils.

16. Tour Historic Pierce Point Ranch

What was a hundred years ago considered as the prime dairy ranch in all of California, is now only a memory of what it once was like. However, while no longer operational and its main house offering accommodation for the park employees, the Pierce Point Ranch makes for a nice stroll around, during which you can explore and understand what old Californian ranches were all about.

17. Find Your Favorite Hike

Point Reyes offers more opportunities for hikes than are possible to discover on one trip alone, or even a week!. The upside of that is that there’s a perfect Point Reyes hike out there for any type of a hiker! Pick your favorite from the list below:

• Alamere Falls

While this hike is sadly far from an easy one (it’s about 13 miles!), it offers the incredible and dramatic scenery of a waterfall cascading right onto the beach. You’ll want to be very prepared for a full day before starting this hike, but you’ll be rewarded greatly for your efforts.

• Johnstone Trail and Indian Nature Trail

This hike takes you to two beaches within Tomales Bay Park. The toughness of the trail varies depending on which part of the hike you’re on, although it’s mostly deemed an easy and relaxing one, a good fit for the whole family.

• Tomales Point Trail In Point Reyes

Following an old ranch road on the top of an open ridge, this is not only a pleasant hike but one with pretty wonderful scenery, as well. You’ll get epic views of Tomales Bay, cross through the Tule Elk Reserve, and possibly walk amongst wildflowers.

• Chimney Rock Trail

This trail is especially popular among wildlife enthusiasts and flower lovers. It offers sightings of elephant seals, birds, and wildflowers, all within less than 3 kilometers round-trip. As an additional bonus, you’ll love the views of Drakes Bay it offers. Here is where the Elephant Seal Overlook is also located!

• Estero Trail

Another hike with stunning views, this time of Limantour, the Estero Trail takes you through cattle pastures and grasslands. You can find some great bird watching points on this trail, which finishes off at either Sunset Beach or Drakes Head, depending on which end trail you choose to follow.

• Mcclures Beach Trail

Here’s a great option for a short hike. An easy route taking around 30 minutes to complete, the trail is serene and scenic all around the year. Here, too, you can birdwatch or, alternatively, find a spot on the beach to go fishing in.

• Abbotts Lagoon

Abbotts Lagoon is another easy hike, taking you near Pierce Point Ranch. In the springtime, it is exceptional for viewing spring flowers, and in fall and winter it’s a great location for birdwatchers. It only takes around one hour to complete.

18. Eat Oysters

When in Point Reyes, you may feel inclined to eat some oysters. You can have them raw, but you can also get them in the form of BBQ. And because that’s not enough variety, there are different sauces and spices for you to choose your oyster dish from!

First up is the most famous location for eating oysters in this area. You’ll get amazing oysters marinated in chipotle bourbon butter prior to barbecuing, which you’ll enjoy with stellar views of Tomales Bay. It’s expensive and touristy, but oh so delicious.

• Marshall Store

If you want to go with something easy that doesn’t ask a lot from you, at Marshall Store you can choose from six kinds of oysters and then enjoy them seated bayside. To complete your meal, you can also find other delicious items on the menu.

• Tomales Bay Oyster Company

Here you can eat oysters picnic style. Each table comes with its own grill, similar to what you’d find in a park. A lot of planning and preparing is required from you ahead of time, and you’ll probably grill your oysters yourself, but it’s a fun and unique way to eat a meal in Point Reyes.

19. Walk The Cypress Tree Tunnel

One of the most incredible – and famous – things to do in Point Reyes is to walk under the gorgeous Cypress Tree Tunnel . And of course take a million photos while at it! It’s so beautiful you’ll probably find yourself lingering at the site long after finishing the short walk and the photo taking. 

20. Go Horseback Riding

Point Reyes also offers opportunities to go horseback riding, at numerous locations. Five Brooks Ranch offers guided horse rides, and even pony rides for small children. It’s perhaps the best service to check out for horseback riding in the area.

21. Explore the Tiny Town of Bolinas

Bolinas is where the story of Point Reyes Bird Observatory got started from. It is in general the oldest town you can find on the coastline of West Marin. It’s sort of a tiny island, with only one road in, and can be quite pleasant to stroll around in.

22. Go Camping on the Coast

While there are all sorts of lodging opportunities offered around Point Reyes camping can be another great way to spend the night, and get a little closer with nature as you do so. Coast Campground and Wildcat Campground both offer easy access to the beach, as well as nearby hiking trails. Sky Campground is far from the beach but makes up for it with spectacular views of Drakes Bay. Additionally, at Tomales Bay you can camp in a boat. Visit Nps.gov to plan your visit. 

23. Escape to the Boat House at Nick’s Cove

Nick’s Cove is not only a unique place to stay with its 1930’s-era bungalows, it is also a restaurant. On the patio of the restaurant there is a pretty pier that leads to the Boat Shack, a tiny one-room wooden cottage with great views. Grab some oysters and drink at the restaurant to enjoy this little nook.

24. Spend the Night in Unique Lodging

Nick’s Cove and the camping options are of course just a few among many unique lodging opportunities offered by Point Reyes National Seashore. Below are a couple more possible options for staying the night or the entire duration of your trip.

• Windsong Guest Yurt

These cottages are not only gorgeous and come equipped with an outdoor hot tub, but they are also a fairly affordable option! The indoor design of each guest yurt is charming and romantic, combining modern and traditional cottage elements.

• Modern FarmHouse on a Goat Dairy

Located in Tomales, this huge farm house accommodates up to 10. Spacious, modern and charming, you can get a feel of what living in a farm house is like. Could be exceptional especially if you’ve lived in a city your whole life.

• Luxury Ecofabulous Farmhouse

Accommodating up to 6 guests, this farm house is not joking when describing itself as luxurious. While it may not offer the same charm as the above farm house, you’ll quickly fall in love with the sleek and modern design of this one.

• HI Point Reyes Hostel

For those looking for the most affordable options specifically, this hostel offers itself as a charming option near to the Limantour Beach. It’s possible to lodge for the night at one of its dormitories or rent a private house with two to four bedrooms.

25. Go Wine Tasting

Besides doing a mead tasting, you can also go for a more traditional wine tasting while in Point Reyes. There are numerous different wineries to try out, including Wine Tour Drivers and Furthermore Wines , both of which are family operated. Additionally, Sonoma Coast Vineyards and Point Reyes Vineyards are some of the best rated ones in the area.

26. Try Spotting a Whale

If you’d like to try your luck at spotting a whale while in the area, plan your trip to Point Reyes around the winter months. Perhaps the best spots for seeing whales here are around the Lighthouse and the Chimney Rock.

27. Do Some Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

Lastly, you can also absolutely do some stand-up paddle boarding, SUP for short, whilst discovering Point Reyes National Seashore. You can rent a SUP board with Blue Waters Kayaking, for example, and explore Tomales Bay on the water while learning the ways of SUP boarding.

The next time you plan your trip to Northern California, on your way to wine tasting in Napa Valley or Sonoma, definitely schedule a pit stop at Point Reyes to immerse yourself in nature, wildlife and scenery.

Best Tips for Visiting Point Reyes National Seashore

Getting There: San Francisco International Airport  is a major hub and most airlines will fly into it. You can easily check for the best fare deals at Skyscanner , which also has the option to choose ‘cheapest month’ as the departure to find the lowest priced dates to fly to your destination. From the airport to the city center, you can get there by bus, taxi, car, shuttle or towncar.

Where to Stay in Point Reyes National Seashore: It’s best to stay near the city center, public transportation or the area that you will be spending the most time in. HI Point Reyes Hostel is a great choice in the Point Reyes (California) district. For something on the less expensive side, try Metro Hotel  located in Petaluma . For a hotel with a little more extravagance, book a room at the Nick’s Cove . Or search some great deals on hotels of your choice at Booking.com . If you’re looking for more of a home atmosphere (or are traveling with a group of people), head over to VRBO that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range. 

Getting Around: Driving in a new destination can be a bit of a challenge, but if you choose to rent a car, RentalCars.com has great deals. If you are not renting a car, there are plenty of other options. Taxis , Lyft, Uber are available all over the city. For a more budget friendly option, you can take the public bus. 

Best Tours in Point Reyes : You can find some of the top tours at Get Your Guide or Viator , and here are some of the top ones. tours:

• Cow Heaven: A Driving Audio Tour from Point Reyes Seashore to Tomales
• A Drive Through Time: A Ranching History of Point Reyes National Seashore
• Point Reyes Station: Food and Farm Tour with Lunch

Insurance: It’s always a good idea to travel fully insured so you are protected in case of trip cancellations or medical emergencies. You can check out pricing at Travelex Insurance . 

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure .

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7 thoughts on “Point Reyes National Seashore Bucket List: 25+ Things to Do”

There are a LOT of vineyards nearby and we keep saying we should visit them.  Good idea for taking day trips!

I hear that there is supposed to be a cool lighthouse in Pt. Reyes where you can see the Whale Migration too. Great post, I might have to try this!

There is a fantastic lighthouse there…only 308 stairs to get to it…ugh!

Lots of valuable information can be found here. Everything in place and transparent. I recommend it to everyone and I will visit it regularly.

Sounds amazing! So much great information. Will be adding to my bucket list for sure 🤗

Point Reyes is one of my favorite coastal parks ever! Tomales Point Trail and Alamere Falls are both so gorgeous, and I can’t believe how they are not more famous. I missed the Cypress Tree Tunnel though. I miss living in California. :D

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Point Reyes National Seashore

Betsy Malloy Photography

If you've seen a few pictures of Point Reyes National Seashore or taken a quick drive through it, you might think it's nothing more than a beautiful park with a picturesque lighthouse. But that's only a small part of what you can find in the 100-square-mile national seashore and surrounding 33,300 acres of coastal wilderness.

Estuaries, windswept beaches, coastal scrub grasslands, marshes, and coniferous forests are just a few of the things Point Reyes contains. And then there's the wildlife, which includes a magnificent herd of once-endangered tule elk. You can even see a dramatic example of movement on the San Andreas Fault which runs through the park.

Things to Do at Point Reyes

Stop in at any of the three visitor centers: Bear Valley (near CA Highway 1), Lighthouse or Drakes Beach for more information, maps, and current conditions.

These sights are listed in the order you would see them.

Earthquake Trail

The first place to go at Point Reyes in the Bear Valley Visitor Center, where you can get up-to-the-minute information and tips from the park rangers.

Near the visitor center, you can walk right on top of the infamous San Andreas Fault. One easy place to locate it is on the Earthquake Trail, which leads from the parking lot near the Bear Valley Visitor Center to the spot shown above. Just before the big quake that shook San Francisco in April 1906, this fence was continuous. Afterward, it had moved to where you see it now, a distance of about 20 feet.

Kule Loklo Coast Miwok Indian Village

This structure, made of redwood bark is typical of those built by the Coastal Miwok people who lived in the Point Reyes area. Built as a cultural exhibit, Kule Loklo, which means Bear Valley shows modern visitors how the area's earlier inhabitants lived.

Most of the time, it's uninhabited, but it comes alive during the Big Time Festival held each July. The Roundhouse is also used for religious gatherings by the Coast Miwok people. Rangers offer free guided tours on the weekend in the summer. Check at the Visitor Center for a schedule.

Pierce Ranch

Northwest of the Bear Valley Visitor Center, you can visit a remnant of Marin County's coastal past.

Dairy ranches such as this one are a common sight at Point Reyes. The oldest dates to the 1850s when early settlers realized that the cool, moist Point Reyes climate afforded near-ideal conditions for raising dairy cows. After California became part of the United States and after a long battle in the courts, a San Francisco law firm gained control of over 50,000 acres here, creating a thriving dairy industry whose products were delivered to San Francisco by boat.

Located on the road to McClures Beach, Pierce Ranch was one of the area's most successful, established in 1858. Today, the buildings are restored, and you can take a self-guided tour.

McClures Beach

McClures Beach is a small beach, reached by walking down a dirt path. In spring, wildflowers bloom along the trail. A large rock formation nicknamed Elephant Rock anchors one end of the beach, and you may find starfish on the rocks during low tide.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

To get to the lighthouse at Point Reyes, take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to its end. 

The best-known feature at Point Reyes is this lonely lighthouse. To keep it below the fog, it's at the bottom of a steep staircase, making it a scenic subject for your camera.

The lighthouse visitor's center includes an excerpt from a lightkeeper's log and exhibits about the keeper's life.​ Here's how you can find out more about how to  visit the Lighthouse .

Drakes Beach

Drakes Beach is a long, wide stretch of sand backed by dramatic white sandstone cliffs. It's seldom busy.

Limantour Beach and Sculptured Beach

Getting around Point Reyes seems a little confusing sometimes, but a look at the map may help you understand why. There are lots of inlets and marshes, and the roads have to go around them. Return to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Drakes Beach and take Limantour Road to get to Limantour Beach and Sculptured Beach. 

Limantour Beach is actually a long, narrow stretch of sand between the bay and an estuary. You can see lots of wildlife in that area, including shorebirds, gray whales, harbor seals, and the endangered snowy plover. You can reach it from the parking area.

If you go east from the parking area, you'll reach Sculptured Beach, with water-carved rocks on the shoreline. At low tide, they are exposed and make an exciting place to go tidepooling.

You can find out more about it in the Limantour Beach guide - and about its use for clothing-optional recreation here .

Wildcat Beach and Alamere Falls

Alamere Falls is a rarity; a 40-foot-tall n waterfall called a tidefall which drops directly onto a beach. There are two of them in California (the other is McWay Falls in Big Sur).

Wildcat Beach is where you'll find this natural wonder. It's most impressive during the rainy winter season.

To access Wildcat Beach, enter the National Seashore from the south end near the town of Bolinas and drive to the Palomarin Trailhead which is near the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. From there, you have to hike more than 5 miles, one way.

On most weekends, the Palomarin Trailhead parking lot fills up very early in the morning. If you arrive too late, you may be turned away. 

More Things to Do at Point Reyes

Kayaking: Blue Waters  in Marshall offers classes and rentals. You can also kayak in Drakes and Limantour Esteros except March 1 through June 30, when they are closed to protect harbor seals during pupping season.

Animal Viewing: Once endangered, tule elk now number over 200 at Point Reyes. They are most common at Tomales Point. Other animals you may see include northern elephant seals, harbor seals, more than 80 kinds of mammals and 29 types of reptiles. Nearly half of all bird species in North America have been spotted at Point Reyes. That's 490 different kinds of birds, in case you were counting.

Ranger-Led Programs: One of the best bargains at any national park is the  ranger-led programs . Check in at any visitor center for the day's schedule or  browse their offerings online .

Creative Workshops: Point Reyes National Seashore Association  offers seminars and workshops for photographers, artists, and nature lovers.

Horseback Riding: Five Brooks Stables  nearby offers guided trail rides

What You Need to Know About Point Reyes National Seashore

When to go to point reyes national seashore.

At the risk of sounding like someone from the local visitor's bureau, every season at Point Reyes has its charms. Check this list to see what appeals to you.

• Whale migration: January-April
• Elephant seals: December-March
• Bird migration: Spring through fall
• Harbor seal pups born: March-June
• Wildflowers: Peak April-May
• Tule elk mating season: July-October
• Sand sculpture contest : Sunday of Labor Day 1
• Beautiful: Anytime

Point Reyes in the Winter

From the end of December through mid-April, things get busy at Point Reyes — and it's all about the animals. Gray whales migrate past the shore, and elephant seals come onshore to have their babies.

So many people want to see them that the narrow roads could get choked with cars. To keep traffic flowing, individual vehicles are prohibited. The only way to get to the lighthouse or the Elephant Seal Overlook at Chimney Rock is by taking the winter shuttle bus from the visitor center at Drakes Beach. That's the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, not the one at Bear Valley. Find out more about the winter shuttle bus here

Other parts of the park are still accessible by car during that time, including most of the beaches and Pierce Ranch.

Point Reyes National Seashore Tips

Natural hazards include poison oak, stinging nettle, and ticks (which can carry Lyme disease). Wearing long pants and being aware of your surroundings can help keep them off you.

Dogs can disrupt wildlife, so their presence is limited. They are not allowed on any of the hiking trails and must be kept on a leash elsewhere. They are permitted on Kehoe Beach, Limantour Beach and Point Reyes Beach.

Point Reyes weather  varies widely and may not be what you think. Check the weather forecast before you go. At the lighthouse, it's almost always windy and frigid, and often foggy.

If you plan to visit and/or photograph the beaches,  check the time for high and low tide  to maximize your enjoyment.

The winding drive out to the lighthouse can be nausea-inducing for those prone to motion sickness. If you're one of them, you know what to do.

Point Reyes has no entry fee, but there is a camping fee and a fee to ride the shuttle in winter. You also need reservations if you're going camping.

How to Get to Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore is at 1 Bear Valley Rd. in Point Reyes Station, CA. You can find more information at the Point Reyes website .

Point Reyes National Seashore is located about 30 miles north of San Francisco on California Hwy 1. To locate destinations inside the park, use this map . 

Where to Stay at Point Reyes

Camping at point reyes.

You will find several campgrounds at Point Reyes, but they are all backcountry campgrounds that you have to hike or boat into. You can find a description of them on the Point Reyes website .

If you are looking for a place where you can camp in an RV or pitch a tent near your vehicle, check this list of nearby campgrounds .

Point Reyes Hostel

The only other place to stay inside the National Seashore is the Point Reyes Hostel . It's just off Limantour Road near Limantour Beach, Sculptured Beach and lots of hiking trails. 

They have two historic ranch buildings and a new "green" addition. You can stay in a shared dorm room or a private room, and use the guest kitchen.

More Lodging Nearby

You can find more suggestions for how to find a place to stay in the area in the West Marin getaway guide .

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Guided Point Reyes Hiking Tour

Dates unscheduled, (contact us to request dates).

Family Friendly

Double booking, single booking, roommate rebate.

Includes all lodging, all meals, park entrance fees, transportation from San Francisco, leaders, trail maps & narratives.

Assembly Point

San francisco.

Timberline van shuttle is provided from San Francisco prior to and following tour.

Not included: Airline service to San Francisco International Airport, Guide Gratuity.

Meeting Time

Hotel 8:30 am, drop-off time.

“Timberline Adventures does such a good job on the planning that you just need to concentrate on enjoying yourself!” – Jon M.

One of the most remarkable features of the Point Reyes National Seashore is its geographic location. A relatively isolated spit of land with its virtual limitless level of ecological diversity is situated on a peninsula a mere 30 miles from downtown San Francisco.  The contrast between the two could not be more stark and dramatic.

Hike The Point Reyes National Seashore

Incorporated into our national park system by Congress in 1962 as the Point Reyes National Seashore, the park is bordered on the west by the Pacific.  Its vast white sand beaches, rocky coastline, rugged towering headlands, and crashing surf are just a few of the components that contribute to the area’s magnificent seascape.  Several of our hikes are designed to capture the spectacular vistas for which Point Reyes is noted.

But Point Reyes is more than its magnificent coast.  It is a land of forests with lush stands of Douglas fir, streams that carve through the rugged terrain, plunging over their rocky barriers as they ultimately tumble into the Pacific.  It is also a land of rolling pastures and rich grasses that still sustain a thriving dairy cattle industry.

Timberline offers hiking and cycling tours across the USA and Canada . Browse our offerings now!

Total Distance: 51 miles

Inn highlights.

• Tomales Bay Resort

Timberline Adventures / 214 Mohawk Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 / 1-800-417-2453 or 303-664-8388 / Fax: 303-664-8395

Routes, mileage and accommodations are subject to change due to safety, road/trail conditions, weather and availability.

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Last updated: April 28, 2024

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1 Bear Valley Road Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

415-464-5100 This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (e.g., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; fire danger information; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc.), or speak with a ranger. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call.

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Top 20 Things to Do in Point Reyes: Everything You Need to Know for a Wonderful West Marin Getaway

If you’ve read some of our other posts, you know that we usually focus on California travel with kids in tow. But now and again, John and I need an easy parent’s getaway. One where we can stop and eat anywhere that looks good, hike a smidge longer, unwind at a local meadery, and kayak by moonlight. And the Point Reyes National Seashore area is where we can do all the above. 

An easy drive from the Bay Area, there are plenty of things to do in Point Reyes that are family-friendly, and we would happily bring the kids along to many of the places listed below. But we’re also going to share some of our favorite things to do in Point Reyes when it’s just us.

Read on for the best things to do in and nearby Point Reyes National Seashore plus a 3-day itinerary.

Things are always changing! Make sure to double-check schedule changes and closures before your trip.

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Map of Attractions in this Post

The Point Reyes National Seashore is located in Marin County, about 35 miles north of San Francisco along Highway 1. It’s surrounded by charming small towns like Point Reyes Station, Olema, Inverness, and Marshall. We include them here in our list of things to do in and around Point Reyes.

The map below includes points of interest in this post, with the exception of tours that go to multiple places.

Things To Do in Point Reyes National Seashore

The Point Reyes National Seashore is West Marin’s main attraction. Managed by the National Park Service for 60 years, the area is a sanctuary for more than 1,500 plants and animals.

From gorgeous beaches to wild grasslands, there is much to explore. Though it’s close to one of California’s largest cities, it retains a wild feel and remains one of California’s lesser-known National Parks.

1. Visit the Visitor Centers

When visiting a National Park, a visitor center is always a good place to start! 

A stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center provides an engaging orientation to the park’s roads, trails, and histories. There’s a good little bookstore here too. If you’re interested in learning more about the park while you drive through it, download this audio driving tour of Point Reyes . It points out the park’s history as you make your way from the Bear Valley Visitor Center to the Lighthouse.

The Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drake’s Beach is further in the park. It offers coffee and pre-packaged snacks for those who need a warm-up from the ocean breezes. The Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center is nearby and – no surprise – provides a historical context for its namesake site.

2. The Point Reyes Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is one of the most famous attractions in Point Reyes National Seashore. It was built in 1870 to protect ships traveling north of San Francisco Bay. The Point Reyes Headlands jut 10 miles out into the ocean near here, making this a dangerous route for ships. It was in service for 105 years until the Coast Guard installed automated lights nearby. After that, the preservation of this historic landmark was transferred to the Park Service.

One thing that makes visiting the lighthouse so memorable is the journey that it takes to get there. The lighthouse is located at the far-western tip of the Point Reyes Headlands at the end of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. As you get closer to it, the road becomes increasingly winding and slow-going. If you’re driving straight there from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, allow at least 45 minutes for the 20-mile drive.

After you reach the parking lot, walk half a mile to get to the Lighthouse Visitor Center. From there, descend 313 steps to the lighthouse itself. Just remember, what goes down must come back up. The return is quite a workout! And if winds exceed 40 mph, the stairs will be closed for understandable safety reasons.

The journey that comes with visiting this landmark makes it well worth a visit. And a selfie or two.

3. The Cypress Tree Tunnel

As you drive along Sir Frances Drake Blvd toward the Point Reyes Lighthouse, you’ll likely notice a cluster of cars parked alongside the road. This is a telltale sign that you are nearing the Cypress Tree Tunnel, easily one of the top things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore.

The trees were planted here around 1930 to frame the walkway to the Historic KPH Maritime Receiving Station. You can still see the station today at the end of the path. The Monterey Cyprus is one of the few trees hardy enough to adapt to the area’s high winds and ocean-air conditions.

Today the trees arch and connect, creating a tunnel effect. It’s now a favorite location for amateur and professional photographers alike. Those who are serious about capturing the tunnel in its best light arrive at sunrise or sunset. Sunrise is the least crowded, but sunset has the best light.

The station that the tunnel leads to is often overlooked but has an interesting history of its own. During much of the 20th century, the west coast was dotted with Morse code radio stations like this one, which provided ship-to-shore communication. The station at Point Reyes, once called the Wireless Giant of the Pacific, is the last one standing. Before COVID, the Maritime Historical Society gave weekend tours. They have not yet resumed at the time of writing.

4. Go on Safari

If your Point Reyes list of things to do is long and you’re not sure how to fit it all in, hire an expert. When possible, I love hiring tour guides to show us a side of a park that we may not have otherwise noticed, or understood, on our own.

For your best shot at spotting local wildlife or guidance on the best places to take a stunning photo, hire a guide from Point Reyes Safaris . These professionals customize your visit to give you the best chance of finding, watching, and photographing the park’s bobcats, coyotes, badgers, foxes, elk, elephant seals, raptors, owls, whales, and more.

Point Reyes National Seashore Beaches

The windswept beaches of Point Reyes are full of wild beauty. The following four beaches can be accessed by driving. You can reach even more on foot (see the “ Best Hikes ” section below):

5. Drakes Beach

Known for the sandstone cliffs that reminded Sir Francis Drake of Dover, this popular beach is known for its wide stretch of sand and calmer waves that reach the shore from Drakes Bay.

In recent years, parts of Drakes Beach, including areas near the Visitor Center, have been inhabited by elephant seals during their mating and birthing seasons. Check the NPS website before you go. Sections of the beach might be closed, especially during the winter months.

Visitors often share that they love getting up close to elephant seals on Drakes Beach. Please remember that these are wild animals and you should give them plenty of space. Not only is it for the health and safety of the animals, but they move much faster than you might think. I was charged once and know from experience!

6. Limantour Beach

Located on the eastern half of Drakes Bay, Limantour Beach is 4 miles long and enjoys the Bay’s calmer waters. Many consider this to be the prettiest of the Point Reyes Beaches. It’s also a popular spot for families. 

Bring a blanket and maybe a kite. Take a long walk, look for signs of whales, and enjoy the beach’s wild natural beauty. For a special experience that will also keep you warm, build a bonfire. Fires are allowed with permits issued by the Bear Valley Visitor Center .

Limantour is only a 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center, making it more accessible than the others. Leashed dogs are welcome at the southeastern end, but it’s not uncommon to see pups running free here.

Like many other Northern California beaches, it’s better to look at the ocean than swim in it. The water is super cold, and rip tides are always something to be aware of around here.

7. Great Beach: North and South Beaches

The separate parking areas and restrooms at the north and south ends of this immense beach make it seem like two distinct beaches. When considered in its entirety, this 11-mile stretch of sand is known as The Great Beach or Point Reyes Beach.

This is a great spot to take a long walk, snap a sunset photograph, and view wildlife. But don’t plan on getting in the water. This beach faces the Pacific Ocean and huge waves are known to crash along the shore. Sneaker waves are a common hazard. Keep your eyes open and stay back from the surf!

Best Hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore

Hiking ranks high among the things to do at Point Reyes National Seashore. The following trails are highlights of this wild and wonderful park.

8. Alamere Falls

A sight to see, Alamere Falls is one of only two California tide falls, or waterfalls that fall directly into the ocean. Unlike the other tide fall, McWay Falls in Big Sur , you can hike down to the beach at Alamere Falls to get an up-close look. Also unlike McWay Falls, it’s going to take a bit of work to get there.

The Palomarin Trailhead, where you’ll begin the 14-mile trek to Alamere Falls , is located on the far south end of the park, in the town of Bolinas. This is about a 30-minute drive south of the Bear Valley Visitor Center or an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Because it’s so close to San Francisco, get to the parking lot early to grab a space and avoid adding mileage to your hike.

Timing this hike also takes a little planning. You want to get to the parking lot by 8 am to get a spot, especially if you’re there on a weekend. But you also want to arrive at the beach during a low tide so you can go down to the sand and see the stunning falls from below. If the tide is already approaching the falls when you see it, stay at a higher elevation to avoid getting stuck!

In addition to the pay-off views of Alamere Falls itself, the hike features gorgeous coastal scenery along the way and passes four lakes. Bass Lake in particular is known to be a popular resting (and summer swimming) spot.

All in all, venturing to the falls makes for a challenging, but unique and memorable, day.

10. Tomales Point Trail

Located in the north corner of Point Reyes National Seashore, the Tomales Point trail is known to have some of the best wildlife viewing in the park. The highlight here is the tule elk you can spot roaming within the area’s wildlife preserve.

The hike starts near Pierce Point Ranch, where you can learn a bit about the region’s historic dairy and cattle industry. As you head deeper into the trail, you’ll approach an open ridge that offers amazing views down to Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, and the Pacific Ocean at McClure Beach.

The full trek to Tomales Point is about 10 miles, but it’s an out-and-back trail, meaning you can choose to hike shorter distances. Because the elk are a top attraction, many opt to return after reaching Lower Pierce Point Ranch. A stock pond at this site is a popular watering hole for elk, heron, and ducks making for great wildlife viewing. If you turn back here, the hike is just about 6 miles round trip.

With coastal views, historic structures, and fascinating wildlife, this trail is considered one of the best in the Bay Area.

9. Chimney Rock

If you don’t have time for a long hike but want to take in some of Point Reyes’ spectacular scenery, the Chimney Rock hike might be for you.

Extending into Drake’s Bay, this hike is surrounded by water on both sides for just under 2 miles . The trail follows a peninsula making for beautiful views of the crashing ocean waves and the calm bay below. This is a great hike to take in the Spring when colorful wildflowers and spouting gray whales can be added to the list of possible sightings.

Some report being disappointed by the site of Chimney Rock itself, but to me, the appeal of this hike is the journey more than the destination.

11. Earthquake Trail

On our last visit to Point Reyes, we didn’t have a lot of extra time for hiking but wanted to explore a bit. We chose to walk the Earthquake Trail located near the Bear Valley Visitor Center . At half a mile, this is a short and sweet loop that offers some fascinating insights about the San Andreas fault and local geology.

A popular point along the trail is a fence that was constructed to illustrate the massive displacement that occurred in the area during the 1906 earthquake.

And in addition to the history and geology lessons, it made for a lovely little walk.

Things to Do Near the Point Reyes National Seashore

While the Point Reyes National Seashore has plenty to keep you occupied, there’s also plenty to do nearby. Whether looking for more outdoorsy adventures or just a place to relax and enjoy a good meal, you’ll want to make time to explore the unique towns surrounding the park.

12. Enjoy the Drive

I love traveling with my kids. And they are growing up to be great little road-trippers. But a purposely long and leisurely drive rarely makes it onto one of our family trip agendas. The kids are always eager to reach the next destination, which is perfectly understandable for 5 and 7-year-olds. And then getting in and out of the car can still be a hassle, even though these booster seat days are a significant improvement to their bulky car seats!

So when we get away for a parents’ weekend, I love to take my time wandering through backroads. We can switch between our favorite songs and a good audiobook and stop whenever we want to along the way. In my book, this is a perfect way to get into adventure mode, even when we’re only an hour or two away from home.

13. Kayak Tomales Bay

On our last visit to Point Reyes, we finally got the opportunity to go bioluminescence kayaking on Tomales Bay. This is one of the most unique things to do in Point Reyes, and I was thrilled to go!

Bioluminescence is the emission of light from a living organism. On dark moonless nights, bioluminescent dinoflagellates create white flickers of light in water when disturbed. Kayaks and paddles can create this effect as can the schools of fish swimming beneath you. A lucky few might even encounter a seal chase, which causes the biggest show!

Tomales Bay is the only place in Northern California that offers a guided bioluminescence kayaking experience, and we were thrilled to check it out with Blue Waters Kayaking.

Kayaking at night was different and exciting in and of itself. We were able to see some bioluminescence on our trip. I thought it was pretty fascinating, but John-the-adrenaline-seeker was a bit underwhelmed. Know that the amount of bioluminescence you see varies on each trip, no matter how dark the skies are.

For those looking for a daytime paddle, Blue Water Kayaking also offers an exploration of Drake’s Estero back in Point Reyes National Seashore. Considered one of the most stunning places to paddle in California, kayakers might get a chance to glimpse harbor seals, bat rays, leopard sharks, osprey, hawks, loons, and more. I have this one on my list for a future trip, maybe with the kids in tow.

14. Set Sail

I love that the Point Reyes area is filled with activities that are a combination of outdoorsy adventures and relaxing getaways. Setting sail on Tomales Bay is a perfect way to experience both in one memorable outing.

Tomales Bay Sailing’s 22-foot catamaran is uniquely suited to exploring the Bay by water. What you experience depends on the weather. Calm days allow passengers to glide along the water while enjoying the stunning scenery. Windy days bring more of a thrill with the opportunity to experience a catamaran at racing speed.

Whatever the weather, you are assured of some great memories and a unique Tomales Bay experience.

15. Relax on the Tomales Bay Beaches

Inland from the wild waves of Point Reyes National Seashore and backed by a ridge that blocks the wind, the beaches of Tomales Bay offer more of a relaxed beach-going experience. If you want to chill out in the sunshine or try an activity like standup paddle boarding, this could be the place for you.

The most popular beach is Hearts Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park . Located near the main parking lot, Hearts Desire is easily accessible with safe water for wading and swimming when the weather cooperates. You won’t find sneaker waves here! There are also amenities like picnic tables and restrooms, making this beach a popular spot for families.

If you want to get away from the crowds, several other State Park beaches along Tomales Bay are accessed by a short hike. Indian Beach , Pebble Beach , and Shell Beach are ideal for seeking some quiet with a side of adventure. Each requires about a half-mile trail walk. As most of the beaches share a main parking lot with the Hearts Desire Beach crowd, aim to get there early for a parking space.

At the far north end of Tomales Bay is lovely Dillon Beach . A big draw is the wide sandy beach and relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere. Facing Bodega Bay, the sea conditions here are milder than others facing the ocean directly. The water may still be freezing, but you’ll find plenty of surfers, swimmers, and wave jumpers. Cars are charged $10 for parking at Dillon Beach.

16. Stroll through Point Reyes Station

When we get a weekend away without kids, one of our favorite things to do is simply to wander around town, stopping whenever the mood strikes and taking our sweet time in a cafe. Similar to the joy of an unrushed drive, it’s a thrill to explore without having a set destination in mind. Or hearing, “I’m bored.”

Point Reyes Station is a great little town for such wanderings. With a population of just over 200, this is the largest commercial district near Point Reyes National Seashore. You’ll find a delicious bakery, some great restaurants, a wonderful bookstore, and Toby’s Feed Barn , the general store/feed barn/gift shop/art gallery/event space.

The whole town is only one or two main streets, so park at one end and enjoy an afternoon amble. 

17. Mead Tasting at Heidrun Meadery

Before our visit to Heidrun in Point Reyes Station, my association with mead had something to do with alcohol in Olde England. Curious to see what a contemporary meadery might be like, we decided to give it a try.

The gorgeous flowers and orchards that greeted us were a surprise. Though it makes perfect sense. Mead is a drink made with fermented honey. Honey requires bees. And bees need flowers. Duh.

Though the owner has been experimenting with mead-making since the late ’90s, in 2012 the operation moved to its current location, a former Point Reyes Station dairy farm. The site now includes a commercial beekeeping operation and experimentation with bee-friendly crops.

It’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon indeed and one of our favorite relaxing things to do in Point Reyes. 

Bring some cheeses from Point Reyes Station or Inverness Park Market, enjoy a tasting, and feel the tension of everyday life melt away.

18. Eat Some Cheese

Dairy farming and cheese production have a long history in the Point Reyes region and can still be seen today. As you drive into West Marin, you’ll be surrounded by rural countryside with cows and barns dotting the hillsides. Just an hour outside of San Francisco, it feels like you are in a different part of the state altogether. But one thing that city and country residents of this area agree on is a love of good food. 

Until recently, Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station was the go-to stop for picnic supplies. They sadly closed their doors in September 2022, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sample their delicious cheeses. Palace Market , a grocery store in the heart of Point Reyes Station, has a wide assortment of yummy cheeses for a picnic and/or charcuterie tray. Cheesemongers are on hand to help you perfect your pairings.

For a more in-depth experience, check out the tastings and tours offered by Point Reyes Farmstead . From a cheese lovers’ tasting (options include “unique grilled cheeses, ooey-gooey mac & cheese and YES – our world-famous, house-made ice cream sandwiches”) to walking farm tours, visitors leave with a full belly and an appreciation of the region’s dairy roots.

19. Book a Farm Tour for Foodies

If you prefer to sit back, relax, and let someone else worry about the logistical details, book a tour with Food & Farm Tours . Popular public tours like Flavors of Point Reyes, Oyster Lover’s Tour, and Cheese Lover’s Tour make it easy to learn about the region’s approach to sustainable agriculture while enjoying some of its finest products.

Custom tours are possible, as is a farm harvest cooking class and a mixology experience.

20. Snap a Photo by the SS Point Reyes

Many recommended things to do in the Point Reyes area involve snapping photos in front of local landmarks that are strange, interesting, or both. One such location is the famous Point Reyes Shipwreck.

According to Atlas Obscura, “This abandoned boat was left in place thanks to its rotting beauty.” When the land beneath it was purchased by a wetlands restoration organization, the plan was to remove the boat at last. It’s still here because it was saved by an uproar from local photographers and visitors, and it remains a popular Point Reyes-area site today.

And thus, the SS Point Reyes started as a fixer-upper, was never fixed, and evolved into an iconic local landmark.

Where to Eat Near Point Reyes

You have plenty of good restaurant options in this farm-to-table paradise. I’ve listed a selection of favorites below.

The Point Reyes Oyster Scene

If you enjoy oysters, this is your place! Another of the top things to do in Point Reyes is to sample them fresh from Tomales Bay. Oysters are a big deal around Point Reyes, and you’re sure to find a spot that suits your style.

Tomales Bay Oyster Company

If you’re looking for a no-frills place to stop for fresh oysters by the side of the road, pull over at the Tomales Bay Oyster Company in Marshall. Expect to BYO pretty much everything but the oysters! We arrived unprepared, and poor John ended up eating his birthday oysters out of the bucket purchased onsite. Luckily we were able to buy ice!

Take a lesson from us: arrive early or late to grab one of the picnic tables along the water. They are first come, first served. Bring along a cooler, ice, a shucking knife, gloves, hot sauce, lemons, and whatever toppings or sides you’d like. And beer. If you come prepared, you’re sure to have a great time.

The Marshall Store

Those looking for a little service with their oysters should head to The Marshall Store . You can enjoy those same delicious Tomales Bay Oyster Company oysters without all the work. Relax at a table looking over the Bay while being served any of their six types of prepared oysters. They serve other dishes too (ceviche, clam chowder, baked brie…oh my!), but you can make a meal out of just the oysters if you are so inclined.

Hog Island Oyster Farm

Last, but not least, is the popular Hog Island Oyster Farm. Here you can enjoy views of Tomales Bay with a side of grilled oysters with Chipotle Bourbon Butter (or maybe it’s the other way around). In addition to oysters, guests snack on a charcuterie tray and other small plates while sipping on some local beer and wine options. The Boat Oyster Bar is perfect for light bites whereas nearby Tony’s Seafood , part of the Hog Island family, is a better bet for a full meal.

Bovine Bakery

Point Reyes Station’s Bovine Bakery is a delicious choice for scones, morning buns, and even a breakfast pizza. Get there early for the most options as lines form fast and favorites sell out. If you happen to get there when the line is already snaking around the corner, grab some coffee from nearby Toby’s Feed Barn to enjoy while you wait.

We like good food, but we’re not foodies. And we’re pretty casual, even without the kids. So, for us, Cafe Reyes’ delicious wood-fired pizza served alongside some good local beers on a cheerful patio is perfection. I highly recommend it after a day of exploring.

Where to Stay Near Point Reyes

We’ve stayed at a couple of Airbnbs in the area, but none that I love enough to recommend here. So instead I’m sharing the places that are top of my list for our next visit:

Nick’s Cove

An iconic stop in the West Marin region, Nick’s Cove features 12 luxury cottages, five of which are located right on the water. With gorgeous views and cozy wood-burning stoves, this is an ideal place to get away and unwind. Bandit’s Bungalow, with its waterfront deck and deep soaking tub, is at the top of my list for a future escape.

Point Reyes Country Inn

Just north of Point Reyes Station, Point Reyes Country Inn has long been on my list of places to stay in the area. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, they have put reservations for the onsite Bed and Breakfast on hold through the end of the year. However, accommodations are still offered at the Groom’s Quarters, which sleeps seven above the stables, and two fully equipped waterfront cottages with french doors leading out to decks that overlook Tomales Bay. I can’t imagine a more perfect setting to relax after exploring Point Reyes Station and the best of West Marin.

HI Point Reyes Hostel

The only non-camping lodging option in Point Reyes National Seashore, HI Point Reyes offers private vacation rentals in a secluded valley 2 miles from Limantour Beach. You won’t get cell service or wifi here, but if you’re looking to get away from it all and immerse yourself in nature, this could be the perfect fit for you.

Point Reyes FAQs

How to Get to Point Reyes?

The drive to Point Reyes is lovely. It’s one of my favorites in the Bay Area.

As soon as you cross the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin, the pace of the city fades away. Take time to look back from the Marin Headlands and stop for coffee in Mill Valley. If you have a reservation, the awe-inspiring redwoods at Muir Woods are nearby. From there, take the slow route along Highway 1 and meander through Stinson Beach and Bolinas.

Arriving from the East Bay is also an adventure, with the option to stop and explore ancient redwoods in Nicasio Valley and Samuel P. Taylor State Park . The redwoods in this area may not be as tall as those in Muir Woods, but the groves are less crowded, making for a magical visit. This route will also lead you past George Lucas’s fabled Skywalker Ranch.

When is the Best Time to Visit Point Reyes?

Spring in Point Reyes offers the best chance of clear skies and wildflowers, while fall has the warmest temps and the lowest fog levels.

That being said, Point Reyes weather is fickle all year round. Like many California coastal areas, what you might expect in summer and winter are pretty much flipped. Coastal summers are known for cold and fog that might burn off in the afternoon, whereas winters are known to be clearer. That said, winter can also be stormy and not necessarily warmer.

The best approach is to come prepared for the worst weather, just in case. Bring layers, including a jacket that can keep you warm in the wind and keep the dampness and rain at bay. When possible, keep your plans flexible so that you can pick the best weather for your beach or hiking days.

Visitors should know that during the gray whale migration, roughly January through April, the park has a shuttle bus that runs from the Drakes Beach parking lot to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock. During this time, there is no private vehicle access to these destinations.

When Might You See Whales at Point Reyes?

Your best chance of viewing gray whales is from December through May. From December to February, they migrate south, and from February to May they return north. Gray whales are known to swim closer to the shore, but Humpback whales and other marine animals can be observed feeding off the coastline in the summer and fall.

Can you see elephant seals at Point Reyes?

Elephant seals sure love the California Coast! Though you might encounter them at Point Reyes year-round, the greatest number of elephant seals are found on beaches from December through March for birthing and mating season, and during the spring when adult females and juveniles are molting. 

The best places to observe elephant seals at Point Reyes are:

• The Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock : By early February, you might find around 600 elephant seals here!
• Drakes Beach near Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center: This beach entrance is closed to the public when elephant seal colonies are active here. The beach usually reopens in late April when weaned pups vacate the area. 
• South Beach Overlook near the Point Reyes Lighthouse parking lot.

Things to keep in mind when viewing elephant seals: 

• Always observe elephant seals from a distance. You should stay at least 25 feet (8 meters) away from them. Use binoculars for a better view. 
• Never put yourself between a cow and pup, a bull and cows, or two bulls who are challenging each other. If you observe stressed behavior, move away cautiously. This actually happened to me once … those bulls move faster than you’d think!
• Use quiet voices and move slowly. 
• Don't touch or swim with wild marine mammals, even if they approach you first. 
• Heed pet signs, beach closures, and posted restrictions. 

How much does it cost to go to Point Reyes?

Unlike other popular National Parks, Point Reyes National Seashore does not charge an entrance fee. Woohoo!

Some of the nearby State Parks, like Tomales Bay and Samuel P. Taylor charge a parking fee of $8 per vehicle. If you want to avoid paying this parking fee, check out a California State Park Pass at your local library before you go.

Point Reyes 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: getaway mode.

Hit the road and take your time making your way to West Marin. Stop when you see an interesting local coffee shop or anything else that strikes your fancy along the way.

When you get to your destination, get ready to unwind. Make your way to the Palace Market to get all the ingredients you need for a hearty picnic lunch the following day. While you’re there, pick up some delicious ingredients for a cheese and charcuterie board to go. Bring it to the nearby Heidrun Meadery and enjoy tasting some local favorites.

Day 2: Seaside Adventures

Early birds get the best baked goods! Get an early start and a good spot in line at local favorite Bovine Bakery before hopping in the car and heading into Point Reyes National Seashore.

In the park, meet up with Blue Water Kayaking for a half-day tour of Drake’s Estero to catch a glimpse of the local seabirds, including osprey, geese, pelicans, loons, grebes, shorebirds, and hawks. Following the tour, bring your picnic lunch to the Drakes Beach Overlook. Picnic tables are located between the beach and the Visitor Center.

If you’re up for more activity, the parking lot for the Point Reyes Lighthouse is just 20 minutes away. Soak in the views from this famous landmark and tackle the 313 steps that lead down to the lighthouse (and back up!).

Stop by the Cypress Tree tunnel on your way back out of the park to snap some photos beneath the uniquely shaped trees. If you time it right, your photos might capture light streaming through from a setting sun.

Celebrate your day of adventure with a wood-fired pizza and good local brews on the patio at Cafe Reyes.

Day 3: Savor Your Last Day in Marin

After your big day in the park, relax and sleep in on your final day in town. Take a wander, grab some coffee, and pick up a souvenir at Toby’s Feed Barn.

Grab one last lunch with a view at The Marshall Store and savor the region’s famous oysters.

Last, but not least, make sure to snap a photo with the SS Point Reyes before leaving town!

Point Reyes Day Trips from San Francisco

If you want to explore Point Reyes but don’t have the luxury of a weekend (or a car), book a guided day trip from San Francisco.

Golden Horizon Tours offers private custom day trips from San Francisco to Point Reyes National Seashore and the Muir Woods National Monument . The latter is known for its redwood forest, making this an ideal adventure for photographers and nature lovers.

Popular Alcatraz Tours offers a private guided tour that takes you from San Francisco to Point Reyes National Seashore with additional stops to see coastal redwoods in Nicasio Valley and Samuel P. Taylor State Park . By choosing Samuel Taylor instead of Muir Woods, you get a bit more time in Point Reyes and a less crowded redwood experience than a visit to Muir Woods.

Thinking about renting a car for your visit instead of a tour? Start your search with Discover Cars . This service compares car rental deals from several companies and shows you the best price for your trip. All fees and taxes are included in the quote, so there are no surprises when you pick up your car.

Road Trip Planning Basics

These are our go-to resources when planning a California road trip!

Rent a Car ↗

Compare car rental deals to find the best price with Discover Cars . All fees and taxes are included in your quote.

Book Your Stay ↗

Booking.com is our first – and often last – stop for finding great deals throughout the Golden State.

Cover Your Trip ↗

Easily compare and buy travel insurance with TravelInsurance.com , our go-to site for travel coverage.

Have a wonderful time in West Marin! If you liked this post, you might be interested in more of our favorite California escapes:

• The Top 10 Russian River Family Activities
• 10 Amazing Things to Do in Mendocino with Kids
• The 10 Best Things to Do in Redwood National Park

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Hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore

The Point Reyes National Seashore is a natural sanctuary on the California coast that is primed and ready for exploration. Discover the grandeur and diversity of the fragile coastal environment through the extensive network of hiking routes that cover the area. Encompassing over 71,000 acres of the Point Reyes Peninsula, the National Preserve is almost completely separated from the continental United States by a rift zone on the San Andreas Fault. The striking topographic disparity of crashing surf and verdant headlands beckons curious explorers from around the globe.

A landscape characterized by sandy beaches, rugged headlands, lush temperate forests, and coastal prairies; the adventure opportunities here are endless! The summer months see wonderful hiking, sea kayaking, and epic wildlife viewing possibilities. Hike amongst tule elk at Tomales Point, admire elephant seals on Chimney Beach, explore cattle ranches at Drakes Estero, and watch the gray whale migration from the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Unfortunately, the Point Reyes National Park is not a dog-friendly preserve due to the abundance of wildlife and fragile environment, so it is best to leave your pup at home!

The topographic variety of the Point Reyes Peninsula boasts unrivaled hiking experiences. Exhibiting a diversity of flora and fauna, as well as the grandeur of the Pacific coastline, this outdoor oasis offers an adventure for everyone. Most of the routes in the National Seashore are easy-going and manageable for hikers of all skill levels and ages. Located so close to San Francisco, this natural oasis is a popular city escape we encourage you to indulge in.

The 12 Epic Hiking Routes in the Point Reyes National Seashore

Though it was difficult, we narrowed down our favorite trails in the Point Reyes National Seashore for you to enjoy. Here you can find hikes that cater to families with younger children and treks reserved for intrepid adventurers craving a challenge. No matter which route you chose, the Point Reyes Peninsula will not disappoint!

• Alamere Falls Trail - The Alamere Falls Trail is the most popular hike in the National Seashore, and there is no doubt as to why. This epic adventure travels along the dramatic coastal headlands before plunging down to the shoreline to one of the world’s rare tidal falls.
• Point Reyes Lighthouse Trail - Indulge yourself in uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean from the postcard perfect lighthouse. This beautiful adventure climbs down over 300-odd steps to the historic lighthouse and Lens House. If you're lucky, you may even be rewarded with sights of migrating gray whales.
• Abbotts Lagoon Trail - The Abbotts Lagoon Trail is a picturesque seaside stroll that the whole family can enjoy! Wander through cattle ranches, wind-sculpted sand dunes, and along the lagoon. As you hike, be sure to keep an eye out for otters that inhabit the area!
• Tomales Point Trail - Explore the Tule Elk Reserve and indulge in breathtaking coastal vistas along the Tomales Point Trail. Traveling along the headlands abundant with wildflowers, past historic sites, and down to the tip of the peninsula—this trek packs a punch.
• Sky Trail and Bear Valley Loop - The Sky Trail and Bear Valley Loop is an extraordinary adventure that travels through fog-shrouded forestlands pierced with sunbeams. This adventure boasts a magical experience that intermediate hikers and families with older children can enjoy!
• Bear Valley and Coast Trail - Bear Valley is one of the most popular areas in the park due to its unparalleled beauty. Wander through the forested canyon adorned with charming creeks before opening to the rugged coastline. This trek provides the perfect opportunity for wildlife spotting!
• Bolinas Ridge Loop - The Bolinas Ridge Loop is actually situated just outside the perimeter of the Point Reyes National Seashore, but it's one of our favorites so we had to include it! Meander through redwood stands, cattle ranches, and coastal prairies along this scenic route.
• Chimney Rock Trail - Spot lounging elephant seals and enjoy epic ocean views along the Chimney Rock Trail. This easy-going adventure stretches across the grassy headlands to an overlook of the majestic creatures.
• Bass Lake Hike - Cool off in the waters of Bass Lake along this trek. This wonderful hike explores the shoreline cliffs before diverting inland to Bass Lake. Spend the day swimming in the picture-perfect lake along the Pacific coast.
• South Beach Trail - Otherwise known as “The Great Beach”, the South Beach Trail stretches along the shoreline of the pristine beach. Have a picnic, throw a ball, and explore the stunning beach. Adventurers of all skill levels and ages can enjoy this walk.
• Earthquake Trail - Want to learn more about the San Andreas Fault? The Earthquake Trail uncovers the geology of the area as you wander the path lined with interpretive signs over the fault. Equally as scenic as it is educational, the whole family will love this adventure.
• Elephant Seal Overlook Trail - The Elephant Seal Overlook Trail is a short but scenic trail to an observation point overlooking Drakes Beach. Bring a pair of binoculars and enjoy the sights of the lounging elephant seals and their pups below.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Point Reyes National Seashore?

Visit the Point Reyes National Seashore in the fall and spring for the best weather. During the shoulder season, the coastal area sees less fog and rain, making it an ideal time for those coming to indulge in the ocean views! Due to its geographic location, the region lacks the contrast of extreme heat or cold, offering adventure pursuits year-round. The winter months along the coast see more rain and intense wind. On the other hand, if you head out in the warmer season, you can expect thick fog in the early morning which will usually burn off by mid-afternoon. No matter the time of year, we encourage visitors to dress in layers, as the coast can bring unexpected weather at a moment’s notice.

Other Outdoor Activities in the Point Reyes National Seashore

The Point Reyes National Seashore area is, above all else, a hiker’s haven; boasting an extensive network of routes throughout the preserve and the Philip Burton Wilderness. Explore the lush woodlands, brush-covered hills, estuaries, headlands, historic sites, and beaches by foot for the most immersive experience.

In addition to trekking, the park is a popular camping and wildlife viewing area. Explore the Tule Elk Reserve, do some birding, overlook the elephant seal population sunning on Drakes Beach, and watch gray whales migrating from Mexico to Alaska. Those with an intrepid spirit can even rent a sea kayak and head out into the surf! Though the outdoor pursuits are limited in the Point Reyes National Seashore, the scenery is unparalleled in its beauty and grandeur, which is in and of itself a reason to visit the area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Point Reyes National Seashore

What is the point reyes national seashore known for.

The Point Reyes National Seashore is known for its dramatic landscape—the surging surf of the Pacific Ocean crashing against the headlands, pristine beaches, coastal grasslands, lush forests, and estuaries.

Why does the Point Reyes National Seashore close?

Sections of beach along the Point Reyes Headlands are subject to yearly closures to protect the nursing elephant seal pups. Check out the NPS website for additional information on wildlife closures.

Does the Point Reyes National Seashore have a beach?

Yes, there are many beaches in the Point Reyes National Seashore. The most popular beach is the 17.7 km stretch nicknamed “The Great Beach”, more commonly known as the Point Reyes South Beach.

What is there to do in the Point Reyes National Seashore?

The Point Reyes National Seashore is a great place for hiking, sightseeing, whale watching, birding, kayaking, camping, and more!

Are dogs allowed in the Point Reyes National Seashore

The Point Reyes National Seashore is not a dog-friendly preserve. Pups are allowed on only three beaches— Kehoe, Limantour, and Great Beach, and one trail—the Kehoe Beach Trail.

Awesome Adventure Tours near Point Reyes

Check out our awesome Point Reyes hiking tour on 10Adventures! This epic 6-day adventure travels along the rugged Pacific coastline along the best trails to the must-see sites. For an active exploration of the California coast, the Point Reyes Hiking Tour cannot be topped!

Find Other Amazing Hiking Regions in California

• Death Valley
• Inyo National Forest
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Stanislaus National Forest
• Sierra National Forest
• Redwoods National and State Parks

View Hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore on Map

• Map Data: © OpenStreetMap
• Tiles: © CyclOSM

Best Hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore

Alamere falls trail.

The Alamere Falls Trail travels to one of the world’s rare tidal falls, which surges 12 m over the Point Reyes National Seashore. Located in the Bay Area, this beautiful hike boasts the perfect opportunity to escape the city and rediscover our world’s natural beauty. This spectacular adventure will not disappoint—you have our word!

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Point reyes lighthouse trail.

The Point Reyes Lighthouse Trail offers postcard-worthy scenes of the Californian coast and the charming lighthouse. Hike down 300 odd steps to the historic site and marvel in the uninterrupted panoramas of the Pacific Ocean from the headlands.

Abbotts Lagoon Trail

The Abbotts Lagoon Trail is a picturesque adventure through sand dunes, along the banks of the lagoons to a quiet beach on the Pacific. Impressively scenic and easy-going—hikers of all skill levels and ages can participate in this seaside stroll.

Tomales Point Trail

Hiking the Tomales Point Trail is an incredible experience. Wander along dramatic cliff sides, meadowlands abundant with wildflowers, the Tule Elk Reserve, past historic sites, and along sandy terrain to the Tomales Point Peninsula. This trek packs a punch, and we can’t recommend it enough!

Sky Trail and Bear Valley Loop

The Sky Trail and Bear Valley Loop is an extraordinary day hike in the Point Reyes National Seashore featuring dramatic coastal treks and relaxing meanders through the enchanting forestlands. Most days you will be treated to fog-shrouded views of the looming firs and pines trees pierced with sunbeams. This magical adventure is a must-add to your hiking itinerary.

Bear Valley and Coast Trail

The Bear Valley and Coast Trail is an incredible adventure in the Point Reyes National Seashore that exhibits the beauty and diversity of the coastal environment. Explore the fog-shrouded forest before opening up to sweeping ocean views from the fragile headlands. This hiking route is one of a kind, and we cannot recommend it enough.

Bolinas Ridge Loop

The Bolinas Ridge Loop is a stunning adventure through diverse topographies in the Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Located near San Francisco, this route is an ideal escape from the city. Reconnect with nature and get a workout in as you venture this scenic trail.

Chimney Rock Trail

The Chimney Rock Trail is an underrated adventure in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Compared to the Point Reyes Lighthouse Trail, this route sees less traffic but boasts equally picturesque scenes of the coastline.

Bass Lake Hike

The Bass Lake Hike offers the best of both worlds—coastal views and a lake. What more could you ask for? This family-friendly adventure wanders along the dramatic headlands before guiding explorers beneath the tree canopy to picture-perfect lake.

Wildcat Camp Trail

Reconnect with nature, enjoy epic views and get your heart pumping along the Wildcat Camp Trail. This scenic hike in the Point Reyes National Seashore travels through forested valleys, meadowlands, coastal grasslands, and creek canyons down to Wildcat Beach on the Pacific.

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How to spend the perfect day in Point Reyes National Seashore (Full Itinerary)

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the most beautiful places in California. The park protects miles of stunning coastline, tons of wildlife and dozens of great hiking trails. While every trip to Point Reyes is different, I wanted to make this guide to help you plan a great visit to the national seashore. These are some of my favorite places to visit in Point Reyes, and should help you have a fun day in the park. I have a lot more recommendations in this Point Reyes Guide though if you want to go deeper. Anyways, here is my recommendation for a great day in Point Reyes National Seashore.

• The park is free to enter
• The closest town for hotels is San Rafael. AirBnBs are available in Point Reyes Station though
• Cell coverage is very limited in the park

Point Reyes National Seashore Itinerary

8:00 am – Breakfast at Bovine Bakery

Start your day with a delicious pastry or coffee from Bovine Bakery, located in the town of Point Reyes Station. This popular bakery offers a variety of sweet and savory treats made with high-quality ingredients.

9:30 am – Hike to Chimney Rock

After breakfast, head to the Chimney Rock Trailhead to hike to Chimney Rock. The trail is a relatively easy 1.75-mile round trip hike that offers stunning views of the coastline and the opportunity to spot whales and other wildlife.

11:00 am – Visit Point Reyes Lighthouse

After your hike, drive to the Point Reyes Lighthouse to explore the historic site and take in the beautiful views of the ocean. Be sure to check the lighthouse schedule before you go as it is only open limited days and hours.

12:30 pm – Point Reyes Shipwreck

Located behind the Inverness Store, the Point Reyes Shipwreck is a quick 5 minute walk to see this famous ship. Point Reyes Shipwreck is one of the most popular photography spots in the park and a place I always go back to when I visit. Note that sometimes the water level makes crossing over to the ship difficult.

1:00 pm – Lunch at Inverness Park Market

After visiting the lighthouse, stop by the Inverness Park Market for a delicious deli sandwich or salad. The market offers a variety of options, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices. I highly recommend the Ruben sandwich.

2:00 pm – Explore Drakes Beach

After lunch, drive to Drakes Beach to explore the scenic coastline and relax on the sand. You can also visit the nearby Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center to learn more about the area’s natural and cultural history.

4:00 pm – See the Cypress Tree Tunnel

After visiting Drakes Beach, head to the Cypress Tree Tunnel. There are not signs for it, but you can’t miss it as there are not many trees on Point Reyes and you can see this line of trees in the distance as you approach. Parking is on the side of the road right next to the trees.

5:00 pm – Sunset at North Beach

After the tree tunnel, head to North Beach to watch the sunset. North Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Point Reyes National Seashore and it faces the setting sun so it is a great spot to sit and relax at the end of a long day in the park.

6:30 pm – Dinner at Cafe Reyes

End your day with a delicious dinner at Cafe Reyes, located in the town of Point Reyes Station. This cozy restaurant features wood fired pizza, local oysters and a strong beer and wine menu.

I hope you enjoyed this trip to Point Reyes National Seashore, one of my favorite places in California. Let me know if you have any tweaks or suggestions in the comments!

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Action tour guide's self-guided driving tour of point reyes national seashore.

508-506-1844 www.actiontourguide.com An audio guide, a map, and tour book ~ all in one!

Discover Point Reyes in a whole new way with Action Tour Guide's Self-Guided Driving Tour of Point Reyes National Seashore California . Crafted with passion by a father-daughter duo, our tours bring to life the captivating stories of each location.  At Point Reyes National Seashore, you'll explore breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and historical sites, all narrated through our easy-to-use app.

Our journey began with a desire to transform the traditional guided tour experience. Frustrated with scripted and monotonous tours, we set out to create something more personal and engaging. Now, with a 4.8/5 star rating, we offer an intimate way to explore.

A visitor once shared, "This tour transformed our usual drive through Point Reyes. The history, suggested stops, and hikes made it far better. Even our teens were captivated by stories like that of Sir Francis Drake, auto-starting as we passed markers."  Visit Point Reyes with us for a unique adventure. Our tour offers a fresh look at this Californian treasure, easily accessible through your device.

See our video on How it Works Here .

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Discover Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir Woods Giant Redwoods

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Trip overview:.

Are you looking for a relaxing getaway outdoor adventure to escape the hustle-and-bustle of city life and crowded places? Join us now and explore the best-kept secrets and sights of San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County’s must-see wonders, hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions.

Discover Point Reyes National Seashores amazing natural wonders, outdoor activities, golden beaches and stunning wildlife including elk, elephant seals and maybe whales or dolphins. This enchanted Point Reyes countryside and remote wilderness in western Marin County and outdoor adventures in San Francisco Bay Area, should be part of almost all bucket lists.

You will also visit the famous Muir Woods National Monuments and its ancient forest of giant redwoods, as well as Muir Beach overlook. This private custom adventure appeals to all ages and preferences, and is highly recommended for photographers, nature lovers, and families with kids.

Book this 5-star private tour now and travel with us along California Pacific Coast Highway 1 to Stinson Beach, a quintessential Northern California beach town and Bolinas, another coastal village with a rich history and gorgeous beaches, wetlands and beautiful lagoons – the perfect place to spot wildlife like harbor seals.

Important: Please book this new outdoor adventure in as soon as possible, because Muir Woods has become the first national park to require reservation in advance, with special commercial and parking permits. No one can visit or access Muir Woods anymore without prior reservations with the required permits. But don’t worry; we will take care of all the required arrangements and offer you a worry-free tour package.

Trip Description

Are you looking for a relaxing outdoor adventure getaway to escape the hustle-and-bustle of city life and crowded places? Join us now and explore the best-kept secrets and sights of San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County’s must-see wonders, hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions. Discover Muir Woods giant redwoods, Stinson Beach, Bolinas and Point Reyes National Seashores amazing natural wonders, outdoor activities, golden beaches and stunning wildlife including elk, elephant seals and maybe whales or dolphins.

From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands to its grassy open spaces, brushy hillsides and forested ridges, Point Reyes National Seashore is home to over 1,500 species of plants and animals waiting to be discovered by you! While your guide drives you through Marin County, you will see diverse and amazing ecosystems, each with its own rich flora and fauna. Marine wildlife is abundant along the seashore, and you may even encounter seals, sea otters, Tule elk, whales, and elephant seals along the way.

As you get closer to Point Reyes shores and beaches, you’ll pass numerous dairy farms and cattle ranches. This rural and remote countryside is authentic and unique in every way. Your guide will drive you to a hidden overlook on the ocean-side where you may see 3,000-pound elephant seals as they flip sand on their backs. Each year, these huge elephant seals come ashore and form colonies for a few months to give birth, breed, and molt.

One of the main highlights of your exploration will be a guided walking tour of Point Reyes National Seashore Lighthouse, perched on a steep, dramatic cliff offering stunning views of impressive waves rolling in and crashing against the rocks.

Please expect to walk a quarter-mile from the parking lot to get to this stunning overlook, a 30-story climb down to the lighthouse, but the adventure is worth the trek. You will get sweeping views of the ocean, beautiful rock formations, and over the lighthouse tucked away at the foot of a steep staircase at the bottom of the cliff. You may also enjoy the stunning scenery and beautiful sights from the top of the cliff overlook where whales and dolphins may be seen swimming. You may also visit the Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO), a research center, which was founded in 1965. Grants are given to approximately 85 graduate students and post-doctoral researchers here, to study and understand the effects of climate change on California’s ecosystem. Another stop is Point Reyes Station’s old downtown, which includes a cheese factory, an organic winery, oyster farms, and the old saloon that Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles once visited years ago.

An optional side trip may take you to visit Tomales Bay State Park and gorgeous beaches located off-the-beaten-path, where you will see an army of Tule elk roaming in the hillsides.

After an amazing outing at Point Reyes, you will travel along California Pacific Coast Highway 1 to visit Stinson Beach, a quintessential Northern California beach town, and Bolinas another coastal village with a rich history and Muir Beach Overlook.

After Muir Beach Overlook you will head to Muir Woods National Monument located 10 miles away from Muir Beach Overlook. Muir Woods is home to the coastal giant redwoods. Did you know these trees are so monumental that three of them stacked on top of each other would be equivalent to the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris! Depending on what your tour guide suggests, you may either begin or end your exciting adventure at Muir Woods. After visiting the giant redwoods, your guide will drive you back to your hotel through Sausalito where you can stay for dinner, walk around, shop, go wine tasting, and then return to San Francisco on your own by ferry across the bay. (Ferry tickets are not included in the tour price but is very affordable).

This new outdoor adventure is suitable for the entire family and is only a one-hour drive from San Francisco. Please be sure to check out our videos, photo gallery, and tour itinerary to learn more about this unique eco-adventure that will take you away from crowded places and bus tours. This must-do new outdoor adventure appeals to all ages and tastes and will exceed your expectations.

Save more money - book one additional full day adventure and enjoy one extra hour overtime at no extra cost! We always go the extra mile to make each trip unique and memorable.

Important: Please book your private tour as soon as possible, because Muir Woods has become the first national park to require reservation in advance, with special commercial and parking permits. No one can visit or access Muir Woods anymore without prior reservations and the required permits. But don’t worry. Thanks to our private tours and small group custom trips, we will take care of all the required arrangements and offer you a worry-free tour package. We will tailor the program and itinerary to suit your needs, schedule and expectations. As a local, reliable and accountable tour operator, we have been rewarded with over a thousand 5-star ratings since early 2000. We will not disappoint you.

Complimentary pick-up and drop-off

Muir woods and point reyes trip itinerary.

• 8:00 am pick-up at your hotel in San Francisco or Sausalito(departure time may vary based on the season and Muir Woods permit and entrance tickets availability)
• Drive to Muir Woods via Mill Valley, Tennessee Valley or Tamalpais Valley. We may start or end the tour with Muir Woods based on the season and Muir Woods permit and entrance tickets availability

Roam through Muir Woods ancient forest of giant redwoods

• Enjoy Incredible Stops along California Pacific Coast Highway1
• Visit Muir Beach overlook and Stinson Beach
• Drive to Bolinas and enjoy lunch or have lunch in Point Reyes.
• Visit Point Reyes’ natural wonders and top attractions
• Short hikes to hidden beaches in Point Reyes
• Travel to Tomales Bay State Park
• Optional trip to visit Sausalito - a Mediterranean-style coastal town
• Stop at the Golden Gate Bridge or Marin Headlands overlook
• 5:00 pm Drop-off at your hotel in San Francisco (time and itinerary may vary based on the season, weather and traffic)

8:00 am Pickup time

Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in San Francisco, Sausalito, or in Marin County. He or she will meet and greet you with a sign displaying your name. You will be taken to Muir Woods via Tennessee Valley or Mill Valley - a small charming community located north of Sausalito, known for its scenic hillside cliffs, bay views, marshlands, wooded canyons, and artistic heritage.

Drive to Muir Woods National Monument

As you pass through Mill Valley, you will head north to Muir Woods National Monument and continue along the panoramic highway that leads to Muir Woods. Along the way there are spectacular views of Marin County, the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Ocean.

Your passionate and local tour guide will explain everything you need to know about the coastal redwood trees and Muir Woods. Your driver is also your tour guide and will provide you with insider tips and information about Muir Woods. Please note that Muir Woods National Monument’s new regulations prohibit tour guides from walking and guiding groups into the forest, in order to preserve its peace and tranquility. But we will walk with you and guide you through the main area and give you maps and directions. This is an easy hike on a paved path for most of the loop, it takes visitors from bridge 1 to bridge 3 and back to bridge 1, located at the main entrance where the visitor center, a café, restrooms and a gift shop are located.

Important: Please book your private tour asap, because Muir Woods has become the first national park to require reservation in advance, with special commercial and parking permits. No one can visit or access Muir Woods anymore without prior reservations and the required permits. But don’t worry. Thanks to our private tours and small group custom trips, we will take care of all the required arrangements and offer you a worry-free tour package. We will tailor the program and itinerary to suit your needs, schedule and expectations. As a local, reliable and accountable tour operator, we have been rewarded with over a thousand 5-star ratings since early 2000. We will not disappoint you.

Visit Muir Beach overlook & Stinson Beach

After visiting Muir Woods, you will embark on a scenic ride on Highway 1, which boasts jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean’s dramatic coastline, massive redwood trees, scenic hills, stunning rock formations, wave-beaten rock outcrops, sand beaches, marshlands, and an incredible array of wildlife, as well as numerous turnouts and overlooks for photo enthusiasts.

Discover Stinson Beach, a coastal town with a golden beach. Enjoy a walk with your guide on this soft sandy beach, have a drink, or choose to lunch at one of the beach’s snack bars or restaurants. This sunny side of the coast is a wonderful getaway from the hustle-and-bustle of the city. It is a relaxing and uplifting excursion.

Some notable Stinson Beach residents include Senator Dianne Feinstein, Jerry Garcia, Steve Miller, and David Grisman. The dramatic scenery of Stinson Beach was the setting for movies: “Play It Again Sam,” “Memoirs of an Invisible Man,” “Basic Instinct,” “Shoot the Moon,” “The Fog,” and “On the Edge.”

Visit Stinson Beach and Bolinas Old Town

You may choose to add a side trip to Bolinas (optional), a small town located off Highway 1 and accessible via wetlands and beautiful lagoons. The valley in which these lagoons are located, was formed by the San Andreas Fault, which runs through the area. The lagoon is separated from the main bay by a small spit of land. Bolinas lagoon is a tidal estuary and part of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Bolinas is only accessible by unmarked roads. In the past, road signs were torn down to discourage visitors from entering, and they also have a long history of environmentalism, characterized by its community of surfers, actors, poets, artists and authors.

One famous resident of Bolinas is Alice Waters, an American chef and owner of "Chez Panisse," the world-renowned restaurant in Berkeley, California. The restaurant is famous for its organic, locally-grown ingredients and as the birthplace of Californian cuisine. During the tour, you may choose to have lunch in Bolinas, Point Reyes old town, or in one of the local seafood and oyster restaurants with great outdoor seating and stunning views of Tomales Bay.

Visit Point Reyes Natural Wonders

The tour will then head west to Point Reyes and enroute you will see vast farmlands and charming countryside. You’ll see picture-perfect landscapes as you sit back and relax in the SUV while passing through the best-kept secrets and hidden natural wonders of Northern California. Enjoy your lunch at a local beach restaurant and visit Point Reyes’ historic lighthouse where whales and dolphins could be seen. (depending on the season). Your guide will also bring you to the Bear Valley Visitor Center and the Museum of Natural History.

The 70,000 acres of Point Reyes have been known as a “National Seashore” since 1962. It was originally named when Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino named the land Punto de los Reyes, (“King’s Point”) in 1603. It is located within the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, an area geologically separated from the rest of Marin County by a rift zone of the San Andreas Fault, half of which is below sea level, forming Tomales Bay. The northernmost part of this peninsula is maintained as a reserve for Tule elk and the southern part is a protected beach for elephant seals.

”The rest of the peninsula 4 Fog”, directed by John Carpenter, was filmed at Point Reyes lighthouse and starred Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Janet Leigh.

Point Reyes Lighthouse attracts birds and whale-watchers looking for Gray Whales migrating south in mid-January, and north in mid-March. Point Reyes Lifeboat Station is a National Historic Landmark. It is the last remaining example of a rail-launched lifeboat station, once commonly found along the Pacific coast. The style of the native Kule Loklo village, located just a few miles from the visitor center, was heavily influenced by the Coast Miwok.

Best Hiking Trails in Point Reyes

Bear Valley trail is the most popular hike in the park. From the visitor's center, the trail follows streams through a shaded, fern-laden canyon, and breaks out at Divide Meadow before it heads downward to the coast and then emerges at the spectacular ocean-view at Arch Rock. Three trails, connecting from the west with the Bear Valley trail, head upward toward Mt. Wittenberg which, at 1,407 feet, is the highest point in the park.

Across the parking lot at the visitor's center is a 0.97 km loop that runs directly over the San Andreas Fault and a 0.6-mile earthquake trail deep underground, so that when standing, visitors straddle the fault line. On this fault line, you can observe details of the surrounding geology. At the western end of Point Reyes peninsula is a 308-step staircase leading to the historic Point Reyes lighthouse. Unlike many lighthouses, that were built high so ships from far away could see, Point Reyes lighthouse was built low to shine its light below the fog line.

Tomales Bay State Park and Bay

We also offer an optional visit to Tomales Bay State Park. Coastal Indians, also known as Miwok, were the first to inhabit the area of sheltered coves, tides, beaches, marshes, and forests of Bishop pines known today as Tomales Bay State Park, located 38 miles north of San Francisco. In 1579, Sir Francis Drake was the first to reach this area, followed by the Spaniards in 1595. German and Russian scientists also explored Tomales Bay in the early 1800s.

Visit Sausalito - a charming Mediterranean-Style coastal town

An optional trip may take you to Sausalito, where you can stroll downtown along the beautiful waterfront of Richardson Bay. You may choose to stay in this enchanting Mediterranean-style coastal town for the rest of the day, have dinner, and return to San Francisco on the ferry (ferry tickets are not included but they are affordable).

Don’t miss visiting one of three houseboat communities in the Richardson Bay, with more than 400 homes of varying shapes, sizes, and cultures — Galilee Harbor, Waldo Point Harbor, and the Gates Cooperative. It was in a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito where singer Otis Redding wrote his famous "Dock of the Bay" in 1967: " I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay - Watching the ships roll in…the tide rolls away - I left my home in Georgia - Headed for the 'Frisco bay - Just to make this dock my home..."

Golden Gate Bridge-Marin Headlands Overlook

The return to San Francisco is via the Golden Gate Bridge where your guide will stop at Marin Headlands overlook for a photo opportunity, with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay.

5:00 pm drop off at your hotel

Your guide will drive you back to your hotel or home via Marina District or the famous Pacific Heights (optional), the most expensive neighborhood in San Francisco, which is home to movie stars and celebrities.

Tour Prices

This custom tour is totally private and conducted by luxury suv with a professional tour guide. the price is per person and includes your taxes as well..

This custom city tour is totally private by luxury vehicle, and the price is per person. We don’t offer semi-private tours - all our trips are totally private.

Book this Tour by SUV

Select date from calendar.

Select Number of guests

This tour by large van is totally private and not available for public reservations or individual booking.

Book this Tour by VAN/A 14-PASSENGER MINIBUS

What’s Included?

All applicable taxes; pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in San Francisco or Sausalito; a private 9-hour tour (instead of 8 hour) to Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Olema Valley, Pacific Highway 1 sights, Bear Valley Visitor Center, Point Reyes National Seashores and Muir Woods National Monument; Muir Woods new online reservations fees and commercial parking +permits fees with state parks entrance fees. This 9-hour tour is totally private and customizable to your needs and schedule.

What’s Not Included?

Meals; your own Muir woods entrance tickets; driver’s gratuity (which are recommended and customary in the USA at 15%-20%); and entrance tickets or fees to any optional site not stated above.

Tips for visitors and policy:

• Important: Please book your private tour asap, because Muir Woods has become the first national park to require reservations in advance with special commercial and parking permits. No one can visit or access Muir Woods anymore without prior reservations and permits. But don’t worry, thanks to our private tours and small group custom trips, we will take care of all the required arrangements and offer you a worry-free tour package. We will tailor the program and itinerary to suit your needs, schedule and expectations.
• To avoid the crowds and large bus tours in Muir Woods forest of redwoods, we highly recommend starting your tour at 7:30 or 8 am.
• The itinerary may change based on your time, roads closure or weather conditions. When it is rainy or foggy, we may have to skip some areas or places for safety considerations or due to the lack of visibility or road closure. The order of the trip and itinerary will depend on factors like Muir Woods reservation and parking availability, crowds, weather and roads conditions. We may start or end with Muir Woods based on these above factors.
• Smoking is not allowed in our vehicles. We are sorry, but our vehicles are not pet friendly and not equipped for passengers with disability or wheelchairs. Thank you for understanding.
• Our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher. Some foreign languages are subject to additional fees to cover the required extra wages of this freelancer or bilingual tour guide’s additional fees (who we may hire to carry out your guided tour, and in your own language).
• Wheelchair and handicap accessibility issues: We apologize but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is no room for a wheelchair in our vehicles unless it’s a very small and foldable wheelchair. However, the main concern is the customers’ ability to get it in and out of the vehicles for liability reasons. If you have mobility issues, please consider booking one of our other redwood tours that takes you through a redwood forest without even stepping out of the vehicle (like Armstrong Redwoods or Point Reyes combined with Samuel Taylor Redwoods).
• Clothing: Please be prepared for cold and warm weather in the same day, fog and breeze, slippery roads and hiking trails, so please have comfortable hiking shoes.
• Muir Woods became almost inaccessible and it’s extremely hard to deal the new third-party company who manages Muir Woods new online reservation system and controls the access to Muir Woods. We will either take you to Muir Woods or to a similar park of redwoods in Marin County based on ticket ad permits availably as this is out of our hands. We can’t guarantee access to Muir Woods even when transactions are approved on our website as we still have to go through this hectic booking process on Muir Woods website.
• There are far better parks of redwoods in the Bay Area and less crowded where trees are even older and taller than those in Muir Woods. In addition, this saves you the entrance tickets fees ($15 per person which may go up again).

Regarding Muir Woods National Monument and entrance tickets, once in Muir Woods, your tour guide will park in a designated place we have booked and paid for in advance as required by the national park service. Please don't book your Muir Woods tickets online, they are available and can be purchased on site the same day, It;s much easier and simpler this way. Again, please don't worry at all about Muir Woods tickets , your personal tour guide will walk with you to the park main entrance to help you to purchase your own Muir Woods entrance tickets.

The National Pak service charges $15 per person (16 years of age and older) and it's free for children of  15 years og age and under. They accep  payment by cash and credit cards. It's also free for the National Park Pass Holders and there are discounts available onsite that are not available online based on many factors like age, and it can also be free of charge for certain days of the year including Martin Luther King, Jr.Day and Veterans Day, April 16:First day of National Park Week, August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, September 24: National Public Lands Day, November 11: Veterans Day and it is free for the Fourth Graders and Veterans and Gold Star Families.

• Don’t waste your time shopping around. We have more options, top-rated custom tours and exclusive outdoor adventures, than any other tour company in the Bay Area and Northern California. Our solid reputation of 20 years in business with 100% satisfaction speaks for itself. Book more tours and save Big! At Golden Horizon Travel we aim to exceed your expectations with every tour, and with our discounts we'll save you money, too! Book 4 or 5 full-day tours and save up to 10 % off.
• The misconception about private tours: There is a general misconception about private tours. Yes, public large bus group tours are more cost-effective for the operator, than private tours. In essence, the input cost of private tours and public tours are roughly the same - both provide one driver or a tour guide, one vehicle, same trip length whilst both companies assume the same business expenses and commercial insurance liability. However, private tour operators (like ours) make 90% less profit than public group tours, because all our resources are dedicated to a small group (couples or families), whilst the pubic tour operators make 10 times more profits thanks to the volume(quantity)! We, on the other hand, focus on quality as we never share our private tours with other customers. Yet, although we provide a higher quality tour service, and incur even greater expenses in many cases, the profit margins are limited. This makes some of our private tours barely profitable due to the increasing cost and liability of conducting business in California.
• This detailed trip itinerary covers sights and attractions that require more than one day to see and explore, our goal is to select the top sights based on factors like your preference, road and sites road closures which happens quite often, for that, we do not guarantee access to any place closed to vehicles and to the public. We offer a full-day private 8-hour custom tour, and you can enjoy it your way and at your pace, some clients don’t even see 50% of these sights as they prefer spending more time in few places than running all day to cover as many places as possible. Also, we do skip all places and sites that are subject to bad weather conditions, fog and wind.
• Feel free to read more about our complete terms, cancellation and refund policies by clicking here

Term & Refund Policy

General terms, declined transactions, other terms and information, additional terms & tips for visitors and hikers.

More Terms and Miscellaneous

Our Terms, Refund and Cancellation Policy are as follows:

-91% of the total amount will be refunded to your credit card if you cancel your trip at least 15 business days prior to the scheduled tour (or the date of the tour or service). The remaining 9% covers the required transaction fees; that’s 4.5 % per each transaction (booking is one transaction and refunding is a second transaction for which we get charged as well). (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-50% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 7 business days prior to the scheduled tour date or service. (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-15% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled date of the tour (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-0% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled 4 business days, or less, prior to the day of the scheduled tour or service. This includes no-shows. (weekends and holidays don’t count)

Please note that all refunds are subject to credit card and merchant’s fees imposed on us by credit cards companies and merchant banks or providers. The average amount of credit cards and merchant’s transactions fees may range between 3.9 % to 9.8% of the total amount of your purchase (transaction) based on the type of credit card you use when booking this tour, the credit card issuer, country and conversion fees we are subject per transaction. Many foreign countries apply additional origination and conversions fees.

Important: Please note that we reserve the date(s) you requested and booked on our website for you and we decline taking other tours for these date(s) to honor yours. We keep a tour guide and a luxury vehicle on hold and make all required reservations and arrangements for you and your party, so please don’t change the date or cancel at the last minute as we have other customers and tours to honor.

– Reservation and Confirmation: As soon as you book online, a merchant receipt is generated automatically and sent to you via email. We will also confirm your reservation by email and send you a tour voucher or email confirming your booking date, tour and pick-up time. This tour confirmation or voucher is only valid for the specific date(s) you reserved on our website, and only valid for the names listed on the booking. You can’t transfer the names or ask for a different date(s), as we have other tours to honor. You may not change the tour date within 15 days from the date of the scheduled tour you booked, and there will be no alternative days offered.

In an effort to honor all tours, we reserve the right to partner with other tour operators, freelancers, and/or our sister companies. The exact name and contact information of your tour operator will be stated on your tour voucher and the trip confirmation will be issued especially for you after we received your approved transaction.

-All tours are subject to availability as we may get several tour requests at the same time. Approved payment transactions do not guarantee your tour unless it has been confirmed via email.

Please note that when transactions are declined, we do not receive any information in this regard, so  do not expect your reservation to be in place unless you received written confirmation.  Please contact us asap, but do not expect us to honor your tour without an email confirmation and tour voucher from us.

If your booking was declined by your own bank, this is often due to a mismatch between your bank information (such as the names on the credit card, zip/postal code or billing address) compared to the bank information you provided on our website when placed your order. Sometimes, transactions are declined due to insufficient funds as well. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until your new transaction is approved by your own bank. We apologize for the inconvenience, but your own bank did so to prevent fraud and protect your credit card information or due one of the above factors.

All our tours are subject to availability even when the transactions are approved. We will get back to you as soon as possible and let you know if the required tour(s) and date(s) still available. Also, all our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated in the email or tour voucher confirmation we will send you soon, once your transaction is approved.

We reserve the right to offer you suitable substitutes or changes to your itinerary, tours or services due to special events, weather conditions, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, unpredictable circumstances, unavailability and/or due to last minute reservations. We assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdowns, unforeseen accidents or events, road, weather conditions and/or all other circumstances beyond our control. We do not guarantee to arrive to, or depart from, any point at a specific time for the same above considerations. However, we will do our very best to honor your tour itinerary and schedule accordingly.

Hot-Air Balloon Special Cancellation and Refund Policy: This is an 8-hour guided tour (door to door when leaving from San Francisco or 6 hours when leaving from Napa or Sonoma Valley).

Your balloon ride will be scheduled before sunrise depending on weather conditions. Your safety is our #1 priority. Some rides may launch from other sites like Yolo County or Pope Valley when Napa weather conditions don’t allow us to fly the balloon. Balloons will never fly when it rains or in winds higher than 12 mph.

Heads-up: The hot-air balloon pilots offer alternative launching sites when Napa Valley weather conditions don’t permit them to take off from the valley. This maximizes your chances to fly from other sites even when weather conditions are not ideal in Napa.

Non-refundable for No-Show or last-minute changes: Our office staff will notify you by 5 pm the day prior to your hot-air balloon tour (generally, we pick our customers between 4 and 5 am at your hotel in San Francisco or Napa). If we are unable to reach you before 5 pm the day prior to your balloon tour because you don’t respond to your email or cellphone, or because you decided not to return our calls, your driver will still show up at 4 am as scheduled. However, if you don’t wake up , this will be a no-show and therefore, the entire cost will be non-refundable as per our refund terms and cancellation policy.

The Refundable Portion of the balloon ride: If you decide to cancel the balloon ride portion of the tour, you must do so at least 72 hours in advance. The hot-air balloon ride is only refundable when the pilot cancels it the same day due to bad weather or for any other considerations. If you cancel the balloon reservation is 72 hours in advance; the tour guide will pick you up at 9 am instead of 4 am and proceed with the wine tour as scheduled.

The wine tour itself is not refundable regardless of weather conditions. However, if you wish to proceed and take your chance, your tour guide will pick you up as scheduled at 4 am. Please keep in mind that we have reserved this day just for you and turned down other reservations to honor your tour, we still get charged and pay all wages and business expenses. For that, only the hot-air balloon ride portion of this package is refundable IF YOU CANCEL IT BEFORE 5 PM THE DATE PRIOR TO YOUR TOUR . If so, you will receive a $190 refund per person, which will be credited back to you within 7 business days. If you book directly with Viator, please review their own terms and policy .

Again, no changes or modifications are accepted within 72 hours prior to your trip. We close our office at 5 pm and your driver goes as early as 7 pm to be able to wake up at 2 am and come over to the office to pick up the required vehicle and meet you at 4 am at your hotel.

We are extremely transparent about these unforeseen weather conditions ,cancellation policy and terms. Please read these terms carefully so we avoid any misunderstanding or blame. Our drivers are humans and go to bed incredibly early to be able to show up at your hotel at 4 am. Please do not make any last-minute changes after 5 pm the day before your departure/tour. We will not even get your message until the next day!

Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility issues: We apologize but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is no room for a wheelchair in our vehicles unless it’s a very small and foldable wheelchair. However, the main concern is the customers’ ability to get it in and out of the vehicles for liability issues. When kids, seniors, and wheelchairs are part of the tour, this will slow down the trip, and requires overtime. $179 will be charged to your credit card for each additional hour added to the tour after 12 hours by van, and $129 per hour when touring by SUV.

Pets:  Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for those who have allergies to pets.

Smoking:  Our vehicles are also non-smoking.

Clothing:  Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads and hiking trails, so have comfortable waterproof hiking shoes to walk on the snow in winter and spring. This long day-tour is hard on kids and seniors, we therefore recommend the overnight tour package.

Parks, Attractions and Site’s Closures:  We are not responsible, nor liable, for road and weather conditions. State and national parks’ closure can happen at any time and without a prior notice, due to bad road and weather considerations. No refund will be issued, regardless the reasons for which the trip may not reach its destination. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, there will be no refund or change of tour or dates offered either.

Guided tours in foreign languages: All tours in foreign languages are subject to extra fees to cover tour guides or freelancers we may hire to honor your tour in the required language.

Travel Agents:  Travel agents are liable for 20% gratuity when their customer does not tip the driver or tour guides. We require customers’ full name and contact information from all travel agent or the tour will be cancelled. Travel agent are also liable for all overtime when their clients do not pay for, and a credit card will be needed on file. Due to high cost of conducting business in California, we barely cover our business expenses and wages, therefore, all our tours are non-commissionable rates.

Gratuity: 15 to 20% gratuity is required and customary in the USA. Generally, a tip may vary between 15% to 20% of the total purchase amount, or it can be a flat amount that is near the appropriate percent. It really depends upon the situation, and your generosity because without gratuity tour guides can’t thrive in this expensive state of California, and without tour guides, we can’t run this business. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.

Muir Woods National Monument new regulations: Once in Muir Woods National Monument, you’ll find out that it has become less crowded and even very peaceful because Muir Woods has become the first national park to require reservations in advance with special commercial and parking permits. This extra cost and in addition to the complicated reservations process turn off manty visors and tour companies from visiting Muir Woods. No one can visit or access Muir Woods anymore without prior reservations and permits. But don’t worry, thanks to our private tours and small group custom trips, we will take care of all the required arrangements and offer you a worry-free tour package, we do reserve and pay for your parking and Muir Woods permits, however, your Muir Woods tickets are not included in the tour price and will be at your charge ($10 per person, but may go up again).

Please note that tour guides are not allowed to conduct guided tours to Alcatraz or Muir Woods. Your Alcatraz and Muir Woods are self-guided tours as stated on our website (an audio self-guided tour on your own for Alcatraz prison). Also, in order to keep the cost down, we therefore do not include a drop-off at your hotel after you visit Alcatraz, so you don’t pay overtime or have a driver waiting for you while visiting Alcatraz Island. The Fisherman’s Wharf hotels are walking distance from Alcatraz landing. Public transportation is very affordable and available everywhere.

Alcatraz tours and tickets and the use of our online calendar: The only online calendar available on our website is extremely hard to manage and update on daily basis. This calendar governs all our tours and available in over 10 different languages which multiplies the number of tour options by 10! When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, we cannot simply block the calendar for these particular date(s) because this will prevent all other clients from booking any of our tours in 10 different languages, this would put us all out of business! Alcatraz represents only 1% of our tours and it’s extremely impossible to block the calendar each time Alcatraz is sold out. For that reason, we have amended these terms and conditions on our website stating clearly unequivocally the following terms regarding Alcatraz tour and tickets:

-All our tours including Alcatraz are subject to availability even if the transaction is approved. We do reserve the right to void or refund your transaction when Alcatraz tickets are sold out, this is totally out of our hands as the only provider of Alcatraz tickets and tours are governed by the U.S. National Park Service.

-We do require 8 business weeks in advance when booking our Alcatraz tour during the peaks season, holidays and week-ends. The peak season refers to the period of April to the end of October.

-We reserve the right to offer you alternative tours when Alcatraz is sold out, if you decline our offer, we simply and fully refund your transaction which takes about 10 business days before your funds are available to you as stated above under section “voided and refunded transactions” clause.

Common mistake some customers do: When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, customers rush desperately to book directly Alcatraz tour on our website without taking the time to review our terms and conditions in this regard, we are not to blame in this case as we made it extremely clear that we have no control over Alcatraz tickets when they are sold out, for that reason we do require at least 8 business weeks booking in advance!

The misconception about private tours: There a misconception about private tours. Yes, public large bus group tours are more cost-effective for the operator, than private tours. In essence, the input cost of private tours and public tours are roughly the same - both provide one driver or a tour guide, one vehicle, same trip length whilst both companies assume the same business expenses and commercial insurance liability. However, private tour operators (like ours) make 90% less profit than public group tours, because all our resources are dedicated to a small group (couples or families), whilst the pubic tour operators make 10 times more profits thanks to the volume(quantity)! We, on the other hand, focus on quality as we never share our private tours with other customers. Yet, although we provide a higher quality tour service, and incur even greater expenses in many cases, the profit margins are limited. This makes some of our private tours barely profitable due to the increasing cost and liability of conducting business in California.

– If you are subject to car or motion sickness, please consider asking your doctor for recommended medication. Some visitors underestimate this aspect and end up visiting only 50% of the tour as they suffer from this or altitude sickness and make an excessive number of stops along the way. Please consult your doctor and ensure you have the appropriate medication in advance.

– Consider leaving unnecessary luggage at your hotel and travel light so you have more room in the vehicle.

– Wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking and hiking (Snow shoes in winter are recommended, and a swimsuit to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub).

– Bring sunscreen, bug spray, extra memory cards, and batteries for your camera (if applicable).

– Warm layers for cooler weather and a raincoat for summer showers.

– Drink lots of water due to the high altitude and don’t hike alone, as we offer fully-guided tours.

– We are not responsible for injuries or accidents that may occur during this trip, in or out of Yosemite National Park. Please read our < href="/terms-conditions">terms and conditions for more information.

-Expect rugged terrain with narrow, steep, and very curvy hiking trails to the sequoias. Also, be prepared for a downhill hike and then back uphill to the parking lot. The trail is very steep right at the beginning on the way back up but mellows out as you get closer to the parking lot. It depends on the grove your driver will choose for you, but they all require hiking. The elevation at the trail head of both top groves is about 6,200 feet (1,860 meters). The most popular is the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the distance is about 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip and takes about 1.5 – 2 hours of hiking, and recommended for everybody who can hike including kids.

-California Gold Country: When Tioga Pass road (located between Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra where a major highway leads to Tahoe) is closed due to heavy snow that may start as early as October until about June or July, we will drive through the infamous, yet legendary, California Gold Country on day 2 and day 3 of your adventure.

-Please note that we may start in Lake Tahoe first, and then head to Yosemite National Park or vice versa. This will depend on the hotels’ availability, the season, the weather and road conditions. We do not work on commission, so you are welcome to book your own hotel, but if you don’t want to deal with these details, we can take care of that on your behalf when you choose the option ‘hotel included’ from our shopping cart.

Hotel Reservation: To keep costs down, we charge each guest only about $100 per night, for a three-star hotel in and around Yosemite Valley area, based on availability. However, if you have high expectations of the hotel accommodation, and wish to upgrade, we recommend that you choose your own hotel and book it directly with the required resort or hotel. The Majestic hotel (the former Awhanhee) is the only 4-star hotel in the Yosemite Valley where a suite may go from $600 to $1200 per night based on availability and the season. Please note that there are a very limited number of hotels in Yosemite, and they are often sold out 6 to 12 months in advance, so the sooner you book the better. However, we often manage to get a hotel reservation nearby Yosemite Valley, in one of the small resort or motel style hotels in the area, for reservations closer to the tour date.

Foreign Languages: Our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher. Some foreign languages are subject to additional fees. For all foreign languages, you must book a Private Tour and not a semi-private tour to enjoy the tour in the required language (subject to availability). Additional fees may apply on any additional foreign languages. All semi-private tours are conducted in English and can be shared with other clients. Semi-private tours will no longer be available on our website. Please book your private tour asap as our tour bilingual tour guides are booked up months in advance.

Miscellaneous: Meals and tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour price unless indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

Tour prices do not include additional fees including wine tasting, accommodations, and entry fees to see attractions and sites, winery tours, unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

-All vehicles operated by Golden Horizon Travel Inc are non-smoking according to state and federal laws.

-Golden Horizon Travel Inc reserves the right to hire independent tour guide/drivers, subcontractors and/or contractors to facilitate our tours, shuttle services and travel packages.

-In the event that we are unable to facilitate your tour due to weather and/or road conditions, we will attempt to reach each location, site and destination using alternative routes, but we are not liable nor responsible for these unforeseen weather/traffic conditions. No refunds will be available.

-All photos or videos taken by our staff of our customers or passengers, during the capacity of the tour, trip or transfer, may be included on our website. Customers hereby agree to the use of these photos and videos and under no circumstances can customers dispute.

-No substitution or refunds for any unused part of the tour(s) will be issued. All sales are final.

-No refunds will be issued for a no-show or unused portion of the tour.

-All refund and/or voided transactions paid on our website by credit or debit cards or via PayPal may take up to 2 weeks before you receive the funds (refunds) back into your account.

Our hot-air balloon rides are no guaranteed to depart and arrive back in Napa Valley and subject to last-minute cancelation for weather considerations. Golden Horizon Travel inc reserves the right to fly anywhere within 80-mile radius of Napa Valley dependent on the weather conditions.

-We reserve the right to refuse service to any person or business who may refuse to comply with our safety instructions, our tour itinerary, or to anyone who may pose a threat to our customers and/or our tour guide-drivers. Screaming at or insulting tour guide-drivers or fellow passengers or third-party businesses and subcontractors is not acceptable under any circumstances and will terminate and cancel your tour without any refund. Discrimination against a customer or a tour guide–driver for any reason is not acceptable either under any circumstance.

Cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions: Weather/Unforeseen Circumstances like fires, landslide, road closure, vehicle breakdown, employees or driver’s medical emergency or due other weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances; we revere the right to offer you alternative tours, destinations for the same amount of time.

Very Important!  Before you book Alcatraz nigh tour:

  Alcatraz night tour requires 70 business days advance booking

2. This shopping cart calendar shows availability because it can't be blocked for only one product as it  governs over 200  products and tours on our website in 10 different languages!

3. All reservations are subject to availability even if your transaction is  approved. Your transaction will be voided if you book an Alcatraz night tour within 69  days.

4. Please reach out to us via our live chat before you book Alcatraz night tour due to the  extreme challenge with Alcatraz night tour tickets availability.  Alcatraz National Park Service only offers this tour from Tuesday through Saturday for only a few visitors(like a lottery) , and that’s only available in the summer!

5. Alcatraz is managed by the national park service; we have no control over their policy and tickets’ availability.

6. We are not blame if you ignore these terms and conditions when booking Alcatraz night tour online

Modifications of these terms and conditions: Golden Horizon Travel Inc and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to change any of these terms and conditions under which this website is offered. We reserve the right to change our web contents, update our terms and privacy policy anytime and at our discretion without a prior notice. Learn more about our privacy policy and complete terms and conditions   

Muir Woods and Redwoods Tour Reviews and Testimonials

Wonderful Muir Woods & Point Reyes Experience

We went on two Golden Horizon Tours during our week in San Francisco. The tours were definitely highlighting of our trip to San Francisco . We scheduled the Muir Woods/Point Reyes and also the Napa Valley tour. We were very fortunate to have Adam as our tour guide during both trips. He was an amazing tour guide and greatly exceeded our expectations ! We would highly recommend Golden Horizon Tours, and especially Adam, to anyone visiting the area.

Ashley Perk

Raleigh, North Carolina

Wonderful 2-day tour of Muir Woods, SF, Point Reyes and Alcatraz

Our tour guide Adam was awesome! So nice and very enthusiastic about all aspects of the tour--he really seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. We visited Muir Woods, which was awe inspiring, traveled on some very winding roads and saw panoramic views from high on the mountain. Lots of wildlife--elephant seals, harbor seals, elk, cows(!),Quite a full day and one of the best tours we have taken anywhere! Highly recommend Golden Horizon Tours and Adam as your guide!

Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

Alcatraz , Muir Woods and Sausalito Combo Tour

Muir Woods and Alcatraz now require advanced booking, which we didn’t know. I’m so glad we found this company, they accommodated our last-minute request, and provided us with tickets to muir woods and Alcatraz... Leo is an amazing tour guide.

Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizons

Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizons. .... we highly recommend this tour company, their tour guides are passionate, fun and very knowledgeable. San Francisco is amazing city and Muir Woods is so beautiful and enjoyable. Highly recommend.

Unforgettable & fun day outdoor adventure with Adam

Our girl tribe had such a good trip up the coast with Adam. He was always engaging and funny - and we spotted a lot of animals that we wouldn't have otherwise. In addition to a great early stroll through Muir Woods, we saw whales, a bobcat, a coyote and the elk herd. Adam dropped us off in Sausalito where we dined on Dungeness Crab before taking the ferry back to the city. Loved the trip and would do it again (with Adam)!

Excellent San Francisco , Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

My family had a great time on the tour and Mary was great. She was great with my four kids (ages 5, 7, 11, and 13) and kept the tour interesting for not only them but my wife, sister, and I as well. We would definitely recommend Golden Horizon Tours and Mary. Mary was absolutely wonderful. She was entertaining and full of so much knowledge of the area. We will definitely be a repeat customer our next trip to the Bay area and would like to go on many of the other tours that Golden Horizon Tours has to offer.

Outstanding Muir park & Point Reyes combo tour

My husband, daughters and my son , and I took a day tour of San Francisco, and second day adventure to Muir Woods/point Reyes and each with Adam to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach. Both trips exceed our expectations.

Amazing Day in Muir Woods & Pt Reyes!

Booking a private trip with Golden Horizon Tours was the best idea I have had in a long time!!! We have never done anything like this, and I was hopeful it would be incredible......it exceeded our expectations!!!!!

Toronto, Canada

Muir Woods escapade adventure

A Beautiful and quiet forest of redwoods and majestic county with awesome landscape and views. I highly recommend this Muir Woods and Marin County outdoor adventure with Golden Horizon Travel, even If you are in average physical shape. There are all kind of stops and easy hikes along offering 360 degrees breathtaking views.

Alcatraz Island Tickets "The Rock"!

We took a tour with Golden Horizon as we got cancelled at last-minute by another company due to the lack of Alcatraz tickets, which we prepaid thru the interne, but, when we arrived at Fisherman's Wharf to embark the ferry, they had no reservations for us! Watch out when you book online and trust Golden Horizon reviews – they saved the day. You’ll not be disappointed

San Francisco & Alcatraz - Great Experience

I have always wanted to go to Alcatraz Island with my wife, and we finally got to do it. I consulted the online reviews and decided to go with Golden Horizon Travel. We booked Yosemite 3-day tour , Silicon Valley and San Francisco tours through them; they exceed our expectations.

Alcatraz prison evening tour.

We booked the Napa Valley and Alcatraz combo tour thru Golden Horizon tour, almost 2 months in advance, and we are so glad we did. It was so hard to find availability for Alcatraz night tour. Napa Valley is beautiful, and the wines are outstanding, but Alcatraz was our favorite experience.

Must See attraction while visiting San Fran!

Alcatraz and San Francisco combo tour is highly recommended. It’s super fun, informative and saves time. Great ride across the san Francisco bay, the ferry was crowded but it was cool. The walking tour with headphones is awesome and informative.

Alcatraz at night tour is spooky but awesome

Unfortunately, we were not able to get same day tickets to Alcatraz Island, but our tour guide managed to get us night tickets to Alcatraz prison the next day. We were so lucky and grateful - we even booked 2 more tours with this company – they are the best! Alcatraz at night is a must-see attraction for all visitors. The rangers’ talk and the audio-walking guided tour complete each other.

Alcatraz at night is a must-see activity

Alcatraz at night is a must-see activity while visiting San Francisco Bay Area. The now- abandoned maximum-security prison can be visited at night, and it’s much better than the day tour. Golden Horizon and Adam deserve 10 stars!

Alcatraz day trip from San Francisco

We recommend the San Francisco and Alcatraz tour package. We got to see the best places in the city and enjoyed a free afternoon walking tour at Alcatraz Island. The views of the city and the golden gate bridge from Alcatraz are spectacular.

Our Bucket List Overflowed

Our Bucket List Overflowed, a wonderful day in an amazing park with the perfect tour guide!

Katheryn Kennedy - London, UK

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite Wonderland

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite wonderland , and a great private tour of San Francisco combined with Alcatraz. We found this company on Trip Advisor & we were not disappointed!

The Jamesons. Cydney, Australia

The best experience ever!

A wonderful tour package in Yosemite National Park and Alcatraz with Adam. This tour has totally exceeded expectations! The best experience ever!

Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Unforgettable & Fantastic!

Unforgettable & Fantastic! trust their reviews and believe what you read on Trip Advisor; they are consumed professionals.

Chris G., Dallas, Texas

Just Magnificent & Just Stunning!

5-stars to our tour guide Adam, he made this journey unforgettable. He is an expert photographer too!

M. Hachadourian. Greenwich Village, New York

Fun, informative & very professional

10 Stars! Fun, informative, flexible, indulgent, patient,& very professional guides in a warm & engaging manner.

Jarmila Sramkova. Prague, Czech Republic

Believe every good thing you read about this tour company

Believe every good thing you read about this tour company; you will not be disappointed!

Mike and Jane - Nashville

Treated like King & Queen!

Treated like King & Queen! OUTSTANDING and A MUST See!! Without any hesitation, 5 stars!

Loreena’s family Madrid, Spain

They are consummate professionals

They are consummate professionals who really care a lot for their customers' wellbeing and experience- a must do!

Rob & Marhta Baton Rouge

Unforgettable experience!

Impressive! Their Ability of organization, understanding , customizing , entertaining , educating - make them the best at what they do. What unforgettable experience with Buddy!

Natasha C Calgary, Canada

Outstanding bucket-list destinations!

Outstanding tour package to Yosemite ,Mammoth Lakes , Sequoia national park , Death Valley , San Francisco and Alcatraz with Adam and Jonathan . I've run out of superlatives to describe this unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience ...10 STARS + & Highly Recommended

Holly Millard- Holly Millard, IN

"Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizon!"

5-Star TripAdvisor Review

You won't be disappointed if you use Golden Horizon for all your tours! Top notch service!

Susan.S- McAllen, Texas

Top-Notch VIP Service!

A 6-star experience! Their tag line is to “exceed expectations” and they certainly delivered. From the moment of making a booking to the actual tours - Superb!

Superdin0-Singapore

We went on two Golden Horizon Tours during our week in San Francisco. The tours were definitely highlighting of our trip to San Francisco . We scheduled the Muir Woods/Point Reyes and also the Napa Valley tour. We were very fortunate to have Adam as our tour guide during both trips. He was an amazing tour guide and greatly exceeded our expectations for the tour. He always took his time with us and made every effort to show us unique qualities about the places we visited.

He was also extremely generous with his time and worked hours over the scheduled end time for the tour. Our two girls, ages five and six, also loved spending time with him. He made the tours, including the Napa Valley tour, fun for the girls. We would highly recommend Golden Horizon Tours, and especially Adam, to anyone visiting the area.

Our tour guide Adam was awesome! So nice and very enthusiastic about all aspects of the tour--he really seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. He kept us laughing as well while keeping us informed about each place we drove by . He and my husband enjoyed talking about and spotting different birds on the tour. We visited Muir Woods, which was awe inspiring, traveled on some very winding roads and saw panoramic views from high on the mountain. Lots of wildlife--elephant seals, harbor seals, elk, cows(!), horses and lots of birds. Took a very windy walk up to the lighthouse at Point Reyes but the road down was closed. Had a great lunch and checked out Stinson Beach too. Quite a full day and one of the best tours we have taken anywhere! Highly recommend Golden Horizon Tours and Adam as your guide!

Unforgettable & fun day in Muir Woods and Point Reyes

Dallas, Texas

My family had a great time on the tour and Mary was great. She was great with my four kids (ages 5, 7, 11, and 13) and kept the tour interesting for not only them but my wife, sister, and I as well. We would definitely recommend Golden Horizon Tours and Mary. Mary was absolutely wonderful. She was entertaining and full of so much knowledge of the area.

We will definitely be a repeat customer our next trip to the Bay area and would like to go on many of the other tours that Golden Horizon Tours has to offer.

Best Way to see San Francisco with limited time

I chose a private tour with Golden Horizon Tours for a trip to San Francisco in late September. This was our first trip and with limited time, we wanted to see all the "must see" and not have to stress about it.

Mary, our tour guide, took us on a full-day tour that covered everything we wanted to see - San Francisco, Sausalito, Muir Woods, etc. It was so nice to be able to get out of the car, take pictures and Mary was there waiting for us when we finished. Also, no worries about parking spots - since the vehicle we were traveling in was considered "commercial", we got spots up close.

I would highly recommend a tour with Golden Horizon - a nice, stress-free way to see everything in a short period of time.

Athens, Georgia.

San Francisco, Muir Wood & Sausalito Private SUV Tour

I selected Golden Horizons based on the positive reviews on Trip Advisor and can honestly say it was everything we believed it would be and more. From the booking process to our arrival back to the hotel, everything was first class.

Patricia was a true professional and at the same time a warm, genuine person. We felt very comfortable with her right from the start and enjoyed her company. We never felt rushed and she went out of her way to ensure we saw everything listed in the tour description and was also open to any special requests. Thanks for a memorable day!

Tampa, Florida

Best tour EVER

I would give Golden Horizon and our tour guide Leo, 10 stars if I could. Originally, I booked a Muir Woods tour for myself and two teenage nephews. We added on Point Reyes National Seashore and we all had the most amazing day! Leo was knowledgeable, funny and just great to be week. His attention to the details and the little things was above and beyond. The teenagers loved him. I have done many small/private tours and Golden Horizon and Leo are the best I have ever encountered. I booked this company based on internet reviews. If you are reading this, do not hesitate to book with them. You will not be disappointed...I’ll bet you will be beyond satisfied! Thank you, Leo! Thank you, Golden Horizon Travel.

Cheshire, Connecticut

Booking a private trip with Golden Horizon Tours was the best idea I have had in a long time!!! We have never done anything like this, and I was hopeful it would be incredible......it exceeded our expectations!!!!! Jon arrived early and was exactly where he said he be...he loaded us up and quickly got us out of the city. We instantly knew that the day was going to be special as Jon had so many different facts to share with us about the city and sites along the way. He was professional yet we both felt like we had known him for years. He knew all the perfect spots to stop along the way and seemed to anticipate every need before we did!!!! Thank you to Jon for making our day so special and memorable!!!!!!!!!! We would absolutely recommend!!!!!!

Thanksgiving Family Trip to Redwoods & Wine County

Review of: Best Alcatraz Prison Tickets & San Francisco Combo Tour

We used Golden Horizon Tours to book a day trip from San Francisco to Armstrong Redwood Forrest and the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County to visit some wineries.

Our guide for the day was Mary, she picked us up promptly at 8:00 at our hotel in a nice Ford Expedition XL. There was a total of 5 in our group, my wife, my son, daughter and her husband. We had plenty of room and some really nice conversations while we traveled. Mary grew up in the area and had lot of stories about visiting the Redwoods and Russian River Valley as a kid. Our first stop was Armstrong Redwood Forrest, which is about an hour away. This Forrest is a little further north than Muir Woods, but it is a lot less crowded, no parking or entry fees and is a little older Forrest with larger older trees than Muir Woods. We had a nice 2 hour walk in the woods, it was extremely beautiful and relaxing.

We then went to Korbel Winery for a nice lunch and a free tour of the winery and free tasting. The Winery is beautiful, built in the 1880s and the tour was very interesting. I am not really a Champagne fan, but I really enjoyed the three we sampled, they were all quite good.

We then visited two other wineries, Merry Edwards Winery, which included a free tasting of 5 of their wines (4 Pinot Noirs and one Sauvignon Blanc). All 5 were great, we found out that the Russian River Valley is one of the best places in the world to grow Pinot Noir grapes, which happens to be one of our favorite wine types.

We then had an extremely nice and intimate wine tasting at Dutton Estate Winery. We were only supposed to get 4 tastings, but we received at least 6. We all sat around a fireplace and the rep would bring in a bottle, discuss it and then we would taste. We had tons of questions and some awesome discussions.

Mary than took us back to the Hotel, we got back around 6:15. All in all it was a great fun day and one of the highlights of our trip.

I would highly recommend Mary and Golden Horizons if you are planning a trip to the Bay area.

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

San Francisco in a Day

Our family of four took the private SUV all day San Francisco/Muir Woods combination tour. There's no way we would have seen so much if we would have tried to see it on our own. Our guide, Buddy, was very knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs and interests. He allowed us to spend as much or as little time at each stop as we wanted. He also made some great recommendations along the way. We had lunch and free time in Sausalito which was a nice break during the day.

Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Incredible trip with Leo.

This tour is well planned, informative and fun. Leo picked us up at our hotel early enough to get to the woods before the crowds. We practically had Muir Woods to ourselves. Leo was very informative on the drive about the scenery, and just in general, he really knows the area. He’ll walk with you through the woods, too. The pace was laid back and we never felt hurried. Then on to wine country, stopping in Napa first, then Sonoma. We had one tasting in Napa and two in Sonoma. Leo knows the best wineries and don’t be afraid to tell him what you are looking for, he will take you there. Our tour went half an hour longer than planned bc we had so much fun in wine country. Didn’t bother Leo’s cheerful attitude one bit. And he will take pictures of your group if you ask. Overall, a great experience and wonderful way to spend a day.

Denver, Colorado

Private SUV tour of Muir Woods and Muir Beach

Our guide Mary was very knowledgeable and energetic. She was also very kind and patient with our two kids. I would recommend taking a guided tour so your whole family can enjoy the views.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Best Muir woods tour

Had a great afternoon touring Muir Woods with Leo. He is a very knowledgeable and passionate tour guide who taught some great stuff! Leo is also a phenomenal picture taker and knows all the great spots to stop for the family photo ops! Highly recommend!

San Francisco & Muir Woods Sightseeing

We spend a superb day together with Patricia from Golden Horizon Torus. Patricia made us feel, as if some relative would be taking us through SF and its surroundings. Everybody enjoyed Patricia’s broad knowledge on historical as well as socio-cultural backgrounds of the bay area. We highly appreciated Patricia’s sensitivity towards the interest point of our three teenagers. And finally, Patricia understood that touring SF and Muir Woods was for us as important as some chasing up of some old family roots in Ross, Marin County. Thus, thanks to Patricia’s personal effort, Golden Horizon Tour lived up to our expectations completely! Our rating is eventually "six stars" ;-)

Zurich, Switzerland

“Believe every good thing you read!”

My boyfriend and I signed up for a private tour on a Wine Country/Muir Woods tour. We were lucky enough to get Adam as our guide (again, believe every good thing you read about him!) who was not only on time in an immaculate SUV, but early! He took us to three wineries where everyone knew him, and we just had THE BEST experience. .... I hugged him goodbye because he felt like an old friend. My boyfriend and I agreed we would have paid $1,000 bucks EASY to go on another of his tours.

GREAT. GREAT. GREAT.

Senior Contributor

Muir Woods tour with Leo

Had the pleasure of being guided through the mystical, magical Muir Woods with the affable and kind Leo. He was knowledgeable, patient with energetic children (he wasn't fazed when one of the children threw up in his vehicle), and a lot of fun. On the ride home he sang songs of San Francisco to our delight. What a great day.

South Dennis, Massachusetts

¡Excelente tour de Muir Woods y Alcatraz todo en un dia!

Teníamos solo unos pocos días en San Francisco y escogimos este tour privado que combina las dos atracciones en el mismo dia, tuvimos suerte de que esta compañía tenia los tickets de Alcatraz. El mejor Guía de san francisco sin duda alguna fue Adam, nos llevó a recorrer el bosque de sequoias en un vehículo SUV de lujo muy recomendable el servicio, todo incluido, hasta nos dejaron en el terminal para tomar el ferry de Alcatraz

javiercJ7637QS

CUERNAVACA MORELOS

Muir Woods, Stinson Beach and Point Reyes Private Charter

Our team spent a fantastic day visiting Muir Woods, Point Reyes and surrounding areas. Jon, the tour guide was great. He had such a friendly demeanor and was happy to customize the experience where possible. The team had a great time. Overall, I think their pricing and the variety of tours they offer is really great. Highly recommend, and I will definitely use them for our next adventure.

Excellent muir woods tour!

We took a tour of Muir Woods and visited two wineries, as well as lunch in Sonoma, on September 20th. Our tour guide, Jon, was excellent. He arrived promptly to pick us up for our tour and was friendly and very informative. Our tour lasted just as long as promised and we saw such beautiful countryside on our drive. The stop at the Golden Gate Bridge at the end of the day was icing on the cake. We learned a lot about the areas we visited, as well as San Francisco in general. I would do a tour with Golden Horizon again in a heartbeat, especially with Jon. Thank you for being a part of a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful vacation!

Muir Woods Escapade Tour

Our large combined family of 13 enjoyed a fabulous day with Adam! He picked up 2 families at one hotel and the other family at their hotel which is very convenient. He was on time and super friendly, learning everyone's names and making us all feel welcome. Adam was very knowledgeable about each place we visited. He gave us in-depth information prior to our Muir Woods stops, did some impromptu easy rock climbing with our kids, made an effort to take lots of great pics of our family, assisted us in getting our big clan into a restaurant for lunch and more. We ended our day with an unexpected stop at the Golden Gate Bridge as it was the most visible it had been since we'd been in the city. Adam took us to a great look out point and our tour was extended an hour which we were very thankful for. We got some great pics with the bridge thanks to Adam! I would highly recommend this tour and thank you Adam for the fun-filled day!!

Day trip around San Francisco and Muir Woods!

Adam was WONDERFUL!! I can't say enough wonderful things about our day. I scheduled a private tour for my in-laws who only speak Spanish so they could understand what they were seeing. We were not disappointed! Adam, our tour guide, was THE BEST. He took us everywhere and was so gracious with his time. He also took beautiful pictures for us so we could focus on the sites. I think this tour is well worth the money and highly recommend this to anyone. The personal treatment made the extra $ well worth the expense.

Outstanding! Fantastic Time!

We took part in Golden Horizons' "Wine Country and Muir Woods Combo Tour" this past week. Peter, our personal tour guide, completely exceeded our expectations. Everything was great, from the very beginning meeting us at our hotel, to the end as we made our way back into the city. While we initially thought the price was a bit high, the outcome made it completely worthwhile. The SUV was comfortable and very clean. Peter did a great job pointing out different things along the way. He did a great job informing us about the Muir Woods and varies wineries that we visited. Peter went out of his way to take a ton of pictures for us and even emailed a number of great shots that he took with his own camera.

I would highly recommend Golden Horizons to anyone considering a tour.

Thank you to Peter and Golden Horizon for a fantastic time!

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Perfect tour

Mary did an incredible job giving our family a private tour of the city and Muir Woods. She is patient, kind and very knowledgeable. What a treat to meet someone who is from the city. We definitely would not have been able to see all the sights and places on our own. Golden Horizon Tours is the only way to go!

Muir Woods with Mary

Spent a beautiful afternoon visiting Muir Woods and Sausalito with Mary as our tour guide. Since much of the time gets used up walking through the redwoods, we didn't ask for much personalization. Mary accommodated our request to stop at the GG bridge overlook for pictures, and we stopped for milkshakes in Sausalito. We also visited the Muir overlook to the ocean and saw a few whale spouts down below. She drove us by the mansions in Pacific Heights on the way back to our hotel. We liked the private vehicle for our more sensitive travelers who don't like windy roads, and not having to rush back to a pickup point due to a bus deadline.

Wonderful tour!!!

I took this tour with my granddaughter this past week, and we were not disappointed. We went to Point Reyes and then returned by way of Muir Woods. Our tour guide was the delightful Mary!! She gave us so much information regarding the history, geographical facts and anecdotes of the areas we saw. She was accommodating when we needed or wanted to stop along the way. It was also very easy to set up this private tour, and dealing with Nelly was a pleasure, too. I cannot recommend this company more highly and will look forward to taking a different journey with them the next time I am in San Francisco!!

San Antonio , Texas

A great tour company

We were in SF for two weeks and took two tours while we were there. i. Half day morning SF city tour and ii. Muir Woods and Sausalito tour . Our guide for both private tour, Jonathan was a superb guide. Knowledgeable, funny and a great driver. Private tour was really exclusive where pick up and drop off option at your choice, comfortable and clean SUV that was comfortable for us ( 5 adults and 1 toddler) flexible itinerary on the sights to see, guide was gracious enough to do repeat rounds to ensure we got a great picture of the sights we were seeing. Highly recommended!

Kuala Lumpur

Best tour experience with Adam !!

We spent the day touring Muir Woods, Napa and Sonoma with Adam. He was so fun, energetic and well knowledgable. This was definitely the highlight of our trip !!!

Half-day tour to Muir Woods forest from San Francisco

Four of us took the Muir Woods tour with Mary. She was a wonderful tour guide. Not only did she give us a history lesson and lots of anecdotes on the way to Muir Woods she also took a scenic route through San Francisco and Sausalito. We saw and learned more in half a day than many tour groups do on a full day tour. Excellent tour!

“Excellent wine country tour”

Had an amazing day with Golden horizon. Thank you so much. glad we booked following excellent comments on trip advisor. We booked a day tour which encompassed Muir woods and wine tasting in Sonoma. Our tour guide, john, was fantastic. He was so knowledgeable and went out of his way to talk to us, answer questions, take us off route to other places. He knew so much about the tour, The redwood trees, san Francisco. The day was superb and well worth the price of the semi-private tour. We saw other parts of San Francisco like pacific heights, the presidio and Lucas film studios and we had great photo opportunities of the golden gate bridge. All parts of San Francisco we would've have come across. This Was on top of Muir woods and then brilliant wine tasting. Lunch in Sonoma was also excellent, and John had local knowledge about the best places to eat. All in all a lovely relaxing day and would highly recommend it to all.

AndreaCortez10

Lake Tahoe and PA

Great Tour.

We toured the city of San Francisco in the morning and Muir Woods in the afternoon. Jon was a great tour guide providing a historical and informative context to each location. Highly recommend using this tour company. They provided myself and my family a fantastic experience!

All Round Awesomeness!!!

We booked two tours with Golden Horizon Tours and could not have had a better experience all round. We booked a full day tour of San Fran, Sausalito and Muir Woods, and also did a two-day tour of Yosemite. Golden Horizon Tours were great communicators and were always available to answer my questions prior to and after booking. They were very professional and helpful at all times. We had Leo as our guide for our Yosemite tour and Buddy as our guide for our San Fran, Sausalito and Muir Woods tour. They were both absolutely fantastic!!! We couldn't have asked for two more thoughtful, friendly, good humored and helpful guys. They were super knowledgeable and full of invaluable information that totally enhanced our experience. It was a pleasure to be in their company. Both of them went out of their way to customize the tour to our interests. They have provided us with a lifetime of happy memories that we'll always treasure. Exploring Yosemite and San Fran on our own would have been a totally inferior experience. Thanks Leo and Buddy! You guys rock!

silverthornefam

Sydney Australia

“San Francisco wine country tour”

Muir Woods Tour wine country tour review with a side trip to Monterey and Carmel: My mother recently had her 80th birthday. Having lost her husband, my father, 6 months ago, my sister Andrea C. and I decided to take my mother on a trip to California to refresh her mind and body. She is recovering from a stroke. She had never seen California before. We live on the East Coast. We wanted to see the redwoods in Muir Woods National Park , the pacific ocean , the wine country to visit some wineries in Napa , the golden gate bridge, the city of San Francisco and all the wonders found in San Francisco Bay area. We only had 4 days to see all these sights in California ....what to do? How do we make sure my mother is safe, comfortable, relaxed and enjoying these sights? Luck led to meet Adam at Golden Horizon Travel and tours. I spoke with Adam by phone, he understood our travel needs, and we arranged a two-day private tour coming muir woods and the wine country, San Francisco, Carmel and Monterey. My family cannot say enough good things about Adam and Golden Horizon tours. He was extremely kind, protective, proactive, knowledgeable from history to agriculture, multi-lingual, musical, humorous, interesting, a safe driver, great company, polite, a great teacher.... and the list can continue until all superlatives in the English language are exhausted. My mother is still talking about the trip to San Francisco Bay Area and how perfect it was even with the recent fires during our trip. Adam knew how to outsmart the smoke and the traffic. We saw everything we hoped for, and more without the trip being hectic or exhausting. The pace was comfortable, and we learned and experienced with joy. The tour was customized by Golden Horizon Travel to us and our unique situation. Adam did everything to be at my mother's arm at every doorstep and incline. He even borrowed a golf cart from a golfer at Pebble Beach in order to give my mother a ride, sparing her a steep, outside staircase. We did not need to ask...he intuitively knew how to help and be "present" to our needs. If you are considering a tour with Adam and Golden Horizon Travel.com , I hope you will make a reservation. You will not be disappointed, and I will be happy to be a reference. Thank you, Golden Horizon and Adam. My mother is still boasting to all about you.

Happy Travels

Marisa de Paulis and Andrea -Hawn

“Outstanding Wine Tasting SUV Tour”

My friends and I did the Muir Woods and Wine Tasting Tour this past weekend with our amazing tour guide, John from New Zealand. He was very friendly and knowledgeable and made our transition from the mountains to the vineyards seamless. The SUV was clean, and John arrived/dropped off on time. We highly recommend this tour and this guide as you'll come out of it learning something and taking in some great outings that CA has to offer!

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

“Best idea ever!”

We booked two days with Golden Horizon tours and loved it. We wanted to do extensive wine tasting for 2 days without having to worry about the best places to go or how to get there. Jon was the perfect guide! The wide range of vineyards from small family owned to huge tasting rooms meant we were never bored. The second morning of our wine tasting adventure we stopped at Muir Woods for several hours. It a magical, lovely place. If you want first class, worry free vacation days, I highly recommend this company.

Senior Reviewer

San Francisco Muir Woods Park & Sausalito Private Combo Tour

The first thing I said to Patricia on finishing the tour was 'It was like a friend was showing us her own city'. I would recommend this tour for anyone who would like that little bit extra of San Francisco. We had been to San Francisco once before and had seen the main tourist attractions, but this tour shows you that little extra. We had done the private tour, so it seemed to go at our pace, which the kids enjoyed more. I give this tour and Patricia a definite 5 stars. Hang on to Patricia she is worth every cent to your company. An amazing lady.

Lovinglife068

Beerwah, Australia

“Best tour service in the Bay area!”

We purchased the private tour and were pleasantly surprised. Everything about the day was perfect. Adam was well versed on every detail of the wine making progress. He also knew all of the wine makers so in most instances, we received priority service. He was also happy to take our photographs and often directed our photos, so we got better shots. We opted to be dropped off in Sausalito and took the ferry back to San Francisco. Adam's suggestions for lunch in Sonoma and dinner in Sausalito were both fantastic. I have nothing but good things to say about the entire day.

Smileybolster

Muir Woods Escapade and Yosemite Falls 1-day Tour

We enjoyed having Jon as our tour guide for both private tours. Jon is very knowledgeable in a lot of things, especially facts about places we went to. He knows all the hot spots and very entertaining. Nelly was great to work with. She helped us booked both private tours. Both the suv and van were nice and clean. Thanks

“Great Tour and Great Tour Guide”

We recently completed a private SUV tour with Golden Horizon Travel to the Wine Country and Muir Woods national park redwoods. My family's and my expectations were exceeded in every way thanks to our tour guide, Buddy. The communications with Golden Horizon tour office were great all along the way, my questions were answered promptly, and everything went according to the description on the website without a single hitch. He even went beyond the call of duty by letting us get off at a destination in Sausalito on the way home, and then personally delivered our wine purchases to our hotel (so we didn't have to lug them around). We could not have been more satisfied with everything about our day and we completely recommend this Golden Horizon Travel Company and Buddy as a tour guide!

“Redwoods and wine country”

We had a private tour to Muir woods and wine country in June with Patricia. We really enjoyed our time and would highly recommend it to anyone. We highly recommend this company

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, United States

“Fabulous Wine Country Tour- Napa/Sonoma Valley with Adam”

We were truly spoiled with such a wonderful private SUV tour with Adam from Golden Horizon Tours our knowledgeable and fun-loving host! Adam's bright, warm, friendly, enthusiastic attitude made this small intimate tour for 6 ladies go well beyond our expectations. The vineyards chosen were all very special and unique with little things like the on-board bottled water, pictures sent to us afterwards, wine tasting DVD, and especially the music as we headed out from lunch just adding to our incredible day. A large bus tour would have missed out on these magical moments. Highly recommend a tour with Adam to any visitors who would be traveling to the San Francisco area. We just couldn't stop smiling!

Lynn-Canadian

Winnipeg, Canada

“Absolutely perfect thanks to Patricia!”

We booked a private tour for the Muir Woods and Wine Country , we were picked up on time by our wonderful guide Patricia. If you book this trip you should ask if you can request her. She was professional, genuine, knowledgeable and accommodating. We couldn't have asked for a better tour guide. She went out of her way to make us feel comfortable and that we got the most out of our tour. We never felt rushed and Patricia also showed us other parts of the city and made recommendations for things to see and do, you won't be disappointed. Muir woods was breathtaking. Just absolutely beautiful. It was even sprinkling but the weather didn't affect our trip one bit. After the woods, we headed to Sonoma where we visited 2 wineries (Jacuzzi and Larson) and had lunch at an Italian restaurant (Della Santinas)., which was very good. You get to choose where you want to eat, and Patricia described your options. On the way back she took us to an overlook where we had a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Perfect way to end the tour. I researched many other tours before deciding on Golden Horizon and I definitely made the right choice. Extremely happy, it was perfect! Not one complaint! We plan on returning for Yosemite and will book this company again! Thanks, so much Patricia!

Corpus Christi, Tx

Contributor

“Muir woods and wine country with Jon”

I chose to go with a private tour for two reasons. First, all the group tours met very early and we were coming off a cruise ship and worried about getting off late and missing the tour. The second reason was being on our own schedule and being able to customize our tour. Jon met us right outside the cruise terminal on time. We were able to plan our day and started out for Muir Woods. We got there before the bus loads and were leaving as the crowds arrived. Jon was very knowledgeable about the wine region and we valued his input on which wineries to visit. For anyone not wanting to deal with bus tour and wanting to have input on the itinerary I highly recommend this company.

cruizinnurse

“Muir Woods and Sonoma Wineries Tour-Outstanding”

We took the Muir Woods and Winery Tour on a Sunday from San Francisco. The online reservation process was seamless, and our guide promptly picked us up in a new comfortable SUV (with a bottle of water for each of us). We made our first stop at Muir Woods in the morning-we were never rushed and given ample time for walking, bathroom break and gift shop. From there we did one of two winery stops (excellent tastings, small growers-we loved it). We had a nice lunch break in between with good restaurant suggestions, one of which we took the bottle of cab we just bought at the winery. Our guide suggested dropping us off in Sausalito for dinner and taking the ferry back to San Francisco, which we did to take in the wonderful bay views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. Travel tip: the ferry is very affordable, and it takes 45 minutes to get to the city, I would book another tour with Golden Horizon without hesitation.

Top Contributor

“Excellent napa and muir woods tour”

my family and i had an excellent tour with Jon. It was absolutely top class, very kind and customer focused. Knows a lot about the places visited, he gave us enough time on our own so we wouldn’t feel any time pressure, he made sure we were relaxed and had as good a tour as possible.

Manila, Philippines

Great Private Tours in San Francisco and Muir Woods!!

We were a group of 7 that booked 2 separate days with Golden Horizon Tours. We were lucky enough to have Mary as a guide both days. Mary was struggling with a cold on day 1, but with only a half day with us, she was able to get some rest. Day 1 tour consisted of a trip to Muir Woods, Sausalito and drop off at Alcatraz pier. Mary picked us up in a luxury SUV and was a great guide and driver. She's a lifetime San Francisco resident and was a wealth of knowledge. She was very patient with our 3 daughters and also kind and courteous to the adults. After a short walk into Muir Woods, she left us to explore on our own for about an hour. After a quick stop in Sausalito for lunch, we were dropped at the Alcatraz pier with plenty of time. Golden Horizon had obtained these tickets for us. The next day Mary was back to pick us up at our hotel for a full day tour of San Francisco. We trekked all over the city. We saw many iconic sights stopped for many pictures and even did some souvenir shopping. Again Mary was patient with my kids! We would never have been able to see all of these sights on our own. We appreciate that Golden Horizon offered these tours for us to get the most of our time in San Francisco. I'll be honest that I was a little leery when the manager at our hotel had never heard of Golden Horizon Tours. Thankfully it worked out great! Our tour was set to end at 6pm. We didn't return to the hotel until closer to 6:30. Mary didn't rush us or comment on the extra time of our tour. We never felt rushed and didn't fell like we missed out on anything. Mary even spent some time talking to my father (who isn't very talkative) about his time in the army and his time in the San Francisco/Oakland area). Mary was very personable and made sure we got the most of our tour. If you are looking for a personal tour of San Francisco, choose Golden Horizon Tours! You won't regret it.

Little Falls, Minnesota

Customized tours to Muir Woods and Yosemite

Both our tours to Muir Woods and Yosemite NP were flawless and unforgettable, also thanks to Jon, the best tour guide ever! We asked for customized private tours and everything went smoothly from the beginning. The tour company also booked for us a horse riding tour in Point Reyes, right after our visit to Sausalito and Muir Woods National Monument, where we could walk among beautiful redwoods trees. Jon is attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, a true expert of the area, and I suspect of all western national parks. He knew exactly were to stop so we could take the perfect pictures, and during our first day inside Yosemite we even spotted a young black bear and a few deers in the wild. He suggested the right trails for us, according to the age of my son and our interests. We were interested in seeing the giant sequoias and he knew exactly were to go even if the main grove is currently closed for a restoration project. We felt perfectly safe and comfortable at all times. I will definitely book another tour with this company during my next visit to California, and hopefully Jon will be our tour guide again!

Milan, Italy

Exceptional Tours!

There are not enough superlatives to adequately describe this tour company. I have booked private tours in numerous countries around the world, and Golden Horizon ranks with the best. I booked a half day Muir Woods tour and a full day San Francisco Ultimate city tour. Our group was blessed with two informed and personable guides – Tom and Mary! Both of our guides had extensive knowledge and were genuinely interested in us and our interests. You can tell if someone is genuinely enjoying their job or simply putting their hours on a time clock. I used this company because of its reputation and its ability to accommodate our needs. One of our party had recently had surgery and was somewhat limited in the amount of walking able to be done. I had questioned how this might impact our tours through their online chat and received accurate information on the amount walking that might be required. I consulted the online chat twice and was impressed with the representative’s knowledge and familiarity with the tours and what I had booked. It was simply EXCELLENT customer service! Any communication was promptly responded to within a very reasonable amount of time (minutes). Both SUVs were clean, well maintained and roomy for our party of 5. If you are considering a private tour, I highly recommend this company. Thanks Tom and Mary!

St. Petersburg, Florida

HIGHEST RATING EARNED AND CONFIRMED

Our experience was completely satisfactory. For a decent and fair price, you get real customer service. Know what you want, ask for it, and you will get it from young, committed, hardworking travel agents. If you take the redwoods tour, be sure to take in the Loleta cheese...

Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour

Who said that we couldn’t do Muir Woods and Wine country? We did in one day with Golden Horizon Travel, our tour guide allowed us to spend an hour in Muir Woods National Park and looked at the coastal Redwoods, he showed us the many loops to walk around and then our tour went to Sonoma Wine Country to tastes some of the most delicious wines of the Country, we liked the Zinfandel, the chardonnay, and also the dessert wines and we met a winemaker who kindly explained us the savor, aroma and legs of the wines. He was so educational, and the tasting wines were all free thank you Adam for the complementary wine tasting. Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour is a full day tour you can do both and have fun. We all thank for offering such small group and personalized tours.

PATRICIA DURAN

BARCELONA, SPAIN

After doing some major researching for a trip to SF I decided based on Trip Adviser reviews to book a tour with Golden Horizon Tours. At first their prices (which really aren't bad at all for what you get!) kind of made me gag- but trust me, paying these folks to take you around is worth every.single.penny... we just had THE BEST experience. We then went to Sonoma Square where again Adam knew everyone and told us exactly what we should/shouldn't do. After driving a little around Sonoma and seeing some beautiful houses, we headed to Muir Woods and then Muir Beach... AWESOME! 5 STARS!

Clemson22- Charleston

Muir Wood & Sausalito morning tour

We enjoyed a great morning tour with Mary picking us up at the new cruise pier while our ship was in port. Mary was very friendly and knowledgeable, also a careful driver on the windy roads leading to Muir Wood. She was very accommodating with dropping us off in Sausalito to meet up with friends, while continuing of with our traveling companions back to San Francisco and on to the ship pier. The four of us had a most enjoyable tour.

Destin, Florida

Guía Excepcional Para Un Tour Fantastico Y Muir Woods

Hicimos City Tour completo por San Francisco y del parque de Muir Woods con guía en nuestro idioma, llamado Buddy. Éramos 6 adultos y 1 niño. Debo destacar y resaltar la profesionalidad y maravillosa capacidad de Buddy para enseñarnos una ciudad fantástica con un conocimiento llamativo, gran carisma y un extraordinario respeto, sólo alcanzado por un profesional vocacional como sin duda lo es Buddy. ¡¡¡Sin miedo a equivocarme, en mi experiencia en turismo internacional NUNCA tuve otro Guía igual!!! Todo en un marco perfecto de corrección del vehículo proporcionado y puntualidad exacta. Muchas gracias y por demás recomiendo con creces este Tour y empresa. ¡¡Ojalá les toque Buddy!! ¡¡¡Si es así hagan llegarle SLDS de los uruguayos!!!

Outstanding Muir Woods and Napa Valley experience

Our tours of San Francisco, Muir Woods and the famous Wine Country were amazing. Adam, of Golden Horizon Travel, was the perfect host. He not only took us to all the important sites but also to lesser-known areas, so we could enjoy the local flavor. We loved every minute of our experience, which was truly enhanced by Adam's personal and friendly manner. Would we travel with Golden Horizons Travel again ! In a New York...I mean...In a San Francisco minute!

Cleveland, Ohio

Totally private and customized tour to the Redwood National Park just for us!

We hired this company to take us to the redwood national park, we loves hiking and we wanted to see the real big trees. The company offers package with accommodation included which is a very good option as you don’t know the area. The SUV was super clean and big for all our luggage. Fantastic 3 day tour, highly recommended

Giuli David

San Francisco, Muir Woods y Sausalito Combo Tour:

El tour estuvo muy bien, muy completo. Nos paseó por toda la ciudad sin escatimar en nada. Tanto el tour como el guía lo puntuó con un 5 porque es la máxima puntuación que hay que si no sería superior. Es la segunda vez que visitamos San Francisco y la segunda vez que escogemos sus servicios y por casualidad Buddy también lo tuvimos la primera vez y tanto la primera como la segunda para mí y mi familia fue un acierto absoluto que recomiendo a todos mis conocidos.

¡Felicidades por su trabajo!

Frankxyn Yomaz

Recomendado si quieres conocer San francisco y Muir Woods todo en un dia.

Exente experiencia desde la contratación, Nelly me soluciono a miles de Kilómetros las reservas, Luís el guía ,un argentino cordobés de sepa Guia excelente ,Educado servicial con experiencia , recomiendo 100% experiencias únicas ya que son tours privados onerosos comparativamente , pero conoces todo y con posibilidad de interactuar con los guias permanentemente y modificar los itinerarios de acuerdo a tus necesidades

Bahia Blanca, Argentina

Day tour of San Fran

I would book with Golden again for sure. Mr. Tom was wonderful, patient, and so informative! We had an amazing day seeing the city, Muir Woods, and Sausalito. I asked lots of questions that Mr. Tom would answer with complete respect. Thank you for a memorable day!!!

Great day out

We took the Muir woods Sonoma combo tour. Driver Jon was great - very relaxed pace and customized to our preferences. Vehicle was clean and comfy. Winery choices in Sonoma were great as well as the lunch recommendations. Muir Woods is a nice place to spend a few hours in the morning.

Thanks, Patricia! We NEVER Get Tired of Visiting "Muir Woods!"

We'd been to San Francisco twice before, so had pretty much seen all of the touristy stuff. However, there was one place we'd been to that I needed to visit again. And that place was Muir Woods!

I searched on TA and came upon "Golden Horizon Tours," which especially interested us, because they offered Private Van Tours of various locations in San Fran.

When I called, I spoke with a very knowledgeable and patient gentleman who answered all of my questions. Immediately after I booked our tour with him I received my email confirmation and Tour Voucher exactly as promised.

When our Cruise Ship arrived in San Fran we were scheduled to disembark at Pier 34; but, were taken, instead, to a brand new Cruise Terminal at Pier 27. We were its first passengers!! We didn't know that our Pier location had changed and neither did Patricia, our Tour Guide. Despite this, she was only a few minutes late getting to us, and we were then on our way.

She was a wonderful Tour Guide!!! Not only was she patient, polite and knew her city extremely well, but she was able to pull from us the things we'd hoped to see, tailoring our tour to exactly meet our needs!! We especially enjoyed her "take" on Muir Woods. She shared with us her attitude of respect, awe, wonder and appreciation. In fact, it was almost a kind of reverence; and, we felt it as well.

We'd planned to fit Sausalito in after Muir Woods (we'd been there before), but we were enjoying the information Patricia was sharing about the neighbourhoods so much, that we decided not to go to Sausalito! Our fave was a Boathouse Community that invited people to stop and wander around! She also provided us with fantastic, factual information, but in a way that was very interesting! By the time our tour was over, we had learned SO many things about San Fran that were new for us, despite our two previous visits.

Patricia was great, in that she was knowledgeable enough to tailor our tour to what we wanted to see. She was also an extremely careful and safe driver, and at no time did we feel unsafe, or as if she was not focusing on the task at hand. She was more than capable of doing both at the same time AND doing them extremely well!!

We highly recommend "Golden Horizon," and more specifically, Patricia, as your choice for a driving tour of San Francisco. We really enjoyed our time with her and never felt rushed. We returned to our cruise ship in plenty of time, filled with LOTS of new info about one of our favourite cities! Thanks, Patricia. You made our third visit to San Fran even more memorable!

TerrierWhoTravels

Ontario, Canada

Muir Woods/SF Alcatraz

The wife and I took two private tours the first was San Francisco/Alcatraz and the second was Muir Woods/Sausalito. Our tour guide Jon had a wealth of knowledge of the history of San Francisco as well as Muir Woods and Alcatraz. Our whole experience was awesome! we were aloud to make the changes we wanted to which was great it gave us more time in Muir Woods as well as the other places that we wanted to see. It was a wonderful surprise when Jon took us to a couple of places that were not on the itinerary. I would highly recommend any of the tours we took as well as any others Golden Horizon has to offer as I'm sure they are just as wonderful. I know that if we are ever back in the area we will certainty use this service again. Thank you for the great experience.

Evans, Colorado

top-notch !

A 6-star experience ! Their tag line is to exceed expectations and they certainly delivered. From the moment of making a booking (a shout-out to Nelly at the office - most helpful !) to the actual tours - superb ! Our guide John took us on two tours : a day tour to Muir Woods / Sausalito / SF city tour, and a day tour to Yosemite. He was very knowledgeable, accommodating and friendly. John knows the best routes and the best spots

Singapore, Singapore

Muir Woods tour

Our Golden Horizon experience was 5 stars.

The tour that was described on the website is what was delivered - no bad surprises! Our guide Mary arrived promptly and was friendly and welcoming. The vehicle was comfortable and clean. Mary took us to many interesting and beautiful places around SF. She had lots of great stories to share and was very knowledgeable about the sights she showed us. Mary is articulate, bright, funny and clearly a people person. We thoroughly enjoyed our Golden Horizon tour and would not hesitate to recommend your company to others.

Patricia was fantastic and we loved our tour of Muir Woods! She is very knowledgeable, extremely familiar with SF and the surrounding areas, obviously an experienced guide - and her Irish accent is just lovely! Our trip to Muir Woods was a highlight of our SF experience. We HIGHLY recommend.

Porland, ME

Muir Woods Mt. Tamalpais, Stinson Beach, Sausalito Escapade Adventure Tour by SUV

Oh, my goodness, what an incredible experience! From the time Leo picked the 6 of us up at our hotel, to the time he delivered us back there, was awesome! Leo was extremely knowledgeable, interesting, friendly, funny, courteous, and provided us with a day filled with magical experiences we'll never forget! I've been on many, many tours over the last 30 years, and nothing compares to our experience with Leo! Our only regret is we didn't book our other tour with Golden Horizon Tours and Leo! Next time!

A day trip to Armstrong redwoods and the Russian Valley

We booked the Russian Valley and Redwoods tour, this place is called Armstrong redwoods, located by Guernville, it's a unique and peaceful and a nice getaway from Muir Woods traffic and large crowds. There are easy trails and large redwoods in this park, fountains, benches and cozy gift shop. The wineires in this area are small and more laidback than the wineries of Napa Valley. i recommend this trip and redwood forest.

Marggie Gaillo

Seattle, Washington

Two unforgettable days in San Francisco and off the beaten path.

I searched trip advisor and found this tour company which was highly recommended so I got in touch with them and from the get go the whole trip became magical. Nelly was my point of contact and helped me reach the best options for what we wanted also thumbs up on her great Spanish. She set me up on two tours. Both with Spanish speaking guides.Buddy picked us up promptly at the scheduled time at our hotel lobby in a great SUV and showed us San Francisco detailing historical and architecture all facts of the city. He was kind and accommodating on taking pictures, so the memories were there and the stories in our hearts. Hard to think of someone who knows San Francisco as good as him. Also, extremely fluent in Spanish. Second day we got Adam, whose expertise in the "off the beaten path" was only exceeded by his passion for photography and nature. We visited Sausalito, Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods and Stinson beach where we stopped at the Parkside cafe where lunch was superb, and the staff could not have been more friendly. We climbed up the hill where Adam showed us the most spectacular views of San Francisco. He later dropped us off at the ferry while taking our things to the hotel. We definitely started with a tour guide and left with a friend. My wife and I will not consider visiting San Francisco again without touching base with Nelly. A final thanks goes to San Francisco for giving us two very beautiful days weather wise...leaving the fog out enough time to get spectacular photos.

Siguatepeque, Honduras

A friend and I had a private tour of the Red Wood Forests with Golden Horizon Tours.

Our tour was excellent, in great measure because of our tour guide, Adam. He did everything possible to make our tour safe, enjoyable, eventful, interesting and just an overall wonderful experience which fulfilled our long-time dreams. I have already recommended the tour and Adam to some friends who are interested in having the great experience we had. Thank you for such a talented and caring tour guide.

Hartsdale, New York

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Lake Tahoe & Yosemite tour experience

What an amazing trip around Lake Tahoe after a 3-day custom adventure of Yosemite national park sights and attractions - a wonderful destination.

Lake Tahoe is stunning & spectacular!!

Even if you’re not a fan of outdoors activities, Tahoe worth the long drive from San Francisco. This is a must-see destination with remarkable attractions.

Martha Frierrs, Alabama

Tahoe & Yosemite; must-see destinations in California

Tahoe is a must-see place & Yosemite is the crown jewel of California, they offer amazing outdoor activities for families with kids

Jimmy & family, Belize

A 5-star Yosemite & Tahoe experience

Our 3-day private tour package to Lake Tahoe wonders, Gold Country & Yosemite National Park top attractions was excellent, exciting & memorable!

Nicky & Bannysh. Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Tahoe is a bucket-list vacation destination

The Lake is pristine, wonderful, so clean, the air is so fresh & pure with magnificent surroundings, what an awesome paradise on earth?

Lucia & Rogelio Mérida, Mexico

Our Incredible experience in Lake Tahoe and Reno

Our adventure to Lake Tahoe and Reno from San Francisco was amazing and unforgettable thanks to Golden Horizon Travel attentive staff, and tour guide.

Gabriela & Oscar Reyes, Lima, Peru

Dream vacation to Tahoe, Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes

My wife and I want you to know how much we enjoyed our time in Tahoe & Yosemite, we loved travelling with your company

Bob and Faith, Australia

A memorable Tahoe -Yosemite combo tour experience

Trust their tour reviews on trip advisor 100%, they earned our satisfaction, they have a great customer service and amazing tour guides.

Naina Kwok- Jakarta, Indonesia

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•     Authentic Tour Experiences and Unique Destinations Unavailable Elsewhere
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Point Reyes

Wild is waiting.

Wildlife viewing and wildlife photography safaris in Point Reyes National Seashore

Join us on a custom wildlife safari to find, watch and photograph bobcats, coyotes, badgers, grey fox, river otters, tule elk, elephant seals, raptors, owls, shorebirds and whales as well as some of the most beautiful California coast the state has to offer.

Point Reyes National Seashore is also the #1 National Park for bird diversity with over 50% of North America's birds having been documented here.

Grab your binoculars or your camera and join us in one of the nation's best wildlife parks!

Read the reviews  HERE

Fodor's names Point Reyes Safaris in TOP 10 US SAFARIS

Point Reyes Safaris as featured in Lonely Planet

Testimonial from legendary photographer Art Wolfe

"I was impressed.  Daniel Dietrich is the real deal by nature photographer and guide standards - prepared, professional, informative, considerate, hard-working and good-natured.  I had the best time working with Daniel and couldn't imagine trying to locate the array of wildlife he was able to guide me to without devoting an immense amount of time there.  More importantly, Daniel cares deeply about the environment and wildlife and it shows in his work and how he works. Looking forward to our next shoot together!"  

- Art Wolfe

Artwork by Evelyn Dietrich

Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

Join our partners at Blue Waters Kayaking for the unique experience of paddling at night through bioluminescent waters on Tomales Bay. Watch microscopic plankton sparkle and glow as you move among them through the water and learn how these tiny organisms use chemical reactions to create this natural light show.

Participants must register and paddle in pairs.

All guided tours are in tandem closed deck sea kayaks. Our double kayaks track well, are difficult to capsize, and are easy to maneuver. All the necessary gear such as life jackets, paddles, and spray skirts is provided.

All sales are final 7 days before class.

-We will be meeting at the Miller Boat Launch

– Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in

– All sales are considered final seven days before class. No refunds will be given 7 days or fewer from the start of class. For COVID policy see below.

– Please follow the parking instructions for the facility used that day

– Please provide an email you check regularly for updates and reminders about your class

– Registration is required online prior to the event in order to maintain class sizes

– Sales end 48 hours before the start date.

– Waitlists are available when the class sells out

What to Bring:

$5.00 per car for Miller Boat Launch parking fee

Full water bottle (we recommend 32 oz/1 liter per person)

Snacks and/or beverages for after the tour. Nearby stores and restaurants close during the tour time, so having something in the car to replenish your energy post-tour is a good idea. A thermos of your favorite hot beverage is nice on colder nights, too.

Headlamp or flashlight to use at the end of tour for getting out of your kayak and returning to your vehicle

You may want to have dry socks & shoes and/or a change of clothes for after the tour. Most people do not get very wet on tour, but your footwear will definitely be wet, and some of your clothing with likely be at least a little damp.

What to Wear:

Wool or fleece hat/beanie (we recommend a hat for warmth at night year-round)

Quick-dry pants or shorts (pants that can be rolled up are a good option) or rain pants

Short- or long-sleeved quick dry shirt (tech tee/synthetic fabric or wool or silk)

Warmth layer suggestions: fleece pullover, jacket, or vest; synthetic puffy vest or jacket; wool sweater

Long Underwear (synthetic, wool, or silk) is recommended in colder months (usually late November – mid-April) and year round for people who are especially cold natured

Windbreaker/rain jacket (we also offer pull over style spray jackets on tours)

Shoes you don’t mind getting wet & a little muddy. Some suggestions: water sandals (e.g., Keens, Tevas, Chacos) with or without wool or neoprene socks, wetsuit booties, aqua socks, old sneakers/hiking boots with wool socks, rubber boots with wool/neoprene socks, etc. Avoid flip-flop type sandals that do not attach to your feet.

About the PRNSA Field Institute:

The PRNSA Field Institute offers hands-on environmental education classes throughout the year that foster enjoyment of Point Reyes National Seashore. Our classes are led by expert instructors, who take you out of your everyday life and into the natural world. We host a variety of classes about the arts and sciences and have something for everyone. You can reach the Field Institute at (415) 663-1200 x304 or by email at [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member of PRNSA? Click Here!

Interested in becoming a PRNSA Field Institute facilitator? Want to take classes for FREE while helping out a great cause? Give us a call!

Are you an outdoor educator or artist who would like to teach a PRNSA Field Institute class? Shoot us an Email!

For any questions, please email us at [email protected].

COVID-19 Field Institute Guidelines

Please respect the following COVID-19 procedures:

• Perform a health self-check before coming to class using the CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus as a guide

• Do not attend class if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, know that you have had a close exposure, or are suffering from any flu-like or respiratory illness

• Contact the Field Institute if you will not be able to attend due to COVID. You may be eligible to receive a full or partial refund

• Participants exhibiting signs of respiratory illness may be asked to leave class

• Masks are optional at your discretion

• Please bring your own food and water

All guidelines are subject to change pursuant to State or County Health order updates.

Thank you for your cooperation in following these guidelines to help keep everyone safe.

Privacy Overview

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Last updated: May 7, 2024

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Contact info, mailing address:.

1 Bear Valley Road Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

415-464-5100 This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (e.g., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; fire danger information; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc.), or speak with a ranger. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call.

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Point Reyes National Seashore Coast Trail — Views from all day walk!

W e all love to build memories and recall stories involving water bodies such as streams, lakes, rivers, oceans and so on. Most of accessible water bodies been privately owned and commercialized so much, it is hard to find areas to walk along for hours. Even harder is to find some kind of trail, walk way which goes for tens of miles along ocean! Upon closer look of protected lands around the area, found and hiked coastal trail which can be done in a day trip from San Francisco region.

Point Reyes National Seashore, located north of San Francisco, has Coast Trail which goes for more than 10 miles. It’s about 17 miles to complete coast trail with cumulative ups and downs of 2200 feet between two parking locations. Can be hiked in one full day by parking one car at both ends of coast trail (on south side: Palomarin Trail Head, Bolinas, CA and on north side: Coast Trail Trailhead, Coast Trail, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956).

Starting hike early in morning provided opportunity to see landscape in foggy conditions, after which views get amazing as morning fog burns throughout day and ocean views change into various forms of blue! While much of Point Reyes seem to have cliff edges, there are opportunities to go down and walk along ocean waves.

Lot of visitors seen in first two miles at either side of parking spots. In two-thirds of this coastal trail, crowds thin down and mobile signal fades away so much that one can have time away from usual stimulations one used to! Long Coast Trail provides enough time and opportunity to recollect old memories/stories and build long list of wish list for future!

San Francisco view from north side of Golden Gate Bridge.. on the way to trail head

Access towards trail after parking at Coast Trail Trailhead, Coast Trail, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Walked along ocean for few miles until could not continue/risk any more!

Flock of birds fly along ocean waves — not seen fish getting picked up by birds though!

Bunch of rugged areas/cliffs… easy to get excited to go down and worry about how to come back without pulling muscle!

As fog fully burned up by mid-day, views were amazing!

As high tides align with mid day, views so amazing: hard to continue walking!

Relative to driving, memories seem to stay longer after walking or biking along this type of route!

Time to look for real meal after all this hike!

Blessed to be living in California Bay Area where couple of hours of drive takes one to lovely places, where it feels like being in different country! Enjoy outdoors! Cheers!!

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Juneteenth national independence day.