10. San Francisco: Muir Woods and Marin by Land, Air and Sea
Discover the scenery of Muir Woods, the Marin Headlands, and San Francisco Bay by land, air, and sea. Savor an included lunch with sparkling wine, then wander around Sausalito at your own pace before taking the ferry back to San Francisco.
After pickup at your hotel, drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to the nearby wilderness of Marin County. Arrive early at Muir Woods National Monument, before most visitors, to experience the serenity of the grove.
Spend at least an hour under the canopy of redwoods in Muir Woods, and marvel at trees over 250 feet (76 meters) tall and more than 1,000 years old. By going early, enjoy a better chance of seeing black-tailed deer, chipmunks, coyotes, or even wild turkeys.
Next, drive back out through the rolling green hills of the Tamalpais valley into the Marin Headlands, where roads cling to the cliffs and red-tailed hawks soar in the sky. Explore abandoned military bunkers with beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline in the background.
Then, head to the seaplane base in Sausalito for a 30-minute seaplane flight along the coast. Soar over the Golden Gate National Recreation, retracing your morning adventure over the Marin Headlands, then turn left over the legendary Golden Gate Bridge.
Continue on above Crissy Field, Downtown San Francisco, Oracle Park, and the infamous island prison of Alcatraz. Finally, end your flight passing by the historic Angel Island – the Immigrant Gateway to the West – before landing back in Sausalito’s Richardson Bay.
On your return to solid ground, pop the cork on a sparkling wine toast and enjoy a locally sourced, organic lunch in the Marin sunshine. After lunch, get dropped off in Sausalito to discover the village’s arty shops, funky houseboats, and charming cafes on your own before boarding a ferry back to San Francisco’s Pier 39.