You do not need a car for the best trips out of San Francisco, but two of them need booking before you go and one, Napa, needs a plan. Every fare, fee and rule below comes from the operator’s own page, read on 16 October 2026.
Which Day Trip Is Right for You?
| Trip | How you get there | What to book first | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sausalito | Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building | Nothing; pay with Clipper, a contactless bank card or a paper ticket | An easy half day with bay and bridge views |
| Muir Woods | Parking or shuttle from Marin | A parking or shuttle reservation, plus the entrance fee, at GoMuirWoods.com | Old-growth redwoods |
| Angel Island | Golden Gate Ferry (Angel Island service) | Check the Angel Island page for ticketing | A walking or cycling day on an island park |
| Alcatraz | Ferry from Pier 33 | Tickets, released about 90 days ahead and often sold out weeks early | The classic island prison tour |
| Napa | BART, then the Vine Route 29 bus | Winery tasting reservations, where a winery asks for them | Wine country, with a long day |
How Do You Do Sausalito by Ferry?
Golden Gate Ferry runs from the Ferry Building to Sausalito, about half an hour across the bay. One-way adult fares, from the ferry operator’s fare table, are below. Since 10 December 2025 the ferry also takes contactless bank cards, which are charged the Clipper fare. Children 4 and under ride free, two per full-fare adult.
| Rider | Sausalito | Larkspur | Tiburon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult, Clipper or contactless bank card | $8.50 | $9.50 | $8.50 |
| Adult, paper ticket (19 to 64) | $14.00 | $14.00 | $14.00 |
| Youth (5 to 18) | $7.00 | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $7.00 | $7.00 | $7.00 |
Setting up Clipper on your phone first saves the paper-ticket premium: see how to pay with your phone. Many visitors ride the ferry over and hire bikes, as described in our quick answers guide.
Golden Gate Ferry fares and payment
How Do You Visit Muir Woods Without Driving?
The National Park Service says all visitors 16 and older need an entrance pass, $15 per adult for the standard pass, and children under 16 do not. Parking and shuttle reservations are a separate fee and are required for every vehicle and every shuttle rider, so you cannot simply turn up. Reserve both at GoMuirWoods.com before you travel.
Muir Woods fees and passes (National Park Service)
What About Angel Island?
Golden Gate Ferry lists Angel Island service on its fare table at $10.00 with Clipper or a contactless bank card and $15.50 for a paper ticket, one way. The operator points to its Angel Island page for ticketing options, so check it before you go.
Golden Gate Ferry, including Angel Island
When Should You Book Alcatraz?
Tickets are released about ninety days ahead and routinely sell out weeks before the date, so book before you book anything else. Ferries leave from Pier 33, and the island visit itself runs about two and a half to three hours, plus the crossing. Our three-day first-timer plan shows where it fits.
Can You Do Napa Without a Car?
Yes, but it is a long day. The Vine’s Route 29, the Napa-BART Express, links El Cerrito del Norte BART station with the Redwood Park & Ride in Napa, so you take BART to El Cerrito del Norte and change to the bus. The Vine publishes its own timetable and notes that the Redwood Park & Ride is under construction work, so check the schedule the day before.
Wineries are spread across the valley, and the bus stops in Napa itself, so plan your tastings around where you are dropped off and book any tasting a winery asks you to reserve.
Vine Transit Route 29 Napa-BART Express
More Ways to Plan
For getting around inside the city first, read Muni vs BART vs Cable Car, and for where to sleep see Where to Stay in San Francisco.
Checked against the National Park Service Muir Woods fees page, the Golden Gate Ferry fare page and the Vine Transit Route 29 page on 16 October 2026. Fares and reservation rules change, so confirm on the operator’s page before you go.
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Read the guide →Questions People Ask About Day Trips from San Francisco Without a Car: Sausalito, Muir Woods, Napa
Is it worth taking the ferry to Sausalito?
Yes if you want an easy half day. The crossing takes about half an hour and an adult one-way fare is $8.50 with Clipper or a contactless bank card, $14 for a paper ticket.
Do I need a reservation for Muir Woods?
Yes. The National Park Service requires a parking or shuttle reservation for every vehicle and shuttle rider, plus a $15 entrance pass for each adult 16 and older. Children under 16 do not need a pass. Book at GoMuirWoods.com.
Can you get to Napa from San Francisco without a car?
Yes. Take BART to El Cerrito del Norte, then the Vine Route 29 Napa-BART Express bus to Napa. Check the Vine timetable before you travel.
How far ahead should I book Alcatraz?
About ninety days ahead. Tickets are released then and often sell out weeks before the visit date.
Can I use a contactless bank card on the Golden Gate Ferry?
Yes. Since 10 December 2025 the ferry accepts contactless bank cards, charged at the Clipper fare, as well as Clipper and paper tickets.
More to Explore
Happening Soon
- Treasures of the Pharaohs Sat, Aug 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · de Young Museum
- Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Sat, Sep 12 – Dec 31 · Ferry Building Plaza
- Heart of the City Farmers Market Sun, Sep 13 – Dec 31 · Fulton Plaza, Civic Center
- SF State Observatory Public Nights (Wed–Fri, through Dec 4) Thu, Oct 1 – Dec 4 · SF State Observatory, Thornton Hall
Places to Check Out
- Aquarium of the Bay Attractions
- Asian Art Museum Museums
- Balmy Alley Murals Attractions
- Berggruen Gallery Art Galleries
Cite this page: Project SF, “Day Trips from San Francisco Without a Car: Sausalito, Muir Woods, Napa”, projectsf.com/guides/day-trips-from-san-francisco/ (updated ).