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Day Trips from San Francisco

A passenger ferry crossing San Francisco Bay with the city skyline behind it
A ferry on the bay.

Day trips from San Francisco, for people visiting and people who live here. Each trip below says how you get there, what you have to book first and how long it takes, from the operator’s own page.

This section starts with the trips you can do without a car. Anything we have not checked is labelled.

Operator pages read 16 October 2026. Fares and reservation rules change, so confirm before you go.

$8.50Ferry to Sausalito, adult one way with Clipper or a contactless bank card
$15Muir Woods entrance, per adult 16 and older, plus a required parking or shuttle reservation
90 daysHow far ahead Alcatraz tickets are released
About 30 minFerry crossing to Sausalito

Car-Free Day Trips

SausalitoGolden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building. An easy half day with bay and bridge views. Nothing to book; pay with Clipper, a contactless bank card or a paper ticket.
Muir WoodsOld-growth redwoods. Reserve parking or a shuttle seat at GoMuirWoods.com before you leave, and pay the entrance fee.
Angel IslandGolden Gate Ferry, Angel Island service. A walking or cycling day on an island park. Check the ferry’s Angel Island page for ticketing.
AlcatrazFerry from Pier 33. The visit runs about two and a half to three hours plus the crossing. Tickets often sell out weeks early.
NapaBART to El Cerrito del Norte, then the Vine Route 29 bus. A long day, so plan your tastings around where the bus drops you.

Read the full car-free guide for fares, reservation rules and the sources behind each trip.

By Car and On Foot

Point ReyesFree to enter and open daily. Elephant seal season, getting to Chimney Rock by car and what to check first, from the National Park Service.Marin HeadlandsWalk the Golden Gate Bridge, hike the coast and see the old gun batteries and the Nike missile site. Bring food and water.Hiking Near San FranciscoLands End and the Marin Headlands trails, with distances, surfaces and dog rules from the Park Service.

If You Live Here

The pages we read list one set of fares and reservation rules and do not mention resident rates. Two habits save money and hassle:

  • Put Clipper on your phone, or tap a contactless bank card. The Sausalito ferry is $8.50 that way against $14 for a paper ticket.
  • Book Muir Woods and Alcatraz before you pick a day. Muir Woods needs a reservation, and Alcatraz often sells out weeks early.

For getting to the ferry or BART from your own neighborhood, see Muni vs BART vs Cable Car and the neighborhood pages.

What We Could Not Confirm

  • Resident discounts, annual passes and local-only fares for any of these trips. We have not checked them.
  • Trips by car to Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and Napa and Sonoma. They are not written yet, so this page does not cover them.
  • Angel Island ticketing details. The ferry operator points to its own page.

Plan Around the Trip

Three Days in San FranciscoWhere Alcatraz fits in a first-timer’s plan.Where to StayNeighborhoods compared, if you are staying over.Getting Around San FranciscoMuni, cable cars, BART, fares and passports.This Weekend in SFIf you would rather stay in town.

Questions People Ask

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.

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.

Sources

  1. Golden Gate Ferry, fares and payment: https://www.goldengate.org/ferry/ferry-fares-payment/ (read 16 October 2026)
  2. National Park Service, Muir Woods fees: https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/fees.htm (read 16 October 2026)
  3. Vine Transit, Route 29 Napa-BART Express: https://vinetransit.com/routes/route-29/ (read 16 October 2026)

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Cite this page: Project SF, “Day Trips from San Francisco”, projectsf.com/day-trips/ (updated ).

Printed from projectsf.com on . Hours, prices and dates can change, so check with the venue before you go.