2-Day Alcatraz Tour, Aquarium & Muir Woods Trip
Tour Alcatraz Island, visit the Aquarium, then explore Muir Woods and Sausalito over 2 days
Duration
3 hours
Includes
Alcatraz, Aquarium, Muir Woods
Highlights
Split your San Francisco sightseeing across two days with Alcatraz Island and Aquarium of the Bay on day one, then a half-day tour to Muir Woods and Sausalito on day two.
- Ride a ferry to Alcatraz Island for a 3-hour visit with audio tour
- Explore the prison and learn the history of "The Rock"
- Visit Aquarium of the Bay to see local marine life up close
- Tour Muir Woods and spend free time in Sausalito at your own pace
- Return across the Bay by ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf or the Ferry Building
Things to know
Ground transportation to Pier 33 is not included; you must get there on your own for the Alcatraz ferry. Sausalito return ferry times vary by season, and ferry tickets are paid on board by Clipper Card or credit card.
Cancellation Policy
Day tours are 100% refundable if cancelled 24 hours prior to departure; no refund if cancelled less than 24 hours prior. Alcatraz packages: all sales are final within 5 days of departure date with no refunds, credits or exchanges; the accompanying tour is refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
FAQs
Your Alcatraz tour departs from Pier 33. Ground transportation to Pier 33 is not included, so you must make your own way there to catch the ferry.
Pick up your Alcatraz tickets at the ticket booth 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Bring a photo ID and your confirmation email to pick up tickets.
Yes. Share where you are staying so your pickup time and location can be arranged. After pickup is set, arrive 15 minutes early for an on-time departure.
More about the Aquarium of the Bay
The Aquarium of the Bay sits right on the edge of Pier 39, where the salty breeze of San Francisco Bay rolls in and sea lions bark in the distance. As one of the highlights of this two-day Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and Aquarium of the Bay adventure, it offers a window into the underwater world that surrounds the city, home to more than 20,000 local marine animals from sharks and rays to octopuses and bay jellies. After exploring the haunting cellblocks of Alcatraz and wandering beneath the ancient redwoods of Muir Woods, stepping into the Aquarium of the Bay reveals yet another side of Northern California, the one hidden just beneath the waves.
Inside, glass tunnels carry you through immersive habitats where leopard sharks glide overhead and schools of silvery fish swirl around you. The Aquarium of the Bay focuses specifically on the species found in the waters of San Francisco Bay and the surrounding Pacific, so every exhibit feels grounded in place. You will see touch pools, learn about the delicate ecosystem connecting the bay to the open ocean, and gain a deeper appreciation for the marine life that thrives just steps from the Golden Gate. It is a calmer, more contemplative experience compared to the rugged ferry ride to Alcatraz Island or the towering hush of the Muir Woods groves, yet it ties the whole journey together beautifully.
This stop is ideal for families with curious kids, couples looking for a relaxed afternoon, and anyone fascinated by the natural world. Travelers who appreciate seeing a destination from multiple angles, its history, its forests, and its waters, will find the Aquarium of the Bay a rewarding complement to the rest of the itinerary. Whether you are pressing a hand against the glass as a bat ray drifts past or watching jellyfish pulse in soft blue light, the Aquarium of the Bay turns San Francisco's waterfront into something unforgettable.
