Directions & Transportation

Directions & Transportation to Muir Woods

Muir Woods sits about 17 miles from downtown San Francisco, reached by a narrow, winding coastal canyon road. Parking reservations are required for every personal vehicle, and the drive itself asks for a little extra patience and attention.

Last verified: April 2026. Road conditions, shuttle schedule, and reservation windows change seasonally — always check gomuirwoods.com before you head out.
Parking reservations are required for all personal vehicles visiting Muir Woods National Monument. Book in advance at GoMuirWoods.com. Walk-up parking is not available.

From San Francisco

Muir Woods is roughly 30 to 45 minutes from downtown San Francisco, depending on traffic.

  1. Take Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge.
  2. Take the Mill Valley / Highway 1 / Stinson Beach exit.
  3. Follow the signs to Highway 1.
  4. Follow the signs to Muir Woods.

From the East Bay

  1. Take Highway 580 West across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
  2. Take Highway 101 South.
  3. Take the Stinson Beach / Mill Valley exit.
  4. Follow the signs to Highway 1.
  5. Follow the signs to Muir Woods.

Drive Carefully on the Road In

Narrow, winding road ahead. The final stretch of Highway 1 and Muir Woods Road is steep, tightly curved, and often shared with cyclists. Slow down, stay in your lane around blind corners, and watch for bicyclists climbing uphill. There are very few safe places to pass.

The approach climbs over the ridge at Panoramic Highway and drops into the canyon through a series of switchbacks. Take your time, use pullouts if a line of cars forms behind you, and be ready for bicyclists around every bend, especially on weekend mornings.

Vehicles over 35 feet long are prohibited. There are no RV parking facilities, and large vehicles cannot safely navigate the curves on the way in.

No Cell Phone Service

There is no reliable cell service in or near Muir Woods. Download your parking pass, directions, and any maps before you leave home. Uber and Lyft cannot reliably pick you up from the park. If you arrive by taxi or rideshare, arrange a firm return time with your driver before they leave.

Public Transit Option

Marin Transit runs the seasonal Muir Woods Shuttle (Route 66/66F). Larkspur Landing service runs weekends and holidays; Sausalito service runs summer weekdays only (approximately June through August). Round-trip fare is $4 for adults; kids ride free. Larkspur Landing has free weekend/holiday parking; Sausalito has no dedicated shuttle parking. Check Marin Transit for the current schedule.

Don’t Want to Drive?

Skip the parking reservation and the winding road entirely. Guided tours include round-trip transportation from San Francisco, park admission, and a local guide.

See Muir Woods Tours & Shuttle Options

Plan Your Visit

Before You Head to Muir Woods