5
Moderate
Activities
  • 3 days self-guided hiking
Accommodation
  • 4 nights boutique hotels

Price

5 daysfrom

$USD

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip code: SFSG

Trip highlights

  • Walk the Golden Gate Bridge with sweeping Bay views
  • Hike Mount Tamalpais for panoramic ocean and hill vistas
  • Explore towering, centuries-old redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument
  • Stroll the Bay Trail through wetlands and bayside towns
  • Stay in charming boutique hotels

Experience the best of the San Francisco Bay Area on this five-day self-guided trek, combining iconic city sights, breathtaking coastal vistas, and charming waterfront towns. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, explore the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, and follow scenic trails through Mount Tamalpais and the tidal wetlands of Marin County. Stay in centrally located boutique hotels across San Francisco, Sausalito, Mill Valley, and Tiburon, with some properties offering scenic waterfront views. From historic city streets to quiet bayside paths, this adventure blends urban culture, natural beauty, and active exploration into an unforgettable experience.

Itinerary

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Arrive in San Francisco and settle into a comfortable, perfectly situated accommodation near Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. Your stay offers a relaxed coastal feel and easy access to nearby dining and neighborhood highlights. Depending on your arrival time, your app includes everything you need for a self-guided walk along the Barbary Coast Trail, a 3.8-mile route marked by bronze medallions that trace San Francisco’s Gold Rush past. Along the way, you’ll discover historic landmarks, hidden alleys, and scenic viewpoints that bring the city’s colorful history to life, with the option to hop on San Francisco’s iconic cable car at points along the route to shorten or extend your walk as desired. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight - 4-star accommodation near Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf • Hiking: 3.8 mi / 6.1 km, Elevation gain/loss: minimal

Meals:  Nil

Begin your day along the San Francisco waterfront, following the Bay Trail toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Completed in 1937, this engineering icon spans 1.7 miles across the strait connecting the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. From the bridge walkway, enjoy sweeping views of Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the city skyline before descending into the quiet charm of Sausalito. Once a working fishing village, Sausalito is now known for its waterfront cafés, floating homes, and local art galleries. Tonight, relax at a boutique hotel perched over the bay. Stroll to nearby restaurants along Bridgeway for dinner, where seafood, California cuisine, and sunset vistas complete the day. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: 4-star accommodation in Sausalito • Hiking: 9 mi / 14 km, Elevation gain/loss: 250 ft / 75 m

Meals:  B

Start your day in Marin County with a short transfer to Mount Tamalpais State Park. Hike along trails with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, and Marin’s rolling hills. Explore Muir Woods National Monument, home to old-growth coastal redwoods that can reach over 250 feet tall and live for more than 600 years. Wander among these ancient giants on well-maintained trails and learn about the forest’s ecology, including the unique understory plants and wildlife that thrive here. Continue along part of the Dipsea Trail, a historic route known for its staircases and varied terrain, famously used in the Dipsea Race. Finish in Mill Valley, settle into a charming boutique inn, and enjoy dinner at one of the town’s excellent restaurants. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: 3-star accommodation in Mill Valley • Hiking: 6.5 mi / 10 km, Elevation gain: 700 ft / 215 m, Elevation loss: 1,900 ft / 579 m • Vehicle Transfer: 30 minutes

Meals:  B

Today’s hike follows a scenic, flat portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail, taking you from Mill Valley through tidal wetlands that are home to a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl. Enjoy views of Angel Island and Belvedere Island as you pass through bayside communities and peaceful shoreline parks. Your walk ends in the picturesque waterfront town of Tiburon, a charming village known for boutique shops, waterfront dining, and easy access to Angel Island State Park, where hiking and panoramic Bay views await. Check in at a boutique waterfront inn with rooms overlooking the Bay. In the evening, explore the town’s restaurants and soak in the relaxed atmosphere of this historic village. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: 3-star accommodation in Tiburon • Hiking: 8 mi / 13 km, Elevation gain/loss 305 ft / 107 m

Meals:  B

After a leisurely morning and perhaps a visit to one of the many great local coffee shops, head out to your next adventure. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Meals:  B

Inclusions

What's included

  • 4 nights in boutique hotels
  • 4 breakfasts
  • Navigation app with maps, trip information and recommendations
  • Luggage transfers (1 piece per person, not exceeding 45lbs./20kg)
  • Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to and from San Francisco
  • Travel to first hotel and from last hotel
  • Guide (this is a self-guided tour)
  • Drinks, snacks, lunches, and dinners 
  • Unscheduled transfers
  • Insurance of any kind

Suitability

Moderate

5

Moderate. Self-guided hiking requires individuals to use problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a keen eye for navigation. It is recommended that you are comfortable with map reading, referring to route notes, and maintaining a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this). This trek is best suited for travelers with a moderate level of fitness who enjoy walking for several hours a day. Daily hikes range from 6.5 to 9 miles (10–14 km) across varied terrain, including coastal paths, forest trails, and urban streets. Elevation changes vary by day, with gains generally between 250 and 700 feet (75–215 m), and one day featuring a longer downhill stretch of up to 1,900 feet (579 m). While the hiking is non-technical, be prepared for some sections of uneven, rocky footing, along with plenty of opportunities to pause, take in the scenery, and enjoy the character of the towns along the route.

Departure dates

Saturday,Sunday and Monday from March 7th to November 7th

Want to organise a customised tour?

School groups, friends, family trips, corporate events or just tailoring a trip to suit your own needs - learn how you can tailor your own Customised Tour.

Priceper person from

$USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Options & Supplements*
  • San Francisco Bay SG - Single SupplementUSD$1600
* Prices listed are per person. All prices subject to applicable taxes.

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Our Expertise

Everyone who works with us, from our office staff, ground staff and guides is the ‘’real deal’’. Our team is comprised of actual hikers and cyclists who have explored or live in the region in which you will be traveling. Our entire network is highly-specialised in active travel.

Great Value

Quality services at the best price make our active trips great value for money. Having essential items included like National Park fees, accommodations, most meals, bikes for cycling trips, maps and support for peace of mind. Our inclusions allow you to better budget for your big adventure.

Innovative Itineraries

We look beyond the horizon to find new and exciting adventures. We’re passionate about shaping the next generation of outdoor travel in North America, and constantly seek different ways, routes and alternatives to exceed our clients’ dreams.

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We are committed to responsible travel and true sustainability, formed when the company was established, and in the face of a multitude of threats to the environment, our commitment is stronger than ever. We aim to "leave no trace" in both an environmental and cultural sense.