Muir Woods Travel Guide
Muir Woods & Redwoods National Park Travel Guide-
Biography of John Muir
John Muir was a preservationist , novelist and biologist who was very active in protecting the Giant Redwoods, the Giant Sequoias, and above all the Yosemite wonders and waterfalls. He also founded the Sierra Club which is considered as the birth of the National Parks System.
John Muir was born on April 21, 1838 in Dunbar , in Scotland . In 1849 Muir's family moved to Miyake inWisconsin and started up a farm called Fountain Lake Farm which to this day are still owned by John Muir's descendants. He attended the university of Wisconsin-Madison where he attended his first botany class which filled him with enthusiasm for exploring the wilderness. Muir did not graduate college but instead dropped out and worked an industrial job during 1866 to 1867
then he proceeded to walk 1000 miles from Indiana to Florida. He originally planned to go to South America but contracted Malaria and decided to go to California instead.
After arriving to San Francisco backin 1868 Muir immediately went to a place he heard of called Yosemite. When Muir first saw the Yosemite Valley and he was captivated by the prettyviews. In May of 1869 Muir was contacted about a job herding sheep during the summer in the mountains, he enthusiastically accepted the offer and spend his summer exploring the area. During the summer of 1869 Muir started developing theories on how the area developed and the ecosystem worked.
Due to the summer spent in the area Muir secured a job in a sawmill in the area, he stayed in the area and build himself a log cabin along Yosemite Creek. Muir's pursuit of science caused him to spend most of his free time exploring the area and pondering different aspects of the area. He was the first person to come up with the idea that Yosemite could have been formed by
glacial movement, this was against the accepted theory of the time. The person who came up with this theory tried to discredit Muir by branding him an amateur. In 1871 Muir discovered an active glacier below Merced Peak, this discovery helped him to prove his theories on the area.
In 1880 Muir married and by marriage owned a 2,600 acre ranch, he managed the ranch for a while before his health began to decline. His wife suggested he return to the wilderness where he proceeded to climb Mount Rainier and wrote the book "Ascent of Mount Rainier". Muir became even more of a critic of people who would destroy Yosemite and he became a very outspoken preservationist. Muir agreed used his public influence to help urge Congress into passing a bill that would turn the Yosemite area into a national park. On September 30, 1990 congress passed a bill that turned Yosemite into a national park, Muir was dismayed by the fact that the park would still be controlled by the state.
In 1908, President Teddy Roosevelt declared Muir Woods as a National monument and was named after John Muir.
The city of Mill Valley, Sausalito and its house boats
History of Sausalito: The enchanting and charming Mediterranean-style coastal town of Sausalito is filled with history, culture, and beautiful waterfront shops. But Sausalito was once a settlement for the native Coast Miwok and then inhabited by the Spanish explorers after 1776, and until 1821 when the Mexicans took over the Spanish territories in California. In the post-Gold Rush Era, Sausalito played a major role in leisure, commercial and even military Maritime transportation.
This Era came to an end in May 1937 with the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge bypassing Sausalito and making these large-scale ferry operations redundant. But Sausalito will soon receive a steady stream of visitors thanks to this new Golden Gate Bridge. We are now heading towards Mill Valley.
Mill Valley is characterized by its scenic views, marshlands and wooded canyons. Mill Valley is known for being a village with a strong artistic heritage. Its home to many present and former musicians, authors, actors, poets and TV personalities including John Lennon, Sammy Hagar, Janis Joplin, Jack London, Kathleen Quinlan, Michael Tucker, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman , Eve Arden and Mariel Hemingway. There is also a famous High School in Mill Valley called Tamalpais named after nearby Mount Tamalpais, which rises more than 2,500 feet above Mill Valley.
Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument is home to the Coastal Giant Redwoods, the tallest trees in the World.
Muir Woods National Monument is one of the last groves of the coastal giant Redwoods in California located in San Francisco Bay Area. Muir Woods national park was named after the conservationist John Muir and father founder of the Sierra Club. The Coast Redwood trees can live to be 800 to 2000 years or older, and up to 3580 feet or more in height. They are the tallest on Earth. During the gold rush in California, lumber was a very necessary commodity for gold mining. The Redwood trees were logged on the basis of accessibility but some were saved thanks to William Kent who purchased 611 acres of Redwoods that would become Muir Woods. To protect the ancient Redwood forest from destruction William Kent donated 295 acres of this land to the federal government who declared it as a National Monument. President Theodore
Muir Beach Overlook: Muir Beach Overlook is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This breathtaking vista point overlooks a picturesque quiet cove; a hidden beach and beautiful lagoons Muir Beach Overlook This breathtaking vista point overlooks a picturesque quiet cove; a hidden beach and beautiful lagoons. We will take a short hike through this Cliffside Park to a rocky point on the Pacific Oceanside. This short but breathtaking overlook trail follows a narrow crest of a coastal promontory where the land sheers off dramatically on both sides down to the Ocean about hundreds of feet below.
Mill Valley &Tamalpais High School
Mill Valley was inhabited by the Coast Miwok for over 10.000 years before the Spaniards and the Mexicans settled in. This small charming community is located 5 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County. It's characterized by its scenic views, marshlands & wooded canyons. Mill Valley is known for being a village with a strong artistic heritage & home to many present & former musicians, authors, actors, poets & TV personalities including John Lennon, Sammy Hagar, Janis Joplin, Jack London, Kathleen Quinlan, Michael Tucker, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman , Eve Arden and Mariel Hemingway . It's also home to Mill Valley Film Festival and was immortalized by the song "Mill Valley" (recorded in 1970).
In July 2005, CNN ranked Mill Valley tenth on its list of the 100 Best Places to live in the United States! Tamalpais High School is located in Mill Valley & named after nearby Mount Tamalpais, which rises more than 2,500 feet above Mill Valley. Some of the notable alumni & students who studied at this high school are: Joe DeMaestri, Daniel Caldwell, Signy Coleman, Tupac Shakur, & the Actress Kathleen Quinlan who attended this Tamalpais High School where she began her acting career in George Lucas' "American Graffiti" that was also filmed in this school. Some of the other notable who live in Marin County today are: Barbara Boxer, Andre Agassi, George Lucas, Sean Penn and Carlos Santana among others.
History and Tourism of the city of Sausalito- a
History of Sausalito: Sausalito was once a settlement for the native Coast Miwok . The Spanish explorer Don José de Cañizares who reached Sausalito in 1775 looking for a suitable anchorage for vessels, reported friendly native Miwoks & a wide populations of deer, elk, bear, seals and otters. In 1776, the Spaniards led by Juan Bautista de Anza (who has already opened the overland route from Mexico to California), decided to establish the first settlement in the Presidio of San Francisco instead of Sausalito.
During the Mexican Era (1821-1846), the British mariner William Richardson was the first to develop the site of Sausalito as a private rancho. By 1825, Richardson had assumed Mexican citizenship, converted to Catholicism and married the daughter of Don Ignacio Martínez, commandant of the Presidio to acquire lands including Sausalito. In the post-Gold Rush era, Sausalito played a major role in leisure, commercial and even military Maritime transportation where many fishermen & wealthy yachting enthusiasts had already settled in Sausalito. This era came to an end in May 1937 with the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge bypassing Sausalito and making these large-scale ferry operations redundant. But Sausalito will soon receive a steady stream of visitors thanks to this new bridge. In 1942, Sausalito Yacht Club was founded to promote yachting for both racing and cruising.
Sausalito and thefamous "House Boat Wars"
When the United States entered World War II, Fort Barry on Point Bonita was reoccupied. Fort Baker also hosted large numbers of troops. Also, a major shipyard was sited along the shoreline of Sausalito. After the War, a lively waterfront community grew out of the abandoned ship yards. By the late 1960s at least three house boat communities occupied the waterfront along and adjacent to Sausalito's shore. Beginning in the 1970s, an intense struggle erupted between house boat residents and developers. It was dubbed the "House Boat Wars".
Forced removals by county authorities and sabotage by some on the waterfront characterized this struggle. This long fight pitted the waterfront against the wealthy "Hillside community" .Today three house boat communities still exist — Galilee Harbor in Sausalito, Waldo Point Harbor and the Gates Cooperative. Today, the houseboat community consists of more than 400 houseboats of various shapes, sizes, and values, along the north end of town, approximately two miles from downtown. It's in a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito where the singer Otis Redding wrote his famous "Dock of the Bay" in 1967: " I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay - Watching the ships roll in…the tide roll away - I left my home in Georgia - Headed for the 'Frisco bay - Just to make this dock my home"
Sausalito and its Notable residents
Sausalito featured in many novels and movies including ; The Lady from Shanghai(Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth ) in a section of the 1892 novel "The Wrecker" by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osborn, in the opening of "The Sea-Wolf" by Jack London is set on a ferryboat travelling from Sausalito to San Francisco, in many scenes of the 1965 film "Dear Brigitte" with James Stewart, in the 1968 film Petulia when Richard Chamberlain fishing Julie Christie out of the water at the foot of Johnson Street, a scene from the 1972 movie, Play It Again, Sam which was shot using interiors of the Trident (the Horizons) restaurant and exteriors of the Spinnaker restaurant in Sausalito, actor Woody Allen and Tony Roberts were also in another movie filmed at the Spinnaker restaurant. Sausalito also featured in the 1978 novel "The House of God" and in Sausalito's fictional "Cetacean Institute" from Star Trek IV. Sausalito was and still home to wealthy and celebrities. Some of the past and present of these notable residents of Sausalito are: Gina Berriault, Gordon Onslow Ford, Phil Frank, cartoonist, Jerry Garcia, Actor Sterling Hayden, William Randolph Hearst, Otis Redding, Actress Julie Christie, Isabel Allende ( Chilean-American novelist), Tim Lincecum, (San Francisco Giants pitcher), Carlos Santana and Georges Lucas who both live few miles north of Sausalito.
The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge was constructed back in 1937 as alarge suspension bridge covering the detroit or opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. . It is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco which became one of the modern Wonders of our modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Thanks to its astonishing colossal architectural and engineering dimensions, the Golden Gate Bridge becomes the most photographed bridge in the world. These spectacular and sweeping views over the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay have drawn millions of tourists from all over the world. The Golden Gate Bridge inspired Hollywood most famous movies, such James Bond, in a "View to Kill" and music.
Redwoods National Parks Travel Guide
The Story and the Mystery Behind these Ancient Redwoods: When we stand next to these giants redwoods, we are silenced by the sheer beauty of these 2,500-year-old massive trees and realize how irrelevant man can be next to a redwood tree. John Muir called them "the King of all conifers" and was amazed by the sheer tenacity of these redwoods and how they survived climate changes and natural disasters for over 25 centuries, before even the Greeks and the Romans ruled the World. Indeed, the giant redwoods ruled over and covered the Northern Hemisphere for a long period of time. However, they had disappeared during the Ice Age and reappeared after the Ice Age only in California. The redwoods are found in Northern California and south of Oregon along the Pacific Ocean and the Giant Sequoias are located in the western slope of California Sierra Nevada. The redwoods are not only found in Redwood National Park but also in three State Parks: California's Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks. These three California State Parks are the only State Parks co-managed by the National Park System (the RNSP). The four parks together, protect 45% of all remaining Coastal redwoods. For that reason, we do recommend a Three day-tour minimum to be able to visit all these parks. Bring your camera and picture the tallest trees on Earth and the other indigenous flora, fauna, picturesque grassland, prairie, rivers and preserved lagoons and streams.
Many visitors wonder why only 10% of these ancient redwoods survived? Well, after the discovery and then the decline of gold along the Trinity River located within the redwoods park, many jobless miners turned toward harvesting and destroying these ancient trees since there was no law enforcing the protection of these unique trees! Unfortunately, Redwood National Park was only created in 1968, by which time nearly 90% of the original redwood trees had been logged. This led John Muir to say “God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools”. He was the father founder of the Sierra Club and the man who convinced President Teddy Roosevelt to protect these ancient trees. Some even say he was behind the Antiquities Act of 1906 which was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by Theodore Roosevelt to protect endangered species and monuments including the redwoods when Muir Woods park was finally created as a National Monument in 1906. However, Redwoods National Park never got the same attention from President Theodore Roosevelt who deserves credit for creating several national parks including Muir Woods, Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks. Redwoods National Park is isolated where the largest trees including Del Norte Titan Redwoods were discovered in late 1990s. And it’s only in 1980s that the United Nations realized the importance of the Redwood National Park ecosystem in preserving these ancient trees but also a number of threatened animal species including tidewater goby, brown pelicans, bald Eagles, Chinook salmons, northern spotted owls, and steller's sea lions. For that reason and in recognition of this unique ecosystem and heritage that the United Nations finally designated all these four above parks as the World Heritage Site in 1980 and then as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1983.
When you will get the majestic trees, don’t worry too much about fog because fog is part of this ecosystem .It’s vital for these tall redwoods as fog transports water to the highest reaches of these tall trees doted with a shallow root system. Coastal fog also provides up to one-third of their annual water needs. Other trees rely on this ecosystem beside the redwoods including the 300 feet coast douglas-fir trees, Sitka spruce, evergreen hardwood tanoak , oak , pacific madrone, pines, bigleaf maple, California laurel and buckeyes, and red alder. Many endangered animals coexist and rely on this ecosystem as well including black bears, elk, coyotes, deer, fox, chipmunk squirrels, brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, sandpipers, gulls, common merganser, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, great blue heron, steller's jay, owl and golden eagles.
The Trees of Mystery: Some of the largest known and infamous giant redwoods we may see on this trip are the amazing Del Norte Titan trees. It’s the name giving to these massive Coast Redwoods which was discovered recently in 1998, in the “Grove of Titans” within the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. It measures 23.7 feet in diameter and 307 feet tall.
It ranks as the world's third largest Coast Redwood tree. The Lost Monarch is actually the first and largest redwood tree on the planet followed by the second largest redwood tree called Iluvatar, located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The dramatic and primitive landscape of these ancient redwood forests made it the perfect setting for famous movie location such the Endor scenes for the Star Wars film “the Return of the Jedi” but also quiet few scenes for the "Lost World" in Jurassic Park as well as the movie "Outbreak". Feel free to check out our below tour itinerary to learn more about the sights, parks and cities we will be sightseeing during this fabulous adventure.
Confusion Hill is now listed as a California State Point of Historical Interest. You can see the world famous gravity house, the redwood shoe house. Confusion Hill is a roadside attraction located in Piercy 78 miles South of Eureka. This attraction includes what is dubbed as a "gravity house," a structure built to give the interior visitors tilt-induced optical illusions, similar to the perspective on the gravity hill and Santa Cruz Mystery House. Visitors experience the need to stand upright when they actually already are due to this optical illusion. This guided tour may also include a side trip through the 1½ mile narrow gauge railway which was built in a switchback layout along the side of a steep hill.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park is located 30 miles south of Eureka and home to the largest contiguous remaining old-growth redwood forest in the world and famed for its coast redwoods growing to over 106.7 meters (350 ft). It is home to the 4th tallest measured living redwood, the Stratosphere Giant, which was measured at 370 ft in 2004. Today, the tallest redwoods is the Hyperion redwood tree which measures 379.1 feet tall! Unbelievable but true! This information was provided and based on Humboldt State University Professor Steve Sillett who informed Reuters about this record-setting tree.
Fortuna is a city located south of Eureka which means “fortune or chance” in Spanish. The name was chosen when settlers who felt fortunate to live there thanks to its proximity from the forests, the river and the valley.
Eureka comes from the Ancient Greek: "I have found it". Eureka is the main city of Humboldt County situated in the heart of Redwood National Park. Eureka is home to hundreds of significant Victorian homes, including the famous Mansion, built back in 1886.
History- Due to the geography of this second largest bay in California and the bravery of its indigenous, Eureka and the bay remained undiscovered until the 1800s when the Russians mariners got there from Alaska. In 1850, the settlement of Eureka was officially founded by the Union and Mendocino Exploring development companies. The Native Americans paid the highest price of this intrusion by settlers and today are reduced to a small portion of the population.
The Immortal Tree that has survived lightning strikes and flood is over 1000 years old and 250 fttall(but was much taller before). This immortal redwood tree is situated in the northern half of the Avenue. The redwood Immortal Tree stands by the gift shop and parking lot. We call these trees redwoods because their bark are reddish and very thick. The bark protects them from disease, fire and termites (thanks to the tannin found in the bark).
Founder's Grove where our tour guide will walk with you to show you the largest and tallest trees of this Avenue of the Giants including the Founder's tree (346 ft. tall) and the Dyersville Giant (370 ft. tall) which fell down in 1991. These giant and massive trees have a shallow root system. Any strong storm can effect and destroy these trees.
Drive Through Tree - Avenue of the Giants offers visitors a unique opportunity to drive through a tunnel tree. The hollow base of the giant tree has an opening that was carved on both sides to allow a car to pass through like the Chandelier tree. There are fees applied to drive through all these redwoods but they are included within our travel package.
The famous Tree House- believe it or not but this amazing tree house is actually a house built within a giant redwood tree! This amazing tree house is visible from the road. An optional guided tours may be offered to visit it. The front of this tree house is entered through the hollow trunk of a still living tree. The front door and windows are clearly visible to visitors who go by and the rest of the house adjoins the rear of the tree in a more traditional style.
The Eel River and the South ForkThe Eel River is the third largest river in California after Sacramento and the San Joaquin Rivers that runs through Central valley. Eel River carves deep down into the canyons, through flat valleys, and run along the majestic and ancient redwood forests. The Avenue of the Giants follows the South Fork of this river, but also features the branching of the South and Main forks to its north.
The ShrineDrive-Thru Tree in Myers Flat, visitors can drive through a tight tunnel carved into a naturally angled opening in the trunk of this massive redwood.
Rockefeller Forest of giant redwoods - A hike may also take us to Rockefeller Forest of giant redwoods that occupies 10,000 acres of redwoods and natural wonders. Take a hike with our tour guide to one of the many trails in this picturesque forest home to the second, fourth and 6th tallest redwoods of all redwoods trees. They are from these towering trees that the Avenue of the Giants takes its name. The drive will also winds alongside the scenic Eel River, and go through small towns such as Phillipsville, Miranda, Myers Flat, Burlington, Weott, Englewood, Redcrest and Pepperwood.
The coastal redwoods have a conical crown, with horizontal to slightly drooping branches. The bark is very thick and red which gave these trees the name “redwood trees”. The root system is composed of shallow, wide-spreading lateral roots up to 150 feet. “Sequoia Sempervirens” is the scientific name of these coast redwoods - the sole living species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family “Cupressaceae”. It is an evergreen, long-lived, monoecious tree living 1000–2500 years or more. This species includes the tallest trees on Earth we will be seeing here in the Avenue of the Giants. Some reaching up to 116 meters (379 ft) in height and up to 7.9 meters (26 ft) diameter at breast height.
The discovery of Gold in 1850s in the Trinity region located north of Eureka guaranteed Eureka's development as the primary city on the bay thanks to its vital location on the Humboldt Bay and its natural deep shipping channels.
The famous Avenue of the Giants in Redwood National Parks
Avenue of the Giants- This is the highlight of your adventure. Join us and enjoy this unique and scenic drive for over 30 miles off highway 1 to walk and hike to some of the largest redwoods in the world. Our tour guide will escort you to the most famous groves of giant redwoods located within this large stretch of the 30 miles off California route 101, known as “Avenue of the Giants”(see day 2 for more information).
Patrick's Point State Park - Patrick's Point State Park is located south of Humboldt Lagoons State Park and 25 miles north of Eureka. It’s home to many tree species including coastal redwoods, hemlock, pine, spruce, fir , red alder but also a wildflower meadows with a shoreline that consists of sandy beaches and sheer cliffs against the Pacific Ocean.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park - Jedediah Smith Redwoods Park, established in 1929, was named after the noted fur trapper Jedediah Smith, who visited its location during an 1826 expedition. It is located about 10 miles east of Crescent City. The park is one of three famousState Parks cooperatively managed as part of Redwood National and State Parks. This park has several hiking trails including Reed Discovery Trail and Stout Grove Trail. Stout Grove near Howland Hill Road is home to 'Stout Tree', the largest in the stand. Not far, Mill Creek flows through the park and merges with the Smith River near the campground.
-Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is one of the three unique States Parks federally managed and preserved located in Northern California (close to Oregon). This beautiful park which was established in 1927 consists of 6,400 acres with approximately 50% old-growth coast redwood & 8 miles of wild coastline. The park was designed as a World Heritage Site & Biosphere Preserve by the United Nations in 1980s. In 2007, the Mill Creek was added to Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and increased its size by 25,000 acres. This elevates Del Norte park to the 5th largest in the State Park system and thus increasing the preserved redwoods parks. In 2008, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed to close this unique park (due California's deficit ). It has since been rescinded following public outcry. Governors should first visit this park before they come up this kind of ridiculous projects of law to destroy these unique and ancient trees. President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir stood firmly and courageously against lobbies when they declared these ancient trees as national monuments back in 1906.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is a state park, located in Humboldt County. (80 km) north of Eureka. We may visit this
Creek Redwood State Park and take a hike to Atlas Grove to picture the Iluvatar tree, the largest tree in the park, and the third largest redwood in the World. The location of this Atlas Grove's Iluvatar is undisclosed to protect its sensitive ecosystem as well as the location of Big Tree, Corkscrew Redwood and the Cathedral Trees. You may also check out some infamous redwoods including Godwood Creek , the Giant and Gemini. They are over 340 feet (100 m) high. Did you know that the meadows along the Newton B. Drury scenic parkway is home to Roosevelt elk and considered as a centerpiece of the park! It’s located near the information center and campground. Among the other popular sights in the park are Fern Canyon and the Gold Bluffs Beach
Our optional driving tours - No matter which highway our tour guide will take , you will get to the picturesque Klamath home to a unique fauna and flora but also exceptional drives and hiking trails. An optional drive may take us to the infamous Stout Grove- Howland Hills road. It starts on the east side of Crescent City and winds about 11 miles back through huge groves of redwoods, finally ending at slant bridge on highway 199.Towards the North end, we may cross the Smith River, one of the west’s Scenic and Wild rivers where you can picture giant redwoods from the car. This will depends on time, weather and road conditions.
Klamath itself, a great drive is along the Coastal Drive. The trail leads south across the 101 bridge where we turn west to exit. This drive is part paved, part gravel but wide and smooth as we drive 4x4 SUVs. You will enjoy the fantastic vistas of the ocean that will profiles through the horizon as we head west.
-Another ride or hike may take us to the beautiful Enderts Beach located 3 miles south of Crescent City. We will make a photo stop at the vista point prior to the parking lot. The hiking trail will take us downhill from the parking lot. Quickly, you'll have great views of the Pacific Ocean below to the right. Further down the trail, you'll walk through tunnels formed by trees. you may see gray whales in the bay. Klamath River overlooks and leads to the dramatic views over the ocean. This makes a great spot whale watching
-Travel Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Not even the Avenue of the Giants can beat this! A 10-mile scenic drive through ancient redwoods. Stop and walk an 1/8 of a mile to Big Tree Wayside; you'll see why! Watch for Roosevelt elk grazing Prairie. Beware of adult elk ! They are as big as a horse and capable of causing great harm! They can be very aggressive and dangerous!
Optional adventures - Optional adventures and trips you may add to your tour. You may need to extend your stay for one extra day or more to enjoy quality time in RDNP. You can add a hot air balloon adventure ( depending on weather), go on horseback within the forest or at the beach, take a Jet Boat adventure for a 45 mile jet boat roundtrip & that lasts about 2 hours. Additional fees will be required. Wine tasting and or breweries tours can also be added to your travel package. This will depend on time, your priorities and choice.
Recommendations for Lunch
Lunch break: You will enjoy your lunch either on the Oceanside in San Francisco, in the Fisherman's Wharf or in Sausalito overlooking San Francisco Bay.
Some recommendations for lunch in San Francisco:
Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant
An American bistro cuisine style offering seafood and local dishes and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The first floor is considered like museum relating the history and map of the Golden Gate Park among other sites. www.beachchalet.com
The Cliff House is a restaurant perched on the headlands on the cliffs just north of Ocean Beach on the western side of San Francisco offering spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean. The Cliff House offers two full service dining rooms, two cocktail lounges with an oyster bar deli and The Terrace Room Champagne Buffet Brunch in addition to breakfast. Customers can also stop to enjoy a coffee break and enjoy the ocean views. www.cliffhouse.com
Franciscan Restaurant
Seafood dining in the heart of San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf offering picturesque views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island. www.franciscanrestaurant.com
Some recommendations for lunch in Sausalito:
Angelino's Restaurant
Angelino Restaurant offers Authentic Italian Cuisine specializes in bringing the taste of Southern Italy to Sausalito. This is the perfect place for lunch to enjoy a good service and authentic Italian cuisine. www.angelinorestaurant.com
Horizons Restaurant - Sausalito
Horizons is a restaurant that looks like a houseboat where you can sit on the deck overlooking the Bay and enjoy fresh seafood with a signature cocktail. www.horizonssausalito.com
Scoma's Sausalito
Scoma's Restaurant is located in the heart of Sausalito, is an enchanting destination for both locals and visitors, serving up the freshest seafood including the seasonal Dungeness crabs. www.scomassausalito.com
The Spinnaker on San Francisco Bay
The menu offers something for everyone, with fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steak, Chicken, and Vegetarian options. Highlights include the Mixed Seafood Grill, Pacific Mahi Sauté, Grilled Lobster Tail, Grilled Chicken Penne, Four-Cheese Ravioli, New York Steak, Filet Mignon, Chicken Breasts Sauté, and Pasta Primavera. www.thespinnaker.com
