Sea Otter Walk

Sea Otter Tour Walk RoutesThe Sea Otter walk is our most luxurious walk. All of the Inns on this trip are distinguished for their location, service and small Inn experience. Your walk will bring you across the golden gate bridge, with views of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the bay bridge.

You will zig zag through the coastal mountain of Mount Tamalpais, where you can shed your shoes at Muir beach, and wander through crowds of an ancient redwoods. End your journey at the very top with captivating views of the coastal mountains, ocean and entire bay.

  • Stay in our most elegant accommodations.
  • Experience the Redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument.
  • Route: SF-Sausalito-Muir Beach-Muir Woods.
  • 5 days/4 nights.

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Daily Walking Distances

Sea Otter Walking Tour Elevation Profile

Day 1
Arrive in San Franciscopics1
Suggested Day Hikes (optional)

Day 2
San Francisco to Sausalito
7-13 miles (11-20km)

Day 3
Sausalito to Muir Beach
7-14 miles (11-22km)

Day 4
Muir Beach to Muir Woods
7 Miles (11km)

Day 5
Muir Woods to San Francisco
Suggested Day Hikes (optional)

*Variable distance trail options are provided in your Trip Guide

Walking Itinerary Descriptions

San Francisco – Day 1

Arrive in San Francisco and enjoy this friendly, eclectic city. Each neighborhood offers something very different for every visitor. Ride the trolley cars, visit pier 39 and fisherman’s wharf, have Dim Sum in Chinatown, a taco in the Mission, and experience the city like a local. Short city walks and mini excursions will are suggested in your Trip Guide.

San Francisco to Sausalito – Day 2

Choose to take a longer walking tour though Golden Gate Park and along the rugged Western Pacific coast, or to take a shorter walk along the Marina District. Depending on your choice today, you will pass by the De Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Botanical gardens, and the Japanese Tea Gardens.
You will lunch with views of the bay and ocean, and then meander through the lavish Sea Cliff neighborhood via the Lands-end Trail carved from the steppes above the Pacific Ocean. Marvel at the historic Presidio, see old military batteries and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge with breathtaking views of Alcatraz, Angel Island and Point Bonita Lighthouse.

Alternately, you can choose to walk along the Marina’s historic Crissy field, bordering a former military base Fort Mason and Fort Point (now preserved for visitors). With the Golden Gate Bridge always in view, stroll along the Golden Gate Promenade Beach, where kite and wind surfers put on a show. Visit Fort Point and the Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center before you walk across the Golden Gate bridge.

Wind through Fort Baker, and descend into the boutique sailing town of Sausalito. Enjoy an afternoon of wine and cheese at your inn, nestled in a quiet hillside setting – a short hike to the heart of downtown and the waterfront.

Sausalito to Muir Beach – Day 3

Leave your cozy inn after a delicious well-appointed breakfast, walk through town to choose your trail lunch from a destination gourmet deli. Put it in your daypack and continue up hill through picturesque hills, by some spectacular homes inhabited by the rich and famous. You will come to the top of a hill, look back on the San Francisco bay, the wharf, Sausalito, Tiburon and Angel and Alcatraz Islands. The trails become more remote as you enter the bay area’s treasure: Golden Gate National Recreation Area: protected lands of Marin county. These lands have a rich history and a high biodiversity.

Along the trail today and tomorrow you will encounter native to California plants and animals. If you choose the longer route, you will visit historic Fort Cronkite buildings and batteries in the Marin Headlands. You can pop in at the Headlands Center For The Arts, the Marin Headlands visitor center, or visit enormous gun housings scattered on the hillside. Head to the beach, where magnificent waves crash on rock outcroppings, and where marine life can be seen up close. At the Marine Mammal Center you can see and learn about otters, harbor seals, sea lions and elephant seal pups that have been rescued from danger and are being rehabilitated for release. These centers are all free of charge. You will hook up with the original route via the Tennessee Valley trail which boasts magnificent coastal views the entire way. Winding your way through wilderness to the pristine waters of Muir Beach, you may see Deer, Elk, Coyote, Red Tailed Hawks, Egrets, and Herons. You will experience gorgeous vistas of these coastal mountains, seeing the city, bridge and bay from rare angles.

Arrive in Muir Beach ready to relax and watch a spectacular sunset – pint of beer, or glass of wine in hand.

*Option for a guided section of this trail – two hours hiking with an experienced naturalist can help you identify the plants, birds and other wildlife you encounter, and relay natural history of the area.

Muir Beach to Muir Woods – Day 4

After your full english breakfast, hike away from the beach towards the famous Muir Woods. Your route begins a long, moderately steep climb through coyote brush and blackberry, with vistas west to the ocean, south to the headlands, east to Mount Diablo, and north to the three peaks of Mount Tamalpais. Jump on the historic dipsea trail where you can climb “cardiac hill,” and enter the a magical foggy habitat called “the rainforest.” Your journey turns serene and peaceful as you enter an ancient redwood forest. You will be surrounded by enourmous beings that are 800 years old. You can choose to enter the park and learn about the redwoods, or to save if for tomorrow. End at your eco-friendly mountain top Inn that boasts fresh cuisine, excellent wine and beer selection and stunning deck side views.

Muir Woods to Your Destination – Day 5

Choose to wake up early and walk down to the Muir Woods National Monument, explore a hidden German tourist club, continue your vacation in Marin or return to San Francisco. Detailed transit options will be provided to you in your Custom Trip Guide.

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