Muir Woods and Sausalito

I can't help you with Sausalito but there are plenty of places to sit down in Muir Woods - it is a very accessible place. My daughter and I took her 6 month old in a stroller and we had no problems getting around (and sitting down occasionally).

ETA: Have you thought about bringing along a wheelchair for her? I was on a trip with 2 aunts who both had mobility issues and we wound up renting basic wheelchairs for them to get around and they worked out perfect. My aunts loved them because they could relax and still enjoy the view but it provided security for them as well.

Make sure to reserve at Muir Woods
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm

I've been to Sausalito on the ferry, and back over the Golden Gate Bridge on the bus. There are or were two routes from San Francisco. The one I went on left from Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf.-blue and gold fleet.
I just hopped on - no idea if that's changed post Covid.
Both should be on Google
A lovely little town.

Hi there—- I can help with this. You do need parking reservations for Muir Woods, Orr take the shuttle. Here is the official webpage for reservations:

https://gomuirwoods.com/

Note the alert about construction to begin in July. If you go in June, this should not be a problem.

If you want to include both Sausalito and Muir Woods, driving your own car would be best. Here is why:

The Muir Woods shuttle goes from Larkspur Landing, not Sausalito. We have done the Larkspur Landing ferry from the SF Ferry Building, and it is a nice ride, longer than to Sausalito. But the Muir Woods shuttle from there runs weekends only, so not the best time to visit because of crowds. And you would not be able to visit Sausalito this way.

Or you could take the Sausalito ferry, but then it would be public transit from there. Here is more information on the shuttle and public transit options:

https://gomuirwoods.com/muir/shuttleInfo

I will be back later with more—- we are on Whidbey Island on our way to Deception Pass and I have to navigate.

If you are driving over the Golden Gate Bridge from Marin County to SF in your rental car, you need to decide how you are going to pay for the Golden Gate Bridge toll: https://www.goldengate.org/bridge/tolls-payment/rental-vehicles/ The toll is only in the southbound direction. You could use a FasTrak toll tag from your mother or other relative.

Mom doesn't have, or need, a wheelchair yet. She would balk at the idea as she even comments how she is one of the few at her facility that does not need a walker. If we suggested a wheelchair, we would probably be told to take a hike;) So benches it is, if needed;)

Good to know about reservations for Muir Woods, thank you!

Thankfully this will be the last day of June, so we should be ok as far as construction goes, but I will keep an eye on it just in case.

Lola--Thank you for that website. It sounds like using our rental car will be the best option for us. Enjoy Whidbey, one of my favorite places! It will be a Friday that we do this, so thankfully not a weekend.

Leonard--We sold moms car and there are no other relatives in CA. Thankfully with Avis their rental cars out of OAK at least, have the toll things on the windshield so we are set. I just realized, my brother secured the rental car for this trip. I need to double check who he booked with. I always use Avis, but he will go with whoever is cheapest.

The part of Sausalito that you’ll visit is flat. There are a number of restaurants, but it’s been too long since I’ve been there, so I can’t make a recommendation. I do suggest that you research and get a reservation.

In Sausalito to eat you can find terrific views at Spinnaker. For food I prefer Scoma’s. I know we had a view when we ate outside. You could call them to ask and maybe reserve a table with a view. Spinnaker has their own parking lot and Scoma does not. We’ve parked in the lot by the ferry. As someone mentioned, you must have a timed parking reservation at Muir Woods.

We were just in Muir Woods a year ago, but I could not recall seeing benches or not. But according to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (the non-profit education and conservation organization dedicated to this park) there are indeed benches along the Redwood Creek trail, which is the level trail along the creek—the one you are most likely to take. The trail runs on both sides of the creek, mostly as a boardwalk, and there are four bridges where one can cross over and still make a loop hike. This is where the tallest and oldest trees are.

https://www.parksconservancy.org/trails/redwood-creek-trail

As for bridge tolls, they are only collected westbound on the San Rafael and Bay Bridges, and southbound on the Golden Gate. In other words. Going into San Francisco. So coming from the East Bay, you could do a loop with only one bridge toll (the Bay Bridge) by going clockwise around the loop—into SF, across the Golden Gate, etc. this is nice because you can stop at the viewpoint on the north end of the bridge—there is a large parking lot with easy access in and back out onto Highway 101.

If you prefer to avoid driving through SF and skip the Golden Gate, you could drive both ways over the San Rafael Bridge and only pay the toll westbound.

And you do not need a toll thingy on the rental car. We never get that option. I just pay using the “one-time payment” option using the car’s license plate and the date and approximate time of crossing. You can do it ahead of time, or up to 48 hours after. I do it ahead, just so I don’t forget. I enter the exact date but a range of hours to allow flexibility. You are only charged if you actually cross the bridge.

https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/tolls/one-time-payment.shtml

This same payment page is used for all the Bay Area bridges, so you do not even need to identify which bridge you plan to cross, or how many times within the period you state.

Rosalyn--Thank you. Good to know it is flat, mom will appreciate that. I also really appreciate that you are so honest in saying that it's been a while since you were there. RS forum members are pretty good about that, but other forums people are recommending places they have been to in 20-30 years, which isn't all that helpful;)

Andrea--Thank you. I will check both of those restaurant websites. The parking access is good to know.

Lola--thank you for all that information! The driving will be interesting as my brother usually drives when we are all together, but he has spent very little time there and has no clue where he is going, yet still insists on driving like a madman;) I told him on one trip that I didn't sign up for Mr Toad's Wild Ride. That was coming back from SF to Lafayette at about 10pm. We need to figure out our rate before we go, as mom will try to tell us directions, but god only knows where we would end up. She means well, but her cognition is not there, so I always have to sort of have an excuse such as "I am good with using my map on my phone so just sit back and enjoy the ride". It's hard to navigate roads plus her now:) The rental cars from Avis at OAK always have the toll thing, so we may just use that for ease, but good to know how to do it without that.

Do any of you have a National Park Pass? If you do it will give 4 people free admission.

There are sporadic benches on the fairly level path. There is also a path that’s wheelchair friendly. There’s a place with a souvenir store and food to the right after you enter and there is seating on the deck. It’s a good place for someone to take a rest and there are restrooms. The other restrooms are before you officially enter the park.

For the closest parking you should arrive as early in the day as possible, or later in the day after people have left. The parking admission is timed but people can stay as long as they want.

My last visit there was August 2022.

Andrea--Yes, we have the America The Beautiful Pass. Do you have to show it to enter, or just hang it from the rearview mirror? I will try and remember to bring it!

Show your pass to enter. Ranger/Gate guard will probably compare name to id of driver or passenger whose pass it is. Usually good for everyone in the car. Seniors with pass have no expiration date.

Thank you. We are not seniors yet. I will have to bring my pass since my husband won't be with me. He has the free military one, but the spouse is not included on that. I asked because sometimes the park entrances are manned and other times they are not, but the passes get checked while in the parking lots.

You don’t show your pass until after you have parked. From the parking lot (there are multiple lots and you will be told where to park) you will walk to the park entrance and show your pass and ID there. I have a senior lifetime pass that allows myself and 3 other people. I don’t know what your pass allows.

My wife and I lived right there for quite a while before we were married.

Both destinations are no problem mobility-wise, and really very good choices for nice places to take an older person. Trickiest thing will be parking close but you can just drop people off and then go park.

Sausalito is my favorite town in Marin and super charming, easy to walk downtown, amazing views, lots of fun shops, and many benches. Southern end of main street (Bridgeway) is along the water with 10 million $ views and benches.

My favorite restaurant is Poggio (order the Gnudi), an upscale Italian restaurant with good food on the main street in the heart of town. You can eat inside or outside. The décor and atmosphere is super nice. Sitting outside makes me feel like i’m in Europe, but there is no view other than the charming town.

Spinnaker has the best views with 3 walls of just glass, floor to ceiling. It’s old-school, white table cloth, American food but… the food is just ok.

Scoma’s isn’t my favorite, food is hit or miss, and you aren’t guaranteed a table with a view.

Barrel House is very upscale, good views, good food.

Copita is upscale, charming, good Mexican food, small portions, on the main street near Poggio but no view.

Sushi Ran is a Michelin Star Japanese restaurant, very good, but not in the heart of downtown. No view.

Other restaurants are either very catered to tourists and not great, or where locals eat but none to write home about.

There are several parking lots in downtown Sausalito.

We love taking the ferry from Sausalito to the Ferry Bldg (very fun to walk through, lots of shops, places to eat). It only takes 30 min. The ferry dock in Sausalito is in the heart of downtown, very easy to walk to. It has a large pkng lot which is also convenient for visiting downtown. Sometimes we take the ferry over then come right back just for the fun of a ferry ride. And sometimes we stay to enjoy the Ferry Bldg then come back to Sausalito.

Edited: Link to Shuttle Service. Shuttle from Sausalito is 7 days/wk starting 6/20. Larkspur Landing is 8 mi north of Sausalito on the freeway (Hwy 101).

https://www.oursausalito.com/muir-woods/muir-woods-shuttle.html

Again, thank you so much for all the help!

Susan--My mom definitely leans toward old school, white tablecloth and views, and is as far from a foodie as can be;) We usually try to steer a bit away from that, but not so much that mom doesn't have options she likes on the menu, if that makes sense. We look and see if there are at least 2 things she would love, but also some more innovative options for the rest of us. I will take a look at all those that you listed.

Sounds like Spinnaker would be perfect for your mom, but you won’t find anything the slightest bit innovative. Think 1970s American food, lol. While the dining room is white table cloth it’s also slightly shabby with some torn, worn out upholstery, and old carpet. People go there for the views, which cannot be beat. Make a reservation and ask for a table in the corner at the far end, you’ll be well rewarded.

Susan--Oh that is tough as mom would notice the shabbiness in a heartbeat and not like that. I will check all those other places out today.

I understand. Better to know now then.
Did you see my edit in my first post with the link to the shuttle? But with a rental car my guess is you’d rather drive there, especially since your mom tires easily.
Whatever you all end up doing, i hope you have a wonderful day in my neighborhood….. : )

Susan, yes I saw it, thank you. Traveling with mom and in her "new" condition is a learning experience for sure. We are trying to make this a smooth fun day for her, and trying to cover any contingencies that might pop up. Thankfully she is very appreciative of everything, so even if (when) she tires out she will be happy that we are trying to make the best day for her.

I think it will be a smooth and very fun day for all of you. I live here and it’s still a fun day to drive to MW, walk as little or as much as you want, sit on a bench, drive to Saus, walk as little or as much as you want, sit on benches, maybe take the ferry to the Ferry Bldg and back, then a nice dinner in Saus.
It’s all really simple, easy and fun, and i think you’ve done a good job figuring it all out.

Susan--My mom has enjoyed the Ferry Building in the past. My dads office was in the old Union Pacific building, up quite high and his corner office looked right out over the Ferry Building. He has a huge telescope in the corner to look out. She might like to see that area again, so if she has the energy we will do that.

Sounds good, and it’s a good day for “if mom’s up for it” options.

We finally made decision;) Scoma's it is. It should suit mom perfectly. I will give an update next month:). Thank you all for your help!

I’ve never been disappointed at Scomas. I’ve only been to the Sausalito location 2 or 3 times, as opposed to more frequently at the S.F. location. It won’t hurt to make a reservation and specifically ask for a table with a view.

Sounds great, i’m sure you all will have a very enjoyable day!

Andrea and i have been to Scoma’s together… 😉

(I’ve had good meals and not good meals there, it’s inconsistent).

Andrea and Susan, thank you so much. I made a reservation, but will ask for a table with a view. I did let them know it was for a special birthday. This is going to be a surprise for mom, so she will be thrilled!

I think she’ll love it!

I think she’ll love it too!

I am sitting here at SEA ready to head to moms’s. The only thing truly planned is dinner out. With mom’s cognition, we need to wait until we are there in person to figure out the rest of the plans, if any. She gets confused easily, so we are trying to keep things as simple as can be.

I hope the birthday celebration goes well, and you have an enjoyable visit with your mother and the rest of your family.

Lola, thank you. My bag is chuck full of gifts for mom, including a Mixbook album of her life. Regardless of what we do over the next few days, it is just a celebration to still have her. The last 10 months have been a roller coaster. So any time with mom is precious.

Update:)

We were a bit short on time yesterday so we're not able to do anything except Sausalito, but that is fine. It was VERY nice to escape the heat in Lafayette as I am born/raised PNW and wilt in the heat;) We headed over around 2 and traffic was a crawl the entire way. We knew it would be busy with a Friday and holiday weekend, but still. Found a nice little valet parking lot tucked in the center of things. In the past, mom would have been in every shop to look but she had no interest so we just wandered. We did make sure to get a lot of photos of the three of us. You realize how precious things like this are, after the year we have had.

Dinner was at Scoma's and as we checked in mom was wished a Happy Birthday. Almost every employee that passed our table stopped to say happy birthday to her as well. All in a very nice way, not cheesy at all. Dinner itself was very good, mom was not cold (a daily issue), and they brought her a very nice dessert all dressed with more birthday wishes. They sang to her, again without it being cheesy, and it was just very nice overall.

I truly appreciate all of the help and suggestions. Mom's need keep changing, so we just have to go with the flow. She had a great birthday and was so happy with the outing. We did not tell her where we were going until yesterday morning and she was so surprised and excited:)

I’m so happy to hear this, sounds like a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday to your mom! 🌷

I’m so happy to hear you made it to Sausalito at least, and that she enjoyed Scoma’s. Happy Birthday to your mom! 🥳

Susan and Andrea--Thank you so much. I got home last night and was mentally wiped out. It was a great trip, but the situation is not easy. Both my brother and I were sitting in the lounge yesterday and we both said we were just exhausted. The outing was a lot of fun, and what we all needed. We commented that mom must have been wiped out well as she had not texted us in hours;)

We have to treasure every moment possible with our loved ones.

You gave your mom a wonderful gift of spending time with her and doing something happy and different from her normal routine. You all will treasure the memories forever. Well done.