Day trip from San Fransisco - Muir Woods or Santa Cruz?

[motherofthree]

We are going on a California Road trip in a few weeks' time. We will have three full days in San Fransisco. On the third day, we are thinking of either going to Muir Woods or visiting Santa Cruz. What would you recommend and why? Our children are 13, 11 and 3. Thanks

[red cuillen]

It's a couple of hours drive to Santa Cruz, but you could walk around a redwood trail and look at a steam train on the way down at Felton Roaring Camps Railroad in Henry Cowell State Park, do some rides on the prom at Santa Cruz then drive back. A fair bit of driving with 3 children! Muir Woods can be accessed by shuttle from SF or done as part of a Dylans tour. Up to you I'm afraid!

[KayLouise]

Sorry, no advice motherofthree. Just wanted to ask will you be doing a trip report?
Our youngest is 3 and we had been putting off going to California until he's a little older, so would love to hear how you get on. 😊

[Sandraoh40]

We went to Santa Cruz a few years ago. It probably didn’t help that it was a grey drizzly day but I was very underwhelmed by it. We drove up from Monterey. Only spent maybe less than an hour having a walk along the boardwalk. Personally it’s not somewhere I would go back to.

[LOU LOU DISNEY]

Muir woods is beautiful! We went as part of a Dylan’s tour we had just over an hour there which was just the right time to do one of the smaller trails. Highly recommend Dylan’s famous tour in general.

[Olympiad]

Muir Woods is a lot closer to SF and is a great place to visit but it does get very (very) busy and parking is a serious issue unless you head there early (edit I think you may nees to reserve in advance now) Would be worth looking at a tour or public transport option otherwise.

Santa Cruz is a couple of hours away and is also worth a trip. As mentioned above you can also visit a Redwood park on the way such as Henry Cowell. We went to Big Basin which is a slightly longer route but not much. Both are equally as impressive as Muir Woods (which gets it's popularity due to proximity to SF).

Don't think you'd go wrong with either option, but if you don't mind the drive I'd go for a Santa Cruz / redwood combo.

[motherofthree]

Originally Posted by KayLouise

Sorry, no advice motherofthree. Just wanted to ask will you be doing a trip report?
Our youngest is 3 and we had been putting off going to California until he's a little older, so would love to hear how you get on. 😊

See more...

I might do!

[cornishfrogboy]

We did Muir woods as part of the Dylan's tour mentioned above. It is just above Sausolito, through Marin. Again, we would highly recommend Dylan's, although I accept that you have a 3 year old.

Muir woods has lovely flat trails with very clear directions and is also very well set up for those with physical disabilities who may have buggies/wheelchairs. It is well worth a visit.

[cornishfrogboy]

Motherofthree.. I very much hope that you do a trip report as I am aware that you have read mine.

I am intrigued to know how your own trip goes!

[jdouds]

Hi are you doing the cycle to the bridge, if not do this and over to sausilito and back on the ferry.