From San Francisco: Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Country

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This is a fantastic tour/experience! Muir Woods is so pretty. The trees are just as large as you imagined they would be. The Sonoma and Napa tours are also excellent. Great tastings along with fun wine facts. Our tour guide, Judd is fabulous!! Such an excellent driver. He is fun and so kind as well. He will give customers some really great facts about San Francisco before heading up to Muir Woods.

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Tour Highlights:

Explore the towering coastal redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument
Enjoy two wine tastings spread across Napa Valley & Sonoma Valley
A variety of red, white, and dessert wines
Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge with a stop for photos
Traverse California history while grabbing lunch in quaint Sonoma Plaza

Additional Information:

Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your pick up time.

Itinerary

Muir Woods With Napa & Sonoma Wine Country Tour

Morning – Muir Woods National Monument

7:40 - 8:15am:

We'll embark on this journey from the prearranged hotel pick-up locations. (Pro tip: arrive 10-15 minutes early!)

8:15 - 9:00am:

From the cozy vantage of the mini-coach, take in panoramic scenes that span the city skyline, Alcatraz Island and the boat-speckled bay. We'll next take the winding coastal mountain path through the Marin Headlands where you’ll see the base of Mt. Tamalpais (the highest point in the North Bay region) before we arrive in the cool, shaded canyon home to these special coastal redwoods.

The Marin Headlands are a striking coastal region located just north of San Francisco. This rugged terrain is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, sweeping ocean views, and rich natural beauty, offering breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. As part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Headlands feature a mix of grassy hills, wildflower-strewn meadows, and historic military sites, including old fortifications and radar stations. Its diverse ecosystems and scenic hiking trails make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, providing a picturesque escape from the urban environment of nearby San Francisco.

9:00 - 10:30am:

Are you ready to feel small next to a redwood?

Step off the mini-bus and into a lush, green wonderland, where you'll have an hour to an hour and a half to explore the wooden boardwalks that wind through the tallest trees on Earth. These majestic trees, which thrive only in Northern California and Oregon, owe their unique growth to the thick fog that blankets the West Coast during the summer months.

In 1908, Senator William Kent and his wife donated this land to the state, leading President Theodore Roosevelt to designate it as a federally protected area. Muir Woods is the last remaining stand of old-growth forest in the Bay Area, offering a rare opportunity to reconnect with a natural world that was nearly lost forever.

Muir Woods National Monument, located just 12 miles north of San Francisco in Marin County, is a haven for those seeking to experience the majesty of ancient coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Named after the renowned naturalist John Muir, the monument is home to some trees that are over 1,200 years old and can reach heights of more than 250 feet.

The park's trails weave through a dense, shaded forest, where the ground is lush with ferns, and the air is cool and fragrant with the earthy scent of redwood bark. The redwoods' reddish-brown bark, massive trunks, and lofty canopies create a peaceful, cathedral-like atmosphere that invites quiet reflection.

These coast redwoods are the tallest living trees on Earth, perfectly adapted to the foggy coastal environment of Northern California. Their shallow yet widespread root systems provide stability against strong winds and floods, while their thick, tannin-rich bark offers protection from fire, insects, and disease. Muir Woods offers a glimpse into the primeval landscapes of ancient forests, providing a perfect setting to appreciate the grandeur of these living giants.

Afternoon - Wine Tasting In Napa & Sonoma County

10:30 - 12:30pm:

After our immersive sensory tour of Muir Woods, we'll begin our journey into Wine Country. As we travel north, your guide will share the fascinating history of this land, where exceptional wines have been crafted since before California joined the Union. The rolling hills, adorned with rows of grapevines, have inspired countless renowned artists.

Sonoma and Napa, two of Northern California's most celebrated wine regions, boast rich histories dating back to the early 19th century. Sonoma's wine story began with the Spanish missionaries, who planted the first vineyards in the region. However, it was Hungarian immigrant Agoston Haraszthy who, in 1857, truly established Sonoma's commercial wine industry. Often regarded as the "Father of California Viticulture" Haraszthy founded Buena Vista Winery and introduced various European grapevines, setting the stage for Sonoma's rise as a wine powerhouse.

Napa's emergence as a world-class wine region began around the same time. In 1839, George C. Yount, the namesake of Yountville, planted Napa Valley's first vineyard. The region's wine industry grew steadily, and by the late 19th century, Charles Krug had established one of the valley's first commercial wineries. Despite facing challenges like the phylloxera epidemic, Prohibition, and the Great Depression, Napa's wine industry made a strong comeback in the mid-20th century. The 1976 "Judgment of Paris" a blind tasting event where Napa wines famously outshone their French counterparts, marked a turning point that thrust Napa into the international spotlight and cemented its status as a premier wine-producing region.

Today, both Sonoma and Napa are revered for their diverse and high-quality wines, attracting visitors from around the globe to explore their vineyards, tasting rooms, and rich viticultural heritage.

12:30 - 1:45pm

Next, we'll stop for lunch in Sonoma's historic town square. You can either pack a lunch or purchase something to eat from one of the local eateries. If time permits, take a stroll through the Mission San Francisco Solano to delve into the area's rich history. You might also enjoy sampling cheeses at Sonoma Jack's Cheese Factory or exploring the charming boutique shops that line the quaint town square.

Mission San Francisco Solano, founded on July 4, 1823, by Father José Altimira, is notable as the 21st and final mission built in California. Unlike earlier missions established under Spanish rule, San Francisco Solano was founded after Mexico's independence from Spain, making it the only mission initiated under Mexican governance. The mission played a crucial role in spreading Christianity and European agricultural practices in Northern California, though it faced challenges, including conflicts with local indigenous communities and the harsh realities of the mission system. In 1834, the Mexican government secularized the missions, leading to the decline of San Francisco Solano as a religious institution. Sonoma subsequently became a significant site in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846, which contributed to California's transition from Mexican to American control. Today, both the mission and the town of Sonoma are preserved as important historical landmarks, reflecting California's rich and complex past.

1:45 - 4:30pm:

Now is the time to kick back, practice your wine-swill technique, and enjoy the incredible selection of wines offered by our expert selection of wineries, one in the picturesque Sonoma Valley and one in the famous Napa Valley. Our friendly hosts will take us through a variety of white, red, and dessert wines at our favorite wineries such as Bouchaine, Kieu Hoang, Homewood, Larson and Robledo, among others. While each winery offers a selection of tastings included in this package, additional tasting fees may apply if you're hankering to try a selection not on the tasting menu.

Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley, both esteemed wine regions in California, offer distinct wine experiences shaped by their unique climates, soils, and traditions. Napa Valley is renowned primarily for its Cabernet Sauvignon, producing bold, full-bodied wines with rich flavors, thanks to its warm climate and well-drained soils. The region's focus on Cabernet has earned it an international reputation, making it a go-to destination for lovers of robust red wines. In contrast, Sonoma Valley offers a more diverse range of grape varieties, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being particularly prominent. Sonoma’s cooler, coastal-influenced climate and varied topography allow for a wider array of wine styles, from crisp, elegant whites to complex, nuanced reds. While both regions produce exceptional wines, Napa's emphasis is on the power and intensity of its Cabs, whereas Sonoma is celebrated for its versatility and the breadth of its wine offerings.

4:30 - 6:30pm:

Once you're cozy from all the wine-tasting your heart desires, we'll set our course back toward San Francisco. Have you been waiting for that iconic Golden Gate Bridge photo op? Wait no longer! Our final stop will be to stop and take in the awe-inspiring views from the bridge; which, contrary to popular belief, is named for the Golden Gate Strait which is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean.

6:30pm:

We'll end the day with a drop-off at your San Francisco hotel with plenty of time to find a nice spot to grab dinner.

Inclusions and exclusions

What is included:

Complimentary pickup/dropoff from most San Francisco hotels
Transportation to/from Wine Country in biofuel mini-coach
Narrated guided tour from full-time professional guide
3 full flights of wine tastings in both Napa & Sonoma Valley
Free time to explore Sonoma Plaza

What is not included:

Meals (stops will be made to purchase food)
Muir Woods entrance fee ($15)
Any additional tastings
Guide Gratuity (customary 15-20% of tour cost as per TripAdvisor tipping guide)

Departure

Monday, Wednesday, Friday – Sunday (year round)

Duration

11 hours

Transportation

Eco-friendly, comfortable transport in a biofuel mini-coach (13 passengers max)

Terms and Conditions

All bookings are made with Extragreen Holidays Group Management Pty Ltd (ABN 53 658 793 367) (us/we). By booking a trip with us, you have agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions set out in these booking conditions. Your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. The services to be provided are those referred to in your booking confirmation and/or invoice.

Please take the time to read and understand the conditions of booking set out below before booking a trip with us. We strongly recommend that you also read the information relating to your product or service before booking to ensure that you understand the itinerary, style and physical demands of the tour you are undertaking. Extragreen Holidays Group Management Pty Ltd will not be held responsible for passengers failing to familiarise themselves with the booking terms and conditions.

Fares

Fares are in Australian dollars, include GST (Goods and Services Tax) and are subject to change without notice.

Children

Children aged up to 20 years receive Child fare unless otherwise stated.
Adult fares apply to persons 21 years and over.
Children travelling on a public day tour must be seated in an allocated seat and wear a seat belt.

Pick-up & Drop-off

Please note it is the customer’s responsibility to be waiting out the front of your selected pickup location at least 10 minutes before departure. Failure to wait out the front of your selected location may result in the tour guide being unable to locate you, causing failure to load. We cannot be held responsible for passengers who fail to load.

Special Requirements

Please notify us of any dietary requirements, food allergies and/or medical conditions at the time of booking or 7-days before tour departure. Limited food options are available on extended tours, and forward planning is required to ensure we can accommodate but not guaranteed.

Agency

We may also, acting as an agent or reseller for various third-party suppliers of goods and services, engage relevant third-party suppliers to supply you with other goods or services, for example, ski hire and lift tickets associated with snow tours (third-party arrangements).
Any third-party arrangements are collateral to the bus transportation services we directly provide you. Our obligation to you is to (and you expressly authorise us to) arrange relevant contracts between you and relevant third-party goods and services providers, as may be relevant to the particular tour you have booked.
We exercise due care and skill in choosing third-party providers of goods and services but have no control over, and to the extent permitted by law, no liability for, the goods and services provided by relevant third parties.
All third-party arrangements made on your behalf are subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant third-party suppliers.

Travel Insurance

We recommend all guests have travel insurance which should be taken out at the time of booking before tour departure. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of $200 000 for each of the categories of cover.
We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account, please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and the emergency contact number with you rather than the bank’s name and credit card details.

Limitation of liability

You agree to indemnify us in relation to any loss or damage suffered by us in respect of goods or services provided to you in respect of third-party arrangements, including but not limited to claims in relation to damaged equipment, e.g., ski equipment.
To the extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any injury, loss, accident or delay that may occur due to factors beyond our direct control or by reason of any act or omission of any third party.

Recreational services waiver

As part of your tour, you may engage in sporting activities or leisure-time pursuits or other activities that involve a significant degree of physical exertion or physical risk and are undertaken for the purposes of recreation, enjoyment or leisure (recreational services). This may include but is not limited to skiing, snowboarding and snow sports.
To the extent permitted by law, Extragreen Holidays Group Management Pty Ltd, its employees, directors and agents are not liable to you, your dependents or legal representatives for personal injury or death suffered by you due to the negligence, breach of contract or statute or statutory duty of Extragreen Holidays Group Management Pty Ltd, including but not limited to any liability for recreational services not being rendered with due care and skill or not being reasonably fit for any purpose you have made known, expressly or by implication, to us or because we failed to achieve any result reasonably expected by you, which you made known, expressly or by implication, to us or for breach of any other consumer guarantee of the Australian Consumer Law (Vic) or of the Australian Consumer Law (Cth).
You acknowledge that recreational services and associated recreational activities are dangerous, with many risks and hazards. As a consequence, personal injury (including serious personal injury) and sometimes death can occur. You assume and accept all such risks and hereby waive the right to sue Extragreen Holidays Group Management Pty Ltd, its employees, directors and agents for any personal injury or death suffered by you in any way whatsoever caused by or arising from your use of such services or your participation in such activities.
Please see the below-prescribed warning in relation to recreational services in Victoria you participate in, to the extent that they are held to be supplied by us. By booking this tour, you are confirming that you have read, understood and agreed to these terms and conditions.

Warning under the Australian consumer law and fair trading act 2012

Under the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria), several statutory guarantees apply to the supply of certain goods and services. These guarantees mean that the supplier named on this form is required to ensure that the recreational services it supplies to you

are rendered with due care and skill.
are reasonably fit for any purpose that you, either expressly or by implication, make known to the supplier.
might reasonably be expected to achieve any result you have made known to the supplier.

Under section 22 of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012, the supplier is entitled to ask you to agree that these statutory guarantees do not apply to you. If you sign this form, you will be agreeing that your rights to sue the supplier under the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 if you are killed or injured because the services provided were not in accordance with these guarantees are excluded, restricted or modified in the way set out in clause 9 of this form.

The change to your rights, as set out in this form, does not apply if your death or injury is due to gross negligence on the supplier’s part. Gross negligence, in relation to an act or omission, means doing the act or omitting to do an act with reckless disregard, with or without consciousness, for the consequences of the act or omission. See regulation 5 of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Regulations 2012 and section 22(3)(b) of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation by the Traveller

If you wish to change or cancel a trip:

We understand that travel plans can sometimes change. If you cancel some or all portions of your booking, the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only take effect when we receive written confirmation that you have sent to your relevant booking agent notifying them of your cancellation.

Cancellations made between time of booking and 3 days prior to departure are 100% refundable. If cancelled less than 3 days prior to departure, no refund will be issued.

Different cancellation conditions may apply if/when booked through third-party agents. Your travel consultant will advise if differences apply. We strongly advise you to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking. If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a trip, join it after departure, or leave it before its completion, no refund will be made or compensation for departure costs incurred. The above cancellation terms are less any unrecoverable costs by accommodation providers, travel agents, third-party affiliates and supplier fees.

Cancellation by the operator

We may cancel a trip at any time up to 7 days before departure. Alternatively, we can cancel a trip at any time before departure if, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events occur that deem it not viable for us to operate the planned itinerary.

If we cancel your trip, we can offer you a choice of the following:

A 100% reimbursement of monies paid for your trip.
Transfer amounts paid to alternative departure date or tour operated by us.
Issued with a credit travel voucher to the amount paid for your trip, valid for 3 years.

Force Majeure Cancellation

A “Force Majeure Event” includes but is not limited to: acts of God; war; civil commotion; riot; blockade or embargo; fire; explosion; breakdown; union dispute; earthquake; epidemic, pandemic or other health emergencies; flood; windstorm or other extreme weather events; lack or failure of courses of supply; passage of any law, order, proclamation, regulation, ordinance, demand, requisition or requirement or any other act of any government authority, beyond the reasonable control of the parties, whether or not foreseeable, which would make it dangerous or not viable for a trip to commence or continue.

If a trip is cancelled due to a ‘Force Majeure Event’, we can offer you a choice of:

A 100% credit voucher of monies paid for your trip.
A refund minus unrecoverable costs.

Any credit travel voucher resulting from cancellation as mentioned:

3-year expiry date and may be applied towards any other available trip offered by us
Are not redeemable for cash.
Excludes flights, accommodations, and insurance as they will have their own booking conditions

In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside our reasonable control, refunds will be less than any unrecoverable costs. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking, including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.

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