This Marin County blog post dives into the renewed shuttle service to Muir Woods. It highlights where the shuttle now stops, which days it runs, and how parking, fares, and Marin towns fit into planning a Redwood Forest visit from places like Mill Valley, Sausalito, San Rafael, and Larkspur.
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Key changes to the Muir Woods shuttle
The Muir Woods shuttle is back, but with some real changes this time. The shuttle won’t stop at the Sausalito ferry terminal anymore; now it only stops at the Larkspur ferry terminal.
Larkspur made the cut thanks to more weekday ferry runs and a much bigger parking lot. The lot’s free on weekends and after 1 p.m. on weekdays, which feels like a relief compared to Sausalito’s smaller, pay-by-the-hour lots that made things tricky for riders in the past.
The SMART train’s expanded service to Larkspur played a big part in this decision. Folks from San Rafael, Corte Madera, and Novato can now connect to the outdoors in Marin County more easily.
The shuttle’s also running more days. You can catch it on Fridays, not just weekends—so it’s Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays all season. No service in winter, though.
Stop changes and why
Shuttle planners say the Larkspur terminal just works better for a wider mix of Marin commuters and visitors. People from Ross and San Anselmo can reach the ferry or park-and-ride with less hassle.
Larkspur’s bigger parking helps cut down on delays that used to happen in Sausalito. It’s a smoother start to a day among the redwoods near Muir Woods National Monument.
Schedule snapshot and what to expect this season
The shuttle keeps things simple with fares. It’s $4 round trip per passenger, and kids 15 and under ride free.
Parking reservations at Muir Woods are still a separate thing, ranging from $10 to $45 based on vehicle length. Everyone pays the park entrance fee, too, so keep that in mind.
The summer schedule runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays all season. That’s a pretty consistent three-day lineup, which is nice for families in Marin County.
If you’re coming from Mill Valley or Tiburon, you get longer weekends and don’t have to stress as much about parking at the park entrance.
Getting here from Marin County towns
From the villages that knit Marin together—Fairfax, San Anselmo, and Larkspur—plus the busier stretches of San Rafael and Mill Valley, the new schedule really points folks to Larkspur as the go-to pick‑up and drop‑off spot.
Travelers in Sausalito will need to tweak their plans, since the ferry stop there isn’t on the shuttle route anymore.
If you’re in Corte Madera or Ross, you can pair the ride to Larkspur with a quick parking strategy or hop over from nearby ferries. It’s a solid option if you’re hoping to spend the day under the redwoods or exploring the Tamalpais area.
Planning tips for a Muir Woods outing
- Check the Friday–Sunday schedule before heading out, especially if you’re in Novato or San Rafael and want a weekend escape to the woods.
- Reserve parking at Muir Woods in advance if you’re driving something bigger; fees go by vehicle length, so it’s worth planning ahead.
- Use the Larkspur option for better parking and fewer delays. It’s usually less stressful on busy Marin weekends.
- Kids under 16 ride free on the shuttle, which is a nice little bonus for families coming from places like Mill Valley or Larkspur.
- Don’t forget about the park entrance fee on top of the shuttle fare, and maybe budget a bit extra during peak season if you’re coming from San Anselmo or Ross.
Correction and schedule reminder
Correction: Quick heads up—a note clarifies that the summer shuttle runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays all season long. So if you’re planning that Marin County trip to Muir Woods, just remember it’s a three-day rhythm every week.
Here is the source article for this story: Muir Woods shuttle service in Marin is cutting one of its 2 stops
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