Tom Martell Muir Walking Tours

This tour was the BEST! The big bus tours couldn't begin to compare, I'm so glad we didn't go with one of them. Tom picked us up directly at our hotel and drove us up to a spot he knew about so we could hike downhill most of the way. He had various adjustments at the ready to accomodate the difficulty/adventure level we chose. So full of information and knowlege, happy to answer any questions we had. It was beautiful, and we got to almost completely avoid the tourist crowds. On top of that he provided a lovely picnic lunch in a lovely spot. And the price was less than us renting a car and trying to figure out how to handle the reservations and so forth by ourselves! Amazing deal, I'm so glad we found him! Total highlight of our trip to San Francisco.

Tom gave us a wonderful tour of Muir Woods. Lots of walking. Lots of talking. It's exactly what we wanted. I'm very glad we went with Tom and not one of the big tour groups. He picked us up from our hotel and got us there before the crowds. Thanks Tom!

I can't believe I waited this long to review this awesome man!!!! Now my memory is hazy so I won't be able to write as much as I would like.

I visited San Francisco for a Harry Potter convention and a bunch of us nerds wanted to take a day trip somewhere cool. Muir woods was the best option. I did all the booking myself since we came from all over and half the group came from the UK. Tom Martell seemed like the best option because we wanted more than an hour and a huge guided tour didn't seem so fun.

Tom picked us up at our hotel. I believe there were 5 of us total. I thought it would be weird with awkward conversations, but Tom was very friendly and talkative and we never had an awkward silence at all! The drive to Muir Woods was pleasant, lovely fog. Closer to the destination we saw a few deer right next to the car and we pulled over and they weren't scared at all. Tom recognized the deer because she was with twin babies that had been born a few weeks back and were known to the Muir Woods folk. That's another thing... Tom knows everyone who works at the park pretty well. It's nice to know he's there so often and that he really knows everything there is to know about the woods!

The tour itself was fabulous. We walked and walked, and kept walking. Eventually the other tourists disappeared behind us. He likes to take you to a point on the path where the tourists give up and get lazy. Even even went off the beaten track for a bit, which is awesome. He told us lots of stories and we all got along with him. He was pretty hilarious as well. I really wish I cold give more details about how awesome he is, but this was a year ago.

He also provided us with a tasty lunch of sandwiches, juice, and pastries. Let him know if there are any vegetarians in the group and he'll get something for everyone.

He then dropped us off in Sausalito. Anyway, he was freakin awesome and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants a tour of Muir Woods and doesn't have a car. It only cost around $60 a person, and was damn worth it. Not much more than other tours, and lunch and admission was provided.

Don't waste your money on one of those bus tours you see advertised. You only get to spend about an hour in the woods, and only in the visitor center area. Some of these tours don't even include admission to the park into the price. Tom first starts by picking you up at your hotel!!! He only has enough seats for 6 people so the tour is very small and personalized. He includes the tolls for the bridge and the admission into the park in his price. He is an expert of the flora and fauna tells you about the plants and wildlife on the way through the Muir woods. He takes you past the visitors area and gift shop and onto the trails through the woods. Altogether i'd say we hiked a few miles and spent about 3 hours there. He also packs a lunch for everyone. The picnic was lovely! At the conclusion of the trip he drops you off in Sausalito. From here you can take a ferry into the harbor( a few dollars per person). The boat ride gives you a beautiful view of the city, the golden gate bridge, and Alcatraz. Everyone on the tour quickly becomes good friends ( we met a nice couple from the UK and Australia when we went). This was the best thing we did while in SF.

Finally, ask Tom about restaurants while you're on the tour. He know some of the best places in town to eat.

We had read many reviews about Tom Martell's Muir Woods walking tour prior to arriving in San Francisco. We knew going into this tour we would not be disappointed. However, Tom's tour exceeded our expectations!!! He was sooooo informative in every aspect of Muir Woods and the San Francisco area for that matter. In the 6 days we visited San Francisco the tour we took with Tom was our most highlighted, favorite and most memorable time. Walking through Muir Woods on a private tour is a very unique experience. Tom is a truly authentic person and he is AWESOME at what he does!!! I was thrilled to have spent part of my birthday touring/visiting this incredible most majestic place and having Tom as our guide.

For $70.00 per person, this tour was well worth it. Tom, an old ex-hippie, picks you up in his van from wherever you're staying in San Fran and gets you across the golden gate and into Muir woods before all the tourists arrive. In our case, tom picked up 5 other people so our tour included seven people of mixed nationality. It was the perfect size group - small enough to feel personal but large enough too not be uncomfortable. Tom gave us a 3 hour tour of the woods that probably included about 4 miles of hiking on mixed grade terrain. Tom is full of interesting information and funny stories. At the end of the tour he drives you to sausilito and shows you where to buy a ticket for a ferry ride back to downtown San Fran. I am really glad we chose tom's tour over one of those bus tours with a huge group where you only get an hour in the woods and no guide. Highly recommended.

I did this tour with Tom and a lovely family from North Carolina last Thursday (5/22). It was fabulous! I agreed to be picked up from the Hilton on O'Farrell--Tom told me to be there at 0720, and he was right on time! Warm, welcoming, gregarious, and fun and easy to talk with, we chatted on the way to pick up the other tour members.

We arrived at Muir Woods by about 0800, and had the entire space virtually all to ourselves! Tom told us all kinds of great stories (ask him about the coyote and "his" trail, and the love-hate relationship with his raven friend), pointed out all sorts of birds, edible plants, baby salmon hiding in the stream, and of course the gorgeous trees. He took us on a beautiful walk off the "beaten path," and even treated us to a picnic snack of sandwiches, chips, drinks, and fruit!!

When our grand tour was done and we were on our way out, we were SO thankful to have been there early--we smugly walked past the throngs of screeching, screaming schoolchildren and the bus loads of tourists that were then pouring in. They would not know Muir Woods in the sacred way we were able to experience it--in the crisp, first-morning air, and in stillness and silence. We even saw a mama dear and her Bambi baby!

He then drove us to beautiful Sausalito and gave us instructions on how to take the ferry back to the city.

Bye, Tom! Thank you for your good conversation, your good cheer, and for your enthusiasm and expertise. I've made about 14 trips to SF in the last four years, and this was one of the best experiences I've had!

Tom
Our day in the woods today was awesome! You explained so much,pointed out so
many things we would have missed. My granddaughter and thoroughly enjoyed your
tour and your enthusiasm sharing your knowledge and passion

Thanks

Julie and Micaela

I highly recommend Tom for a hike and tour of Muir Woods. Tom is very friendly and personable. He knows Muir Woods well and takes a small group out early in the morning, so you can avoid the crowds. He provides a nice picnic lunch. You get dropped off in Sausalito and hems got great recommendations for restaurants in Sausalito and San Francisco. You won't be disappointed. Some tips: wear comfortable walking shoes and a light sweater (it can get chilly in the morning) and you'll have more energy if you plan to eat a little breakfast before he picks you up.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Muir Woods tour with Tom and the rest of the visitors in our group. Our group consisted of 5 people (including myself) which made our tour though Muir Woods more enjoyable and personal. One of our greatest enjoyments when visiting national parks is to learn as much as we can about our beautiful country and the many treasures it has to offer. I highly recommend Tom for his charisma, friendliness, knowledge, and plain 'ol good time! :) Definitely money well spent and one of the highlights of our trip!

Thanks Tom!!