The day begins with a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, which offers sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the city skyline. We wind our way through the coastal mountains of the Marin Headlands and along the base of Mt. Tamalpais (the highest point in the North Bay region) on our way to Muir Woods National Monument. The coastal redwood is the tallest tree species in the world. These trees only thrive in Northern California and Oregon, due to the thick fog that blankets the west coast in the summer months. In 1908, Senator William Kent and his wife donated their land to the state, and President Theodore Roosevelt designated it as a federally protected area. Muir Woods is the only surviving stand of old-growth redwood forest in the Bay Area. Wandering amongst these towering giants, the sights, sounds, and smells of this living museum are sure to reconnect you with a natural world that was almost lost. From there it's a short drive to Sausalito, a picturesque town that starts with hilltop mansions and spills down gracefully into boutiques, cafes, and walkable lanes along the waterfront. The pier offers a breathtaking view of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, and Angel Island. Take it all in before meeting up with your group for the return trip to San Francisco, or linger at a sidewalk cafe, shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, and sample freshly caught seafood before taking the ferry back to the city.