Marin Travel Tips: If You're Going To San Francisco

One of the best things about our Marin Hotels is their proximity to all the best things to do in Marin combined with proximity to our famous neighbor San Francisco. Here’s how to hop from Marin’s dramatic, pristine beauty to a vibrant San Francisco in minutes via car, ferry, or bus.

Driving to San Francisco from Marin Hotels

If you’re driving, you’re going over the Golden Gate Bridge, the vital link between Marin and San Francisco. Here’s a “did you know” — the Golden Gate Bridge is shared between San Francisco and Marin Counties. You’ll technically reach San Francisco over the water!

From Acqua Hotel, you’ll reach the other side of the bridge in San Francisco in about 8 minutes. From Mill Valley Inn in about 15 minutes. From Waters Edge Hotel in about 18 minutes. Of course this depends on time of day. Avoid the commute traffic by taking your time with (complimentary!) breakfast at the hotel, and head out after 9am. A pretty heavy evening commute usually starts around 4 and goes to 6:30ish.

When you pop out of the bridge on the San Francisco side, you’re in the Presido. While you’re there, consider exploring this beautiful spot. Here’s our guide for the best things to do in Presidio. And here’s one of our favorite hikes in the Presidio.

Explore the Golden Gate Bridge. Here’s our Golden Gate Bridge Travel Guide with the best spots for exploring the bridge on the Marin side and the San Francisco side.

Tolls. There are toll booths going into San Francisco (but not coming back to Marin). They’re electronic so there’s no way to pay with cash. Here’s everything you need to know about paying the toll in your own car or a rental car.

Parking. You’re lucky if you find street parking, but if you do please pay attention to the often confusing signs that indicate hours street cleaning, special parking hours, limited parking hours etc. Mostly street parking is limited to 2 hours. They do tow, no joke! Plan to pay for metered parking with credit cards. Garages and parking lots are located in most areas so that’s always a good option. Also — as in any major city — don’t leave valuables in your car. Want more details? Here’s everything you need to know about parking in San Francisco.

Ferry to San Francisco from Marin Hotels

Want to leave the driving to someone else? Take the Ferry! There are 3 ferry terminals in Marin: Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon. If you’re staying at Waters Edge Hotel lucky you, the Ferry dock is steps from the hotel. For the other two terminals, you can drive (there’s paid parking at both) or catch an Uber or Lyft.

Ferry Services & Schedules. There are two Ferry companies operating between Marin and San Francisco:

Golden Gate Transit. Here are Marin-San Francisco Ferry Schedules from Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon to San Francisco. These Ferries dock behind the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace.

Blue and Gold Fleet. Here’s the Sausalito schedule and the Tiburon schedule. These Ferries dock at Pier 41. (Blue and Gold does not run a Larkspur Ferry.)

Both terminals on the San Francisco side are close to Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Aquatic Park, and the Exploratorium. For all other destinations you can walk, catch a bus, Uber/Lyft, street car, or cable cars. Here are the basics on public transportation in San Francisco.

Special Events. Headed from Marin to Chase Center for a Warriors game or a concert? There’s a ferry for that! Same with Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants and other special events.

Bus to San Francisco from Marin Hotels

Here’s the bus schedule from Marin to San Francisco. If you’re staying at Mill Valley Inn the closest bus stop is Mill Valley Depot stop at Miller & Sunnyside; Acqua Hotel is Strawberry Village at Reed & Belvedere. Tiburon has limited bus service, the ferry is a much better option!

ps. There are a lot of links in this post, so what’s one more? Here are a few of our favorite things to do in San Francisco.

See you out there!