Two stars was to get operators attention. SUMMARY: This tour was good but not up to “Viator” standards. First, the directions for the ferry trip to Alcatraz was not well communicated. There is no guide to meet you at the starting point or tell you where to go. Second, no water or snack was ever offered for the entire 7 hour trip. Third, “the guide” was actually just a driver with commentary. He actually went for a TWO hour bike ride while we were in Muir Woods without ever asking us about the timing. This only allowed one hour to explore Sausalito.
Although Alcatraz is noted as self guided tour, it isn’t clear that you must still stand in line for the ferry and use a QR code NOT the Viator ticket to get on the boat. I’ve never booked a tour where the guide did not me meet at the starting point - EVER. Itinerary and directions need to be clearer although Faycal did promptly return our texts.
The trip to Muir Woods and Sausalito was pleasant but crowded, there were 14 guests NOT 11 or less -it was a packed van. Roman was funny BUT talked more about his swim club, biking and running AND he quickly let us know he’d planned a two hour bike ride while we visited Muir Woods. Quite a job, getting paid to drive into nature and go biking.
The time was supposed to be split with both sites but we only got ONE hour in Sausalito-barely enough time to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry. Although by this point we were famished and could have stayed for a meal - which some people actually did.
Roman should have polled the guests before deciding we would spend two hours at Muir Woods and only one in Sausalito. I don’t appreciate paying for him to bike then not having time to explore and eat in Sausalito. While he did drop us at our hotel afterwards he used that time to remind us -again - about the 20% gratuity - as living in SF can be expensive.