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Tourist Club
- Hours:
Sat-Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
181 reviews for Tourist Club
181 reviews in English
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Review from Natalie M.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
We stopped here after hiking the dipsea trail and you almost feel as if you're in Germany because of the decor and the sausage and beer part of course. I don't love beer nor do I eat sausage, but I was in luck because they serve delicious pickles for $1.00! I recommend packing a little something to eat if you aren't crazy for chips and sausages. Also, be sure to bring cash! I can't wait to go back, have some more pickles and play connect 4 while sitting a picnic table and enjoying amazing views of the gorgeous woods!
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Review from brian j.
San Francisco, CA
8/24/2011
In SF's back yard,
Up high above Muir Woods,
Magic place for beer. -
Review from Gina G.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2012
This place feels like you're sitting in the German Alps.
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Review from Mark B.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The view is amazing. The building and decks are perfect places is spend an afternoon with a few friends and a few pitchers. The German Tourist Club is one of my favorite new discoveries. It is rustic, but just right. It feels as if you are drinking in your own backyard, assuming your backyard is very spacious and in one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world.
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Review from Pablo C.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2012
Been there a couple of weeks ago, really loved the hike (a bit short though, barely an hour, and we took our time ...). It's great to head out in the woods and have a few beers after doing some exercise.
Warning: only cash, no food other than chips & german dry sausages. If you get there after 1-1:30pm you'll have to sit on the floor, all the benches will be taken by then. -
Review from Mike O.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2012
This place is a magical heaven, but be aware of the rules, and bring cash. Definitely worth the hike in.
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Review from Jen G.
San Francisco, CA
12/17/2011
Great place to stop for a beer in the woods! Pack your own lunch if you plan to eat- they only have snacks. Sit on the deck on a summer hike or bundled up on a cold day or keep warm by the fire inside if it's chilly out. Cash only.
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Review from David N.
San Francisco, CA
8/8/2011 5 Check-ins Here
BRING CASH. and, please take the longer hike. You really have to want that first sip of beer.
no-cell phone policy (as if you would get reception anyways). and bring some board games and a snack or food. -
Review from Nini D.
San Francisco, CA
7/3/2011
Awesome place on a goereous summer day!
Agree with all the other Yelpers on how great this place is, Beer, great veiws and there's a sense of peace and calmness all around. I think many people just come out to here to hang out for hours by brining cards, and board games.
My only complain was that the website did not give detailed directions on the hikes, so I recommend getting a trail map before you get there. We did the short 20min hike, but could not figure out there the trail started! oh yeah there are no signs of course! Luckily we ran into a park ranger and she gave us a map! yay! -
Review from Corey V.
10/3/2011
I finally got here! I've heard ghost stories about this place for years and figured I'd never actually get here considering I don't own a car. My neighbor was kind enough to offer me a ride and I'm glad I accepted. This place is awesome! The hike, the view, the beer, the pickles and the sausage all made the pilgrimage worth while. It just goes to show that you should never give up hope when it comes to finding a great new watering hole.
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Review from Eva Y.
Oakland, CA
This is such as nice place to hang out, bring your lunch, have a beer, and play cards with friends.... after a short hike. Their patio area is filled with picnic tables and surrounded by flowers, trees, and just nature. It's a nice place, private, and will need to go early since they only allow a certain number of non-members to go in.
I came here with friends yesterday after a nice hike. Lunch under the trees and nature is definitely a treat!
Date worthy? Yes, if you are up for a short hike. -
Review from Tiffany N.
Denver, CO
3/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am hesitant to even write this review because frankly Tourist Club doesn't have room for large crowds nor do they particularly care to have non-members drinking their beer and enjoying their beautiful space. However, it is truly one of my favorite places I've been since living in San Francisco and so if you can respect the rules I think it's worth sharing.
Four of us took the longer route on a rainy Saturday to feast in German beers and board games and while it was wet and cold the trip was still worth making in my mind, if that gives you any context. The hike itself was easy to medium for me - there are some steep parts at the beginning. And to put it in perspective I generally try to do some form of exercise at least 3 times a week. It took us less than an hour to make the hike and the entire time we walked in a weird sort of fog so while we could only enjoy the nature scenery close up it did give me the feeling of being in some sort of movie a la Twilight or other vampirical tale.
Upon arrival, the little cabin was packed! This was, of course, because the rain left no seat outside unpuddled and so we all huddled near the warmth and grumbled when the door was left open admitting chilly breezes. However, my little party managed to find 4 chairs that we circled to create a game playing space. They have some games of their own that you can play or you could bring some in a backpack if you'd prefer.
Speaking of backpacks you'll probably want to fill yours with food. While they do have small snacks it's not anywhere near enough for something akin to lunch and after the hiking and the beer drinking you'll probably want something more substantial than a pretzel and Toblerone bar.
There were 3 beers on tap during my visit and you can get them by the glass or by the pitcher. Just make sure you bring dollars to pay for your drinks as it's cash only and there aren't any ATMs.Listed in: Dolla, dolla bills y'all!
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Review from Lisa K.
10/31/2011
I was pleasantly surprised that the Tourist Club was not too crowded on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, so I guess I have to respect their rule for non-members of no groups larger than 7 people. Overall the atmosphere was really nice and didn't feel overly exclusive. There were definitely members only areas but I understand there's a lot going on here and just feel like it's nice that it's even open to the public.
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Review from Kalah W.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2011
Awesome stop along the way if your hiking in Murr Woods. It's friendly and low key.
My big complaint is there were no options other than beer. -
Review from Lisa R.
3/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a find! After a day of brunching and shopping, we hiked in to this place, deep in the woods of Marin/Mill Valley. Surrounded by nature, this is a traditional German bier haus. Outside picnic tables, board games, a couple of beers on tap and a few more in bottles, this is a beautiful place to do a day's long hike and then sit in the sun and enjoy your companions company and a few cold beers.
We met a few of the members who had hiked 19 miles and ended their hike there for a few beers and some trivial pursuit. They were a lot of fun to chat with and we got to hear a little history on this special place. One of the founding members was there with his dog, Moll. She was adorable and followed her master everywhere.
W spent a few enjoyable hours there and are planning to come back. They are only open on the weekends (for the bar) and operate from 1-5pm. The hike down from the parking lot is very steep, so beware. It's a great butt and cardio workout on the way back up. -
Review from Stephen O.
Berkeley, CA
2/2/2011
Here's a few suggestions . . .
This place really needs an upgrade.
First, the parking lot is way far away from the tourist club, so you actually have to walk there. I mean, with your feet.
Second, they serve beer - who wants to drink beer after a long day of enjoying nature in the middle of nowhere?
Third, they have board games. Come on. Nobody plays board games anymore - that's for old people! Humbug!
Fourth, there's lots of dogs and kids running around. Ew!
(Kidding. This place is awesome. I like.) -
Review from Fahkin A.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2011
This place is weird. A short angry hippie told me that I wasnt welcome. I offered him $3 and next thing you know we're on the deck playing Boggle together. I also met a tourist from Iowa who thought he was at the Muir Woods visitor center. He was confused by the beer, short angry hippies and Boggle. On the hike back to mill valley I saw a group of people participating in what appeared to be a satanic ritual or at least some sort of seance. But 15 minutes later I saw them all at Joe's Tacos and they seemed normal so who knows. I gave this place 5 stars because the beers were great. All the other weirdness is not a reflection on the courteous staff and clean urinals. I do wish they were open on Tursdays.
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Review from robert s.
Corte Madera, CA
2/15/2011
I love this place. i have been coming here for 10 years. This year i finally am going for my membership. This is a place to make a bunch of great new friends and join something really cool.
Make sure to come to the Fests. Its hard to have more fun on the mountain that at one of these fests.
The club is closed on the 2nd sunday of every month for a workday. make sure you dont go because the club is closed and you will be turned away by a bunch of people working their ass off. If you want to become a member show up @ 9am and be prepared to work hard and then get fed a great meal and beers.
Dont bring your dog! Only members are allowed to have dogs at the club. -
Review from Tiffany C.
Palo Alto, CA
2/7/2011
Do you like hiking?
Do you like beer?
Do you like being in a unique environment?
Go to Tourist Club!!!!
Boyfriend and I came here after a long 10-mile hike (we did the loop twice--Dipsea to Sun Trail to Fern Trail and Lost Trail back to Oceanview... or something like that). But we did it twice. And it was an awesome hike.
Then we ended at the TC (hehe like my name), and had some beers. I only like light beer, so I had the Pilsner, as did boyfriend. Very reasonably priced ($5.50), and we also bought a dried sausage which was delicious. Tasted like beef jerky kinda.
The environment is awesome--people of all ages gathered around in groups, talking, laughing, drinking beer, playing board games. In the middle of nature. You almost feel like you are at camp. It's seriously a cool experience. And the fact that you have to hike there is awesome too.
Bring a sandwich or some kind of food, and you are absolutely good to go. Or, if you like dried sausage or chips or trail mix, you can buy them at TC.
Will definitely be coming back closer to Oktoberfest. I'm sure these guys know how to party. -
Review from Whitney R.
El Sobrante, CA
1/16/2011
Super fun time! Hats off to these folks for allowing the unwashed masses to access their awesome clubhouse with amazing views of the forest. The Panoramic/Redwood and Sun trails from Muir Woods/Mt. Tam State Park are not very challenging so it's not difficult to get to. The place was PACKED. I don't think people were observing the less than 7 person group rule unless they were all members. Space was limited. Be prepared to sit on a bench or wait for a table. The vibe was nice, felt like a ski lodge even though we were in Mill Valley. The beer was delicious and reasonably priced.
The only thing I would change was the lack of toilet paper, I would gladly pay an extra 50 cents for my beer if it would help the club keep adequate amounts of toilet paper for their guests! -
Review from lindsay f.
Alameda, CA
8/8/2011
Great place to stop and have a couple beers while you're hiking the dipsea trail. Nice scenery & friendly staff. More bang for your buck if you get individual cups instead of the pitcher. And definitely go for the sausage in the jar and a pickle, YUM!
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Review from Christine C.
San Francisco, CA
6/2/2010 7 photos
Eric calls The Tourist Club the light at the end of the tunnel after a strenuous hike up the Lost Trail.
We arrived 15 minutes before closing. The staff did not hesitate to welcome us in to rest, have a beer, and recuperate. We were invited to have a go at the board games and just relax. We cooled off with a couple of lager and did exactly what we were invited to do, relax.
The club is non-profit and the staff is all volunteers. It is a member's club but is open to the public on certain weekends. You can always visit their website to check if they are open before hiking your way there.
The charming lodge looks over Mt. Tam and the details are begging to be photographed. Abby the cat, one of the members' pet, sunbathes on the ground and poses like a professional model.
Tourist Club is definitely a hidden gem in the middle of Mt. Tam.Listed in: Charms of the Bay
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Review from Kenny J.
8/1/2010
Tourist Club conveniently combines two activities I love dearly: hiking and drinking beer. :D
A few things you should know.
1) It's only open to the public from 1-5pm on weekends except the second weekend of each month. Also, it's closed for members only events, so check their calendar before you make plans.
2) Parking is extremely limited. Come early or hike in. Better to come early as you may not be in the mood to hike very far after a few beers. ;P
3) Bring snacks!! You can't BYO alcohol and their food selection is limited to just a few snack items (dried sausage, trail mix, chocolate, etc).
4) If you're gonna hike first, you can stop by the Subway in Mill Valley for a quick lunch to pack on the trail.
We parked at the Tourist Club lot around 1ish on a gorgeous summer Saturday afternoon and there were only a couple cars there. From there, we hiked on the Redwood Trail to another trail, to the Dipsea Trail and then finally to the Sun Trail. All together it was about a 5mi loop.
We took slightly longer than expected since we had stopped many times to take pictures and goof off. So, we didn't get back to the Tourist Club until 10 minutes until 5, but the place was still packed and it was easy to get a pitcher of delicious German beer. I highly recommend the Weihenstephaner Dark Wheat. So delicious, even the girl in front of me in line said it was good. They also had a pils, a lager, and a hef if you like the lighter stuff.
They have some boardgames you can borrow to play, and if there aren't any tables free, just sit down on their huge patio.
Tourist Club is such a genius idea. :) -
Review from Tyrone C.
San Francisco, CA
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful place and scenery to have a beer or two and hang out with friends after a hike on the sun trail. Bring food with you and make sure it's a weekend between 1-5.
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Review from J M.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2011
Lovely little oasis in middle of Woods.
I went on slower Sunday (Superbowl). I would imagine it would be busier on other weekends. Nice idea. -
Review from Mike W.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2010
The setting is great, and it's worth stopping for if you're there on an open day.
They want (and have) an involved membership that does work to keep the place up, and which deserves to be rewarded with some sort of privileges. The rest of us get to enjoy the fruits of their non-profit labor.
To those who poo poo this place for its operation as a membership club, get a clue. The don't _want_ a parking lot nearby to keep your friggin Pradas clean on the short walk down! They don't _want_ to operate like a typical for-profit company! I'm not even a member and I want to rudely tell you where to go. Too bad those Pradas didn't slip out from under you, sending you tumbling into that poison oak you have such disdain for. If you don't like it then stay away, and everyone will probably remain happy.
For the rest of you who understand that this is a non-profit, members-run club in an amazing setting with some weekends that are closed, it's definitely worth the stop. -
Review from Teddy B.
San Francisco, CA
3/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
It is NOT a tourist club.
It is a MEMBER'S CLUB that has selected times during the week/year when non-members can trek the 10 minute steep incline from the main road to their hidden abode that overlooks Muir Woods. I would check and double check beforehand to see if they are open to visitors, lest you be turned away at the door. I didn't get turned away because I'm Aquarius.
This forest sanctuary is also accessible via these hiking trails:
The Redwood Trail (20 minutes)
The Dipsea Trail to the Sun Trail (45 minutes)
If you're already in Marin or hiking nearby then I think it's a cool lodge to discover, however I wouldn't make a special trip out there unless they are having a German festival with music, folkdancing and food. Regularly they only sell chips, pickles and sausage that looks like beef jerky on steroids. Pack your own lunch, drink a beer and play a plethora of their board games. Board games makes my feet hurt because I KICK SO MUCH ASS.
It was overcast the day I went there so I can't vouch for the view. The lodge itself is a few stories high with an outdoor plaza. I'd like to explore the other floors if tourist are allowed. What secrets lurk inside, me wonder.
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Below I listed the open to the public 2010 Special Events. See their website for a more detailed calendar:
Sunday, May 16 - Maifest - Public Event
Sunday, July 18 - Sommerfest - Public Event
Sunday, September 19 - Oktober/Kinderfest - Public Event -
Review from Nish N.
1/23/2007
9/13 Update: Some anonymous user (no face, no reviews) messaged me today with this: "...overprotective of their little paradise..."? Please do us a large favor and just stick to your newly adopted city." This just goes to prove my point. Moving my three stars to two stars, so there!
Original Review:
Ok, so I figured it was finally about time to see what all the fuss was about. I had heard so many good and enigmatic things about the Tourist Club, on and off Yelp, that I had to just experience it for myself.
This past Saturday, we did the 3.8 mile hike from Muir Woods, which was peaceful and beautiful in and of itself. After finally arriving at the club, we were sad to see a sign posted that it was, "Closed for a Private Event." While reading the note and deciding what to do, two burly guys came up and curtly said, "That means we're closed." No sorry, no come back another time. Oh thanks, where we come from, "Closed" means come right in, thanks for clarifying.
We thought this was pretty humorous, actually, and went up the trail to a nice hill with a great view, where we enjoyed our lunches (sans beer, sadly). A few hikers passed us and one of them told us that the club was holding its annual member meeting, also with a sort of snotty tone, not surprisingly he was a member.
Ok, it was at this point that I realized these guys are the type of people who are overprotective of their little paradise, but for only dorky reasons. I imagine they enjoyed their little member retreat, discussing broom theory, playing Axis & Allies and designing What Would Thoreau Do t-shirts.
So yes, I'm a little sad we didn't get to go, and maybe one day we'll return. The hiking around that area is fantastic, that's for sure. Then again, on that next return, maybe we'll just bring along some of our brew with our packed lunches, find that gracious hill, and declare our little haven The Locals Club, no fannypacks allowed.Listed in: Hike, Breathe and Drink in…
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Review from Nicole G.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2009
I can't think of a better way to start off the new year than by hiking on Mt. Tam, with dramatic views of the city and the blue ocean through the some of the tallest sycamore trees on earth. Okay, I'll admit, we only walked a quarter of a mile from the car to the Tourist Club, but the look-out points are truly stunning and made me feel like a real hiker.
It's really more of a beer garden than anything, perched on a steep slope of Mt. Tam, looking over the mountains. They have a big patio for sitting and drinking Hooegarden on tap and playing a marathon game of Scrabble. Definitely bring a picnic, but don't forget to try their "sausage" -- some of the best jerkey ever!
Someone picked up the guitar in the lodge, and started plucking an impromptu little ditty. It made me realize how much fun it would be to rent the whole place out and make a weekend of it in their lodges, dancing the polka and other silly German folkdances with some live music. Hmmm... maybe the next Yelp Elite event? Leiderhosen mandatory.Listed in: North Bay Trips
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Review from Neil K.
San Francisco, CA
The Rules of Tourist Club
#1 The first rule of Tourist Club is - you do not talk about Tourist Club.
#2 The second rule of Tourist Club is - you DO NOT talk about Tourist Club.
Trust me, you don't want to come here. ;) -
Review from Ed U.
8/15/2006
What if Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun escaped the bunker? What if they found passage to America with nary a deutsche mark to their names? Then surely they would have opened the Tourist Club, a total non-sequitur on the edge of Muir Woods in Mill Valley.
It is a most unexpected sight. You hike on the Dipsea Trail for a while and then another mile on the Sun Trail. You look like you're going into a clearing of some sort and then - Heilige Scheibe! --- a big Bavarian lodge looms before you. You do a double take as you think it's a drug-induced mirage, or more likely, you fell into a wormhole that broke apart the time-space continuum and landed in the Black Forest. Yeah, that makes more sense. Then you realize it's the real thing.
An inviting patio deck is there with spectacular views of Mt. Tam and the rest of the woods. You keep waiting for a young Nazi soldier to come out and sing, "Tomorrow Belongs to Me"...but no, just a waitress who serves German beers on tap. What a tasty libation in the middle of a pastoral hike!
You could kick yourself for not bringing your lederhosen. But not to worry, you can come back for Oktoberfest, eat sausages and listen to an oomp-pa-pa band. There's also Junefest and Summerfest. And don't worry about the 117-year old man in the corner with the funny moustache and a tendency to straighten his right arm. He's harmless.
Auf Wiedersehen. -
Review from KENT W.
Hidden Valley Lake, CA
5/23/2010
Having been raised from the age of four in Mill Valley and being of German ancestry through my mom, having the "Naturfreunde-Touristen Verein" ten minutes from where I lived brought me to this one of a kind location when I was but a young teen who was interested in all things German and Alpine.
This is a clubhouse located on Mt Tamalpais overlooking Muir Woods just outside the Marin County town of Mill Valley. It is a private club but opens its heart to the community three times a year with its Maifest, Sommerfest and Oktoberfest/Kinderfest - held the third Sunday of May, June and September.
An outdoor dance floor overlooking Muir Woods makes the club unique.
Live Bavarian style polka music is played by Joe "Mr Oktoberfest" Smiell and His Bavarian Band. They have played ALL Fests here for the past 50 years.
German beer on tap and good German style "Festessen" made by the members is available. A dining hall and bar are kept very busy during festival time. In fact, in the past 10 years the turn out of mainly younger people has sometimes made the events almost too crowded, but its always fun! A great place to meet new people!
A traditional Bavarian / Austrian folk dance group (Schuhplattler group) always performs (often the "Oakland Naturfreunde Schuhplattler" group from the Oakland branch of the organization) --- I performed here several times when I was in a local Schuhplattler club as well, and my two children who now carry on the Bavarian folk dance tradition made their solo dance debuts here several years ago.
Note: If you are going to go to an event parking is limited and getting there early will help. On a "Fest Tag" music usually runs from 2 to 6PM. Parking is located in a lot "above" the club, you must walk / hike down (and back up!) a paved half mile trail that has no auto access, except for a club owned vehicle that runs older or more physically challenged folks back and forth to the clubhouse.
The Nature Friends Tourist Club, also known as "Naturfreunde - Touristen Verein" is part of an international organization founded in Vienna in 1895. There are 500,000 members and 1200 clubhouses mainly (but not exclusively) in the German speaking countries in Europe. German and Austrian immigrants founded a branch in San Francisco in 1912 and as many were working class men and women they had a strong desire to get out of the city for some good fresh air, hiking, skiing and dancing on the weekends. They built the Muir Woods clubhouse to look like an Alpine style Chalet.
Membership today is a good mix of German and Austrian Americans as well as people of many other backgrounds interested in nature, conservation and physical health. Other branches still active are in Oakland and Los Angeles.
The San Francisco/Mill Valley branch also owns the Heidelmann Lodge in Norden, CA (in the Sierras) where members go to ski and party. The great Joe Smiell himself also runs a Button Box Camp here twice a year with his son Joe Jr and daughter-in-law Sally Ann Smiell. Button accordion students from across the country can spend the week at the Heidelmann learning the traditional button accordion music of the Alpine regions (Bavaria, Austria, Slovenia) .
For a very special afternoon Nature Friends Tourist Club is unforgettable. -
Review from Albion B.
San Francisco, CA
5/6/2008
The Tourist Club is closed to weekend visits until further notice. If you don't believe that call them.
It was good while it lasted until this website got its dirty mitts on it.
This use to be a sleepy, quiet, fun place to hang out on the off weekend hike. Then it was overrun by the masses including people more interested in chain-smoking and belching than enjoying the fresh air, view and serenity of Muir Woods while supporting a naturalist club.
Honestly, if you really like a place, do everyone a favor and don't post it here. Places like this are meant to be discovered, not announced.
RIP Tourist Club -
Review from Lisa T.
San Francisco, CA
6/18/2007
What can make a 3+-hour hike through the most glorious forest on earth even better?
A mid-hike break at a kickass mountain hideaway with cold beer, board games, and a sunny patio overlooking the mountains! SHA!
That said, I didn't drink a cold beer or play a board game or do much else at the Tourist Club besides take a load off on that sunny patio and slam some cold water. We finally staggered in 15 minutes before they were closing up shop for the day.
But I'm so excited about the potential -- the mere EXISTENCE -- of this place, that I'm giving it four stars.
I'll be back!
But yeah, the rest of you probably shouldn't attempt it. In fact, don't even bother. There were man-eating wolves along the trails that take you there... I saw their beady little eyes, watching us hungrily, from the undergrowth...
And bears... Grizzly bears. Mountain lions, too, I think... -
Review from n b.
San Francisco, CA
6/15/2009
You can come here and pay for the privilege to sit on their deck and drink beer--but you never know when they're going to be open or closed, and you can't even bring your dog. Can you believe that!!?
They only take cash, and there all all sorts of bugs and dirt--not to mention all the weeds and the Poison Oak! Gross!
Besides, you have to walk down this insane hill to get there AND walk back up it. What? They can't even build a parking lot nearby for their customers? Who, I ask you? WHO wants to be schlepping up and down that hill, especially in their brand new Pradas?
But the worst thing is--if you *would* want to join so that you have member privileges, you can't just pay your membership dues like a NORMAL club--they actually expect you to WORK, and spend some time getting to know you a little! Before they even *consider* letting you join!
Wha...!!!???
I would give them zero stars if I could. Who do these people think they are? -
Review from margot b.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2007
I can't think of a better place to be than a German beer hall out in the middle of the woods after a 4-hour hike on a gorgeous Sunday. Sharing picnic tables with strangers who soon become friends, nothing but green as far as the eye can see, sunshiny pitchers of cold brew and people all around playing cards, laughing, talking, banging on the piano. Good thing the car was only a mile away by the time we got out of there. A fantastic little place. Oh yeah, and don't tell anyone...
Note: They'll be closed for Maiday, one of their 2 big parties they throw each year on Sunday May 20.Listed in: My Happy List, Tipping a few in SF, Hiking Bay Area
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Review from Sarah B.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2007 ROTD 11/20/2007
Zehr Gut, Ich hatte eine ausgezeichnete Zeit.
**Please note this review may be difficult to understand if you do not sprechen sie Deutsch, - me 4 years!
Don't come here.
If:
- You dislike beer (especially of German kind)
- You despise hiking, nature, and redwoods
- You loathe sun and picnic benches
- You detest card and board games
- You abhor cute old men w/ membership privileges
Ich hole Deutschen zuruck
(Translation available upon request)Listed in: Ixnay on the Ovemay
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Review from Brandon R.
San Francisco, CA
9/16/2007
EASY DIRECTIONS TO PARKING LOT.
From 101 follow the signs for Muir Woods. When you get to the left turn for Muir Woods road, go straight instead, staying on Panoramic Hwy. Follow it as it curves, drive past the Dipsea Trail sign on the left until you get to Ridge Road on the left. Turn left and drive to the parking lot at the end. Walk down the paved switchbacks until you arrive.
Alternately you can park on the side of the road near the Dipsea Trail and hike that to the Sun Trail which leads right up to the Tourist Club.
Oops, was this supposed to be a secret or something. ;)
OKTOBERFEST
Today was Oktoberfest (12-6PM) and we got there right at Noon and the parking lot was nearly full. Tix at the gate were $15. Kinder under 14 free! No dogs allowed. :( After queuing up to show IDs and get wristbands for 15 minutes we were in line for beer. There was a fun accordian and tuba music program for kids and every kid got a shaker or maraca or tambourine to dance with. The bockwurst and Weltenburger lager hit the spot. Later, a German band played and a few dozen dancers waltzed. Bring your lederhosen! -
Review from Deidre B.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2009
The people who love this place LOVE this place. I am one of those people.
Stay away from the Tourist Club if any of the following apply to you:
- you don't like hiking
- you don't like beer
- you never have cash on you
- you must always have your yappy little pooch at your side
- you are annoyed by the presence of small children
If you're still interested after that list of caveats, you are in for a huge treat. Yes, there is a parking lot at the top of that huge, windy, steep trail. Consider that you are partially working off all the beer you just consumed when you hike back to your ride. The bar does serve some great beer (Paulaner Hef!), and it is cash only. You also will get ID'd if you look under 30. No, you can't bring your dog unless you are a member of the Nature Friends. And people do bring their small children, so keep in mind you may want to rein in your drunken potty mouth.
All that aside, the people who come here are wonderful. Everyone is very friendly and willing to share a table. The Club is positioned in a perfect spot that magically manages to retain sunshine and deflect wind. The views are gorgeous, and there are several hiking trail options close by. They have good beer and free use of board games. You can bring your own vittles. My idea of heaven. -
Review from Hugh H.
San Rafael, CA
12/16/2009 ROTD 7/24/2010
Based on setting alone this place garners a five star review. It certainly doesn't hurt that you can grab yourself a tasty brew and enjoy a million dollar view, all the while taking quite solace in the fact that you're in a place that most people don't even know exists.
You will have to work for your drink and the hike back up to your car could cause you some gastrointestinal harm if you didn't take it easy at the bar. Regardless of the hike required to get there if you're a marinite you have no excuse for not checking out this place at least once, however I doubt that you'll only visit just once.
