Muir Woods National Monument

Eh, I expected more. Going to Muir Woods felt like Disneyland. It was insanely crowded even though we got there before 10am and we probably spent more time «hiking» from the car to the entrance than in the park itself.
Yea, the redwoods are nice but there are many other places where you can see redwood trees. The boardwalk makes touring the park a bit too accessible so everyone is there.
We listened to Ranger Amy’s enthusiastic talk. I liked her passion for nature and for national parks.
I can now check Muir Woods off the list and never go back.

This park is breathtaking! If you are visiting San Francisco, take that extra 40 minutes and drive up to this park. The redwoods are so beautiful and the paths are well kept. Beware, it gets very busy here and the parking is limited so plan accordingly. It’s worth the trip!

Other than the parking the biggest issue here is the lack of cell phone service. I tried to send some texts and do some online shopping but couldn’t even access the Internet.
It was frustrating. I wanted to post some pictures on Instagram and Twitter but there was no internet. I must have had at least 20 text messages when I finally left the park and entered the real world.
The trees are big though.

This used to be my go-​to spot along with Legion of Honor in San Francisco as my favorite hiking spots when I lived in SF. It has the largest assortment and collection of ancient redwood trees. These trees have widths ranging from about 5 to 10 people linked together and are a sight to behold. The ticket is $ 10 per person, which is a bit steep. However, these funds go toward supporting the park, maintenance, and salary of the rangers, all to help keeping these redwood trees healthy. The initial walk is covered with wood plank and is easy to do. After a bit though, it starts going up and becoming more of a hike. The normal trail takes about 2 hours total to finish and is quite relaxing. I highly recommend this place is you are ever in SF. A triple combination of SF, Muir Woods, and Sausalito is my favorite tour to give to my friends and visitors!

This place is awesome. Words can not describe the beauty.

This place is gorgeous! It’s so quiet and peaceful and for only $ 10 it’s worth a stop. I would strongly recommend coming as early as you can muster after breakfast. When we were leaving around 10am the parking lots were packed. The park is clean and there are lots of signs to read about the trees. No food and no pets allowed which helps immeasurably to keep it natural for future visitors.

Checked in on 5÷28÷2016.
Loved the Woods. I wish there was a better parking solution over a long weekend when the crowd is more. The few parking spots were all full and the people were getting impatient. They had to call the cops to regulate the traffic.
There are several trails to choose from, depending on your expertise level. If you get tired of looking at the dry/​deserty landscape of California, go to Muir Woods!

I won’t ramble, as I am prone to do, about my hero John Muir (it’s not just the park name, look him up. His contributions are amazing)… BUT…
To hack Muir: be up and out the door so that you arrive by 9.30a. No question, it will make your life easier. After 10a, the traffic build up on both the golden gate bridge *&* the Stinson /​Hwy 1 exit is mind numbing, and can sour a trip. Early birds do get this worm. =) Then you can head back against traffic and roll around the Presidio National Park without getting into the traffic that exists there. =) Also, you can use your National Parks Pass card, too. ENJOY!

This is a beautiful place. It truly is. Only problem is that everyone and their grandma’s seem to know that. This place gets packed? I’m talking Monday morning packed? Do people even work anymore in the Bay?
We got here early and struggled to find parking. Oh and there is an entrance fee. Per person! Really? This might be the first park where they charge by the head and not car. Interesting.
Still, it’s a beautiful place with amazing trails. It’s just a shame as to how packed it becomes. I’ll stick to Big Basin in the future, but I’m still glad I came here at least once.

A beautiful redwood forest with lots of hikes ranging in difficulty.
The oldest redwoods in Muir woods are over 1000 years old, and average age is over 500 years old. Some of the trees are over 300 feet tall! You will feel wonderfully small and insignificant walking among the redwoods, as well as among the other plant and animal life that thrives in the forest.

Very cool spot to see redwoods. We were here on a Sunday afternoon though and it was pure insanity. We were lucky enough to get a spot in the third lot as someone was pulling out and the attendant was nice enough to wave us in.
Twelve hours after eating a bagel sandwich at Logan airport in Boston I was thrilled that they had a small café. Everything they serve is local and organic. A bit $$, but the sandwich hit the spot for sure. There’s a nice gift shop attached to the café with really nice staff.
On to the redwoods and trails. People are jerks. That’s all there is to it. They see the quiet signs and run, shout and scream. I wish I could see it was just children, but no so much. They would stop and completely block the trail, just chit-​chatting. Apparently they didn’t learn about how to be considerate to others.
We were on a tight schedule, so stuck to the main trail to the end and then took the Hillside Trail back. As we progressed on the trail, the crowds began to thin and we could enjoy ourselves.
Definitely a must see if you are in the area, but try to go on less popular days and times.

If you’re a fan of hiking, then Muir Woods National Monument is definitely the perfect spot to check out! We went for what my fiancé would consider a short hike (almost three hours). There are multiple different trails to choose from, but if you pick the longer trails, it eventually creates one big loop.
The scenery is by far the best part of the hike. When you start off, the redwood trees are absolutely massive and you have to look up to see the tops. As you go through the loop, the path is designed so the you get closer and closer to the tree tops. Then you begin descending so the trees get taller and taller again.
The hardest part, and the reason I got so tired after only the first couple of trails was because of all the stairs! Definitely bring your hiking shoes, water, and a small snack.
If you’re not a huge hiker then I recommend just walking around the short loop. I personally liked the short loop on the bottom the best. The trees are gorgeous and there’s a lot of calmness even with all the people walking around.
Just a note: make sure you have transportation lined up to go all the way down and also back up as there’s no cell service at all and no public transportation (except on the weekends). Definitely worth a visit!

Beautiful, majestic woods. I felt like I was in the Forest Moon of Endor (Star Wars reference). Even though this is not were Return of the Jedi was filmed, this park has Redwoods, which are the majestic trees you can appreciate in the movie. Basically the same scenery. Was impressed with the length of these trees. Our visit was magical and breathtaking. We arrived about 30 minutes prior the park opening and we were able to get a nearby parking. However, within an hour, parking was impossible. Definitely get there early unless you want to walk MILES to the park. Very limited parking space… thus the reason I h ad to take a star.

Want to see some beautiful redwoods? This is the place. We had a lot fun walking on the trails and stopping to take pictures with the redwoods. They are everywhere here. This is a great place to bring your kids because there are trails that are really easy.
Please be respectful and follow the rules — don’t litter and stay on trail! Also, don’t carve or do anything to harm the redwoods, wildlife or anything really.

AWESOME PLACE TO SPEND THE DAY IN NATURE!
I was in San Fransisco the first time I came to Muir Woods for a business deal and was tired of the city after a few days and dropped the top on my convertible 300Z rental car and headed up the highway.
i came to Muir woods and was immediately in awe by the sheer magnitude of these trees! It is truly awe inspiring to see the size of these tree as I had previously never seen such monolithic arbor!
This park is worth the drive from San Fran…
Don’t forget warm clothes though… I showed up in business clothes and shoes and a jacket and better hiking footwear would have been nice… Lol…

Trails: The main trail here is very well maintained, but it will get very crowded. Because it was man-​made out of wood, it’s very wheel-​chair/​stroller friendly. It’s a beautiful trail, but definitely not much of a workout, more of a stroll. Venture off of this trail to the various other trails that with different terrains, sweeping views of the bay, different levels of difficult, etc. Though it’s beautiful, don’t limit yourself to this main trail at Muir Woods.
Parking: $ 8 fee to park. Limited parking, the lot will get full by around 8;30am, come anytime before to ensure a good spot.
Fee: $ 10 fee for adults, children under 16 are free.
Tips: No cell service, non-​pet friendly, café located close to entrance, mid-​day is the busiest time (come early), wear sturdy shoes and versatile clothing for different weather conditions on certain trails, expect most of the park to be cool and dry.
Overall: Beautiful national park that is very well-​maintained (that’s why it’s not free) with tons of trails to choose from with various landscapes. From novice to expert hikers, there is a trail here waiting for you!

I know that there are other parks with larger redwoods, and I know that there are prettier parks, but the there something about this park that just reached in and touched my heart. The further in you walk (much of it is a leisurely stroll), the quieter, more restful, and peaceful this park is.
(shhhh, it’s a quiet and breathtakingly beautiful place)
One of our group was unable to walk far; we only were able to see the paved path areas, and it was stunning.
Visit early in the day or not on a weekend. Do not skip this stop.

My 500^th review, and my 1^st, ever flashback review!
One word: noteworthy!
I actually remembered visiting to this wonderful park located north from San Francisco after passing Golden Gate Bridge. On 3÷29÷2013, my family and I were heading to this naturalistic park named, «Muir Woods National Monument.» This park brings residents and tourists alike to explore and experience the natural wonders of nature to see their incredible selections of redwood trees, and unlimited walk-​path to various hiking and camping trails all in one!
Before it became a historic, national monument in the United States, it was all started when John Muir discovered this fascinating Californian forest where he can called, «home.» Since then, his dreams came true when the former U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt came to this park for the first time, and it did earned to become a national monument in 1945 before his death.
Now onto the park experience! As we entered, we did started to use a map guide directly from the information booth to know where we are going to first. We walked across the boardwalk, and the trail was amazing. There are about 6 – 7 trail entrances to explore like hiking, or camping on each particular spots to go. Everything in this park remains beautiful, clean and untouched if natural disasters happen. The redwood trees are phenomenal to look the oldest and tallest trees in the state of California. The nature animals are very happy here to make this place a peaceful environment too. Finally, the streams of small creek is flowing very well in a smoothly ways. Such a great natural place to remember!
The fun didn’t stop there. This park has interesting facts signs that posted everywhere you go from the tree age, quotes, and conserving the planet too. There’s also have a café and a gift shop too which you can relax and shop some great Muir Woods souvenirs.
If you want to experience Muir Woods, be there early cause many people are going to take an advantage here. Park early as you can before their doors open, so you can get the perfect spot to park without the wait especially reserving camping spots too. You can also ride a bike, or riding a tour bus to get there easier without the hassles.
To conclude, Muir Woods National Monument is the greatest, and the most breathtaking place that I’ve ever visited for the first time. I’ll might come back for more in the next future visits! Defiantly a well, worthy visit for all ages! Highly recommend! My rating: 5 solid stars.

This is probably one of the best places ever so I don’t mind that it’s my 200^th review. I don’t know that I need to say so much since there are amazing reviews and pictures en masse.
What I will say though, is that the drive up is pretty far and winding. Unlike my boyfriend, I don’t enjoy driving through scenic hillscapes along cliff sides. So I made my way up slowly. It didn’t help that my friend was worried looking out over the ledge either lol. That is so typical that we would both be super freaked out about the journey up there in the car. If you’re an overly anxious person like me, maybe try to get someone else to drive lol. I also saw a great tip posted recently– THERE IS NO RECEPTION! So don’t take an über haha. Or, I should say, if you’re lucky you’ll have reception here and there by the entryway/​bathrooms/​gift shop.
Unfortunately, we didn’t make it all the way through because my BFF got an emergency call from her brother and we had to trek it back to Fremont ASAP. We got to go off trail, taking a hilly path towards the beach overlook. Luckily, we had to use the restrooms otherwise we probably wouldn’t have gotten the call.
Anyway, I’ll have to make the trip back up here. The trees are truly majestic and almost magical to marvel at. The parking can be really tricky too. We went on a random weekday and it was almost packed. Make sure to layer up! It can be pretty chilly in the shadows of the gigantic trees. There’s a small shopping area with a whole foods and other businesses that would’ve made a good pit stop had we not needed to leave.
Lastly, of course there are tons of tourists here. I think if you’re willing to hike in further or towards the beach, they’ll probably thin out. And if you really plan to hike, wear the proper attire and shoes! Happy tree hugging!

This place is freaking Awesome with a capital A! I visited Muir Woods only one other time back when I was a kid, so I was very excited to go back last weekend and check out the hype. There’s no other way to put it: it’s such a refreshing, relaxing and fun walk that absolutely clears your mind of any stress in your daily life.
For just 10 bucks you get access to the entire park, and this park is HUGE– there’s literally 5 – 10 different trails you can walk and every single one is a different length. Some are short (1 mile) and some are a bit longer (2 – 3 miles). I took the basic route which goes around the main «touristy» part of the park. It’s 1.5 miles and made especially for newer members of the park.
The main negative: parking is crazy! You will not find parking in the main lot unless you’re there at 8am sharp. Your best bet is to park alongside the road about half a mile or so away from the main entrance. Honestly, it’s not too bad.
If you’re a nature lover or just looking for a fun day plan, this is the place for you. No doubt in my mind it’s a bucket list type of place. You have to come here at 1 time in your life as it’s well worth it.

Beautiful spot to go hiking. Serene environment that leads a trail to Stinson Beach. (which may take 2 – 3 hours but it’s worth the long hike) This place will never fail to take your breathe away. Beautiful scenery + good company = an unforgettable experience for my friends and I. Highly recommend this place! A gem tucked near the busy city.

If you are visiting the Bay Area make sure you go to Muir Woods. It’s a bummer that it’s always, always, always crowded, but it’s crowded because it’s so close to the city, which is why I’ve visited a few times and never been to the big redwood forests in Northern California, so it’s hard to complain.
The farther in you go, the less crowded it will be. And also if you hike up either side it will be much quieter and more peaceful.
I would recommend not going on weekends in the summer.
Parking can be very far away and require a 10 minute or more walk on a non paved trail, keep this in mind if someone in your group isn’t much of a walker (wouldn’t want to get all walked out before you even get in to walk among the trees right?)
If you are military you can get a parks pass that will let you in for free to most National parks and such. Totally worth it and totally awesome they offer that.
There is a little store where you can buy stuff and food and some restrooms inside.

So beautiful & so serene.
Came here for the first time last week and truly loved it. It felt like I was in another world, away from all the hectic city life. It was pretty chilly and cloudy outside when we went but it was still magical.
This is one place I will definitely recommend to people visiting. Completely worth the 45 min drive.

I’ve been lucky to visit Muir Woods several times over the years and it always feels so amazingly majestic and holy to stand amongst those beautiful redwoods and sequoias. You wonder what those trees have seen over the past 1,000 years and realize they will be there way longer than you will be on this earth! And to find these trees so close to SF is so wonderful.
The staff here is excellent as is the gift store. Paths are well-​marked and you’ve got several good options for elevation. Just beware of the crowds on the weekends and try to go on the off-​hours. Love Muir Woods and the twisty drive up, it’s a must-​do for both tourists and residents of the area…

I liked this park so much that I got wood. I bought a piece of bark from the gift store and it’s stamped with «Muir Woods» on it.
My friends and I walked the Hillside /​Ben Johnson /​Dipsea loop trail. The sign says it’s a 3.8 mile trail and should take about 3 hours, but whoever wrote that must have jogged the entire way! Then again, we took an excess amount of selfies and ate a packed lunch there. We started the trail at about 12:00 and didn’t finish until about 4:30. The trail has steep inclines and will get your legs pumped if you aren’t used to it. It’s a very doable trail and you’ll be rewarded with a distant view of the ocean on the last portion. There are a few stopping points where you can take pictures with the giant trees too.
Entry fee is $ 10 per person. Parking is free but can be difficult to find if you come late. I arrived to the parking lot around 11:30 and got lucky. Most other cars were driving around like vultures.
PRO TIPS:
–Wear appropriate clothing. If it’s cold, bring a jacket and headwear. If it’s cold and wet, you don’t want to be hours away from shelter.
–Wear hiking shoes! Sure some parts of the trail is on a boardwalk, but you’ll eventually be stepping in mud, rocks, and uneven surfaces. Nothing is worse than a wet sock or twisted ankle before your hike. My friends who wore running shoes stepped in a puddle of water and their socks got wet.
–Buy a map at the visitor center. It’s $ 1 and helps. You’ll lose cellular signal at various parts of the park.
–Bring bottled water
–Check to see if Dipsea Bridge is out. It could be coho salmon spawning season so the bridge could be out. If so, it can add a bit more walking to your hike.
I definitely want to come back to this park! Good time!

We went between Christmas and New Year’s so even though it was a weekday, I’m sure it was busier than usual. We got there around 10am and parked a little further down the road from the full parking lots.
We did the Hillside Trail. By the time we got out there was a long time to enter, so I’m really glad we got in/​out early. It was already pretty noisy when we were there.
Absolutely breathtaking. Bring layers! Stay on trail. And there is no reception, so relax.
And if you get car sick, the drive there is reaaalllly windy. And plenty of people bring strollers.

This was such a great experience. I was in the Bay Area on a rainy weekend, but was still determined to get outdoors. My fiancé and I hit up Muir Woods in the late afternoon on Sunday after it had rained a bit, and didn’t regret our decision at all. Seeing the woods/​trees/​leaves lush and wet was actually beautiful! We didn’t get rained on or need an umbrella at all.
Parking was also easy (plenty of open spots), and I’m sure that’s because fewer people wanted to visit on a rainy day. We decided to go to bridge 3 (the map you get when you pay provides estimated times for each circle you can take). We leisurely strolled through the park, took a little detour up an alternate elevated path, took tons of pictures, and of course stood inside one of the trees. It was such a peaceful afternoon, and I would definitely come back to explore more — even on a rainy day!

One of my favorite things about the Bay Area is the dichotomy — you can be engulfed by fast-​paced technology developments and Silicon Valley, but just less than an hour away you find a nature safe haven enclosed by towering redwoods. Muir Woods is that nearby getaway that just makes me feel right at home.
The Ocean View trail is a great workout and hike up a mountain. If the weather is particularly foggy, you may not spot a body of water as the title of the trail may suggest, but it’s a stunning view of lush forested mountains nonetheless.
The Fern trail is a much easier hike; low ferns on either side and follows a river. I highly recommend tackling the Ocean View trail first, and cooling off on the way down walking through the Fern Creek.
Recommendation — get here early in the morning (around 8:30 — 9:30 am). Parking is limited, and if you get here too late, you may have to account for an additional hike to get from your car to the entrance of the park. So get a good night’s rest, pack your backpack with some water bottles and snacks, and get an early start — it’s worth it.

I sure do love Mother Nature. We came here on a Saturday morning. We were warned about limited parking. But right when we got there, we got front row parking because a car had just pulled out. Score 1!
We parked, used their restrooms real quick, filled up our water blatters and walked up to the Muir Wood Monument sign. Well… things were going smoothly until we saw a sign for an entrance fee of $ 7/​per person. Eeks! I didn’t have my wallet, so I had to run back to the car for cash. Well while I was doing that, the boys were talking to the ranger and the ranger asked them what kind of hiking we were looking to doing. Which we were looking for a 5+ mile hike, so he said that if we started 50 yards down from where the sign was, the Dipsea Trail head was over there, we could make a loop and end up walking right past the monument sign and not have to pay the entrance fee. Score 2! (I wouldn’t mind paying $ 7 though, since I figure it goes towards the park, but we were there to hike and not to just sight see)
Our hike:
Distance: 5 – 6 miles
Trails we took: Dipsea to Ben Johnson Trail
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Easy hike
Well marked trail
So if you walk 50 yard down to the lower parking lot, the trail head starts there. The beginning of the hike was nice and super quiet, with only passing a few hikers. But as we got closer to the monument sign, there was a lot of foot traffic and families with kids and strollers. But nothing beats being surrounded by giant redwoods!
Loved the redwoods, it was beautiful! We didn’t want to leave! At the end of our hike, near the monument sign, they’ve got a little souvenir shop and cafeteria. I bought some souvenirs.

Something is wrong with you if you don’t like this place.
The only thing that could make it better is if the crowds were smaller… However, there are plenty of trails that get away from the crowds. The longer the trail the smaller the number of hikers you will see.
Since this place is akin to a religious experience, you may want to become Shinto after the experience.

So beautiful and quiet and tranquil! My friend and I came here on Veteran’s Day because of free admission and wow these trees are really a sight to see.
First thing’s first, though: parking was painful. After driving that long, winding road with the beautiful (and kinda scary!) view, we found ourselves struggling to find parking. The lots were full, so we had to park on the side of the road quite a long way down from the entrance of the park. Like many other reviewers, we probably parked at least a mile away. I would like to think that it was mostly because we came here on a free day, but maybe it’s this popular all the time!
Once we finally walked our way to the entrance, we started on the wooden path. I think if you just walk on this path, it would just be a pleasant stroll. My friend and I decided to go on the Oceanview trail and continue on until the Panoramic highway, which involved a steady incline of twists and turns, but also amazing views of the trees. Unlike the name suggests, though, you do not get an ocean view when you reach the end. BUT you get to see the lush trees all around the area and I think that’s pretty worth it too!
That path was a good couple of miles, so our legs were real tired when we finally returned to the main wooden path! We did a bit of a loop on the main path just to cool down from the tougher hike we just had. It’s much colder down in that part, but probably because the gigantic trees block all the sunlight from reaching down there. When you do see the sun, however, it looks beautiful just peeking through the trees.
I think if you’re in the Bay, you should definitely make a stop here if you have the time! It’s an amazing contrast to the urban life that’s in the city and all around the area. I do recommend coming here on a weekday/​non-​free day/​early in the morning/​later in the afternoon to get the best parking situation. I think it would be best enjoyed when there aren’t too many people around!

A cathedral of trees.
Even if you’re not a religious person, it’s hard not to be humbled by the sheer beauty of the towering redwoods, many of them over 1,000 years old.
People who visit are quiet, reverent and walk in twos or small groups, looking upward or taking photos inside a hulled out trunk that makes even a tall person look miniature.
Dark inside the monument, the trees provide a canopy that blocks sunlight giving a crepuscular glow to the glen.
More adventurous (read: less lazy and fit!) can take any of the steep steps that lead to miles-​long hikes, some which promise Pacific views.
We have the visionaries William and Elizabeth Kent to thank who acquired the unspoiled land in 1908 and then, when threatened by developers, worked with President Teddy Roosevelt to donate the land to the government and preserve it under the Antiquities Act.
If you’re a local, don’t take for granted this world renown destination: It’s just a short hop over the Golden Gate Bridge and a few miles up a twisty road until you reach the beautiful Muir Woods National Monument.

Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. — John Muir
This quote captures the essence of Muir Woods to the tee.
Get there early, as parking fills up very quickly. We got there around 1 p.m. on a Sunday and had to drive half a mile down the road before we found a place to park.
As you approach the park — the air changes and is filled with an earthy smell of wood, flora and fresh air. These redwoods are incredible — some dating back a thousand + years. Somehow these gentle giants have survived — from forest fires to flooding, and yet they are still standing. Give yourself half a day to explore the forest, admire Mother Nature’s creations and to enjoy the experience.

A must see for all nature lovers, all walkers, all families. A purely beautiful spot only miles from Golden Gate. You can smell the trees, the peace and the enchantment that this place offers.
Take a good camera! Wear comfy shoes and layers. It can be a bit cool under the canopy of trees. Get there early for good parking or shuttle it in.
Awesome place, cam’t wait to return.

Muir Woods National Monument is truly Nature’s Best Paradise. One gets to see one of the rarest surviving coastal Redwoods on Earth. They are proud survivors from the time of giants & are the tallest, largest & oldest living things in the world.
Myself along with the hubby came here 3ish in the evening, were initially skeptical whether we could make it to one of their pleasant hiking trails or was it too late. But, thankfully we were fortunate to do 1 and ½ hour loop, crossing up til bridge 4, making a complete u-​turn and returning to the entrance. The trail was moderately long, good and pretty decent if you have total time of 4 hours approx. It was narrow, steep and unpaved. We were so happy to see, touch & feel some of the greatest Redwoods alive today, withstanding all nature’s possible disasters, surviving for millions of years. To all nature lovers, trust me, witnessing them is such a pure bliss & gifted experience.
What is unique about Muir woods is the cool atmosphere present inside the park. However hot & sunny it is outside, you’l never feel it inside the woods. It’s certainly a family-​friendly hiking place if you choose to try their quick & easy loops. Even kids will love this place, walking alongside the beautiful Redwoods and getting amazed to see the endless heights of the tallest ones. As we went during summer, we saw very less water in the creeks. May be winter would be ideal to see better water-​filled creeks because of rainfall.
Quick tips:
1. Food, pets, smoking, bicycles, horseback riding and camping are not permitted within the park. In case if you need a light snack that might be helpful while on hike trails, grab one from the café located at the entrance before entering the trails.
2. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes to be more safe during hike trails.
3. Like most other national parks, expect zero cell phone network coverage here.
All Thanks to Mr. John Muir & Mr. Kent for establishing the monument. I highly recommend this place for the lovely smell of the Redwoods and hope to return back soon. Come & Enjoy the quietness and peaceful bliss of Muir Woods !

It was a quick drive from San Francisco, through winding uphill turns. with no guard rails! Medium size parking lot that fills up fast, so lots of cars parked along the street. Arrive early 8−9am. When you get out of your car you are and hit with a mixed smell of eucalyptus, pine and fresh air. Such a great nature rush.
In the middle of the redwood’s latitudinal range that spans from the California/​Oregon border to Big Sur, just south of Monterey lies the Muir Woods. This place is big.
Named after John Muir, a Scientist, Author and Philosopher. A lover of nature and wilderness.
Definitely know for it’s redwood trees, Iv’e never seen one up close nor had the opportunity to touch one. These trees get big, I mean like really big. love the dark red color and softness of the bark.
***Muir Woods is open 365 days a year, and no reservations are required to visit.***
Important ***no cell phone service in Muir Woods! ***
Fees $ 7.00-Adult (16 years of age and older)
Free-​Children (15 years of age and under)
Another tip, they will be increasing prices in 2016 to $ 10 a person (16 and older)
But it is worth it, so much to see and smell. Great trails to hike on and get away from the big nearby cities.
***THEY OFFER FREE DAYS***
January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 14 – 16 Presidents Day weekend
April 18 – 19 opening weekend of National Park Week
August 25 National Park Service Birthday
September 26 National Public Lands Day
November 11 Veterans Day

Nature at its best. What needs to be said about one of the tallest living things on earth? The trees are so beautiful and it’s just a short drive from San Francisco.
Walking through the redwoods is a fantastic experience — the forest is quiet and calm, you are surrounded by monumentally large trees, and there are a variety of paths that take you on beautiful scenic routes. The light shining down through the trees is so picturesque.
The trails are well marked and there are plenty of maps that highlight certain trails. The path that runs through the park is wide and paved. We took mostly the main trails and they were easy to walk. As you go farther into the park, there are less people and it’s more serene. You can go off to the side trails which are more strenuous and for hiking if you feel inclined. There is also plenty of seating throughout.
The atmosphere was so calm and peaceful. We walked around 3 miles and thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet of the woods. My friends decided to do some yoga and meditate on the benches, while I watched and creepily took pictures.
The entrance fee is $ 7 and well worth it. We went on a Wednesday afternoon, and it did not feel crowded.

The most stunning PARK in America bar none! Not only is this beautiful landscape in our backyard, it’s the best place to go hiking… come early around 8am when it opens. We avoid most weekends, especially long weekends, but this park is obviously busy year-​round. It’s a National Monument… duh. There’s never a dull moment for the Park Rangers here. They love their jobs and the weather.
Who doesn’t love walking around this magnificent park filled with redwood trees? Magical experience for the entire family. I highly recommend taking the shuttle on weekends and holidays $ 5 pp, and $ 7 for park entry, as parking is a hassle. Cellphone coverage is not so great once you’re inside the park. Be sure to meet your party at the Visitor Center, or advise them to congregate there. Dress appropriately, wear comfy shoes, bring your cameras, and binoculars.
I love the tranquility of this park. It literally transports you to a whole ‘nother place, where you simply tell yourself how lucky we are to live in California and America, surrounded by natural wonders such as Muir Woods National Monument. Life is good!

Went hiking here for my mama’s birthday! Muir Woods = Cesar’s Home!!!
The story was… I didn’t know we were going to go hiking here that day. Although I did bring my gym/​hiking attire with me but I left it in the hotel. So I was wearing casual clothes with converse. WHO HIKES IN CONVERSE? ME, haha. We took one of the many routes in Muir Woods! The one with lots and lots of stairs, haha.
My family parked at the top so we did hiked down and hiked back up! Breath taking hiking down! Then breath taking hiking back up! The bottom felt so fresh and cool, I loved it. I would hike this place everyday if I lived out there. That would be good cardio!
I didn’t get tired easily at all because I go to the gym regularly, therefore, hiking up felt nothing to me! The stair masters at the gym pretty much helped, lol! Although you can’t compare the gym and nature, totally different of course but the gym helped a lot. If you do hike these trails, please be in comfortable shoes! I saw a few women hiked in wedges and flats, oh my! Lol.
Please, please, please watch your steps too!
The best part would be everything. Every min was a well spent in my book! I just got really annoyed with all the selfie sticks up in the air and having to say «Excuse Me» countless of times, lol.
I would come back! Love this place! :)

This hiking trail definitely gets my thumbs up. A few weeks ago my friends and I explored Alamere Falls trail in about 4 hours, but we were a bit disappointed at the lack of scenery besides the waterfall at the end.
Taking my friend’s advice, we decided to check out Muir Woods. This location is much more accessible than Point Reyes/​Polomarin/​Alamere Falls (about 40 min from Berkeley) and less bumpy to get there as well. We got there around 8:30 and the parking lots were already full! Thank goodness there is street parking, but I suggest you come before 8.
We didn’t know that admission is FREE if you come before 9. We got there by 8:30 but we waited for our friends before coming in. Admission is $ 7 after 9, which is fine since we were contributing to the park. The thing you notice about this trail is that they definitely maintain it and make it look like a historic park. Unlike the Alamere Trail, the Muir Woods Trail has everything you need. All the paths are well maintained, there are water fountains everywhere, and there is even a café outside! I forgot to mention that there is even signal!!!
To start off, we wanted to follow the trail to Stinson Beach, but ended up going in circles before finding the right route. If you want the coast trail, take the Dipsea trail. It is about 5 miles to get to Stinson Beach. On the way, you will be struck with awe at how beautiful the tall Redwoods are and how amazing the trails are to get to the beach. I felt like I was an elf in a forest strolling around climbing through steps and bushes. The trail going there wasn’t that hard. A lot of it was going downhill on steps, but it is hell coming back.
You know you are about 2/​5ths of the way there when you enter a clearing with a water fountain. The water is very clean and I suggest you fill up if you are sweating and tired because it’s 3 miles to the beach. After the next two miles, you can see the gorgeous beach in the distance. It’s amazing, and once you get there you will be amazed at how warm the sand is and how beautiful the water is.
We only stayed at Stinson for about an hour (see my review on it), but it was worth it. It took us about 3.5 hours to hike back because of the uphill struggle up all the steps. All in all, the hike took us 6 hours to finish 10 miles. Compared to my other hikes such as Alamere, Muir woods was definitely harder to finish, but it wasn’t as hard as Potato Chip in Poway! I definitely suggest you come here early to find parking and get the free admission. The views are breathtaking and the trip is worth it!
Enjoy :)

Parc naturel a coté de San Francisco, derrière le Golden Bridge. C’est une foret de Séquoias dans laquelle ont été aménagé des sentiers de balade.
C’est payant la journée mais gratuit le soir. Nous y sommes allé juste après 17h jusqu’à la tombée de la nuit.
C’est un endroit vraiment reposant et un peu féerique, certains endroits ressemble à des descriptions de Tolkien. C’est vraiment un endroit à visiter.
Comme il fait parti des parcs nationaux, normalement le pass annuel y fonctionne…

Super balade dans la spectaculaire forêt de séquoias de Muir Woods, préservée par un grand propriétaire terrien qui a décidé il y a un siècle de protéger sa propriété contre le déboisement et l’appétit de la ville de San Francisco pour le bois de construction. Les «redwoods» majestueux et pour la plupart pluricentenaires accompagnent la promenade le long des sentiers plus ou moins battus qui parcourent le parc naturel. Parlant de ça, une fois l’entrée et la cafétéria passées, mon conseil: échappez-​vous vite fait de l’”autoroute” en planches du chemin principal pour partir vers la droite sur la Ocean View Trail, bien plus calme et qui vous donnera l’impression d’une balade en forêt (un peu escarpée) et non d’un parcours dans les allées de Disneyland (avec les écureuils dans le rôle des Mickeys d’accueil). Né vous attendez pas à une superbe «ocean view» au bout du chemin, elle est bien là mais très très loin… c’est le plaisir de la marche dans la nature qui fait l’intérêt du parcours. Redescendez par la Lost Trail et Fern Creek pour boucler la boucle et revenir sur l’”autoroute”. Au total 1 heure ½ sans se presser et en ayant fait le plein de chlorophylle. Le kiosque d’entrée vend des plans et divers trucs plus ou moins gadgets, mais en combinant le petit dépliant remis à chaque visiteur, les panneaux d’orientation dans la forêt et le GPS de son téléphone, on s’en tire sans problème.
La cantine déjà évoquée, à droite juste après l’entrée, est une bonne occasion de refaire le plein d’énergie après la balade. Attention, les piqué-​niques sont interdits dans la forêt.
Dernier conseil, le week-​end, arrivez tôt (avant 10h) pour trouver une place de stationnement qui né soit pas à Pétaouchnok… les parkings sont minuscules et on a vite fait de devoir se garer le long de la route un peu n’importe comment, à 10 ou 15 minutes à pied de l’entrée.

Increíble parque natural al lado de San Francisco. Se llega atravesando el Golden Gate y es recomendable llevar la ruta medio ojeada o un GPS, porque el acceso no está muy bien señalizado. Además, se suele llenar de gente, por lo que a veces hay que dar unas cuantas vueltas por el parking para poder aparcar. La entrada vale 7 $.
Una vez dentro, se pueden seguir diferentes rutas señalizadas o pasear sin rumbo fijo. Hagas lo que hagas, es espectacular. Los paisajes son increíbles, con secuoyas gigantescas, riachuelos y escenas de cuento de hadas.
Una visita imperdible, en definitiva.

110e avis — Dimanche 18 août
Un espace super calme et agréable à une bonne vintgaine de km de San Francisco mais ça vaut le détour.
Nous avions pris un combo avec la visite Sausalito. Cette dernière, plutôt branchouille, né mérite d’ailleurs qu’un arrêt d’une vingtaine de minutes afin de parcourir sa rue touristique (commerçante)
Par contre, les 1h30 prévues par le TO étaient trop courtes. Elles n’ont permis que de pratiquer le chemin emprunter par tous, alors que des balades bien plus longues sont possibles dans cette magnifique nature.
A faire !

Muir Woods NM ist ein Park mit den riesigen Redwood-​Bäumen in der Nähe von San Francisco. Das der Park in der Nähe der Stadt liegt, merkt man auch an der Masse an Touristen, die diesen Park besuchen. Der Park ist schön angelegt, mit Wanderwegen und vielen Informationstafeln. Wer allerdings schon im Redwood NP oder im Yosemite NP war, wird enttäuscht sein, denn die Bäume im Muir sind wesentlich kleiner und jünger als in den beiden NP.