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Only 15 miles from San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument protects one of the most pristine stands of redwood trees left on the planet.
This one-of-a-kind national monument skirts the slopes of Mount Tamalpais and dives into Redwood Canyon. The steep slopes protect the forest and make for a dramatic descent. The canyon walls protect a unique microclimate that stays cool and misty, perfect for the redwoods to thrive. Once inside the Monument, we’ll see centuries-old redwoods over 200 feet tall, along with the remarkable self-healing forest ecosystem and Redwood Creek.
An easy, two-mile walking path through the park leads to key sights like Bohemian Grove, Founders Grove, and Cathedral Grove.
Most visitors start their Muir Woods trip from San Francisco and fly into the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Drivers will approach Muir Woods California Highway 1, then turn onto Panoramic Highway, then Muir Woods Drive. The route is well marked.
Park at either the Golden Gate Ferry or Larkspur Ferry and take the Muir Woods Shuttle to the park. Reservations must be made ahead of time at GoMuirWoods.org.
Visiting the Muir Woods National Monument requires an entrance fee. This can be purchased at the Muir Woods Visitor Center or ahead of time online at GoMuirWoods.com or NPS.Gov. Annual passes to Muir Woods are also available.
National Park Pass holders of the America the Beautiful Pass enter for free, so this is a good choice if you plan to visit some national parks this year.
In addition to the entrance fee, a separate parking/shuttle fee is required. These must be made in advance at GoMuirWoods.com. There is no drive-up parking allowed. Parking at Muir Woods varies, depending on the size of the vehicle and level of demand.
Alternatively, visitors can pay a small fee to park at the Larkspur Ferry or Golden Gate Ferry and take the shuttle to the park.
Forest and Mountains Getaway
Booking a stay at one of the lodges near Mount Tamalpais State Park lets you get to Muir Woods bright and early, while the mist still hangs magically around the redwoods and before the paths fill up. These lodges are popular, so book early.
Upscale Bay Views
Sausalito is a popular choice for vacations, with plenty of dining and shopping available after your trip to Muir Woods.
San Francisco
If you are flying directly into SFO or using San Francisco as a base for a larger California vacation, you can stay right in the city. Muir Woods is a very manageable day trip with San Francisco as a base.
Fall is usually the warmest time to visit Muir Woods, and the paths are less crowded. Summer brings the iconic Pacific mist, turning the trees into a magical scene, but it also brings peak crowds. Springtime is cooler, but the ferns are green, and everything is fresh. Even winter is nice here – just avoid the rain, and you can enjoy the evergreen forest.
Visiting early is usually best to get an unobstructed view of the redwoods on your hike.
As a designated quiet spot along Muir Woods Main Trail, visitors can experience the peaceful calm that comes from strolling through these ancient woods, far from the demands of modernity. This hallowed space protects trees that have been standing here for 600 years to over a millennium. Sounds of chipmunks and jays fill the peaceful lull within this stand of trees that was once dedicated as a “temple to peace.”
This winding waterway is the lifeblood of the intricate web of life within the redwood forest. Within its waters, Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout travel to their spawning sites, which once sustained the traditional fishing of the Miwak people. Today, Redwood Creek is a cheerful companion along the Main Path of Muir Woods, where its year-round flow helps sustain the intricate ecosystem that thrives within the cavern.
Once the summertime retreat of San Francisco’s glitterati, Bohemian Grove today showcases a resilient ecosystem in the process of revival. Many of the redwood trees here bear huge fire scars, including the famous “Selfie Tree,” with a fire scar large enough to stand in. Each corner of this complex ecosystem shows the remarkable ways nature can heal itself after disaster, including a nurse log, redwood burls springing forth new life, and ancient trees gradually healing old wounds.
Don’t rush past this scenic overlook on the approach to the Monument. Just a short stop off of Panoramic Road, this stop is well worth delaying your visit just a little bit to take in the views from above the redwood trees. As you gaze down over the ancient forest, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the redwood trees rising up to 260 feet high from their base in Redwood Canyon.
Our guided narration leads you through the park on the Muir Main Trail, also called the Redwood Creek Trail, which is an easy, 1.5-mile hike along a boardwalk-style path.
We then join with a portion of Hillside Trail, which is an easy, packed-dirt trail. This leads us back to the Visitor Center, for a total walking time of about 1.5-2 hours.
This one-way walking tour of Muir Woods can be completed in a single morning or afternoon, with time for can’t miss stops like Bohemian Grove, the Trading Post, Founders Grove, and Redwood Canyon Point.
Hikers with a full day and up for a challenge can connect a Muir Woods visit to the nearby Mount Tamalpais hiking system. Remember to leave plenty of time for driving in and out of the park, since the road is steep and winding. It can get crowded in the summer, as well, which can cause longer than expected drive times.
If you have more time, Muir Woods makes an excellent day-trip as part of a larger San Francisco-based roadtrip such as the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) exploring Big Sur, Monterey, and beyond.
Remember, while camping is allowed at nearby Mount Tamalpais with a permit, there is no parking or overnight stays allowed at Muir Woods.
1 Day Itinerary
This walking tour of Muir Woods National Monument can easily be completed in a single morning or afternoon. Since the park requires advanced registration for parking, plan your day to align with your parking reservation.
Here’s a suggested itinerary for either a half-day or full day in Muir Woods:
Most travelers drive o Muir Woods from San Francisco, which is only 15 miles away. Allow extra driving time for the winding roads around the park and congestion during the busy summer months.
Our narration begins at 256 CA-1, Mill Valley, CA 9494. Drive down Highway 1 to Panoramic Highway and then Muir Road- the entire approach to the Visitor Center only takes about 10 minutes but covers a steep route downhill.
Make sure to stop by Redwood Canyon Point for some birds-eye views of the redwood trees before fully descending into the canyon, then find your parking spot and continue on foot to the Visitor Center. This is where you will purchase admission, if you haven’t done so in advance.
Take the Main Trail, leaving from the Visitor Center, and enjoy the expert narration as it guides you through the iconic redwood forest preserved here, including Founders Grove, Cathedral Grove, and Bohemian Grove. The trail returns you to the Visitor Center, where you can stop by the Muir Woods Trading Company if you want to pick up a souvenir.
Full Day Itinerary
If you have a little extra time at Muir Woods, you can follow the morning itinerary above. Then, extend your day further by taking one of the more challenging hikes through Muir Woods or exploring the Mount Tamalpais State Park right next door.
Visitors with even more time to spend in the San Francisco area can check out one of our other self-guided, expertly narrated audio tours like the Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur driving tour or the Hollywood Walk of Fame tour.
Insect Repellent: Bring bug spray to keep mosquitos and ticks away while you enjoy the woods.
Comfortable walking shoes: The trail is relatively flat, but visitors should still wear closed-toed, sturdy shoes to avoid injuries.
Water & Snacks: Bring a filled water bottle and a lightweight bag with some snacks to keep your energy up on our walk.
Phone Charger and Battery Pack: Using location services on your phone will use up the battery more quickly than normal, so you may want to bring an extra charger or battery to make sure you have smooth navigation to your accommodations after your walking tour is over.
OTC Motion Sickness Medicine: The last few miles entering the Muir Woods location are downhill over twisting roads. This tends to bother people with carsickness, so it’s best to pack medication or take it in advance.