Muir Woods is a Magnificent California Coastal Redwood Forest Worth Visiting
What is It- One of the most unique and inspiring natural wonders to visit in the United States is the Muir Woods National Monument located just twelve miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in a forested valley. For millions of years, gigantic coastal redwood trees and the closely related sequoia trees thrived on land near the Pacific coast or grew on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Coastal redwoods are the tallest living things on the planet and are also extremely old. The tallest tree in Muir Woods rises to a height of 258 feet and another one in the Redwood National Park reaches 379 feet. Mature redwoods last for 500 to 800 years with some living over one thousand years.
The native people of the Bay, known as the Coast Miwok, frequented the region’s forest lands for centuries but were displaced by disease and mistreatment throughout the 18th and 19th century. After the California Gold Rush, most of the timber lands of the region including some redwood forests were logged to supply lumber for houses, forts, and other construction. Fortunately, Muir Woods and the surrounding canyons were privately owned are avoided this fate. In 1908, the owners donated the ancient redwood forest to the public. Shortly thereafter, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the area as a National Monument under the Antiquities Act and named it for respected American naturalist John Muir.
Today, the Muir Woods National Monument attracts more than one million visitors each year to the redwood forest. The Monument is run by the National Park Service and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area that includes other sites in the Bay Area. In order to limit the size of crowds and intrusions on the forest, people arriving by private car or shuttles must make reservations in advance online at www.gomuirwoods.comn before arriving at the parking area and pay a parking charge.
What You Will See There- There are five experiences worth pursuing at Muir Woods depending on whether you have just two hours to spend there or a longer time to dedicate to the destination. These include:
Walking the Redwood Creek Trail- After paying the entrance fee at Muir Woods, you proceed onto the Redwood Creek Trail which extends along the eastern side of Redwood Creek and then returns along the western side after crossing the creek. Some portions of the wide and level trail consist of an elevated boardwalk, and other parts are paved or unpaved surfaces. There are three routes to take along the trail ranging from a half mile in length to a mile and a half, and there are benches available for resting or contemplating the wonders of nature.
Visiting the Noteworthy Groves - There are three important groves of the redwoods. The Founder’s Grove is closest to the entrance and is known for having the tallest tree in the woods called the Pinchot Tree. The Cathedral Grove is an area with a cluster or circle of redwoods of all different shapes and sizes that have sprouted from the parent tree they replaced. Bohemian Grove is popular for having a pretty set of redwoods and a split open tree which visitors can walk into for pictures.
Joining a Ranger Presentation- There is a free, fifteen-minute presentation about the history and ecology of the redwood forest given by a park ranger or trained volunteer in the Founders Grove twice each day, and a one-hour ranger guided tour is available on Sunday afternoons. More detailed ranger guided hikes are offered on occasion by prior registration. In addition, rangers are sometimes available near the entrance to answer specific questions about the park.
Stopping by the Gift Shop and Café- There is a pleasant gift shop, a café, a visitor’s center, and restrooms at the entrance with light refreshments, souvenirs, and interesting books about redwood trees.
Stopping by Muir Beach- Muir Beach is located three miles west of the Muir Woods visitors center and does not require a prior reservation. The beach is not guarded and is less crowded than most other beaches in the Bay area. There is a pedestrian beach that connects the parking area with the beach which is known for its tidal pools, crabs and shellfish, dunes, and birds.
Consider a Side Trip to Sausalito
One worthwhile destination to visit on the way to or from Muir Woods is the small city of Sausalito located on San Francisco Bay just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Once a fishing village, this picturesque community is known for its hillside residences with excellent views of San Francisco. On weekends, Bay residents and visitors arrive by car, ferry, and bus to sample the restaurants, cafes, and shops, and explore the galleries and studios of the area along the waterside promenade of Bridgeway Avenue. Many restaurants offer decks with excellent views of the water and the city.
When to Go Here- The narrow and winding road leading into the canyon where Muir Woods is located is best travelled during daylight hours and temperate weather. In the Bay Area, those conditions usually exist most often between May and October when temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees, and rain is infrequent. Fall and winter temperatures are mild enough to enjoy the woods, but rainfall is more intense and frequent between November and March.