Muir Woods
The Basics
If visiting independently, follow the raised boardwalk from the park entrance and you'll find yourself at the crossroads of the park's easy and popular hiking trails. Alternatively, visit Muir Woods on an organized tour departing from San Francisco. Both half- and full-day options are available and often include stops at the nearby Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, coastal Sausalito, or even Napa Valley wine country. Combined San Francisco city tours, bay cruises, and Muir Woods visits are also popular.
Recent reviews from experiences in San Francisco
Things to Know Before You Go
Muir Woods has a gift shop, café, and visitor center at the park entrance.
Skip the hassle of reserving a shuttle or parking spot in advance (availability is extremely limited) and book a tour with round-trip transportation instead.
Walking tours and bike tours are among the most popular ways to see the area.
The park has many accessible features, with boardwalk platforms throughout.
Even the easiest hikes can stir up an appetite—stave off the hunger by booking a tour that offers a gourmet lunch in Sonoma County.
How To Get There
Muir Woods is located just 12 miles (19 kilometers) north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, making it an easy day trip from the city. It's possible to arrive by public transit, but the easiest way is by organized tour. If coming by car, drive north on Highway 101, continue north along Highway 1 (Shoreline Highway), then take the Panoramic Highway to Four Corners, where you'll turn left onto Muir Woods Road.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Muir Woods is open from 8am to sunset during summer and closes at 5pm in winter. The site can become quite crowded, especially on weekends, so try to come midweek, early in the morning, or late in the afternoon to beat the crowds. Even at busy times, a short hike will get you out of the densest crowds and onto trails with giant redwoods and stunning vistas though.
Hiking and biking along the well-marked trails are the most popular things to do in Muir Woods, but visitors can also look out for several critters such as chipmunks, squirrels, owls, and—near the Redwood Creek—sea otters. Kids can also enjoy their visit to Muir Woods with a free-to-download, activity-packed Junior Ranger booklet which includes animal-spotting activities.
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