Muir Woods National Monument is a grove of ancient coastal redwoods in Mill Valley, over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. The oldest trees are around 1200 years old, and walking through the quiet paths among these giant trees is a humbling experience. A day trip to Muir Woods from San Francisco is a popular activity, and well worth the trip during your time in the Bay Area. Here are my tips for doing a day trip, including stops to see some great views on the way back to the city.
Taking a day trip to Muir Woods and Golden Gate Bridge Lookouts from San Francisco
The Drive and Parking
Here are some tips if you are self-driving this little adventure. While many choose not to hire a car in San Francisco (public transport is great), this is a fantastic day trip, and could easily be worked into a bigger road trip up the coast to Seattle or the Cascades.
We hired a car and stayed over in Oakland for our most recent visit, so having the car was great to be able to explore the Marin Headlands.
The drive out over the Golden Gate Bridge is fantastic. The biggest vista point offers this brilliant view (if the fog allows it), but more on the viewpoints later.
Once you come off the 101 highway and head up over the headlands, the road gets VERY winding. Take your time, as the roads get busy too.
Make Parking reservations ahead of time
It is imperative, if you are driving, that you book your parking for Muir Woods. The grove is in a gully, on very narrow roads, so there is limited parking. We booked online a couple of months ahead of our visit and had a very positive experience. The spaces were roomy (we had an big Honda Pilot), and there were staff directing traffic between the first and overflow car parks.
Shuttle from Larkspur Landing
Between April and October, the Muir Woods Shuttle provides transportation for visitors between Larkspur Landing and the park. If you can’t get a parking reservation for your intended date, the shuttle is a good option. We chose a morning parking slot in mid-October and didn’t have any issue with our visit – but noticed it was significantly busier by the time we left after lunch.
Take a tour
The other option for visiting Muir Woods is to take a guided tour. For those just staying in San Francisco, and not travelling further around California, this could be a good option. Most tours will stop at one of the vista points for the bridge, and leave you to visit the redwoods.
TIP: The only problem I have heard about this method of transport is that sometimes the tour doesn’t allow long enough in the woods – so for those who like to take things slow and linger a little, a tour may not be the best option for you.
Muir Woods
Walking amongst these incredible trees, you feel small and humbled. Their bark tells thousands of years of history, and the creaking quiet is only broken by the occasional school group or bird chirping. It is a fascinating and deeply peaceful place to visit, so much so that there are some quiet areas where you are asked not to talk. This reverence is what reminds us to protect these marvels.
Tickets & Passes
To visit Muir Woods National Monument, you’ll need to purchase an entrance ticket. Tickets can be booked online in advance, with prices around $15 for adults, while children 15 and under enter for free. Annual passes, including the America the Beautiful Pass, can be used also.
If you are spending a lot of time discovering the national parks of California, as we did, buying a pass is a cost effective way to do it.
Walks & Hikes
The main trail around the gully of trees is flat and accessible to families and many mobility levels. Some areas are boardwalk, the rest is well-defined pathways. There are trails that zig-zag up the valley from this main route. Hikes like the Hillside Trail and Canopy View Trial provide longer, steeper routes with scenic views if you have the time.
Food & Amenities
There are no food options within Muir Woods itself, but there is a small café near the visitor centre, which sells snacks, drinks, and light meals. There are no picnicking facilities within the park, there’s just not enough space to accommodate lots of visitors for this – but we found a spot outside the cafe for a snack. Bring your own water bottle to stay hydrated as you wander.
Restrooms and a gift shop are also located near the entrance. We also ran into a few rangers, who had set up an information table with exhibits, pictures and props (slugs and flora etc.).
Beaches
If you have time, head down the Panoramic Highway to Stinson Beach. This long stretch of beach is a favourite in the summer especially, and is worth the zig-zag drive down to it. The northern part of the beach is dog-friendly, in case you are travelling with your doggo companion.
Take the Shoreline Highway back to the Tamalpais Valley and 101 Highway to get to some more Golden Gate lookouts.
Other day trips around San Francisco include: Take a Napa and Sonoma wine tour (let someone else be the designated driver!), and don’t miss a trip out to Alcatraz!
Golden Gate Lookouts
- Vista Point (northbound, north side) – This is the biggest and easiest to get to / park at. A huge carpark just off the northbound lane of the highway, straight after the bridge.
- Golden Gate Observation Deck – There are lots of view points along this road. The easiest way to do the whole road is to come through the Baker-Barry Tunnel, along Bunker Road, and head up McCullough Road. You’ll get to a roundabout, and Conzelman Road goes off in 2 directions. Go to the left for the short but sweet route that takes in Golden Gate Vista, Golden Gate Observation Deck, and Golden Gate View Point.
- Conzelman Road – For a longer loop, take a right at the roundabout first and enjoy the Hawk Hill and Headlands Lookouts before turning back and doing the Golden Gate Observation Deck road. Conzelman Road turns into a one-way road at the Headlands lookout carpark, and takes you down to Point Bonita (a great area for a picnic).
More to do in San FRAncisco
Check out my 4-day guide to San Francisco to help plan your time in this fantastic city! My husband and I eloped to San Francisco, and have returned many times since – it is one of our many happy places in the world. From the fantastic food options, to the diverse history and cultural areas – beat poets, Chinatown, Haight Ashbury, and the touristic waterfront – there is so much to discover! Your day trip to Muir Woods offers a taste of the natural wonders of California, and some exceptional views, a convenient and easy drive away.
Check out my California Road Trip post for more tips on this incredible state!
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
