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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature: Muir Woods


15 miles north of San Francisco is Muir Woods, a majestic grove of ancient coastal Redwood Trees. This forest is of such unparalleled peace and beauty that it was declared a national monument in 1908 by Theodore Roosevelt, and named after the conservationist John Muir.

John Muir has made his mark on the California wilderness, hiking and documenting some of the most scenic areas in the state. You can take a 211-mile hike known as the John Muir trail, which takes you through the most scenic parts of the High Sierra from Yosemite to Mount Whitney. It is also part of the Pacific Crest trail, which is even larger, and goes through famous California State Parks like Kings Canyon National Park, the Devils Postpile National Monument, and yet another grove of impressive giant Sequoia trees at the Sequoia National Park.

The park is cool, shaded and moist year round. Daytime temperatures at Muir Woods average between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Muir Woods is home to some of the oldest redwood trees in California Nature You don't have to be an avid outdoorsmen or an experienced hiker to enjoy an ancient forest. While its not a rugged backcountry trail, you will feel like you're miles from anywhere when you visit the Muir Woods National Monument. The terrain is flat and easy to navigate, and there is a visitor center and a map of Muir Woods to help guide you.

A short 15 minute drive from San Francisco, you will get an appreciation for the distinct ecology of Nothern California, where the biggest attractions are those that are outdoors, like the Avenue of the Giants on the Northern California Coast, which is another famous grove of coastal Redwood trees.

The incredible diversity of flora and fauna at Muir Woods can be daunting some times, elusive at other times. The redwoods themselves dominate the scene, but the Steller's jay often steals the show. Ladybugs clustering by the thousands on ancient horsetail ferns boggle the imagination, while the slimy banana slug is able to disgust and fascinate all at once. Plants adapt to low light levels on the forest floor, while whole plant and animal communities bustle in the canopy above our heads.
Winter is one of the best times to visit Muir Woods. The weather is mild, and often rainy. When it rains, Redwood Creek is full and melodious. The rain splatters and chimes all around, and the lilting song of the Pacific wren seems to go on forever.

Though nature sounds are everywhere, the redwood forest is still and peaceful. Few people brave the wet weather with umbrellas, coats, and rubber boots to enjoy the forest without the summer crowds. Except for the occasional banana slug trekking slowly across the forest floor, most of the wildlife are well hidden. Occasionally, visitors may see a river otter or a barred owl in the woods. The mild winter brings a flush of polypody ferns, blooms of fetid adders tongue, milkmaids, trillium, and fungi in amazing colors and in every imaginable shape.

Allow enough time to discover the splendor of Muir Woods in winter. The national park is relatively small, and should take less than an hour to experience its primeval beauty, both in sight and sound.
Muir Woods was named after naturist John Muir Muir Woods has a rich and varied history, from its use by the Coast Miwok people, to its early days of tourism and the Mount Tamalpais Mill Valley Scenic Railway, to an era of conservation, to modern preservation. In each era, the forest has been affected by the actions of humans, for better or for worse.

Until the 1800s, many northern California coastal valleys were covered with coast redwood trees similar to those now found in Muir Woods National Monument. The forest along Redwood Creek in today's Muir Woods was spared from logging because it was hard to get to. Redwood Creek contained one of the Bay Area's last uncut stands of old-growth redwood, Congressman William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, bought 611 acres here for $45,000 in 1905. To protect the redwoods the Kents donated 295 of the land to the Federal Government and, in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.
Muir Beach is connected to Muir Woods via the Redwood Creek that flows down off of Mount Tamalpais, through the heart of Muir Woods and out to sea via Muir Beach. As all sites are connected through the Redwood Creek Watershed, the health of Muir Beach affects the health of Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais.

The Muir Beach restoration is a landscape-level coastal restoration project designed to bring back natural function to the creek, freshwater wetlands, intermittent tidal lagoon and dunes over a 46-acre site at the mouth of one of the iconic watersheds in the Bay Area.

Redwood Creek is home to some of California’s last remaining native run of Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout. Every year after our first winter heavy rains the adult fish return from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. more...

Be aware that heavy winter rains coinciding with high tides may cause flooding at the Mill Valley/Stinson Beach exit off of Hwy 1.
 
 
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