What can I do instead of Muir Woods?

8 places to see redwoods near San Francisco that aren't Muir Woods
  • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is most famous for its 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods, which has the park's tallest tree at 277 feet and 1,500 years old. ...
  • The trees at Purisima Creek are second-growth redwoods at about 100 years old.




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Taylor State Park in Marin County. It's a lush gorge filled with hundreds of acres of redwood trees and easy-to-moderate hikes. If you're looking for a quick day trip to see the redwoods near San Francisco, but don't want to deal with the crowds of Muir Woods, this is an ideal spot.

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There is a reason Muir Woods is one of the most popular day trips from San Francisco – this small national monument packs a powerful punch. From experiencing breathtaking coastal and forest views to wandering through the famous redwood forest, Muir Woods is easily one of our favorite places in the Bay Area.

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From late October to early May expect rain. Summer months (June-August) can be warmer but it is generally cool and dry. Expect heavy fog in the morning, burning off in the afternoon. Some say fall (August-October) is the best weather of the year.

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Muir Woods National Monument contains 6 miles of trails. There is a 1/2 hour loop, a 1 hour loop, and a 1 1/2 hour loop as well as longer hikes on trails that extend into surrounding Mount Tamalpais State Park.

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Muir Woods National Monument is in Marin County, California, just a few miles north of San Francisco. The 558-acre monument preserves one of the last remaining ancient redwood forests in the Bay Area. Some of the redwoods are nearly 1,000 years old and reach heights of more than 250 feet.

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Hike through the soaring redwoods and immerse yourself in the sights that inspired John Muir to be such a strong voice for the preservation and conservation of America's most special places. Muir Woods is the first National Monument that was created solely because of a land donation from a individual.

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The trails throughout Muir Woods are flat and super easy, so you will be fine even if you are not a very advanced hiker. If you simply want to see the redwoods, you can walk around Redwood Creek Trail. However, if you want to avoid the crowds and are not afraid of a more strenuous hike, take Canopy View Trail.

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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer some of the best spots to see the behemoths, including the General Sherman tree. Stand below it or take a free park shuttle in the summer to see its size from a distance.

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The main attraction of Muir Woods are the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees. They are known for their height, and are related to the giant sequoia of the Sierra Nevada.

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Trail Surface: Firm Muir Woods' main trail begins at the visitor center and follows Redwood Creek on both sides of the stream. Large redwood trees line this trail from the very beginning. Though a level, easy stroll, the walk can be shortened by crossing at the second or third bridge to return.

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Muir Woods is only 16 miles from the center of San Francisco proper. It's much closer than the well known Redwood National Forest, but you should still budget at least half a day to enjoy the smaller forest. The Muir Woods shuttle takes approximately 30 minutes from the drop-off locations to get to the park entrance.

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