Muir Woods National Monument Reviews

We have visited many times and always love the experience. The online reservations for parking were new for us and checking a day before we found no morning time slots, but plenty of afternoon openings. When we arrived to work there was a line of cars waiting and a little confusion because the main lot was filled with ADA vehicles and busses; cars were directed to make u turns and go back down to an overflow lot. After we were parked I’m the lot there is a short walk to the gate where admission is collected. We have an America the Beautiful annual pass which allows members and a total of four to enter free of charge so we and our 2 friends were admitted. The weather was absolutely perfect for a day of exploring all areas and we walked a few of the trails - starting on the lower boardwalk then eventually moving up to a higher trail. Everything about this park and the peaceful yet powerful feeling it exudes is breathtaking and amazing at every turn. There are information signs and lots of historical information throughout the woods along the trails. There is a gift shop and restrooms near the entrance. Well worth a visit!

Absolutely Breathtaking! Everyone should take time to wander Muir Woods. Feeling so little and young next to the mature tall trees. The forrest is magical.

The trees are of course amazing and the main trails very clear and easy. Preordering of parking and ticket keeps crowds from being there. The other trails (turns out are on state park land) are not so well marked, and I finally gave up and turned back. With no cell service and no one else hiking became too worried about an accident. I agree with the reviews noting the difficulty in getting there, that road is just plain dangerous. At the very least guard rails should be on the cliff side. I enjoyed my day at the Woods, but the drive has left me terrified to visit it again.

My sister and I love visiting National Parks, so when we found ourselves in CA for a wedding, we knew we HAD to visit Muir Woods! It was an amazing place. You feel so connected with nature walking through the trees. We could have spent hours there. You have to reserve parking in advance, which was frustrating because we were not sure what time we would arrive, but we appreciated knowing that we had a space. I highly recommend visiting!

What a beautiful historic national park. The park is well maintained and accessible with a reservation. The walk way through the park is very well maintained and flat other than a ramp/steps leading down to the start of the trail. There are several options to choose from for a trail that works for you. If you are going to be in the Bay Area definitely worth the trip.

It was nice to walk on the deck road, and the scenery was really great. I saw the deer, and the beautiful water sound was impressive. It was good to be able to observe.

The redwoods and the rest of the natural world are at their best at Muir Woods. It is an awe inspiring location. We'd never been there before so don't know how to judge crowds. There were a lot of people there. Many who seemed to not really appreciate how awesome and unique the redwoods are. It sometimes felt more like we were on a boardwalk. I know I sound cranky but it can be difficult to appreciate the natural world when others are treating the visit like they're at an amusement park. I am, however, glad to see so many people enjoying our national parks. The main trail is very easy to walk and well marked. There are harder trails and the more difficult a trail is, the less crowded it is. You definitely need a parking reservation if you are driving. Go and be awed!

Such a beautiful place. Have been here many times, and I am amazed at the energy felt when walking the paths. As a personal Reike master it is so energizing to be among Natures creations. All I can say never miss a visit to Muir Woods if you are anywhere near.

I would say at my age 67 this is really the first time I took the time and since I'm from Florida it seemed an appropriate place to start. And I absolutely loved it I almost walked the whole thing I enjoyed the bridges in the benches I got to see a slug I got to see some salmon but better yet I got to sit and take in simply what was there. If I get to the Bay area again or near I will probably go again if there's time but I do highly recommend this.

Muir Woods is definitely worth a visit next time you visit the San Francisco area! The sights of the giant sequoias and tranquility are with the trip!

We went with teenagers, and they too enjoyed the experience and photo opportunities. But note that you not likely have any cell service while out in the woods! We also traveled with a few seniors, and they were able to navigate without any problems. The trails are pretty tame for the most part. But there are also a few more challenging trails for the more adventurous.

I would recommend making parking reservations in advance or making arrangements for a van or bud service. Driving up and hoping to find parking seems pretty risky as there are few spots available.

There’s also a nice gift shop at the entrance.

Also, I’d recommend stopping off in Sausalito on the way back to SF!

Although the place is large, it has several routes to visit it, all of them walking and in any of them you can appreciate all its beauty.

The trees here are so amazing. Unbelievably tall! Great for a walk/hike to suit different levels to.
The air is so fresh!

Breath taking scenery in a forest that features incredible Redwoods. Worth the trip outside the city and an afternoon just taking in nature's wonder. Take your time wondering around. The trails are not difficult and there is a small gift shop.

Hello everyone Muir Woods great place for hike make sure you make reservations ahead because the place is extremely busy due to parking and they’re doing construction if anybody has not been there I would suggest it

Muir Woods was absolutely breathtaking. We made reservations via the website and arrived in the late afternoon- just before dusk. This seemed like the perfect time to go, as there were not many people there and it felt like we had much of the park to ourselves. This park is highly recommended and I am so glad we decided to visit.

This redwood forest is one of the closest ones to San Francisco. Beautiful ride to and from the forest, crossing the Golden State Bridge. The forest as such is magnificent. For the short tour we did, it was a very easy walk. There are longer and more challenging hikes for those who have more time than we did.

I loved it. Sequoias everywhere, big, small. We learn a lot there. Several hiking trails of different lengths. The routes and paths are well maintained. Ideal for real hikers but also for families and children and even for people with reduced mobility. We did a leisurely 20 km, 5h30 walk, a real treat. I highly recommend it

Loved walking the 2 mile trail. Beautiful way to start our day! So refreshing and the drive was amazing!

This was last of Redwoods that my son & I have seen, have seen Redwoods at the Redwood National Park, Prairie Creek State Park, Jebediah Smith State Park, Humboldt State Park & Grizzly Creek State Park. The Redwoods were not as big as someone we have seen, but they were still pretty amazing. The parking was little expensive but worth it, it was a little crowded. They had some nice trails that solely weed out the crowd.

I like coffee. If I am walking, or in a vehicle, I prefer to have a lid on it to keep it from spilling onto myself or others or god forbid, at the base of a 1000 year old tree. The Cafe at Muir Woods sells coffee. Open coffee. No lids. Slosh at your own peril. All in the name of the environment. Why stop at no lids? Maybe, we can become so enlightened and righteous as a community that we could install coffee ports on our bodies and do away with the cups too! Just pull into any coffee purveyor and plug your G-Tube or Mickey Button into the French Roast or Columbian Supreme. Just offering solutions here…

Muir Woods National Monument is one of the remains of the yew-leaved redwood forests that covered most of Northern California’s coastal valleys before the 19th century. William Kent, the local businessman, and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent purchased land in this valley in 1905 to protect one of the last remaining bastions of unculled redwood. We covered the largest circuit (Hillside) which is approx. 3.2 km. We took about an hour to discover this beautiful and quiet environment (when there are no groups!). The path is quite easy and the visit is worthwhile. There is a Visitor Center and also a corner to buy something to drink and/or different snacks with tables to settle outside.
Nice visit.

Getting parking reservations is usually a real pain, but right now you can get them the same day, so it's easy to visit if you have a car. Even so, there are a surprising number of visitors, so masks are needed until you get off the main trails, and even then as you meet hikers coming from the opposite direction.

The walk into the valley among the amazing redwoods is easy for anyone, part of it even wheelchair accessible. But for real treat hike up some of the side trails. We went well back on the main trails to Fern Creek, then hiked up that trail then on up to the top to Panoramic Trail.

It's a great treat, and if two infrequent hikers past their mid-70's like us can do it most anyone who is ambulatory can. Walking sticks help a lot on some of the rougher spots, especially the tall steps. You need to arrange for a pickup at the top unless you are willing to hike back down, which our old knees were not up for.

We didn't think much of the park when we arrived, but once we started walking the paths, we were really impressed. Lots of trails to explore, but even if you're only there for a morning, still a lot to see even if you stick to main paths. We took the elevated route on the way out and the lower route on the way back. Nice variety and truly impressive.

Wow, what an amazing experience. We hiked through all the trails and took in all the beauty in the park. Trails are easy enough to follow. We did go first thing in the morning and it wasn't crowded. Took us about 3.5 hours to do all the trails but we did stop along the way quite a bit for pictures. As we were leaving, there was quite a bit more folks heading into the park/trails. Highly recommend this stop. Beware. The roads heading to the park can get hairy if you don't like heights. Alot of switchback roads and BIG dropoffs with guard rails. Overall an amazing adventure

This is a definite alternative to redwoods national park. The trees are only a so called 100 ft shorter than trees there but is only 15 miles north of sf. You can hike the majority of the park in a couple hours. Really easy hiking and redwoods are everywhere

Oh my - unbelievable walking through the redwoods. I was in awe looking at these giants. The walkways/trails are easy to navigate. We had a great time.

This was one of my family's most memorable nature outings. We followed the advice on the Muir Woods National Monument website, and booked our parking (mandatory in advance) and our entrance fees several days ahead to ensure that we could get an early start at 9 - 9:30. The only downside of the morning drive from SF was fog combined with curvy, steep mountain driving near the Woods. Once there we parked easily, were able to use a porta potty in the parking lot, and walked to the entrance, where there was a full rest room, a ranger doing a talk, and an easy check-in with no line. We got our trail map and headed to the main walkway, which is basically flat and well managed, with width enough for wheelchairs and handrails for those that need them. More challenging trails are available for those who want them. Because we were early there were few other visitors, and we walked for close to an hour, and saw the most magnificent ancient forest, through tree filtered light which created a rather mystic environment. After walking we went to the visitor center (more rest rooms) which had a coffee/snack bar and a gift shop, as well as tables and benches. This was a very easy and enjoyable outing for all of us, and as long as you remember to book ahead, there should be no surprises.

A great experience to take your family or significant other too. Lush forest with gigantic redwoods. You can stroll leisurely in the trails of the park, there are benches you can sit on it you get tired. You can take your time to enjoy the scenery and breath in the fresh air. There are rangers at some points you can chat with to learn about park. The grounds have tons of clovers also, so lovely. There is a gift/coffee shop in the area as well. Saw a lot of small squirrels running about everywhere. Too cute.

The redwoods are amazing the tops shrouded in mist. A great family afternoon out currently you need reservations to park and the drive to get their is an adventure in itself

This was my favorite thing I got to see on my trip to San Francisco. You can't really put into words what it's like to stand next to the ancient beautiful trees. If you're a nature lover like me, this is a must-see if you're visiting the area.

Check this place out if you don’t plant to go all the way up to the Redwood.

Advanced parking and attendance payment are required to get in. There’s plenty of parking, but for the best spots, I’d recommend going earlier than later.

There are quite a few hiking trails and the longer ones are less crowded.

I’d recommend visiting.

Muir Woods National Monument / Park is an excellent place to visit if you are in the area or in San Francisco. Its a short drive away from San Francisco and a scenic one to add. The Park itself is not very large and although its fantastic, the red woods are not the biggest out there.. (not as big as some further north) but if its your first experience with red woods its well worth the visit. Just a serene place to spend some time. One issue may be and its is.. is parking. The site specifically says to book parking ahead as there isn't much space, but if you are going late in the day, you may get lucky and find a spot when someone is leaving. Just a perfect way to spend few hours hiking in nature.

This is a beautiful location to visit as a day trip from San Francisco. However, if you have the time to take a longer ride, you will not be disappointed by a trip to Humboldt Redwoods State Park. If you only have a short time, then Muir Woods is a great way to take a peak at the famous redwoods of California. Be warned! Visitors are required to have a parking reservation. Cost is $9.50 in addition to the park admission fee. But, there is a better way for the adventurous. Instead of turning into Muir Woods Road, continue on Panoramic Highway for approximately 1.5 miles just past the California Alpine Club parking area to a public parking area. The parking is free and admission to the park is free. This is a 5 mile round trip hike down with about a 1000 foot elevation gain to get out. We hiked the Canopy View Trail to the main boardwalks in Muir Woods and hiked out via Lost Trail. Overall, an enjoyable hike but there were definitely more people in the boardwalk area.

This was our second visit in 10 years and it’s great to see the park being maintained and upgraded throughout the years.
Did know what to think of some of the literature on the trails pointing out the negative history of the people or things that were done or said at the time. Hard to persecute people for what was normal for them at that time in history.
Over all. Always love a walk through these giant trees and humbled on their age.

Loved the trails. Well maintained paths. It is very important to reserve your parking pass... Very important to get there early. Parking is limited. As it gets later in the day the park becomes crowded. The sights and views are well worth the drive.

A stunning place to visit you feel very small alongside the great Redwoods. The air was cool and fresh. The gift shop is overpriced and it’s not veteran friendly.
Showed my veterans card on entry told it’s not accepted.

Remember: NO CELL/INTERNET COVERAGE! Follow signs when you get closer to park. When you leave, leave the way you came and shortly you will have cell coverage again!

FOOD/DRINKS:
Soups, wraps, sandwiches, coffee, water, hot chocolate available at gift shop.
Gluten free available: NO
2-3 spots to fill water bottles for free.

RESTROOMS: 2 locations of restrooms. Restrooms easy to find: YES.

COST: $15 per person. Pay ahead on website! Bring email or printed ticket to visitor center & they will give you a map.
Visitor center is easy to find; signs to follow where to go.

PARKING: good amount of parking. They tell you where to park. Pay $9 on website! Even though they give you a half hour window of when you pick to park, they ARE flexible during the week. We showed up 45 mins early and they let us park.

WORTH IT: YES, if you’re in town and can’t make the trip to redwood national park!
Modern/ clean: YES!
Most trails flat. Wheelchair and stroller friendly. Some parts of trail is either boardwalk, gravel or dirt. Not steep or slippery. There are some wood benches along the way to sit. Walked about 1 mile in and saw plenty of redwoods within that 1 mile. You could do less and be satisfied!

LENGTH OF TIME spent here: 1 hour! If you want to walk/ hike more, 1-2 hours is plenty.
Perfect time of day to go: anytime! Shaded everywhere. No need for sunscreen.
For Kids/Couples: anyone.

We got our required parking reservation for 9am in the last week in March on a Wednesday thinking there would be less people and we were only car #15 to enter the park. Pleasantly surprised how quite and peaceful until around noon when kids started showing up. It’s a very quiet peaceful place to walk among the redwoods and see the spring flowers and fresh spring growth.

There is the parking reservation fee and an entrance fee of $15 unless you have one of the various passes. Once thru the entrance arch you are on the “main trail” that goes back a mile on an easy boardwalk and then you can go across the stream up a hill to the “hillside trail” that is a true trail. If you want to stay on flat easy boardwalk then you can turn around at either bridge 2 , 3, or 4 depending on how long you want to walk. Check out the maps online for details. The boardwalk is very easy and anyone can use with walker/cane or mobility issues. There are also many benches to sit along the trail.

Springtime is definitely the best time to go before summer crowds and lots of people. The weather was perfect - sunny with temperatures in low 60s. We had a great time and spent 4 hours walking really slow and talking lots of photos. Many people just walked quickly thru the trails but I would highly suggest to take the time a see and experience the area with the forest, plants and birds. Definitely go 1st thing in the morning for the most relaxed time!

There are also side trails like the “canopy view trail” that is nice too and less crowded ; you can see on the map it goes above main trail and the hillside trail but brings you back to the visitor center.

The visitors center was open and the small restaurant was open with limited service now. Many places to sit on benches and places with tables. Really just a great experience that I would highly suggest to plan a 1/2 day to enjoy and take it all the views and smells of the redwood forest.

It is such a beautiful forest—like visiting nature's cathedral. We went on a winter day, so it was not crowded. It was peaceful and quiet—a much-needed respite. Thank you to everyone who made sure this was set aside for posterity and those who nurture and maintain it every day.

How dumb could be. Drove around the mountain twice. Couldn’t get internet so no pass. I wondered what that meant to have reservations. Dumb. Oh well.

Muir Woods was an amazing experience! My husband and I made reservations online and we’re not part of a group. Was an enjoyable experience viewing all the trees. Amazing that this is just outside San Francisco. The beauty, quiet, and serene environment is something to not miss.

What an experience to be able to stand next to these trees! Nature is truly amazing! The trails are well kept and easy to navigate! An adventure I will never forget!

Muir Woods is more than a forest—it’s a sacred space, an ancestral home of the Huimen Coast Miwok, who stewarded this land for thousands of years. Walking among the towering redwoods, some over 600 years old, we didn't just breathe in oxygen—we inhaled history, resilience, and presence. The trees seemed to whisper lessons in cooperation, patience, and quiet strength. There were moments when we wanted to pause and let the mist and majesty of nature wash over us.
One thing stood out: the importance of silence. Signs throughout the forest gently remind visitors that noise doesn’t just disturb others—it disrupts the delicate rhythms of wildlife. One sign read, “The forest has ears. Please keep silent.” A poetic and powerful reminder that we’re guests in a living ecosystem and that noise pollution can disrupt wildlife in profound ways: birds may abandon nesting areas, mammals become stressed or flee, and the delicate balance of the ecosystem is thrown off.
We wished more visitors respected this quiet. The forest thrives in stillness, and so do its inhabitants. The hush allows us to hear the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a bird, and even our own thoughts more clearly.
If you go, bring water, wear comfy shoes, and embrace the quiet—you may be surprised by how much richer the experience becomes.

After a 45 minute drive from San Francisco and a long steep curvy road downhill, we learned you have to get a reservation to enjoy the park during the day and couldn’t even park! What a joke… enjoyed the ride though. FYI, the drive down is Lombard street times 100!

We didn’t do our research before heading here and got busted. First of all, be sure you ‘reserve your parking’. Those poor guys that have to man the entry of each parking lot had to repeat over and over that there’s no cell service down there. You have to drive on and up to find service so you can reserve your parking.

Once there, don’t freak out by thinking you have to hike over 4 miles to see the Redwoods (like us [sigh]). Just make your way to the Visitor’s Center and you are so close that the trees could bite you. It was suggested that we stroll to the 3rd bridge and then turn back. This was perfect (hubby just had spinal surgery and can’t go on long walks yet). The entire walk was paved.

Enjoy the sights and smells of the redwoods. We sure did!!!

Not to be missed. Particularly moving in the areas designated for quiet. Comfortable hike. Learned more than we were expecting to. Moving experience for the whole family.

Being inside this beautiful forest was almost like being in another world. I was surrounded by a sense of peace and just utter amazement. The redwood trees were so tall we couldn't see the tops of most of them. The sorrel and ferns were mostly shaded from direct sunlight. We spotted what appeared to be a young male deer. It was such a wonderful experience, and I wish we had been able to spend more time there.

Mother Nature shows off her finest work at this spectacular national park. Incredibly well kept yet you still felt on a private nature walk most of the time.

Prior reservations are needed to visit the Muir woods. It is $9 to park and $15pp to enter. Minimal cell service here. There is a small visitors center with a small (and expensive) café. There are small, paved walk ways and some non-paved hiking trails. The redwood trees are beautiful but to my disappointment not as “wide” as I’ve seen photos of, I guess that is something you would find in more northern California. During the hike I kept anticipating and hoping to see a tree that would “wow” me, yes, they were tall but they weren’t that wide. We did a 3 mile hike which was moderate.

Muir Woods was so magical and lovely, definitely a highlight of our trip to the Bay Area. Reservations (including parking) are require in advance, so make sure you book before you go. And bring hiking shoes if you want to try the longer, unpaved trails.

Muir woods were spectacular. The walk was easy to do. We were limited to only a short time in the park which was a little disappointing.

So glad I made time to visit here during my road trip! Make sure to get a parking pass beforehand or check for the shuttle schedule before you make plans. You have to reserve ahead of time. I also found it much better to go early as it was much more crowded as the day went on. As for the park it’s so majestic with surprising opportunities to see wildlife as well as redwoods and coastal views and beach. It’s not a round trip trail but in and out so plan accordingly. I did the Dypsee trail to the coastal view (not the actual beach) and it was challenging but certainly do able without it being too steep. Saw lots of terrain and the payoff with the views was so rewarding! Very well maintained with signs.

The wife and I were here last weekend. It had been five years for me, thirty for her! Due to coronavirus parking and entrance requires reservations so as to limit the quantity of people in the park. It worked we were never too crowded on the paths and trails. The air was fresh and restorative.

These woods are beautiful and magical.

If you can, drive by car. The tours don't have much time there (about 90 minutes - and that includes buying souvenirs etc.) and their side trip to Sausalito would be a waste if you've ever been to a fancy sea side town.

We drove out and spent 3 hours there. You must make ADVANCED PARKING RESERVATIONS.

There is a very nice, flat walk which is about 1.5-2 miles round trip (paved & handicap accessible) and there are side trips which are slightly to significantly steeper.

When we were there (end of August) some of the side paths had warnings about aggressive wasps --- so if you are allergic, bring your epi pen. There were also plenty of walks without wasp warnings.

You can picnic just outside the park (i.e. there are some benches in the parking area) - so bring your lunch.

Wonderful views of the Redwoods - great paths to walk. Very friendly staff. We went with SF Excursions and it was a great place to stop along the tour!!

We loved San Francisco and we did a lot of things on our 4-day (5 night) visit but Muir Woods National Monument was definitely our favorite in the area. We loved the Costal Redwood trees, of course but we also loved the stream, the peace and quiet and even the smell of the place. We didn't go on any trails, just the walk to Bridge 4 and back. However, that was just perfect!
This area of costal redwoods was saved by the Kent family. Part of it was given to the government during their lives and the rest left as a bequest.

Be sure to go online and purchase reservations for parking in advance. I highly recommend a weekday visit in the late morning if visiting in the cooler winter months. It will be less crowded and will facilitate meandering while socially distancing from others. The tall trees create a sun block so bring a warm jacket, sweater or sweatshirt.

Walking here never disappoints! Seeing the majesty of these amazing trees and other growth and hearing the gentle sound of the stream just puts one at peace,

We first visited Muir Woods 10years ago as part of a full day tour upto Sonoma. Recently found ourselves back in the SF area for 2 days and decided to return to spend more time here and pick up a trail or two.

It’s a quiet and peaceful place to switch off (there’s no phone signal anywhere) we walked a mishmash of trails to create a 2.5 hour loop. Weather was unseasonably hot for October so 2.5hrs was enough! If it was a little cooler we’d have chosen a longer trail.

If travelling independently by car, remember to prebook your parking online. It costs around $9 to book an arrival time slot. We spotted lots of people who had forgotten to do this and were turned away. Don’t make this mistake!

The views are amazing and definitely feel the natures and atmosphere of the fresh air. I would definitely recommend to visit Muir Woods. No regrets visiting.

One of the most beautiful hikes in years. Redwoods were beautiful. Map was helpful. Go early and reserve parking or you will walk a long way.

Go early in the morning for a quiet and mystical atmosphere! It's humbling to be in a primeval forest, towered by 300 ft redwoods. 😍🌲

The clover cover on the ground has adapted to prefer the constant shade provided by the redwoods, so when they're hit with the uncommon sunlight, they actually fold up in dislike lol. You can see it in the lower left photo compared to the shaded, open clovers behind them.

I really loved sitting on the benches and just listening to the water over the creek and the birds. We saw a river otter which was a lovely surprise. ❤️🐾

We visited Muir Woods via Dylan's Tours from San Francisco and it was a highlight! Beautiful boardwalks and paths through these giant redwoods. Plan to spend at least an hour and you can easily spend 2 or more. It's $15 per person to get in (15 and under are free) and if you have a National Park pass you can use it here!

If you are in the area and don’t visit Muir Woods you are missing out. Worth a visit, even if only an hour. Do the short loop (easy hike) and take in the redwoods and the scenery. Admire nature humans haven’t destroyed yet. Stop and take in the park ranger talk if available.

BEAUTIFUL, small National Park, you MUST make parking reservations, a MUST. Nice curvy ride up the mountain (I am from FLAT South Florida), so driving those roads are a treat for me. We went with an elderly person so was able to reserve ADA parking. I have the Annual National Park Pass and was able to bring 3 other people with me for free. BEAUTIFUL place, those tall trees are awe inspirining. One can take the easy path and enjoy nature at it's best, nice slow stoll, especially for the elderly. One thing I was very dissapointed with were the restrooms. There were people there from all over the world, the restrooms were FILTHY, come on Park Service, you can do better than that !!

A lovely, peaceful place to visit if you need to escape the city. Some great redwoods to see. Most trails are very accessible

Muir Woods is one of my favorite places in the world. Too bad the Woke police have tried to politicize it! The monument has an age-old plague noting the name of the person who donated this jewel to the US government (William Kent) - thanks Mr. Kent. The thought-police have sullied it by inserting pieces of "history" about Mr. Kent ad the Forest Service chief at that time Gifford Pinchot. both these men were visionary environmentalists who deserve our praise, not our cheap shots and self-centeredness.

Very peaceful and refreshing to walk through this woods of some of the tallest trees on the planet. Definitely need a reservation for parking, and know where you are going as there is no cell service around the park. Once in the park the path to bridge three and the loop around for that (1 mile total) was easily accomplished by someone using a cane. To Bridge 4 (the rest of the group) reported stairs and steep incline for more physically fit individuals. We made the mistake of going on a school holiday and there were lots of families with little children that clearly did not want to be there so the experience was not as quiet as we were hoping but we still enjoyed the day.

A lovely walk through the impressive Redwood trees. Make sure to made a reservation for parking; it is limited.

This was our family’s top-rated attraction in the Bay Area. We loved the magnificent trees and the user-friendly paths. It was great that visitors of all ages could enjoy the park, though I could not help but wished that there was more respect for silence, especially in the designated quiet zone.
We did not drive and were adamant not to go with a tour group. Ended up really pleased with our decision. Took a ferry from the Ferry Building near Embarcadero to Sausalito, where we had a lovely lunch, before a local bus took us to the Muir Woods shuttle stop. There, the pre-booked shuttle transferred us to the Woods (you need to book the tickets online in advance, especially during the COVID days when this was only available on weekends). So, with some planning, this is definitely doable.
If you’re in SF and can only make one sight-seeing trip, this is the one that will be the most memorable.

For a few years now as we visit family, my husband has talked of visiting. There were always parking issues. Due to COVID, we finally managed to get tickets and brought our 3-year old grand nephews with us. So not the peaceful walk through the park we might have had but it was certainly an adventure. The Redwoods are magnificent to see; the park is tranquil (minus the 3 year olds). We stayed on the main paved road with them. So glad we were able to visit this Park. BTW, the road to the park is very twisty, so best to go early, in daylight and in good weather.

There is nowhere I return to more often when visiting the Bay Area than Muir Woods.
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities with plenty of different things to do every time I visit but the one thing I never tire of is returning to spend time with the trees.
they do not disappoint. Thousand years and counting STAND PROUD.
If going for the first time take a jacket it gets cool down there.

Simply stunning. So peaceful and visually satisfying. There are lots of paths and hikes.

I think the average person would want about 2 hours.

Note: no cell reception or internet there. We Ubered in and had to taxi out.

...but without reservations you can't park there. You must make reservations using an app unless you book a tour with a local guide. Otherwise, after getting to the parking lots you'll just be turning around and going back on the white-knuckle drive.

Absolutely beautiful! We hiked in the Armstrong Redwoods too but this was the favorite. You will have plenty of company on your hike and it isn’t a quiet woodland experience but it is still pure magic.

The place was refreshing, makes us close to nature… it makes us appreciate the importance of taking care of our environment. To get to Muir woods via public transport get the 130 bus to Sausalito and then take a shuttle near the telephone museum, then if you want you can come back via ferry. It will only cost you half the price of private tours…

this park is well laid out and informative. Under 15 year olds are free and the rest paid USD 15 each. There is an area that is pram/wheel chair accessible which struck me as being a lovely feature. We hiked for an hour but the small free map (and signage) we were given was not very clear as to which direction we should continue on. Impressive trees and helpful staff . Outside bathroom area was basic, but clean.
We were caught out on the parking as the day before, on researching the park we discovered you needed to reserve a spot and it was booked out so we had to use a shuttle service and park a distance away. The bus service was comfortable though and not too dear, so not a hardship. We arrived fairly early and it was foggy and cool at that hour. It was also pretty crowded.

I was worried my crew would be disappointed in this after seeing the giant snow-covered trees in Yosemite only days earlier. They weren't. It's a totally different experience but I can't say how they would compare in the summer. The rainforest is beautiful, the setting is peaceful, the history is interesting.
Trails are surprisingly easy after hiking the steep streets of San Francisco.
If you have youngish kids, grab a Junior Ranger book. The activities in this particular book are easy and are unlikely to frustrate kids (or you!). And you get to speak to a ranger afterwards and get a badge. Ours was particularly helpful and enthusiastic. He gave us great advice on other things we should see while we are here.
The drive here is very curvy which is fun too. (Not the curvy, icy roads we endured in Yosemite!)

We loved our visit to Muir Woods and would highly recommend it to anyone. Wear comfortable shoes for walking. There are lots of different hikes you can take, the easiest being walking around on the wooden boardwalk throughout the park. We decided to take a separate trail at the end of the boardwalk up and around to get back to the monument entrance. It wasn’t difficult (and I am NOT a hiker). Something to note: the drive to get out to the park is very curvy and there are areas with no shoulders and steep cliffs on the side of the road. If you have folks afraid of heights they may want to read or be distracted during the drive up. Go slow! Totally worth it though!! Oh! And bring a few water bottles to stay hydrated.

It is quite difficult to get here and so so ended up going on a tour. It would be difficult to get a taxi as there is absolutely no mobile phone coverage so getting back would be a struggle. The tours are only allowed to stay a certain amount of time but we found we had plenty of time. There are clearly marked routes and lots of people in the route so you can’t get lost. We found the route took less time than stated so we had time for a hot chocolate in the cafe.

I initially visited Muir Woods because it's a famous film setting from the Planet of the Apes films. It's only about a 45min from Downtown San Francisco but make sure you make a reservation in advance which includes parking as it can get very busy and parking is limited. There's many trails you can follow depending on your level of interest and fitness.

You pretty much need a car to get there. Apparently there is someway to do it with transit but it seemed unclear and awkward. Fortunately, a friend offered to take us there and while we only got a sense of it, it is an impressive place to walk. Assuming you are fit to do so, it is not that hard to get away from the crowds for a while. If you’re in California and want to see a redwood, this place will do it for you.

This was our first stop when we arrived in CA. It was awesomely beautiful and would highly recommend making Muir Woods a priority! The trees a majestic and towering, exceeding my expectations. We arrived near 230pm, on a rare clear sunny day in San Francisco area. The way the sun streamed through was stunning. The main loop in the park is paved, but there are some other trails to explore that branch off this one that are not paved. One tip: During the week, make sure to book reservations to park prior to coming. If it’s a weekend, check the shuttle schedule!

Visiting Muir Woods with my family was worth every penny. We booked our parking and payed the entrance fees in advance online, which was super easy to do. The drive from SF was about 30 minutes. There is good signage when you get there and people directing you where to park. The trails we went on were stroller friendly. We walked about 1 mile in total through the park. The bathrooms were pretty nice! The only downside was that the credit card machine was down at the gift shop, but it wasn’t a big deal for us!

Once we drove to the top of the mountain to get parking reservations (didn’t know we needed this) and made it back to the park, we were in awe. This park is very well kept, the rangers are very friendly, and the trees are just magnificent. The walk/hike around the park is pretty easy and handicap accessible due to the boardwalk. It’s very peaceful here.

A bit of a challenge to get here and you must reserve parking well in advance, but once you walk into the woods, just a magical place to visit. Enjoyed the peace, quiet, clean air that you could almost taste. It was spiritual in some ways. I really appreciated the nice boarded walk ways which made my walk through the woods easy for this older adult.

A short drive from San Francisco, over Golden Gate Bridge. There are a number of trails to enjoy, and the area is quiet. Take time to breathe in the fresh air and soak up the greenness. Getting a Pre Paid Parking Pass is a MUST!

what can i write on the absolutely stunning experience at Muir.....

Thrre is something that tugs our heart and makes us stay a little longer here.....

The location is just spellbinding marvel 💕

We loved Muir Woods! Be aware, you need to secure a timed parking pass in advance. We walked through the bottom path and then came back via Fern trail>Lost Trail>Panoramic Trail>Canopy view Trail. The bottom walk is easily accessible to all people. The hike was a good workout with beautiful views.

One of the most beautiful places I've seen. It was magical and spiritual. It was a special experience walking among the giant trees

I travelled all the way from the Caribbean to enjoy these woods. THIS was the reason I made my trip to California; to see the Redwood forests!

It was blissful being among the trees and seeing a new woodland type and forest floor foliage, watching the slow flowing water, hearing the birds. It's always such a joy to be out in nature.

It's good that these woods are accessible by trails that are enclosed with handrails. I understand about wanting to keep people and their shoes or bacteria and mites off the trails but it also made it feel a little sterile. I would have loved to meander truly into the woods and not be shuffled along a well-worn highly trafficked path. But yes, I do understand why it has to be done, especially with millions of people visiting here annually.

The trees seemed smaller than the photos I've seen. Some were burnt, hollow. I loved seeing the families of trees in groups growing together.

I loved the crispy cool of the air when we visited. It certainly helped with our walk.
We only had 1 hour here on our all-day tour so we had to hurry to get up to bridge 4 and back while stopping for a few photos.

I do recommend spending at least 3 hours here. You can then do the walk leisurely, stop and sit. Maybe do a trail. And then spend some time with a coffee just sitting out in nature. I'd have loved this opportunity.

It was very unclear about admission fees. Most people in groups just seemed to walk right in without having a ticket. But we went to the cashier and paid $15 each. I think folks just coming for a short time with a tour bus should have maybe a 1-hour ticket or give a donation and not be expected to pay the same as those who come to hike and spend the day.

Not our first time visiting but still amazing. We were just coming from the sequoia national park so they didn't feel as massive and as we remember them the first time but still worth visiting. Make sure you buy your parking pass before arriving as you cannot buy it there and the cell signal is not working. So print or take a picture of your pass ahead.

Loved the main trail, about a mile long. Lots of information along the way. I didn’t think I could care more for the environment and our trees, but I do! Rangers were helpful and informative. Highly recommend visiting here. We did an 8 mile loop getting on several trails. The forest and whole valley are beautiful and healing! Well marked trails and nice that you can choose your path.

I'm a local. I've been here a couple of times. It's a bunch of redwood trees. You can see redwood trees all over Northern California. If you want to see the giant redwoods you have to go farther north. Muir Woods is often crowded with tourists so it's not the best place to see wildlife. Golden Gate National Recreation Area or China Camp State Park are better places to see wildlife. The last time I went to Muir Woods I was stung by numerous wasps.

Nice to see the Redwood and relaxing place to walk (go on a week day when less busy) but you don't need long unless you want to do longer hikes. Need to pre book parking.

We booked our reservation right at opening time and I am so glad we did! It was not crowded at all and so very peaceful. This place is beautiful. I would love to be able to start every day out here!

A very beautiful grove of Redwood trees. It is small enough that you can walk the grove in about 3 hours. There are different length trails giving you shorter options. It can be very crowded even on weekdays. There are a couple of parking lots farther from the entrance so the later in the day you arrive the more likely you will have to hike to the entrance. As everyone has stated reservations are always required

Beautiful peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Great walk around the redwoods through the park.

We visited on a Tuesday and there were very few people there. If you are looking for something even more remote, take one of the longer hiking trails. We did the Ben Johnson to Dipsea Trails (about 4 miles) and literally only saw 2 other groups in 2 hours. It was very peaceful and a great way to experience the Redwoods.

Great visit with Gray Line and our driver / tour guide was great with amazing knowledge wherever we went - thank you Archie - awesome job

Beautiful national park with a wheelchair accessible boardwalk to take you through the trees. Came here with a group of four on a Sunday (apparently Saturdays are the busiest days) and we made a parking reservation for noon online in advance (a reservation is required). It’s fairly close to San Francisco but feels like a different world. It’s absolutely beautiful and the atmosphere is quite serene.

There is a cafe available for food/drink purchases that’s right next to the gift shop. It’s good for families and big groups. There are some trails that veer off the boardwalk that are a bit for difficult but for the most part, you’ll be taking a walk in the woods. I’d budget anywhere from a couple of hours to half a day to spend here.

Beautiful giant Redwoods just 45 min from San Fransisco! Beware of the curvy drive though and take Dramamine if you get carsick. Once you are there it is like an enchanted forest and feels like you are far away from a city. Beautiful, peaceful stroll through giant Redwoods.

We reserved our parking time for 3:00, which was a perfect time as it was not overly crowded. The pathways through the forest were gentle and wide, making for a pleasant walk among the giant trees. A very worthwhile visit!

I enjoyed this beautiful place despite all the people from different backgrounds disrespecting the signs that say this is a quiet place so the wildlife may conduct their lives without distractions. I saw parents allowing their children to run everywhere off trail despite signs explaining the fragility of the ground.
They really need more rangers around asking people to be quiet, reminding them of rules/answering questions, and so many more fences to block bodies from checking out the water. Perhaps mandatory listening tour’s could be added.

Enjoyed our visit to Muir Woods. The weather was perfect for the hike, comfortable with just a bit of chill in the air. The flat beginning loop is paved or wooden decking making it a perfect place to push a stroller or wheelchair. The upper trails are well kept and have stairs. The redwoods are beautiful. Walking through the forest is very peaceful. Really happy we visited.

A beautiful, peaceful trail through the redwoods. Easy walk with benches along the way to stop and take it all in. Amazing trees, definitely where druids come from. Magical!

This place is just so amazing and beautiful!! Every time I come I'm so happy that a bunch of people in the past saw fit to save it.

My Tips:
1. Get there as early as you can, since the place will fill up closer to 11 am and then it doesn't feel as magical
2. Go out on one of the hikes off of the boardwalk, just to experience the place without other people. Even if you don't do the entire hike, go out about a 1/2 mile and then turn around. 1/2 a mile will reduce the people you see and make you feel like you're IN the woods!
3. Stop at The BaySide Cafe in Marin City for either breakfast before or lunch after.

It's a beautiful place. Reservation must be made before you go, because you are not allowed to enter without reservation. The park is well conditioned, the main roads are wooden or well rammed and wide. The back roads are narrower but they're fine. The place is beautiful, full of redwoods, ferns, clover upholstery and a stream. There's shade almost all over the main area and sometimes it's cold... in August. There is a small café for sandwiches, soups and coffee, toilets and a souvenir shop. It's not to go once, it's to go many.

One of our favourite places we visited in or around San Francisco.

Muir woods was literally a breath of amazingly fresh air. Beautiful and picturesque yes but it is so much more than just what it looks like. It is a peaceful and inviting piece of paradise.

Make sure this is on your San Fran itinerary and make sure you have a few hours to explore.

This park is a must-see. The trees are gigantic, the whole park is very quiet, people were very respectful of nature and silence. The redwood trees are amazing in so many ways: you will learn a LOT from all the free information provided.

Parking was easy and my National Park pass got us in for free.
It wasn't crowded and standing beneath these glorious trees, gave a sense us of great peace in these crazy times. The fires North of SF were just starting and there was an orange haze over the bridge & city, but the forest seemed clear. We stayed and enjoyed the lush greenery for 2 hours and it wasn't long enough to do all of the trails. Hope to return after Covid! If you've never stood beneath a Redwood or Sequoia, it's worth the journey!

Muir Woods is absolutely magical, mere words cannot do it justice. The highlight of my holiday.

Went on a tour bus which stopped here for 90 minutes which wasn't anywhere near long enough. Later saw that buses run from Sausolito June to August all day half hourly which strikes me as a far better option.

The gift shop was good and cafe looked fine although we'd no time to visit.

Great hike among the redwoods. We took the Canopy View / Lost / Fern Creek Trails Loop with an extension to the canopy overlook. In total we probably hiked 4.5 miles or more. This was a moderate hike with most of it being uphill for the first half. So beautiful with all the redwoods, bridges, and streams. The overlook is nice but the forest is the best. Will do the Dipsea trail when we have more time.

What a wonderful experience. It was so peaceful. Wear comfy hiking shoes and layer. I will definitely come back! The road (from San Francisco) when you get close has a lot of hairpin curves.

I always love spending a few hours in Muir Woods if time allows while venturing back from the wine country to the airport. You have to have about four hours to spare, but if you do and plan accordingly (make a reservation factor in drive time), it can be a lovely way to end your trip, especially if it is the middle of the week and off season. Granted, these are not the super big redwoods that you will find further north toward Oregon (they are VERY tall, just most are not as wide), but they still help put our little human beings into perspective with the grandness of nature and the world around us.

Only had a few hours to visit, so I rented a car. Had booked a reservation online.

There's no mobile signal there, so be sure to download your offline maps in advance.

It wasn't immediately obvious where the actual park entrance was. Asked an employee there, who told me to keep driving down the road. They were wrong, and I ended up on a half an hour detour, cutting the amount of time I could visit and enjoy the park.

Park itself is fantastic. The trees are majestic and weather was pleasant in June.

June in the woods was great! Being from a humid area on the east coast, we throughly enjoyed the leisurely walk through the cool and shaded pathways amidst the huge redwoods. As I’m sure you know already, make reservation for parking well in advance. Wonderful experience!

Once in a lifetime visit to red woods. Car parking slot has to be booked a few days in advance , we bought it online a weak earlier plus theres a entry fee . We hiked for an hour and it was good .

Incredible trees. I was always fascinated by these giant trees, and it was a great experience to see them in this park. The atmosphere and air feel so tranquil here. If you are visiting golden gate bridge, add this in your plan.

Don't forget to book your parking ticket online. There is no mobile internet in the parking area and I had to drive down to the beach to book it. Apparently the time slot doesn't matter much, I booked a late time slot but was able to park in the afternoon.

I’m not sure there is anything more perfect than Muir Woods. Walking through these beautiful and ancient trees, listening to the birds and the wind - it’s almost a life changing experience. It’s not huge compared to most national parks - but allow enough time to walk at a leisurely pace, sit for a bit on one of the many well placed benches and enjoy breathing in that crisp, clean air. Parking is a fiasco - you MUST reserve in advance and you will likely have a bit of a walk. Also - there is almost no cell service there - that’s good, but be prepared. The snack stand on the site is just OK - but they do have a great gift shop! Don’t miss Muir Woods!

You must reserve your parking space in particular
The shortest circuit lasts 1h30 fully secure
For the more adventurous there are other tours
It's a complete change of scenery and we take full eyes with these huge trees as far as the eye can see

Muir Woods is definitely a place you must visit. And there is something for everyone. The wooden planks pathways make it easier for those with limited mobility.

For those more adventurous, there are multiple trails you can follow with different levels of difficulty. We enjoyed the trail to Camp Alice and the one across the creek from the pathways.

The trail to Camp Alice was easy and allowed us to enjoy nature away from the crowds. Restrooms at the camp were very clean.

Make sure to make reservations for parking before going due to limited capacity otherwise you will not be able to get in.

If you can, make sure to listen to one of the park ranger talks. Very interesting with information about the redwoods and the history of the national monument.

Great compromise if you want to see the redwoods but are staying in San Francisco. Popped up here on a Sunday morning, got quickly into a parking lot, and there was only a little line to check tickets. Spent almost 2 hours walking around the trees, some on the main path (which is wooden, great for strollers or wheelchairs) and some on the less traveled paths.

Trees were awesome, great views from some of the higher hiking trails, was well worth the cost of parking and admission, would recommend. Way less crowded than expected when we arrived around 9:30 am, but was getting busier when we left at 11:30 am, just fyi.

Truly a majestic experience walking among all these amazing trees which are hundreds of years old. It's very well maintained with clear structured paths for all, they have a souvenir shop too. One gets to feel fresh and relaxed in this environment, a paradise will worth to see from 30 minutes drive across. The place is very quite and serine. Nice place to spend 3-4 hours, a must see place.

A soul-reviving experience stepping among the most amazing trees I have ever seen. Peaceful, serene and timeless. A self-sustaining reverence of life

Due to covid the trails are directed one way which slightly affected the experience. Well paved paths and beautiful trees to see. I would highly recommend this place.

The trees were phenomenal and this place is well preserved. Even the ride from San Francisco was incredible as we nearly hung off the cliff. There were a few photo ops in route with an overlook of the valley.

Nice road and hike. Way to expensive for what you get. Overcrowded. Limited parking and parking reservations required. It appeared that some people parked near edge, and walked into park without paying.

Be aware! We drove to Muir hoping to get a nice day trip. Unfortunately we were not able to buy the mandatory parking tickets - no foreign cards seem to work and we later found similar reviews. We tried 4 different cards. We are in California for a shorter vacation - so this was very disappointing.
So please look this up before travelling here.

We took the bus from the city to Sausalito and then picked up the shuttle to the woods. The cliff-edge trip on the shuttle was a little scary but well worth it. There are several options of routes through the woods from the very easy to much more challenging. The trees are just incredible and the routes are really well maintained considering the scale of the place. It was pretty busy but didn't feel that crowded. Amazing sense of space amongst the trees. The café on site offered tasty snacks and the gift shop was good. By the way, the bus stop for the shuttle was not very easy to find, it was a small sign just next to the (closed) visitors center. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Muir Woods is a very pretty state park in California. They are good for people with disabilities because they are very helpful

Grey line tour with a great driver, tour guide in one person. Had a history and biology lesson on our way there as well as a stop for photos before the Golden Gate. The trees are a cathedral. It’s really good people in the past didn’t harvest these trees

We visited Muir Woods at the 1:30 time slot. We did not have an issue with parking. Beware that you must have a reservation BEFORE you get there. You will be given a time slot, so plan ahead. There is no cell service at the park. It is a very windy drive getting down to the entrance so those afflicted by motion sickness should be advised. We hiked the Ben Johnson trail and enjoyed the length, scenery, and difficulty. A must do while you’re in San Francisco!

The teens got fed up after a while but for us adults it was spiritual, beautiful and deep. A very special place. You need to book parking before you go.

This place is incredible. To walk among ancient trees is an unforgettable experience. The beauty here cannot be conveyed with words easily. You have to see it to understand it. The drive here on highway 1 is really special also. Make reservations ahead of time this place is always full. You’ll see why when you get here. I drove here from Palo Alto and it was totally worth it.

Muir Woods exceeded my expectations. It was very peaceful, even with families with screaming children being nearby. It is a place that makes you feel the past, or like magic could happen at any moment. They have kept it all very natural, but safe, clean, and absolutely beautiful. I also purchased a jacket at the gift shop, and it is extremely cozy and great quality! We enjoyed our day trip out to Muir Woods during Dylan's Tours, 1 Day Tour of San Francisco.

My last visit to Muir Woods was in 2005 and this time it felt even more beautiful. Upon entering the area, the trees and greenery instilled a sense of calmness in my mind (until my toddler started to run off).

The boardwalk made it easy for strollers of all physical abilities and there are plenty of trails with low elevation gains without compromising on scenery.

One of the best places to enjoy nature at its peak performance. So relaxing and extraordinary. It’s not a very long ride from San Francisco, but there was an accident and we had to go through another road to Sausalito. Reservation is required if you plan to go. Awesome job keeping this place as it is.

A must-visit place if you are in SFO, with amazing tree lines, and well-maintained trail paths. Try to be there as early as possible, to avoid the crowd and enjoy the wilderness.

Muir Woods is a great treat for beginning hikers and a perfect place to show your kids where sprites and fairies live. Flat trails, windy trails, these woods take your from the soft fern floors up to the meadows filled with blooming flowers. The light filters through the nearly 400 foot tall trees creating a perfectly quiet forest filled with fern and columbine. There are facilities for bathrooms, but the cafe service has been cut back. The forest trails are kept neat and clean, the parking services are very easy and they have wheelchair accommodations. If you haven't gone, don't miss this great treasure.

Advice on how to get out of Muir Woods and back to San Francisco city. You can get some cell reception by the road, so I was able to call a Lyft. There are taxis around the car park waiting for customers, but they charge a lot. Lastly, you can speak to the staff at the visitor centre and they will help you with ordering an uber or taxi out. Sharing this so it may help others as I was a little stressed on how we would get out of Muir woods once we got there.

The Redwoods are amazing, and most of the hikes are pretty easy to do. This was my 18 year old daughters favorite place to see during our trip to San Francisco. One thing I want to mention, that I don't see mentioned anywhere. The road to get to Muir Woods is extremely windy. If anyone in your family gets car sick, you definitely want to take Dramamine before driving here. My daughter got car sick on the way there, and I went to the gift shop to see if I could buy some Dramamine for the drive back, but they were out (they usually do carry it, he said because the road is so windy).

Trails for everyone, close to the city, the Bootjack is among the more demanding, but redwoods and wilderness for all, reservations of parking necessary, but well worth it!

Get the 8am reservation and get there a little early. You’ll have the place to yourself and will be able to enjoy the trees without a lot of noise.

The trees are amazing! Such a great experience!

Easy walkable tour through the forest. Amazing coastal redwoods found high up in the hills of Sausalito, CA. Reasonably priced tour and driver. Do NOT drive the roads to get to the Muir Woods National Park! Steep mountains, curvy roads and no guard rails. Let a trained driver take you. The trees are mighty and amazing to see and stand next to!

Put this on your must-see list. It was beautiful. We loved seeing the trees. Parking was a bit difficult. Don't forget to reserve your spot. We liked the gift shop/cafe also. Highly recommend. We took a lot of pictures.

Muir Woods is truly one of the most majestic experiences in California. Seeing the trees is a must do if you're near. It makes you appreciate the beauty of nature. Surprise was how quiet it is in the woods. You feel as if you're in a cave. We went during Covid so it may be worse during peak times but it is still a treat to experience. You may start to get a neck crick from looking up so many times but it is worth it. If you don't enjoy winding roads getting to the woods may make you queasy as the road in was extremely winding. It gave one of my companions a headache.

We just came from seeing the Sequoia trees in Yosemite, and while they were very impressive, I might have to say that the experience HERE was better. The walkway that wove among the trees made it look like we were walking through some sort of movie. It was unreal and yet amazing. A MUST see

The woods were very enjoyable - it took us a pretty long time to get an idea of the map, but it was given to us in the beginning of the trail. There is a wide selection of things you can do, and the gift shop is just great!

There are plenty of parks in California with similar hiking trails. For example, the Redwood Regional Park. Muir Wood is not that special to be honest. Just more crowded.

Grand redwood trees with multiple lovely walking paths, that are manageable for all ages. Redwoods are the tallest living things on earth and standing under these magnificent structures is an experience. Entry to be booked in advance and plenty of parking nearby. Length of stay depends on how much hiking you want to do, and there are paths that lead to the coast as well. Can combine this to a trip to Muir beach and the lookout point too.

Very tall and spectacular thousand-year-old sequoias surround you the entire way. Among other things, I was lucky enough to take a walk in this magnificent natural park at a time when there were very few people.
It is worth moving away from the main path and following secondary paths to find suggestive corners such as the gigantic fallen trunk cut in half (it is however absolutely forbidden to leave the marked paths).
The shop/café located near the entrance where you can buy souvenirs is also worth a short visit before leaving.

This is a place one could easily spend an entire day exploring. They have an accessible trail and other trails as well. You do need to reserve a parking spot unless you go with a tour company. The trees will amaze you if you haven’t seen any of the old growth redwoods or giant sequoias located elsewhere in California. Take some water as it could be warmer than it is predicted to be . There are restroom facilities on the premises ( in the parking lot, and at the beginning/ end of the main trail. If you have time check out the Muir beach overlook on Hwy 1 after you pass Muir beach ( we missed the pull off - watch for a gate on your right). Another great place to visit for a while is Muir beach, just down from Muir Woods. Easy to get too. There is a bench you can sit on and relax without getting all sandy if you take the trail to the left of the beach entrance. Or, you can do as I did and change into flip flops before exiting your car; upon returning to your car/ parking lot, sit down and sprinkle some powder on your feet and then use a cheap paint brush or even just paper towels to brush the sand off your feet before putting your other shoes back on. The powder absorbs the moisture which makes it easy to get the sand off of you.

Must have a reservation to go on your own. At this point, the shuttles are not running again so your only options are on your own or as part of an organized tour. If you drive, there are restrictions on some of the roads for vehicle size-some very tight spots and LOTS of twisty-turns.
Seeing the huge redwoods is a MUST when in San Francisco; truly a natural wonder. Once you are in the park, there’s no time limit on how long you can stay.

What a stunning place to visit. The trees are so beautiful, until you see them, you just can't grasp a real perspective of the size of these giants. The woods are clearly well cared for, the smell is fabulous, it's so peaceful and if you're lucky you'll briefly see chipmunks. Nice shop and cafe but excessively expensive.

Great visit and loved the trails, we spent 2.5 hours with my 13 year old daughter and it was a perfect get away, nice to disconnect and admire nature, loved the redwoods and not too crowded, will definitely come again when I am back in SF. Nos encanto el sitio, reserven con tiempo porque hay cupos limitados para el parqueo y entradas, lindos paisajes para llegar al sitio tambien, nos encanto y hermosas vistas del boque, muy recomendado para pasar minimo 2 horas.

Outstanding. Even with lots of rain. Trees provided some shelter. Beautiful. Can easily walk the trails. When we went it was not crowded. Took big bus tour from fisherman’s wharf

What an amazing place. We took an easy path about 2 miles of walking through the coastal redwoods. We saw banana slugs and clusters of ladybugs. Its a peaceful place to enjoy. My husband and I could have stayed all day but the kids were ready to get back to the beach.

Peace.. tranquility.. up and “deep “.. thats the experience throughout.. awesome, amazing creativity of nature ..loved it

Absolute delightful, peaceful and wonderful experience wandering among these beautiful giants.
It was a must see on my bucket list.

We went to Muir Woods while visiting family for Thanksgiving. Our family had seen the more recent "Planet of the Apes" films and our goal and objective was to photograph the park's extensive collection of chimps, apes and orangutans. However, we could not locate any and did not even see "Cesar" or James Franco. Nonetheless, the park has extensive trails and the Redwoods are magnificent. Just wish our children got to meet Cesar.

Loved this beautiful, tranquil place so close to the centre of SF but feeling a million miles away. We had reserved a car parking space before arriving which was good as the car park looked at capacity. There were a lot of people walking around the boardwalks but you could still feel the peace of the trees as they are so tall. My daughter and I visited the loos and missed a red headed woodpecker hammering away at a branch right next to the pathway. So glad we didn’t miss this.

Muir woods is an awesome place if you like the open woods and walking then this is well worth a visit. We went of a tour so had limited time. The park is huge and you could spend a good day and not cover a quarter of the park.

GET RESERVATIONS!!!!! We did not have parking reservations—-everything sold out——drive in pretty but frustrating cause we did not get to go in!!!

Amazing place! Gorgeous hiking! We loved the canopy trail! The staff was very friendly and everything was pristine! We will be back.

My daughter wanted to see the giant sequoias but we were too far from Yosemite N.P. or Sequoia N.P. itself, so we decided on this park.
The road to get there is very nice. We parked without problems (even though we arrived late) and did some trails. Although these trees are not as tall as in the other parks, the reality is that they are huge when you have never seen a sequoia.
Good alternative if you are in San Francisco.

This forest of beautiful, tall Redwoods is a must see if you’re visiting the San Francisco area. There are wooden plank pathways and trails throughout for all activity levels. You can easily spend hours walking. Views of the trees are stunning and the woods are quiet and peaceful. If you get to the park early morning, you get a glimpse of how beautiful nature is when the first rays of sunlight hits the trees. There are bridges to walk across, and certainly no lack of places for some great photo opps. After the Visitor’s Center, we took the first left over bridge 1 and walked along Bohemian Grove Trail, which takes you right to the Bohemian Grove, where you can take a picture of people standing almost inside a Redwood tree. There’s just so much to see in the park and it’s a real treasure. The parking lots usually sells out, so be sure to buy your spot in advance. Get there early to avoid crowds, as the park will fill up fast. Great little souvenir shop and there are bathrooms on site.

Our stop here was part of a longer bus tour. The walk through the woods is an easy path. These majestic trees left me awestruck and speechless. Spending time with these beautiful trees reinforces the need to preserve these exquisite natural wonders

A true testament to nature's grandeur, Muir Woods offers a humbling and awe-inspiring experience amongst giants of the forest. As you walk into the iconic cathedral-like grove, you're immediately enveloped by towering old-growth redwood trees that have stood for centuries. Muir Woods highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these ancient redwoods and their ecosystems. Be prepared for chilly temperatures due to lack of direct sunlight, and try to visit early before crowds arrive.

The drive there is a pain. If you go on a weekend, it’s crowded. And yet - breathtaking. At the risk of sounding a bit new-agey, it is easy to feel spiritual in this place.

Note that you need a parking reservation regardless of when you go. They do sell out several days in advance on the weekends.

If you have small kids, I would not recommend the Hillside trail. It is more like a cliff side trail with one side of the trail open to a big drop. Watching your kid stumble over a root will take years off your life.

Muir wood geat place go hike. And it’s also accessible for wheelchairs
And you can see the trees it is wonderful and very quiet and it’s beautiful

If anyone has not been there I would suggest going there it’s a wonderful place is not too far from San Francisco

This is an AMAZING place! You must visit it, the peace, the tranquility, the silence that you experience when seeing the immensity of nature with these trees is unique. Due to Covid, there is no shuttle available so you must go on your own by car or on a small tour.
I did it for a reduced tour and it was a good option.
Admission costs 15 usd that you can buy right there today, wear a mask for your entire stay and keep your distance.
Worth it!

Amazing place to visit, an absolute must do for anyone visiting San Francisco. The tours are a great way to get out here if you don’t have your own car and definitely worth it.

Great way to see redwoods close to San Francisco. The site has multiple trails so you can spend as much or as little time as you like, just a taste or half a day. Make sure you buy your parking permit online before you arrive (we bought ours on our way there).

We had planned to spend a morning exploring this ancient forest, but as we turned off the highway we caught a sign saying you had to have reserved parking booked before arrival. After some frantic phone searched while parked on a side street, we found that the next open slot was not until mid-afternoon. We booked that and then had to flip our plans for the day. So, for any planning to visit the woods, book your parking early before you plan to visit.

The woods themselves are fantastic in their size and so close to the city. The main pathway is paved or well packed. We pulled a folding wagon along the whole length so that our small kids could ride when their legs gave out.

The whole area is well maintained and clean. A real joy to wander through the huge trees with a setting sun. I would visit here any time for the peace and quiet and the huge trees.

impressive forest, short route (4 bridges) has an accessible boardwalk which you can easily use with the borrow wheelchair.

be aware there is no wifi / mobile signal,
short route takes a good 1-2 hours if you take your time to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Loved Muir Woods! We did the canopy trail, lost trail, fern creek trail, and then back on theredwood trail and it was about 2.5 hours with lots of stops for water and bird watching. You need to pre-book parking. There was no limit to how long we stayed to hike though. For those who want a “walk” rather than a “hike” that option is there on the redwood trail.

The main reason we visited this area was to see the giant, old trees. A shorter trip from San Francisco to get here on a Monday morning. Thanks to the reviews that recommended getting early reservations. The park was pleasantly cool and the crowds weren't bad. We did a fairly rigorous canopy trail hike that required sturdy shoes and had many rocks and roots to navigate. I highly recommend

This is a lovely place to walk among redwoods just 30 minutes outside of San Francisco. It's a relatively small park and pales in comparison to the Redwood National and State Parks farther north, but it's still a lush and pretty forest with plenty to explore.

The park is very popular, and it was rather crowded and noisy the afternoon I visited. Unfortunately, many visitors did not heed the signed requests to keep quiet in certain ares. Thankfully, you can still find some solitude by taking one of the side trails.

This was an afternoon excursion during our package tour of Northern California and it was soooo worth it. The park was beautiful, and there is something very relaxing and soothing about being in nature among trees that are several hundred years old. There are several trails of varying lengths that you can take. We didn't find much anything in the gift shop that suited us, but we looked. As we were departing, we noticed a wedding party arriving and one of the rangers was asking the groom, "So, have you always wanted to get married here?" I suppose that would be a magical place to get married. It's a good thing our bus driver knew where he was going because getting here involved some long, winding roads with steep dropoffs off the shoulders. Definitely one of the big highlights of our trip.

Didn't get to go because we didn't know you had to get a parking pass ahead of time and were only there for a day. Very disappointed to make the drive and not be able to go in. I think this policy should be changed because how would an out of towner know and there is no reception to go online when you are there. Just have it be first come first serve!

oh the places you will go. AMAZING ! Must do. to be in the presence among the trees, so peaceful and just what your soul needs. "Between every two pine trees a there is a door leading to a new way of life." - John Muir

We planned a stop at Muir Woods on our way from San Francisco Airport to Sonoma. It wasn't part of our original plan, which was wine country, but I am so, so glad we made time to do this stop. It was one of the highlights of the trip. It's simply stunning and completely worth the trip.

We were only there for about an hour and just did the main, paved circuit through the park. For those who want to spend more time or do more strenuous hiking, there are numerous unpaved trails that connect to the main trail. We just wanted a quiet, easy stroll, and we had that!

You need to reserve and pay for your parking spot in advance, and there is not cell service at Muir Woods, so you must really do this in advance. You will not be able to get there, then do it on your phone, because you won't have service. Parking for a normal car is $9. You can pay your entrance fee when you get there. It is $15 per person.

Just a note: You're very much in the shade while in the park, and we all got a little cold. It was around 4:30 PM on April 28 when we were there, and I think the temperature I had looked up was around 65. But we were colder than we anticipated while we were walking. I could have used gloves.

Overall, just an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it!

This place was just amazing. I really couldn’t believe how massive everything was. It was also fun to read the placards with interesting facts, like how the redwoods avoid the California fires.
They require reservations for parking, which really helps to limit the number of guests in the park at a time. This really helped make it quite peaceful. Quite a drive to get down there though!

We booked our entry time online a week in advance. Arriving on a weekday the last week of September it was not busy at all. We did the bridge 4 loop and enjoyed that it goes up and allows you to look down as well. It was an easy walk and I wouldn't consider it a hike. Took us less time than suggested even though we took lots of pictures.

Beautiful trees, beautiful area. Well worth the stop. Next time I would do one of the longer trails.

If you plan a tour to Muir Woods by public transport, you should be aware that you need more than just one ticket. We did it and it took us 6 hours to get to Muir Woods. The hike and the view are simply wonderful. Since you take the bus over the Golden Gate Bridges, a transfer fee is included in the ticket. We set off from our hotel in SF on the Sam tram. The first stop was on Market Street, then we took the Golden Gate bus via Sausolito. Then you get to the marina and the climb begins, strenuous but beautiful. You are surrounded by nature. When we arrived, we had to pay another entrance fee of $15.00 per person. I don't think that's right, because paying for a forest entrance fee, well, whether that's necessary is another question. The day trip was worth it and we saw a lot.

Such a beautiful place, great parting. Everything was clean an beautifull. The trails was well marked, and had some long and beautifull routs

It hurts to think that all of California used
to be like this terrific little oasis. Such beauty and such magnificent trees.

The visitor experience is very nice. The paths well maintained and good maps showing different possible walking routes. I wish that we had budgeted more time to hike off the main path. I think we spent about an hour there but could have spent two or more.

Sadly there’s lots of unpleasant construction noise near the entrance due to some improvement project, but once you walk a ways into the valley, it became more muted.

The online parking reservation system worked well. Very efficient and well run. Thanks Park Service.

Beautiful tall redwood forest. There many many interesting facts especially about the tree families and the fauna there. There are various trails, you can choose one depending on the amount of time you have. But i wish there were markings along the trail, as we felt like we got lost at various points. I would definitely suggest a trail to enjoy the park.
Make sure you reserve your parking before hand, earlier you do the more options there are

Firstly, you need to pre-book parking to visit Muir Woods. Your parking reservation needs to be shown at the entrance to the parking lots (most of which were full). I was lucky to get parked in the lot at the entrance.
The toilets by the entrance were grim. The ladies smelt and were probably last updated in the 1980’s. There was plenty of hygiene items though. These seemed to be the only toilets working. The ones by the gift shop/cafe were out of use and, given the volume of visitors, the number of toilets throughout the site is very poor.
It wasn’t entirely clear but if you’ve pre-booked your ticket, you need to check-in upon arrival. You’re given a leaflet showing a short trail. If you want to venture further you can buy a map for $1 and ask for a route recommendation.
Thankfully the trees and beauty of the site is outstanding and very serene, making the visit worthwhile.

We drove from San Jose to Muir Woods National Monument. The redwood trees are massive and it is so beautiful and serene walking the trails. Easy hike. Visited in July and it was physically cool temp wise. Highly recommend!

........how many superlatives can I give one "place?" I didn't mind the crowds because the trees were so awesome. Our tax dollars are working very well here!

We arrived early, around 08:30 and found few people around. This meant we had a lovely quiet stroll through the magnificent Redwoods. We walked along the boardwalk that was nice and smooth and level (good for disabled guests). We also went on one of the rough trails.
By 10:00 there was a heavy presents of other guests. There are toilets and a café.

Just wow.

I've spent a lot of time in nature, but this place was next level. Just stunning. There is a good variety of trails from a mile or so for a quick visit, to going well off in to the countryside if you've got a day or so to spare.

The only downside, and this is maybe something the managers at the sight could consider if they see this - There's nowhere to sit and just be at peace in nature. There's always a back ground noise of children and people chatting. I would loved to have been able to get somewhere where I could just sit in the woods and relax with some peace and tranquility.

We went to this site as part of a day tour and arrived in the morning spending about an hour / hour and a half in total.

From the twisty roads down to the entrance the sheer size and height of the woodland + Trees was captivating. Moving from skyscrapers and urban San Francisco to this made it hard to think that you hadn’t left the city life hours behind. Once down and in the site, the staff and Rangers were keen to give any tips and answer any questions, or help with photos!

We were blessed with a sunny warm day and attending this in the morning meant that the foot traffic was minimal, allowing you to sit or stand there and just listen to nature without any other noise. The colours that broke through the canopy and between trees is something else! Local wildlife could also be spotted with the usual verity of birds of prey to the weird and wonderful, on our trip being the banana slug (my brothers and my new favourite thing)!

There is a cafe and gift shop at the entrance with attached toilets too. Prices were good and the range of available things was pleasant too.

Overall, I’d say it’s a must do and if possible going early in the morning would be best!

We made the online arrangements for a parking date and time for Muir Woods.
When we drove in everything went well. We used our senior pass to enter the
park and started walking. Occasionally signs pointed out some interesting
facts. The walk was easy with a wide pathway but after walking quite a ways
we took one of the less maintained pathways for a less crowded look at what
was in the park. Eventually we went uphill and could spy the main pathway down
below. All in all it was very worthwhile. Before exiting we had a brief look at the
shop and noticed a place for drinks and snacks. A couple of days earlier we also toured the Armstrong State Park where the focus was also on redwoods. It was far
less crowded but also worthwhile.

This visit was one I had planned for ages, it took some getting to.
You can organise a tour from your hotel for $80-$100.
We chose to get the ferry to Sausalito for $7, muni bus for $2 to Marin City to catch Muir wood shuttle bus for $3, shuttle bus to Muir wood went up the winding road through the valleys with steep drops.
Entred the park and paid $15 each. so saved over $50, better adventure had.
Went to have lunch in the entrance lodge, very, very expensive, cheese toastie with manky uncooked veg on the side as a side salad, total rip off for the money and all the staff were rude.
Woods were amazing, so beautiful and majestic, was only spoilt once by an idiot Ameican family who thought it was a good idea to do Saquatch calls and screams in the silent wood area, its allways thos humans!

If you’re visiting San Francisco, Napa or Sonoma and haven’t gone to Muir Woods, make it a side trip that you won’t forget. The parking fills up quickly in the summer and on weekends so take the shuttle rather than trying to park on site. The park showcases a valley of redwoods and hiking trails take you through the large grove. Expect to spend an hour or two walking and exploring the area. Bring some water or grab some at the store at the visitor area.

I understand if this destination is part of a tour, then you really don't have a choice. But, if you have a choice, I think there are better options to see redwoods as part of the CA State Park system. The park proper is pretty small. It was crowded and noisy. Small and dirty facilities. Hand dryers in the bathroom near the parking lot did not even work. Small gift shop and a cafe. Both got very crowded. There was also a person smoking while walking on the boardwalk when I was there.

There is a reservation system to park. Parking attendants can be a little short, but I understand. They are trying to park cars efficiently and when one person doesn't listen to them and parks all crooked, it actually reduces the spots available.

I just can't imagine how crowded this tiny place would get riot to a reservation system.

Come here if you want to check it off a list, but to really enjoy redwoods, there are better options in the area.

Absolutely breath taking, hard to describe in words how little the forest can make you feel. Strong recommend to come here. Lots of different options for walks based on how far you want to go. Even the trails can just be board walks if that’s what you’re looking for. Staff are friendly.

A must see if you love nature!! Ideal for hiking lovers and for discovering gigantic trees!! Perfect for solo adventures, with family or friends.
I highly recommend!!

Small National Monument in a little valley that nourishes a grove of Redwood trees on Redwood Creek. Well maintained trails and bridges, unfortunately many of which were under repair so trail access was limited. Parking reservations are required, but even then for a week day morning it was busy. Not exactly a place to have a solitary commune with nature. But very beautiful.

Muir Woods was beautiful! We did not do a guided tour. We bought a parking pass online and drove there ourselves. Parking was not far from the entrance. We had a parking pass printed and the entrance ticket as well. We were able to roam around wherever we wanted to go. The trees are HUGE. So amazing and peaceful. All of the trails are clearly marked. There were some park guides around to answer questions. We also got a snack and souvenir in the shop.

Amazing park, tall and spectacular evergreen redwoods accompany you on all trails. We moved away from the main path along some secondary path where we could photograph suggestive corners. It is not allowed to leave the paths that are perfectly maintained. Highly recommended the visit if you are around here. Reservations are required and can be made on the internet by paying the entrance ticket ($15 per person).

You must book in advance is my 1st advice. They don’t allow you to just rock up, there isn’t enough parking. The forest is gorgeous, smells so clean & fresh. It’s lovely to be in nature, just a shame there are so few of these magnificent trees left in the world.

Come and be in awe of the trees, massive trees at that! In spite of the crowd, there is a serenity to be had while you look up and look ahead at the wonder and beauty of nature.

Definitely worth spending at least 4-5 hours if you like hiking. Some trails take at least 3hrs to complete. I suggest not doing a tour since they limit time to 90 minutes. Definitely not enough time to enjoy the beauty or hike most of the trails. There is no WiFi in the park so definitely arrange for a return UBER ride before arriving to the park. Park entrance is $15 per person. My hotel was around the corner from Pier 39. It cost $43 to uber to the park and $47 to Uber back. Saved a bundle by touring on our own and we enjoyed 3 hours in the park. We would have stayed much longer but I had prearranged for UBER to pick us up at 3:30pm. Tour guides and hotel concierge will tell you that booking a tour is the only way to get there and back due to no WiFi in the park, but you can preschedule an UBER pick up. It arrived right in front of the gate at the prescheduled pick up time (spot 2 pick up location). Cost us $120 to do the tour on our own. Cheapest tour quote we received for 2 people was $163 and that was after talking them down. We also toured Sausalito on her own for $59 ferry fee. The tours only give 45 minutes in Sausalito.

Be sure to book your parking reservation in advance, save the screen shot or the text with the code in such a way so as to have access to it once you arrive at the Woods as there is no cell coverage there. Parking reservations are required and sell out during busy periods. Once there, enjoy the trees. The admission to the park is by fee or, as was the case for me, I have the lifetime senior pass. Allow a couple of hours to just walk the boardwalk and paved portions, bump your hike up just a bit and walk the length of the Redwood Creek Trail and then make a left, slight climb mostly by stairs, and take the Hillside Trail back. There are excellent trails for the more motivated and energetic hiker. Stop. Look around. Listen. Soak it all in. You can make your trip a short one but enjoy! (Don't pass up the opportunity to visit Muir Beach (no fee) since you are there. A meal at The Pelican is nice, too.)

Go for the peace and tranquility! A short drive from San Francisco, though the drive is a bit nerve-wracking with cliffs, hairpin turns, and narrow lanes. Be sure to reserve your parking spot in advance which guarantees a spot at within a 30-minute window. There are 2 lots, the smaller lot fills up quickly, but don't worry the second lot is not that much further and the walk to the visitor center lets you start your experience right away. You can also prepay for your admission when you book parking and just show your receipt at the window saving time and keeping the experience safe. There is hand sanitizer at the visitor center and everyone is asked to wear a mask and maintain a safe distance. Be sure to bring a water bottle, there are refill stations available, even on the trail. The paved path makes it accessible to all, for those who want a bit more adventure, you can wander off the path into one of the open trails for more hiking. Most of the trails are a one way loop to limit traffic. Bring a snack or picnic, though cafe and gift shop is open. There are 2 electric car charging stations available near the visitor center.

My wife and I loved exploring Muir Woods, an amazing experience, as others have said you needed to pre-book parking when we visited (June 2023) so double check on the State Park website before you go.

Once there the visitor centre is a great place to start, the brochure was informative and we explored all paths, except the canopy path as it was raining quite hard on our visit and we hadn't brought coats. Luckily the amazing tree canopy kept us dry whilst exploring the circular walk.

We visited here and walked around, but stayed on the paved path most of the time. You can see plenty of trees and enjoy a visit without leaving the paved path, but there were lots of people there.

You have to make a reservation to park here so we were glad we did that before we left home because they did fill up. Thankfully you can stay as long as you wish after your reservation time. We were able to explore all we wanted to explore.

There is a nice little shop to get a little snack or souvenir.

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” John Muir
The hiking paths are accessible to many, the wood planks assist in all walking levels and are wide for those with mobility assistance devices. From half mile trails to 3 mile trails, to flat or elevated paths---every level of hiker can become a forest dweller of your own choice. I loved the quiet found here. The rangers and the people at the visitor center made the day beyond special. Parking is prerequired with a time. I did like the early morning arrival time. Pack a sweatshirt in with you. Bring a snack and sit at the tables provided to have a respite before returning to the "real world".

Great spot for a hike and to see some redwoods. Plenty of trails and the gift shop is so nice with many little things. Highly recommend.

I was hoping there was more to this location. I was hoping at least for some wildlife. We saw a couple of birds but that was it It was really crowded too. Many of the paths were too steep for our family to do. You needed to have some athletic ability.

We booked parking on the website and decided to have a wonderful walk in the forest with a couple of friends and my dog.
We arrived at the parking lot on time and everything went smooth.
With my surprise, when I reached the main gate I was blocked by the attendant because pets are not allowed in the park.
First, no information was reporting that pets were not allowed at the time of booking.
Second, I really don’t understand why a dog is not allowed in a FOREST. I mean shouldn’t animals have more right to walk in a forest than humans? I can walk in a restaurant with my dog but not in a forest?
Third if it’s a matter of preserving the wilderness of the area I don’t think forbidding access to pets is the solution as you can see the pollution left by man activity at the park by looking at the waters there.
A wonderful place but ran by idiots.

The Coast Redwoods are simply magnificent. My spouse and I walked the main trail, which was all boardwalk. It was beautiful and serene.

A few practical notes: (1) You MUST have paid parking reservations in advance. You can get them online. However, even with reservations, you may still have a little bit of a walk to the entrance; a couple of the parking lots are down the road a piece. (2) If you have a National Parks card, it will be accepted for admission. (3) Bringing in food is discouraged, and we saw almost no one do so. However, there is a cafe at the start of the trail, with outdoor seating, where you can purchase various kinds of food. (My spouse just bought an apple; I bought a croissant. Her apple was a lot better.)

One of the best nature experiences available in the Bay Area. Note that there are limitations to entrance and parking so you have to plan. Once inside the park you will be amazed with the beauty of the natural redwood forest. I've been many times and never tire of the spectacle.

Muir Woods is a popular place and gets somewhat crowded. But you can easily escape the crowds. Stop near the visitor center to buy snacks and go to the bathroom but continue on the Main Trail away from the visitor center. You don't have to walk far to access other trails and leave the people behind.

There is an extensive trail system and you can walk a little or a lot. We went out on the Bootjack Trail to the TCC Trail and returned via the Dipsea Trail. It took us about 2.5 hours and was a great walk. For parts of it, I'd recommend decent shoes. I had on trail runners and they were perfect. BE AWARE: the Dipsea Trail near Muir Woods Road has been rerouted so it brought us out a good bit (1/2 mile?) further down the road from the visitor center. It was no big deal but unexpected and meant walking back along the road.

Muir Woods is truly enchanting! The towering redwoods, the serene atmosphere, and the gentle rustle of leaves create a magical experience for anyone to enjoy.

Walking among the ancient giants feels like stepping into another world. There are not enough words to describe the beauty of Muir Woods, it was by far one of my most memorable adventures while visiting San Francisco!

I read reviews saying Muir Woods is magical. They were SO RIGHT!! We loved this place. Booked a parking reservation for 1st thing in the morning which I highly recommend. It felt like we had the forest to ourselves. Paths are smooth, easily marked and the main one isn't strenuous. I could have stayed all day but we stayed a little over an hour. Also clean bathrooms, great gift shop. Just make sure you GO EARLY. It's such a quick trip from San Francisco. Would definitely go back!

Such a beautiful and special place for nature lovers of all ages to walk around the many trails surrounded by towering redwoods all around.

Extremely expensive! $9.50 to park plus $15 each to get in ! Yikes.

Be sure to go online and reserve a space in the parking lot BEFORE you arrive because the parking attendants are unhelpful. There is also no cell phone signal in the woods and valley and nowhere to stop on the road in and out - meaning you will have to drive all the way up the mountain to get a cell phone signal to pay online and then drive all the way back down the mountain to park and enter the woods. Not a very good way to treat paying visitors in my opinion !

The walkway was very pretty but the trees are not an impressive size. I had read stories of trees so wide you could cut a hole in them and drive a car through. These trees were nothing like that size.

If you want to spend an hour walking through the cool woods then it would be OK but I certainly don't think it was worth the money.

The parking attendant on the overflow car park was very rude. Doesn't he know our $9.50 was helping to pay his wages ?

Beware of a very curvy road when driving down to this park and stay safe. It's good for all ages, handicap and stroller accessable. Loved its unique embiance of total silence. We had fun following the trails.
It is a perfect place to explore. It was a memorable experience.

We really enjoyed seeing the massive Redwoods. The drive from San Francisco was not bad at all, easy road trip.

We've always wanted to see these trees and it was amazing to be right in the middle. Plenty of parking, they give you a map to take, there are trail maps out there. They have a short trail that loops around that takes you through a lot of sites and it is paved. Then, if you want you can take longer trails through the woods. It was very nice, very well organized and we enjoyed out time there.

Well worth the trip. Abundance of trails for all different skill levels and time. Easy reservation process. Loved the large trees.

Muir Woods was such an incredible experience for our family. Our middle son couldn’t stop gasping and staring at the trees. We could easily take our youngest in his stroller, and the level of difficulty was easy. But heed the warning about no strollers on bridge #4! The kids really liked eating in the cafe and seeing chipmunks up close.

Must have parking reservations!!! Our National parks pass got our party in free. Nice visitors center with restrooms. Trails nicely maintained. Enjoyed our hike. Redwoods amazing!

This is a wonderful place and one of the most accessible locations to see redwoods. The setting is lovely and in a few hours of relatively easy hiking you can see most of Muir Woods. The one warning is to book parking in advance. Given how convenient it is to SF, there are lots of daytrippers and I think you should aim to book at least 48 hours in advance. Since the parking was full we needed to Uber in and out from the nearest town (Mill Valley), which was a slight hassle a bit more expensive but easily doable and well worth it if you need to.

Visiting Muir Woods is truly enjoying! Being there is truly refreshing. The place is beautiful although it gets packed and fully booked a lot so reservations and dropping by early is very much recommended.

I visited Muir Woods as a child and enjoyed it. As an adult, not so much.

The trails are nice but nothing spectacular. The biggest disappointment for me, however, was a single sign on the main creek loop trail where the park rangers have taken on the duty of historical revisionists. The sign tells the story of the men who founded the National Monument. Unfortunately, this story has been smeared by rangers adding information about these men, wholly unrelated to Muir Woods, in a weak and historically-inaccurate attempt to cast them as hateful racists.

Obviously these men had shortcomings or were involved in things we view today, rightly, as terrible, but they are the reason that Muir Woods exists and for that we should be grateful. If it were necessary to highlight all the misdeeds of every historical figure, I think everyone would appear to be an atrocious villain in hindsight. Shame on these rangers.

Even ignoring the issue I personally have with this display of revisionism, I would advise travelers to skip Muir Woods and go to Point Reyes instead - it is a much more enjoyable (and cheaper) experience with much more to do and see. The trails there are more numerous and diverse, with better views and an abundance of wildlife. Muir Woods is simply nothing special in my opinion.

We absolutely loved walking amongst the amazing redwoods…the trees will not disappoint! But we were a bit put off when we arrived and were told that you need to reserve a parking spot in advance (in addition to buying tickets to enter). Unfortunately we had to drive 2 miles back down the mountain to get cell reception to make the parking reservation for 2 hours later! Fortunately we used the time to grab a quick bite at The Pelican Inn and to walk Muir Beach which were both amazing. Just plan ahead!

Hubby and I visited in December 2021. Our experience with a park employee "Phil" was horrible. He treated us and several other guests incredibly rudely, for no good reason. Signage at the entrance is confusing and many annual pass holders were harassed and harangued by this guy, after, without any fault of their own, they followed the idiotic signage at the place.
Here's what happened, in detail:

I visited the park on 12/27/2022, with my husband. We are avid fans of all national parks, visit about a dozen a year, all over the country, and we have an annual pass. When we reached the entrance area, we saw two signs: one said pay here, the other said something to the tune of ‘general admission’. Since we have a pass, we headed for the second sign. There were 4 people ahead of us. We waited our turn, and then went to that window. There, we were admonished by the NP employee, who said we had not waited in line. He gestured towards the long line, where people were paying. I showed him my annual pass and asked if this was not the line for annual pass holders, who, in my experience, do not have to pay. At that point, he out of the blue just yelled at me at the top of his lungs: “GET IN THAT LINE, NOW!!!!” and he showed me the fee paying line.
My husband and I were first startled, then stunned. We’re both in our 40s, we have never seen someone with such a short fuse, and so rude, even in circumstances of real stress. We went to the long line, waited, and then, when we reached the window, the same employee was there again. I kindly asked for this full name, which he refused to give. I informed him I wanted to make a complaint about his behavior and asked for his full name again. He told me he did not care about my complaint and he would not share his full name. He just said “Phil”. I made him aware that his behavior had been inacceptable, especially since, while waiting in line, we saw several other annual pass holders who were confused by the signage and that he equally rudely sent in the fee paying line, just as he had done with us. I reminded him of decorum and told him that the signage was confusing. My husband asked him to apologize for losing his temper like that, after being asked one simple question. He flatly said that he would not apologize to us and that we better move along, that he does not care that he offended us. Actually, he said he could not care less. I am a professional who works under a lot of stress, with a lot of people. In my 20 years career, I have never sworn at anybody. But the condescension this employee showed both me and my husband, managed to make me so angry, I cursed him out. He ruined our whole experience at Muir woods. This guy should not be allowed to work with the public. He completely lost it, to the point of yelling and being abusive. That is not acceptable.

Visited Muir Woods in May 2022. While there are multiple trails my family and I did the long loop(2 miles). Need tennis shoes, some terrain is unstable. Definitely worth Visiting

We visited by using the shuttle service from Larkspur ferry terminal. After getting the ferry to Larkspur from San Francisco. Such an easy trip to make and the shuttle journey was an experience in itself ( stunning views of the scenery up towards Muir woods). We decided to take the canopy trek up the hill side to view the woods from above. It was well worth the hike! The walk down was hard on the knees but we definitely felt that we had witnessed a view others had missed (see photo). Go via the creek on the way back down for a different route back.

We loved Muir Woods. We went early in the morning and parking was no issue. The park was also much less crowded at this time. It is very peaceful there and the trees are so beautiful.

A place of peace and relaxation. The trees are really impressive and the park is lovingly designed. You feel really drunk after all that oxygen!

The forest itself is awesome and very well laid out. The only reason I deducted a star is that there is no mobile / cell reception at Muir. If you haven’t come with a tour bus or rented a car - you can’t request an Uber to pick you up. You’re at the mercy of the unscrupulous taxi operators preying on people at the car park…

Parking was at a premium! I understand why we had to make reservations. The folks at the front desk saw that I was a veteran (I was wearing my American Legion shirt) and was offered a card for myself and three friends/family memebers free entry to any national park, for life! I didn't even know this existed and wouldn't have, unless this kind woman didn't offer this unprovoked offer!

Gorgeous! Easy walking trails. There was a longer three mile trail that we skipped due to the amount of mud. There was even a wedding while we were there. I hope to come back in the future. Highly recommend

This is a must visit if you're in San Francisco. The Woods are amazing...truly breathtaking. Any photos you see do not do it justice.
The rangers were very knowledgeable.
Don't forget to check out the shuttle from Sausalito (summer time only?), which was convenient and super affordable! Not your average shuttle bus.

Beautiful national park with great trees. Relaxing and quiet hikes in hectic SF. Park worth seeing, you should plan 1-3 hours for the hikes, depending on how much you want to do.

We didn't get the memo that you have to have a parking permit in advance to even get in the parking lot. We were turned away. Just as well, my wife couldn't walk two miles on the trails. We went to the Avenue of the Giants instead - no crowd, no long hikes, same wonderful awesome views.

California is a state of natural wonder. I love the Golden state for many reasons, but its natural beauty has to rank at the top of my list. One of the state’s top attractions is, of course, its giant trees and a quick way to visit and see some of these big trees is Muir Woods National Monument, located just north of San Francisco.

Muir Woods is just under one square mile in size, and it contains groves of coastal redwoods, many of which rise over 200 feet in height. The monument has several trails for walking, observing, and picture taking. You can select a trail that suits your desired level of physical activity, and you can choose to stay on the paved trail, if you like, or venture onto one of the dirt paths for greater seclusion and more intimate viewing.

Like other National Monuments, Muir Woods has a visitor’s center, gift shop, and several excellent places for photo ops. There is a snack bar, too, and lots of beverages to make sure you stay hydrated. There is no internet service, so you have no excuse for allowing yourself to get distracted by your phone- place it out of sight and focus on the natural beauty that surrounds you. However, if you decide to purchase admission online and you don’t have a printout, be sure to have screen shots handy to show your proof of purchase.

Muir Woods can get crowded and that is because it is so close to a large population center which also happens to be tourist- oriented. When I was here most recently, we had to park our car several parking lots away and walk to the center. Oh, and be sure to prepare yourself for the drive here and back. The roads are rather steep at several points and can prove difficult for those with acrophobia.

I love the natural beauty at Muir Woods and I like that, even though it was crowded when I visited, I was able to escape the crowds without much effort. The further away you get from the visitor’s center, the thinner the crowds and this is what I recommend doing if your goal is to get in touch with the natural world around you with as few distractions as possible.

California is easily among my top five states for natural wonders and National Monuments like Muir Woods are part of the reason. These massive trees are a sight to behold and Muir Woods is a place you don’t want to miss on your next trip to the Bay area.

Muir Woods has been on our bucket list for many, many years since we've lived in Napa. We finally made it and for the life of us can't figure out why we never went earlier. Some people we know also have never been even though it's only an hour's drive away. Sometimes, when major attractions are in your own backyard, one tends to not go thinking that it's always there to see. I think that was our thought process.

Silly us. We booked a reservation in advance online along with the required parking pass. That is a must because parking is a premium. We arrived early and was lucky to find a spot quickly.

It was a short walk from our parking lot to the main entrance. You pay at the main entrance. In our case, we had one of those "lifetime" passes which can be used at any national park in U.S. It also lets a guest enter on the same pass. Otherwise, you pay whatever the fee is.

Our walk was so quiet and uncrowded. Everyone enters the "Main Trail", also called "Redwood Creek Trail". It is well maintained and much of it is wooden walkway. As you go up the main trail, to the left is Redwood Creek and there are four separate pedestrian bridges you can cross, depending how far you walk. We took the Bridge One and walked up the Bohemian Grove Trail a short distance before then taking the Hillside Trail up to Bridge Four. The Hillside Trail is more "beaten" but walkable and a little higher.

From Bridge Four we crossed over and walked our way back down Redwood Creek Trail back to the main entrance with stops at the Cafe and Gift Shop on the left. There is much to see along this way and please take your time enjoying such beautiful scenery. I'm guessing our route is the main one most people take if they want to just spend a few hours or so. There are a number of other trails one can take, depending on how far and adventurous you want to be.

Be sure to spend some time at Founders Grove and Cathedral Grove during your walk along the Main Trail. It's worth spending some time there to stop and smell the forest.

Next time, we won't take so long to return and try some other paths.

We visited on a Sunday. Most important thing to note, is that you need Advanced Reservations for Parking. We took the wrong turn and went up the mountain instead of going towards the park. It was fantastic drive but half way through we realized and turned back. We finally made it to our parking lot about 45 minutes behind schedule but they were kind enough to let us through. We hiked around the park for about 2 hours. It was mesmerizing. Everyone from kids (4 and 11) to my dad (83) was amazed at the majesty of the Red Woods. The park is spotless and very well maintained and they have a nice little gift shop / cafe as well.

Iconic and Stunning!
This is a MUST do! Photos don’t do it justice. Be sure you prebuy your parking pass— we didn’t and had to drive past the entrance to top of mountain to get cell service to buy pass. Still worth it

Seeing the Redwoods has been on my wife's Bucket List for a long time. We chose to visit Muir Woods, in large part for its proximity to San Francisco. While the trees are not as big as those further north, they are quite impressive with several measuring at least 12 feet in diameter. We chose to say on the more gentle paved trail, and were able to see as much as we had hoped for.

Signage leading up to the Woods is extremely helpful, as well as for the return to the city. Park reservations are required if you drive up on your own, and parking was fairly close to the beginning of the walking trail. Recommend that you dress in layers, as their is little sunshine making it to the forest floor, but after a few minutes of walking, you can start to heat up.

This visit was fantastic, and very convenient to anyone staying in the city. I would gladly do it again.

Parking is always a challenge, but you can make a reservation with a 30-minute window. Super convenient. Muir woods is very family friendly. The primary trails are easy and accessible by the wheelchairs and strollers. These trails have boardwalks on them. You can branch off to other well-worn trails. They have a cafe and rather large gift shop a short way up the trail from the main gate/ranger station.

What a wonderful hike we had! If you appreciate the outdoors and stately Redwoods, this is the place for you!

Excellent visit! Beautiful trails, unbelievable Redwoods! We stumbled on a “Ranger Talk,” that was phenomenal. He was so knowledgable and shared facts and stories about the history of the trees and how weather and age changes the trees. Great area for kids, families. We are older (over 60) but still were able to handle the trails.

It was the highlight of our trip to San Francisco. We were surrounded with red wood trees with the stream nearby as we walked on different trails. It was perfect for all ages - but it is a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes. Vist the website to book the time slot you prefer. We went on a Sunday and parked there for $9. Admission is $15 per person. You can also leave your car at a parking lot near the freeway exit and take their shuttle to the park. Restrooms are available by the shuttle line area and inside next to the gift shop.

Wonderful visit only a few minutes from San Francisco. The large sequoias made this a special moment. A great photo opportunity.

Stepping into Muir Woods feels less like entering a park and more like being ushered into a cathedral built not by hands, but by time itself. The redwoods rise like ancient pillars, their bark etched with centuries of patience, their crowns disappearing into a soft haze of light. You don’t walk here so much as you surrender - your pace slows, your voice drops, and suddenly even your thoughts feel loud against the quiet hum of this living sanctuary.

The air is rich with the scent of earth and cedar, damp and alive, as if every breath is a reminder that you’re part of something older and steadier than you. A creek runs softly through the grove, weaving silver threads between the roots, carrying the kind of calm you wish you could bottle and take home.

What strikes you most is the scale: these trees have stood through wars, inventions, revolutions , entire lives have begun and ended while they kept growing skyward, unhurried, unwavering. To stand beneath them is to remember how brief and fragile we are, and yet how deeply connected to endurance we can be.

Muir Woods is not a place you “see.” It’s a place that sees you strips away your rush, your noise, your need to measure everything in minutes. It leaves you humbled, quieter, maybe even a little more reverent toward the life you carry back out with you

Pause at the cathedral & take it all in .

Gorgeous redwood forest - there is an easy paved walkway and boardwalk where you can learn about the plants and animals that live in this beautiful ecosystem. The boardwalk branches off into multiple hiking trails up the sides of the valley.

Judith was our tour guide and driver and she was excellent with pointing out the history of the area and some little unknown facts not traditionally cited in the history books!
She even volunteered to take pictures for us!

It is a sanctuary of nature, very beautiful and ready to fill your lungs with fresh air.
It is important to consider that there is no sign in the park so if you are going on your own, you should consider very well the transport and see the specifications of the page. We arrive by uber, and the departure can be done with the taxis of the place that are always there. Although you can also get out under your responsibility by walking approx 2 kilometers on a walking trail on the side of the road and you already get signal. The day I went there were 10 of us back down that trail.

Since there was a fire in Yosemite Redwood Park, we decided to go to this park very close to San Francisco. It did not disappoint us, you can see very large trees and the trail is very pleasant. There is a soft option and a harder option. It is worth your visit. You just have to reserve parking.

This is an amazing place. The trees, wildlife, gift shop, the boardwalk. It is an amazing place to see Redwoods and go on a hike. Parking is a little challenging. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance. It is required. Entrance tickets can be purchased at the gate, but not parking.

Very curvy road down to Muir Woods.

As soon as you enter the parking lot there are a million signs saying it's a smash and grab hotspot. Not an issue if you take a tour bus, but we had a rental and worried about it the entire time. They also don't tell you ahead of time that you need reservations weeks out to park, until you're all the way up the road to get there. Road is twisty but not any worse then other California roads. Redwoods are amazing to see, but I would recommend hitting up a different grove

This is an amazing place to visit. We took a tour here, which I highly recommend vs. driving yourself. The roads are narrow, winding and high up. Parking appointments are required.

Take your time, breathe in the fresh crisp smell of redwoods and a clean forest. It was amazing. We wish we would have had more time at the park.

Muir Woods was awesome. The grove of redwoods was majestic. The ranger talk was …interesting, but off-topic.
I came to hear the story of discovery, development, and preservation of the forest, and the evolution and protection of the redwood species. Unfortunately, a good share of the ranger’s talk was on salmon habitat restoration.
Hiking trails were great and well maintained.

Let me first start this review off with the fact that Muir Woods was absolutely amazing and I would’ve given it 10 stars. Gorgeous scenery, we walked for hours. It’s something everyone should go to see at-least once in their life. Now on to why I gave 4 stars. Upon arriving at the window to check in before entering the park I asked “CHARIS” light brown hair with glasses…do you give military discounts? And she responded yes can I see your ID. So I gave her my Dept of Defense Army ID which is what I had on me and she looked at it and said extremely obnoxious and loud “NO YOUR A CIVILIAN” sorry that will be full price. Didn’t give me a chance to respond, her attitude was completely disgusting from the moment we got to the window. No hello, how are you? Nothing. First of all I’m not a civilian, I’m retired now currently working as a civilian and my military ID says it. We winded up paying full price as I didn’t want to waste anymore time with her and her attitude. Never in my entire life have I been treated like that. Made me and my husband feel very unwelcome and uncomfortable and honestly embarrassed the way she spoke to me. Every other cashier we saw was welcoming and smiling and very accommodating. This is how you treat military personnel? The park itself was wonderful. I would have paid $100 pp. Just don’t expect much if you have to encounter her there at the ticket booth.

My husband and I wanted to see one of the redwood parks and since I had already been to Armstrong Redwoods Reserve we decided to explore Muir Woods as someplace that was new to both of us. I happened to call ahead which was fortunate because there is a reservation needed for parking and you can't get in without it. We picked a nice early time the next day to ensure the park wasn't crowded already when we arrived and it worked out great. The park is small but definitely beautiful and the trees are awe-inspiring. If you are a birdwatcher take your time as you go along the paths, especially near water areas, we saw so many different species! I was so happy we got an early time. because after a couple of hours the park started to fill pretty quickly and it got loud with people who were talking and not really there to see anything, more just there for exercise. If you go to see the wildlife reserve an early parking time, print your parking information, wear good hiking shoes and take a camera and/or binoculars, you won't be disappointed.

Only for Americans.

They do not accept international credit cards or cash for car park reservations and you can’t park without a reservation.

They claim it is temporary (try again next week - so might need to cancel a flight!) but they make absolutely no attempt to work around (eg if you can demonstrate you attempted to reserve then accept cash at car park etc for those guests who can prove this… esp as it is winter and there is plenty of availability!! Instead we got poor service and a too bad we couldn’t give a stuff attitude)

Longer term they need to get with the 21st century and accept other forms of payment (PayPal/applepay/googlepay)

So despite planning a stopover in San Fran and hiring a car to see these trees - we won’t be - all because they are stuck in the 19th century for technology and service!!

Before you go...
1) Get a reservation. Its required. (Go early)
2) Download directions to and out of the area. No cell phone service. Crazy curvy roads and add fog on occasion. Its a fun drive (not really)
3) Get there early. Tour buses start showing up at 930AM and the entire place is overrun. Peace and parking are great in the morning but by 10AM it's full of excited people.

One of my favourite places we visited just outside of San Francisco. A beautiful place that we hiked around for a couple of hours seeing some incredible trees and a solitary (dead) banana slug.

Make sure you don’t miss this off your itinerary as the views are incredible

A beautiful walk thru enormous trees. Be sure to take the Canopy View trail as you’ll get an entirely different view. Also highly recommend getting reservations for first thing in the morning- the lots and trails fill up quickly. It was a much nicer experience before the throngs of crowds arrived mid-morning. On the way out, be sure to stop at the beach access, it’s a beautiful beach and only a short walk.

My husband and I had a great experience at Muir Woods! It is so beautiful and serine, especially in the morning before the crowds come. The trees are amazing. We enjoyed the walking paths. There are also hiking trails for younger or more athletic folks. Be sure to make a parking reservation if you go.

A beautiful place, very different from the tropical forests, which we are used to in Brazil. Huge high trees, several trails, with options to move from one hour to the whole day. We came in with rain, thinking it wasn't gonna be good, and even that was cool. It gave a different feeling, walking on wet trails, with fewer people than usual. A delicious silence to rest, breathe.

This is a must do if you are in the area. This place is great for couples, families, kids… anyone. It is even accessible for wheelchairs. The view on the drive there alone is awesome. Cell service is limited.

There are two bathrooms that are nice with multiple stalls. One is at the entrance and one inside the park by the gift shop/cafe.

You MUST make a parking reservation ahead of time!!! Once you book parking, buy your tickets online as well. The park entrance is $15 per adult, kids are free. Parking is $30 for large vehicles (we had a camper van). The parking reservation is only for 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can easily do the trail in this amount of time. There are many other hiking trails besides the main loop trail, but I am not sure how that would work with limited parking time.

The trail is flat. We took the main trail until bridge 4, then took the trail above the creek back. It meets back up with the other trail. I recommend doing that for spectacular views a little above the other trail. It is easily mapped out for directions.

The pictures and videos just do not show how large these amazing trees are. You have to see them in person.

I was so looking forward to sharing this adventure with my girls. I spent more time traveling to and from to get cell service to buy tickets online than I did in the park.
Get your tickets in advance!! There is no service between the stop sign at the top of the curvy road and the beach and it’s about a half hour drive. I didn’t get any service at the beach! I ended up having to go all the way back up the hill.
They don’t take payments at the park and the people that work at the parking lots don’t empathize with the situation.

Reservations are required so be sure to make them before traveling the windy road to the bottom of the mountain. There is no cell service at the bottom.

Nice national monument, nice trails. However, we did go into the gift shop and bought quite a bit of merchandise. I asked the clerk if it could be shipped, because I didn’t want to stuff all of that into my suitcase…he said yes. I gave him my name, address, credit card number and phone number and expected a call with the amount of shipping so I can pay for it. Never received a call, and all attempts to contact them went straight to a “full voice mail box”. They took my money and didn’t ship my merchandise, which is a shame because I really wanted it. Had to contact my credit card company for a refund. Very disappointed.

A very nice peaceful environment with old Redwood trees. Very clear pathways and instructions.

Although the gift shop and cafe were nice, they were very expensive.

Crossing the Golden Gate bridge leaving San Francisco into Sausalito and, less than one hour after, it is possible to reach Muir Woods, protected as a National Monument since 1908, when its owners, William and Elizabeth Kent, donated this small protected redwood forest to the public. After that, the park was named for John Muir, who wrote often about the beauty and value of ancient forests.
This is the land of the centenials redwoods where it is possible walk among these old trees, cooling their roots in the fresh water of redwood creek and lifting their crowns to reach the Sun and fog.
If you want to visit this magical natural place, just take note of the address: Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Valley, CA 94941-2696.
It is a Journey for an entire day, but really worth it!

We were on guided bus tour and visiting this place was a part of it. Unfortunately we had only one and half hour to be there. But it was enough to admire this rich old coast redwood forest with it's creek, plants like ferns and oxalis, butterflies, we even saw 2 deer who stood near the path without any fear of humans. The entry fee for adult is $15 per person and we bought also a leaflet with a map for $1 - good source of information. There is a small cafe/restaurant with toilets and on the way through the area you can find also benches to rest on. It's amazing place.

Absolute must to pre-purchase a parking pass. Do not assume you will be able to purchase a pass the day of your visit or at the visitor center. You will be ticketed (BIG $$$$) if you try to park on the access road. Options for shorter, easy hikes, or some longer and more strenuous hikes. Best advice, get there early. It starts to get crowded around noon which significantly distracts from the shear majesty of nature and the spectacular trees. Nothing worse than groups of people blocking trails and constantly talking.

So we decided last minute to check out Muir wood because of the signs we saw. We went online and attempted to purchase a parking ticket however we lost internet driving into the mountains. However when we arrived to the parking location there was not option to purchase there and all the guy said was go back up to get internet to purchase the ticket. Worst ever.

Muir Woods is a majestic place. There is even a section called Cathedral Grove, and it absolutely is. The pictures and video just can't do it justice. It is a place that you must see for yourself, and experience the magic. Feeling like a fairy floating through the woods, with the sun peeping through. I could have spent all day there just reading, writing and dreaming.

Pros:
- Bathrooms and a cafe on site
- Not too far of a walk/hike
- Wheelchair accessible
- So beautiful!

Cons:
- I went with a tour group for the day. I was told parking passes can fill up quickly.
- On a rainy day, or post-rain, you'd get extra wet from the trees. So bring umbrella or raincoat.
- It was flat and wooden walkway most of the time, but there are some mud spots. Don't wear your best shoes. :)

Awesome trees all over. Plenty of parking. The Center has food services and neat gifts.

The trail is well paved, and there are pristine photo ops all over the place.

Remember to make a reservation. We booked ours early so we were able to park close by the trail head.

We were told to estimate 60-90 minutes if we just did the paved trail and that was spot on with all the photos we took.

Should be a MUST on any list.

Took the tour bus that spends a few hours at Muir and then goes to Sausalito. Muir is unique and beautiful. Not to be missed if you are in the area. Ferry back from Sausalito was also very pleasant and scenic.

Nice walking paths. Did not really like the reserved parking times, only because we weren’t sure how long it would take to get there depending on traffic.

I headed out to Muir Woods with my teenage daughters in the morning, and then as I was driving, I started to see signs on the road posted that we need reservations in order to be able to park and enter the trails. So I pulled over and went to their website and realized that it was booked for the next four hours. I ended up making the first reservation time I could, and my daughters and I headed back to San Francisco because we had four hours before we could get into the park. So please don’t make the same mistake that we did lol, make sure to put in a reservation!

When we headed back later on, I was surprised at how winding the road was going up to Muir Woods. When we entered the park, the attendant was very polite and directed us to a spot. Then we walked to the ticket booth and we were given a map and we headed out to the paths and the trails. There were people there with strollers, there were people there with wheelchairs, there were young toddlers, and there were elderly people. The main path is very paved and smooth and safe. If you are more ambitious and able to, there are more rugged trails that connect to the main paved ones that you can explore. We went during the early evening time, there were definitely people on the smooth path, but once we ventured off of that, we were practically the only ones. It was very quiet, very beautiful and very serene. Everywhere you looked there was a stunning view.

Overall, we spent about an hour and a half in the woods. I definitely suggest bringing water. Along the main path there are many places to sit, many benches and bridges, but on the more rugged trails there aren’t any places to sit and relax.

A beautiful, peaceful park with great hikes. The scenery is breathtaking. The rangers are very helpful and there isxa nice gift shop. Reservations required for parking.

The woods themselves are majestic. We tried some of the hiking trails that go around the valley, but the highlight really is the wood grove.

Muir Wood is an absolute must do while visiting the San Francisco area. Our family of 5 had 9am parking reservations and the kids weren't very excited to leave the hotel bright and early in the AM. We spent an hour and a 1/2 walking around marveling at the beauty surrounding us. We loved the visit and our 14 year old son declared it the best stop on our 11 day tour of California.

I think "park" fits this place better than a "monument", but nonetheless, it's an amazing place to visit. I visited via a tour via a 3rd party provider. In my opinion it's the way to go since the roads to and from are very steep, hairpin turns with sheer drop offs, and parking at Muir Woods must be reserved in advanced. While this redwood forest is beautiful, be sure to get some of the history behind it. The walking paths are paved and accessible, and the provided map is very easy to follow. There are also additional paths for hiking if you're looking for more (non-paved) hiking and have the time. Be sure to take the time to enjoy the beauty of this peaceful and restorative national monument.

I understand we can take the bus from Sausalito town center (Bridgeway & Turney St) but the journey may take about 45 minutes and will need to walk some distance of another 40 minutes (3.1 km / 1.9 miles).

As such I opted for Uber that cost about USD28 if I remembered correctly, less than 30 minutes to arrive at the entrance of the park as being a weekend traffic was heavier.

However please be awared that there is no line for some telcos at the park, so going back to Sausalito might be a challenge to get Uber, and may need to use the called taxi services by making a call using the pay phone available at the park entrance near the carpark. If that also fails, then we can seek the assistance at the Park Office where we bought the entrance tickets, the staff will obligingly give us list of call taxi services available that we can call for pickups.

And that was exactly what I did, called from the Park Office, and was told it would cost USD 50 with a waiting time of 20 minutes as the taxi comes from town. Gave my credit card number and waited for almost 30 minutes before a Lincoln came.

Another alternative was to take the park shuttle if they have seats available that will take us to Park & Ride, and probably can get an Uber from there if telco services are available - this was conveyed to me by a Ranger on duty near the park entrance.

Entrance cost USD 12.

Despite the cost of transportation, the entire visit to Muir Woods definitely worthwhile and not to be missed.

Before you go, be sure to reserve your parking time. This is a requirement.

Once there, follow all the trails, including the higher path. The peacefulness of the forest is magical. Take advantage of some of the benches to just sit and absorb the surroundings.

How can this be so close to the big city of San Francisco? Located about 30 minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf and a world away, this is a great visit, especially if your other travels don’t take you into nature. You do need parking reservations, and have a copy stored on your phone or a print out as cell coverage WILL be a problem. Fun Fact: some scenes of the more recent Planet of the Apes movies were filmed here.

We spent just a few hours on site, experiencing nature. Our kids did the junior ranger program and really enjoyed it. The lush green, giant trees, and babbling brook is quintessential nature just outside a big city.

Walking through Redwoods is like being in an enchanted forest. You will feel so small and humbled.
The main trial is very easy and flat. It is probably wheelchair accessible. There are many benches.
The road leading to Muir Woods is scary and dangerous. It has many turns and twists, and there is no fence there.
Important! Keep in mind that parking is not sold at the entrance. It should be purchased online in advance (there is practically no phone service in Muir Woods, and parking could be sold for a day). Entrance fee (per person) is additional to the parking fee.
Allow at least two hours.

Muir Woods was on our Must-See list during our visit to San Francisco. We had booked a tour that included a tour of SF, time in Sausalito, and then a visit to Muir Woods so we didn't have to worry about a parking pass. BUT, we did mess up by leaving our National Parks Lifetime Passes back at home so we needed to pay the entrance fee. By the way, the parking lot really seemed to be crazy (VERY crowded!).....so if you are traveling via your own vehicle, be sure to get the required parking permit!

The walk though the park was enjoyable and very easy to do. We walked on two trails and both were very navigable. The main trail is a wooden walkway so we even saw someone pushing a person in a wheelchair.....that's how easy it is to walk it.

Be sure to stop in the gift shop before you leave the property.....one of the nicest gift shops that we have seen at a national park.

Two special notes.........it can be a bit chilly when walking under the towering Redwood trees, so consider layering your clothes for your visit. Also, there is NO cell phone service here!!!!!!

Lots of twists and turns (hairpin turns) to get to Muir Woods....and with just a few guard rails........a very "interesting" ride to get there!

Absolutely stunning! This was my first time in a redwood forest and won’t be my last. Many choices of easily traversed paths and trails. I can’t wait to return!

I have been mountaineering, hiking, walking and photographing nature for 45 years. I have noticed a gradual disrespect, by people, for nature over the years. My wife and I had the worst nature experience at Muir Woods. The staff were great and knowledgeable. A third of the visitors were rude and loud. There are signs, in English only, to please respect the quiet, which are ignored. John Muir would be horrified. We do not intend to revisit, which is sad, for it is a beautiful place that has lost its wonder.

A beautiful day for a walk through the woods. We made this a pit stop on our way to wine country. Parking was tight, be we were able to secure a spot online. Easy 1-2 hour walk through the big trees.

Our trip to Muir woods and Napa valley was organized by Ms. Pep of Alegro Private Tours. It was simply one of the most awesome tours we have ever had. Pep's amicable demeanor and attention to detail right from the time we called her for the booking from Dubai to organizing each and every aspect of all our tours while in San Francisco was really very very impressive.
I strongly recommend Alegro Private Tours company if you are looking for a memorable trip to the beautiful city of San Francisco.

Worth visiting. Probably would be best to do it under own steam than an organised tour. Easy to forget time and keep wandering off on any of the trails. Gift shop and cafe could have done with additional staff and disappointing that cafe was out of pastries by 1pm and no plan to replenish stock.

Amazing people knew enough to conserve and protect such beauty from logging and destruction. Even though these trees are on the smaller side from Big Basin, the forest is beautiful. There are easy walking trails, with two bathrooms. You need to make reservations before entering to plan accordingly. We did see some baby Coho salmon in the stream - very neat. A good read how the state is trying to bring back the salmon to the ecosystem.

I went, and although it was better than Zion National Park, it wasn't good either. It was just boring and stressful; I took a shortcut and I almost fell 9 times. I'm glad I didn't get hurt, but I walked about 7 miles, and my legs hurt.