Right inside one of the most populated areas in the United States are some of the oldest living trees on earth. A half hour north of San Francisco lies Muir Woods, a grove of old-growth Coast Redwood trees named for pioneering conservationist and naturalist John Muir. Coast Redwoods are very rare, now only growing on the California and Oregon coasts with most getting cut down in the last 200 years. Pictures of the giants, while impressive, do not compare to seeing them in person.
Must see and must do at Muir Woods
If you don't take the path and see the Coast Redwoods, you've missed the entire point of going to the park. There's only one main paved walking path at Muir Woods but you can make it as short as a mile or as long as three miles. There are wheelchair accommodations and parking.
Best and worst time to go to Muir Woods
Traffic is awful at Muir Woods in the middle of the day. There is minimal parking because it remains rather isolated. To avoid the major crowds either get there around 8 am when the park opens, or late in the day, after four o'clock or so. The park is only open until dusk, so closing times vary throughout the year. There is no overnight camping or lodging inside the park.
Admission to Muir Woods
It's generally under $10 per person to get in. Kids 15 and under are free. No cost for parking (except high stress levels if you get there in the middle of the day and can't find a spot for hours). Muir Woods shuttles run on mostly summer weekends from various spots in Mill Valley (check Golden Gate Transit for details and schedules). Cost is around $5 for those over 15 (again, kids are free) but does not include entrance to the park. There are two gift shops and a cafe.
Wildlife at Muir Woods
In addition to the Coast Redwoods, many other trees and plants grow in the grove. Coho and steelhead salmon spawn in Redwood Creek, which runs through the monument. Close to 50 types of birds including woodpeckers and spotted owls are known to frequent the area, but the Stellar Jay is the loudest and most prominent. Because of the crowds deer are rarely seen, but squirrels and chipmunks are.
Internet access at Muir Woods
There is no internet access or cell service at Muir Woods. Your phone is just a camera and that's a good thing. Enjoy being with nature and not on social media.
Insider tip for Muir Woods
Get up early and get there. The park opens at 8 a.m., and if you're there between 8 and 9:30 a.m. there are minimal crowds and it still feels like a real forest. The birds are out, Redwood Creek is bubbling, and you can hear the wind in the branches. As soon as the big groups show up around ten, that experience is replaced by big groups and people who ignore the "please talk quietly" signs. Make your time there more memorable by starting your day being almost alone with some of the most impressive trees that have ever grown.
Author's bio: Alex Drude is a Bay Area native. He always gets to Muir Woods early. Follow his sports and travel musings on Twitter @Alex_Drude and on Facebook.