A short weekend in San Francisco. What to do?

Muir Woods

One of my very first blog posts was on visiting Redwood trees at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. I have always wanted to go to Redwood National Park to see some of the largest trees in the world and was able to by visiting the Bay Area.

Muir Woods

However, I wanted to see more being the nature lover that I am. Andy suggested heading to Muir Woods on my short weekend visit since he has never seen the tree species before. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head out of San Francisco to get to this remarkable monument by twisting and turning along Highway 1. I was almost car sick when we arrived at the Visitor’s Center!

Muir Woods

Entrance and Visitor’s Center

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir

John Muir was a great explorer of California and was very active in preserving the United States’ natural beauty. William and Elizabeth Kent were great friends of John Muir and dedicated the land (and eventually a national monument) for the amazing philanthropic work he had done.

Muir Woods

We arrived in fog and mist and paid the entrance fee–$7 per adult. I had to pinch myself to make sure I left the PNW. The mossy trees and weather made if feel like I never left home. Even though the weather was not perfect, we walked the dusty trails through the wooded area–the trees acting as umbrellas.

Muir Woods

Wooded Trails

We hiked the Ocean View trail and gained elevation until almost to the top of the Panoramic Highway. We then turned down Lost Trail and had a gradual walk down to Cathedral Grove. Lost Trail is probably the strangest name considering it is on the map?!? Maybe there is significance behind the name.

Muir Woods

Trails within the National Monument

Muir Woods

Walking through the Redwoods

Muir Woods

Muir Woods

Dusty trails leaving residue on my boots.

Muir Woods

Caution: May get splinters

As you enter the Cathedral Cove, there are signs everywhere warning people to be quiet. This way everyone can take in the natural beauty. There was even an older lady “ssshhhing” people who were too loud in the “quiet zone.”

Muir Woods

Cathedral Cove is really this gorgeous!

Muir Woods

I enjoyed reading the informational plaques and signs

Muir Woods

Trying to stretch as high as the trees.

The tallest tree in the park wasn’t a Redwood but a Douglas fir and named after one of the owners of this land–William Kent before being donated to the federal government.

Muir Woods

Even the great ones fall!

I enjoyed the variety of bridges.

Muir Woods

Muir Woods

If you look close, there is a Log holding up the metal bridge!

I really tried to fit the size of the trees in one photo and these are not the tallest ones!

Muir Woods

Reaching to Heaven!

As we were leaving, it actually started to rain. I was glad we arrived early before all the crowds and tour buses piled in since parking is limited. As we drove out, we realized just how many people were visiting this natural treasure by the amount of cars lined along the road.

What is the biggest tree you have seen? Where?

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