Muir Woods National Monument

Just mere miles from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, a gentle breeze blows across the tops of the tallest and oldest living things on earth. Silently, Coast Redwood trees reach higher to harness the sunshine and sip the moisture of summer fog. These ancient giants reside in a protected stand of old growth Coast Redwood named in honor of famous conservationist John Muir. A quiet stroll through Muir Woods National Monument feels like being enveloped in an enchanted forest, or the fictional moon of Endor, where the Ewoks from Star Wars might swing down from the trees. Muir Woods will have you marveling at nature’s skyscrapers, let you touch living history and experience the kindred spirit of those who chose to protect the flora and fauna that call this majestic place home.

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The Redwoods in Muir Woods may not be the ones you may have seen on Walt Disney as a kid where the cars drive through, but they are gigantic—and they are old. But what makes the place incredible is the atmosphere and the respect the majestic Redwoods command.

As you wander down the trails, the place has a sacred quality to it. In fact, many of the people I passed along the way were talking in whispers as if they were afraid their voices would disturb the calm. It was like being in another world. A world where time didn’t exist, only nature. And cars, concrete and man hadn’t been able to mess it up yet. It really is an amazing place full of peace.

You can spend the whole day wandering around in this sanctuary as Muir Woods contains 6 miles of trails. There is a 1/2 hour loop, a 1 hour loop, and a 1 1/2 hour loop as well as longer hikes on trails that extend into surrounding parks. If you go, bring a jacket. The trees block out the sun making it chilly even on warm days.

Oh, and here’s another thing, don’t worry about the thousands of tourists visiting the woods every year. Even though both the regular and over flow parking lot were packed when I went, for some reason, the woods still seemed empty and there were many times on the trail where I was alone. It seems Mother Nature has room for all of us.

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Located just ten miles north of the San Francisco metropolis, lies Muir Woods National Monument. Renowned for its gigantic coastal redwood forests, Muir Woods is a place like few others on this continent. Towering above you, the nearly 300 foot giant redwoods block out any sense of modern civilization and you are transported back in time to an almost prehistoric period, where nature rules. Long hiking trails snake across hundreds of acres, carrying you over ravines, creeks and moss covered paths that impress your imagination and humble your spirit. A gem in the National Park system, Muir Woods National Monument remains an almost untouched natural wonder that will breathe new life into any visitor and leave you breathless in the same moment.

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The gothic redwoods in Muir Woods cloak over another world, where nature is ravishing and timeless. Follow the main trail to Cathedral Grove and you will feel like you’re descending through time. The narrow path has series of steps that curve upward between the colossal trees. Step carefully over the tree roots that snake across the narrow trail that is carved along the side of a steep slope. Take a moment and stop. The scent is magnificent. Fragrant bay laurel leaves cascade in the cool breeze. You can also catch mint, basil and sweet vanilla grass. The rich essence of the redwood is pungent, wet and spicy. Redwoods towering above are covered in thick red bark embossed with such character created by centuries of time. Across your path is the twisted trunk of a big leafed maple, covered in bright green moss. Sunlight filters in between the shadows of the forest and stops to glisten on the large crisp leaves.

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What's the best way to spend the longest night of the year? Drinking cider, watching Germanic dances and signing de-Christianized Christmas carols in the candle-lit dark of the Bay Area's most impressive natural site. On December 21, Muir Woods hosts its annual free Solstice festival, a non-denominational good time for the whole family. Flashlight-wielding kids storm down the luminaria-lit paths, rangers put on puppet shows, and the Germanic fraternal society the Christmas Rebels performs a hypnotic, antler-clanking dance that dates back centuries. The great redwoods watch over the whole event, as nature-loving and spiritual as Marin itself. Are you "dreaming of a green solstice" too?

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As a gentle stream murmurs beside you, and the soft sunlight filters down through the branches of the majestic sequoia trees, the sense of calm that overtakes you is powerful and profound. Less than fifteen miles from San Francisco, the tranquil environs of the Muir Woods. The vistas are lush with vibrant greens and fertile browns. The air carries the thick, fresh scent of natural growth without man-made development. Just look straight up at the redwood canopy for a glimpse of what nature can achieve without the interference of human hands. A walk in these woods gives relief to your whole body. Even the experience of ambling down dirt pathways gives your feet relief from asphalt and concrete. And, if you want to stay environmentally conscious on your way back into San Francisco, carpool over the Golden Gate Bridge during drive time, and city waives your toll.

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Few can resist the temptation to spread their arms in an attempt to span a slice of thousand year old redwood on display at Muir Woods. Though they pose for pictorial evidence, visitors know the remarkable altitude of these trees can’t be appreciated until one stands in their shadows. You can look up and strain to see the sun peaking through the leaves stories above. Or you can look down and search for luck among the clover that flourishes on the dark forest floor spattered with fluorescent green moss. Don’t bother spying for hobbits; it just seems like Middle-earth.

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A peaceful calm surrounds you while hiking through Muir Woods. After straying up one of the trails away from the droves of tourists, soon the only sounds you hear are your muffled footsteps on the redwood bark path, echoing bird chirps, and the occasional buzzing fly. Enveloped in the green of ferns and the branches of the world's tallest trees, a flash of red catches your eye. You lean down to discover that the trunks, shrubs, and even the path are covered with millions of ladybugs who come to this area to hibernate. Stepping carefully over the insects, you continue on the sun-speckled trail—just in time to stop dead in your tracks. Ahead, in the middle of the path, a buck watches you curiously, chewing vegetation. They frequently cross paths with visitors, especially in the evening when they forage for food. The peace of mind and recharging power the woods holds is incredible. Imagine—all this only 20 minutes from San Francisco.

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