Take the right route to Muir Woods. If you are coming from north of San Francisco, be sure to take highway 37 and connect to 101. Going through San Francisco could take a lot of extra time unless you have stops you want to make there. From the south near San Jose, take 280 to highway 1.
Make a pit stop at Muir Beach and go to the Muir Beach Overlook. Muir Beach itself is nice, but going to the hills above the beach at the overlook can provide a breathtaking experience and awesome food for your camera. Just follow highway one alone the bottom part of Muir Woods park until you reach the Muir Beach overlook pass. There are picnic tables but no grills, so pack a no-cook lunch.
Be a patient parker. If you try to go to Muir Woods after lunchtime you will find yourself driving in circles. Some days it won't matter what time you arrive; Muir Woods is popular. There is one main parking lot and an adjacent parking lot. After that, you'll have to park on a safe side of a narrow, winding road that could be a 1 mile walk-just to get to the Muir Woods park! If you circle between the parking lots you'll find a spot within 30 minutes. That may seem like a long time, but it beats hiking before the hike.
Find out when the park ranger will talk about Muir Woods and listen. Muir Woods is even more impressive when you learn about how the national park came to be and how the trees actually hold each other together during storms and windy days.
Pick the right hiking path and enjoy. There are over a dozen hiking trails in Muir Woods tailored for anyone from families to horseback riders. Choose according to your group.
