Muir Woods

Muir Woods is the most northern point I will include on Silicon Valley Attractions. With recent fires in 2020, Big Basin Redwoods State Park could have limited closure for another 3-5 years. Next stop for redwood trees is Muir Woods, 25 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Coastal Redwoods can grow to over 350 feet, longer than a football field and 20 feet in diameter. They can live over 2,000 years. Within the redwood forest you can also see the California laurel tree or “Bay tree”, giant chain ferns, redwood sorrel (clover), Douglas fir, tan oaks, and if you’re lucky…maiden hair fern.

Redwood forests are very peaceful and relatively friendly when it comes to wildlife threats. Rarely seen are bobcat and coyote. You are more likely to see rabbit, deer, and salamanders. The salamanders migrate up to two miles during the rainy season at about 55-degree Fahrenheit. One of the rare salamanders in Silicon Valley is the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander known as Santa Cruz Sally.

Carrying Capacity (the destruction that overuse can cause) is critical in this park. Absolutely stay on the trails. Do not attempt to see both San Francisco and Muir Woods in one day. Silicon Valley temperatures can shift by 45 degrees in the summer within a 10-mile distance…so always have a coat or sweatshirt in the car when you are near the coast or San Francisco.