We started at the Muir Beach Parking lot (it's free) and have bathrooms. To navigate there we used AllTrails but I think you could also search up "Muir Beach Parking Lot" Then we took the Middle Green Gulch Road to Pirate Cove to Coastal Fire Road to Tennessee Valley. RT was around 7 miles. Was super easy most of the way. A lot of steps when you start the Tennessee Valley trail and it gets steeper but definitely doable. Wear hiking shoes because it's rocky! You can also walk around Muir Beach itself and Pirates Cove, but swimming seems way too cold. Absolutely beautiful views throughout of the water! You'll probably see some deer and rabbits too! read more

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Groovy place !!! Also has a nice serene nudist beach cove off to the right end of the beach over some large rocks you'll enter a beautiful serene quiet peaceful cove with no wind and smooth glassy water the way the cliff breaks the wind !!! And beautiful peaceful nude people there enjoying the beautiful beach !!! In a very laid back peaceful way !!! Some very sexy and awesome earthlings there tanning their sexy hot bodies!!! and the water is wet !!! Th water seems beautifully wet for some wonderful reason!!! read more

around this time right now, it's pretty windy and cold. the water is freezing and the winds are super high (but not too surprising for a bay area beach in march). howeverrrr, the beach is GORGEOUS. it is extremely clean and the water is so bright and beautiful. me and my bf found these big rocks to cover ourselves from the wind - and as soon as we got there, the weather was much more tolerable, and it was really nice! also, it's not too busy right now; there was a good amount of people here, but the beach is pretty big and there was plenty of room to park. read more

Muir Beach - Parks Near Me - Muir Beach, California

Beautiful hike loop that is fairly challenging with many ups and downs, but so lovely! Love the sweet pea flowers lining the side of the road and the wonderful coastal view. Parking lot is full at least on weekends but if you come at noon or after, the turnover is fairly large and if you're patient, you can definitely get a spot! Bring your mask - it's required, and stay safe as this is a popular spot even during SIP read more

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Nice add on to any Muir Woods visit, as it is just three miles away. We visited for the first time this weekend, in spite of having visited Muir Woods half a dozen times! The beach is accessible via a bridge and path that goes over some protected habitat. During our quarter mile walk we spotted some rare plants like the California poppy, which you're not allowed to pick. Once we got to the beach, I noticed a rocky headland on one end and a tree-laden hill with homes on the other. The water was cold and there are jagged rocks not far offshore - this beach is not swimmer friendly. There weren't too many people about - likely because it was a bit nippy (50s with wind), but there was a wedding in progress while we were there (guess you just schedule those and let nature take its course!). We sat for about an hour while the kids played, then headed back home. There is plenty of parking and there are bathrooms adjacent to the parking lot. There are also some picnic benches with a view of the ocean for those who don't want to walk to the beach. Overall - Muir Beach is worth a visit. Will check it out in warmer weather sometime this summer. read more

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Beautiful little beach near the Muir Woods National monument. There is free parking at the entrance and pretty decent bathrooms as well. Walk over a boardwalk bridge to either the lookout point or the beach itself. We went early in the morning and the fog was just burning off. Not too many people and really gorgeous views of the water and Sausalito. Dogs allowed. Very pretty and peaceful. read more

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I finally got to check Muir Beach off of my list of Bay Area hikes. This place is beautiful! A great place to check out with family and friends. I arrived at around 10:30 on a Saturday morning and there were a good amount of parking (parking is free). The traffic coming from SF wasn't too bad, other than a minor congestion at the Stinson Beach exit. There's a helpful 3D map of Muir woods next to the parking lot. My group chose to hike to Pirate's Cove. The hike wasn't too difficult. Total distance was a little under 3 miles and took about an hour. There were minor inclines and some areas were slippery, but it's very doable. The hike is along the coast, giving you a beautiful overlook of the Pacific Ocean. Muir beach is very clean with tons of families and pets. You can spot dolphins here, depending on the time of the year. Apparently there's also a nude section at the beach. There's not that many dining options in the area, so make sure to bring your own food and drinks. read more

Muir Beach - Scenery on the way to Pirate's Cove - Parks Near Me - Muir Beach, California

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This is a wonderful, family friendly beach with many breath-taking views and a few hiking trails. There is also a place to play volleyball and a pond area (if you don't want to play in the waves or swim in the ocean). We went during the weekend, so there were a lot of people and parking was a nightmare, but it was definitely worth it. Overall, I'm very happy with my first experience at this beach. I really look forward to coming here again in the near future. read more

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We stumbled upon this beach this past holiday weekend when we couldn't find parking at Muir Woods. What a beautiful place!! It was so refreshing to first of all find a nearly empty parking lot, available picnic tables and beautiful trails with breath taking views of our golden coast! We enjoyed hiking to Pirates Cove. An estimated 2.7 round trip hike from the Muir Beach parking lot. The entire hike is gorgeous. You just look over and see the beautiful Pacific Ocean. We live here! Can't wait to get lost again. read more

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This is one of the most beautiful beaches I've visited. If you're going to visit Muir Woods, mind as well make a pit stop here. I highly recommend bringing a set of flip-flops instead of walking around barefooted. The hot sand felt like hot lava underneath my feet. I also high recommend emptying your bladder before going to the beach. The bathrooms were so dirty that they looked as if they have never been cleaned! The memory of those filthy toilets still haunt me to this day. If you are not familiar with the curvy roads, it would be wise to depart before sunset. That way, you won't accidentally drive off the cliff. read more

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Muir Beach was the payoff. & it was totally worth it. On an ideal Spring Saturday morning, I parked the car over in the Tennessee Valley parking lot & then proceeded to pound the Coastal Trail's rocky, craggy, hilly singletrack, at a blistering pace (literally), all the way over to Muir Beach. I had happy feet & ran most of the 7.5 mile roundtrip distance in hiking boots. Perhaps not the smartest idea as I ended the day with big, nasty blisters on the back of each of my heels. Note to self: get good trail running shoes. But as I crested that last rise above Muir Beach, there it was. The moneyshot. From that scenic vista, Muir Beach looked like Marin's miniature version of Positano, Italy. Not that I've been. But that's what I thought of from pictures I've seen. On a clear, sunny day, it's absolutely gorgeous everywhere around here. It's the kind of beauty that's a reminder of how grand life is. I poked around a little, looked around a little, had a snack, rehydrated & then tromped double-time, blisters & all, back to the car. Even taking a much more difficult route than just driving directly to Muir Beach's parking lot, it was totally worth it. read more

Muir Beach - Parks Near Me - Muir Beach, California

My favorite hike so far in the bay area south of Point Reyes! Take the coastal trail. It's a lot of ups and downs, some spots veering near a cliff, but you get a breathtaking view of the coast the ENTIRE way which I haven't encountered at any other hike. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/muir-beach-national-park-muir-beach?select=5wALhkPIp9jxE7NIwlE3lg#KkD1DRanBs6R5STxdGUOdg At a junction later the coast turns into more rolling green hills, and we were there as the fog was rolling in. My friend said it looked like Lord of the Rings and I agreed! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/muir-beach-national-park-muir-beach?select=5wALhkPIp9jxE7NIwlE3lg#mc7eL18v0GCdZ7t5u_A_DA There might be another way to get started at the Coastal Trail, but we crossed the wooden bridge, turned right, and then turned right at the fork at this sign: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/muir-beach-national-park-muir-beach?select=5wALhkPIp9jxE7NIwlE3lg#5wALhkPIp9jxE7NIwlE3lg Trail map up close: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/muir-beach-national-park-muir-beach?select=5wALhkPIp9jxE7NIwlE3lg#w9RPwrZwVVEcj7Bgkqp1yA Coming back to Muir Beach you're greeted with this awesome view of the beach: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/muir-beach-national-park-muir-beach?select=5wALhkPIp9jxE7NIwlE3lg#pF5WKCyzBAcQaztZGX-jxQ read more

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What a unique beach! The sand takes on a black/slate grey look, and we couldn't find one seashell! You also make a small hike to get to this secluded beach, so it feels somewhat private still, which is nice! Little chilly out there with the wind though! read more

I LOVE the beach. I'm an Aquarius, so I love the water! When Hubs decided to take me to the bay for my Bday weekend, he mentioned this place. I'd never been so of course I wanted to check it out. We gave it a go while heading back home mid afternoon on a Sunday. When we arrived, it was nice to see a parking lot nearby the beach that was free to park, but it was obvious by the long line of cars & wait to park that it's probably best to arrive early. It would be nice if they had people monitoring the parking spaces because it ended up being several spots on one side of the lot but since there was only a one-way line, we had to wait behind several cars who seemed to just be sitting/waiting for people to pull out instead of 'circling' the lot. Once we parked, it was easy but it just felt like a lot of time was wasted waiting when spaces were open. People just didn't see them. Once you park, there's a short walk to the beach, a nice pathway. The beach seemed fairly clean. What I really liked were seeing several bonfires & large logs for seating. I've always wanted to have a beach bonfire! Next time. The beach wasn't overly crowded. Not sure if that's typical, but it was Super Bowl Sunday, so maybe the crowds were at home for the game. I enjoyed seeing families, even dogs roaming the beach. It was beautiful, hearing the water & waves against the rocks & beach. I imagine the water was cold, but there were a few people out on the water. Since we weren't beach prepared, we just took a short walk. Didn't stay long at all. But seeing how nice & easy it was, I told Hubs it'd be a nice day trip. Really wanna do that bonfire thing!! read more

I love Muir Beach! We decided to take the pup and make a quick trip to see how he would take to the ocean. There are mask required signs posted as you turn to enter. The restrooms are open. Most people wore masks along the path to the beach. Once on the sand, almost no one had a mask on and there were large groups sitting, picnicking, sunning, etc. People kept their distance, for the most part read more

This is a gem of a beach in beautiful Marin County, California. It takes driving on a narrow and curvy road to get there, but it's well worth it because once there, you are greeted with spectacular ocean views, the sound of crashing waves, and lots of clean sand. It's a good place to go for sightseeing, hiking, or a day at the beach. Amenities include a parking lot, a clear pathway from the parking lot to the beach, and bathrooms. Enjoy! read more

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It's not an easy drive here. This section of highway 1 would not be fun in anything you aren't used to or comfortable driving. It's a crazy tiny switchback road with drop offs! So cool! At the beach There is a small designated car park next to some nasty potties. Then a walking bridge over to beach path and some other trails. Dog friendly! Cool estuary to see wildlife. Small tide pool area with tons of things to see. We climbed over a rocky area to get to the hidden beach and such a treat! Amazing. read more

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Curvy crazy hilly drive up and sorta nasty restrooms by the parking lot but once you get down there it's mighty nice. I am a bit generous on the stars because our family had such a peaceful time here. I do wish the restrooms were cleaner, more parking, bigger beach, more accommodations but it's not like that here. It's more of a quiet isolated beach. You can hike up the hill to sit on a bench on the side of the cliff or make yourself comfortable at the many rock fireplaces built in the sand and just stare out or fly a kite. It was still so cold in June, not swimming weather but it was made for a beautiful sunset backdrop. The water was calm and the breeze chilly but the ambiance was superb especially more for lovers than kids. It was nice. Only regret is not driving into Muir Woods due to lack of time or maybe hotter weather for swimming. But it was worth it to see and snap some gorgeous water pics. Loved the nice homes on the hillside and envy the occupants who get to see this scene everyday, wouldn't mind living out here at all. read more

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We came with my family during spring break after lunch. Surprisingly it wasn't busy. We found parking immediately. My kids didn't have swimsuits but they did have fun climbing on the rocks and getting their feet wet. I brought buckets and shovels for them after they were done playing in the water. Make sure you go to the bathroom before you come here. They do have restrooms but it's more like a permanent port o potty. No running water to wash your hands after. There also wasn't a place to buy drinks or food. Things to bring: wet wipes, pack a picnic if your going to stay long and bring your dog if you have one. This is a dog friendly park. Just be responsible a responsible parent and pick up after them...and your kids. read more

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I absolutely love this beach! It is gorgeous; this is a perfect place to break out your drone. :) I love the rocks and how easily they are to access and climb, makes for great photo ops. To me, parking seemed limited. You may have to sit and wait for someone to make their way from the beach and leave...which happens regularly. Easy to get lost and end up in the residential area asking the locals for directions. They usually laugh before they point you back down to where you need to be. lol Also, I did not appreciate all the dogs...just me. Overall, this is a very clean beach; hated the restrooms. The lines for restrooms are quite long. I would go back more often but I HATE the cliffy drive (yeah call me a scary cat). read more

Muir Beach - Parks Near Me - Muir Beach, California

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Parking is very limited here (but free). The beach is quite populated on the weekends, but social distancing is still possible (unlike Tahoe). The beach is beautiful, family-friendly, and dog-friendly. I saw a llama here as well. There were a lot of washed-up jellyfish on the shore when I went. If you go further down, you can catch some other sea critters such as sea anemones and other tidepool creatures. No starfish seen though. read more

Relatively cold when it was summer but I believe this is a winter beach. A really nice relaxing beach with rocks to climb that divide two areas. Walking on the trail/path it had many flowers including thistle. On the trail you will eventually hit a farm/horse pen and it was nice to see that. For those of you who are horse fans, there were two that looked like Spirit and Rain from the movie Spirit. read more

We truly enjoyed our day at this beach. The parking lot was busy the whole time we were there (on the weekend in the early to late afternoon), but I was able to find a spot for our full sized car pretty easily. The public restrooms are in okay condition and are basically a hole in the ground with a seat - take your own wipes/hand sanitizer. Most people wore masks but not all, though all kept their distance. The walk to the beach is easy even carrying things and for little ones. It was very windy and chilly, yet sunny enough for the kids to get wet. The wind almost constantly kicked up sand that scratched and got EVERYWHERE. Would I return? Yes, for sure, it was totally worth it. read more

This is probably the closest beach to my house, less and 55 minutes, and it doesn't require a day long commitment. There are pluses and minuses. This beach is also close to the other million people living in the Bay Area. It can get really busy on a weekend. Parking is free if you can find it. Otherwise plan on parking along the street and walking. The beach is nice. Recently during the king tides we were able to see some great sea life in pools and rocks. I have not been on one of the hiking trails, but those look like they provide some pretty amazing views. What did I learn today? The drive here is windy. For those that get car sick, Dramamine might be advised. read more

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A group of 6 of us tried to go to Muir woods for a hike on Easter Sunday, but little did we know... you have to reserve for parking, which was something we did not do. So one of the traffic directors told us we can either drive back to the main road or continue for another 3 miles to the beach in order to get internet. We opted to drive to the beach since we'd at least get a nice view while we're trying to get service. The beach parking lot looks full but there's quite a lot of people coming/going so I don't think parking will be a huge issue. And the best part is - PARKING IS FREE!!! Even though it was Easter Sunday, we were able to find a spot fairly quickly. We got on the beach and tried to make a parking reservation and no luck. They were sold out. It was a total bummer, so we hiked up the little path to the top of the hills that overlook the beach. It was a good upwards hike if you're looking to work out those buns & thighs. The view was absolutely breath-taking and totally worth the trek. read more

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Good place to go surf or hangout and relax. Black sand is great and so are the copious amounts of rocks stacked at the south end. Duckboard walkway with plant canopy leads you to this gem. Some great houses on the north bluff give it a majestic feel. Free parking! read more

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Very nice find while driving to Stinson Beach. We decided to come back and enjoy this beautiful beach , I love the intimacy in that it is not to big and not big crowds. Dog friendly, family friendly, is great. You are allowed to have alcohol beverages although no glassware, nice to enjoy wine by bonfire as they have fire rings that are first come first served. I will definitely come back and recommend to family and friends as a local beach to enjoy just outside the city . Enjoy ! read more

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Nice little beach! There are several fire pit areas that you can use, which may be necessary for those chillier nights! I like this beach because dogs are allowed, and it's kept fairly clean. It's not a huge area, but I kind of like that as it's a bit more relaxed. Not much for restaurants in the area that I noticed. Oh! There are bathrooms - huge plus. read more

Awesome hike! Different trails to follow but whichever one you try they are all pretty well mapped out and easy to find. We did a 4 mile hike pretty much stayed along the coast. It was wonderful. Parking was free and there was plenty when we got there. When we left the lot was pretty packed so I recommend going a little earlier and avoid holidays. The beach itself is very clean! Would definitely recommend this place! Do a nice hike and then relax at the beach! read more

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Love bringing my dog here. Great little hike up the mountain. Parking can be a problem on busy days. Great beach to adventure on not to far out from the city. read more

Probably not good for swimming. No showering facilities. Open to dogs. Love the rocks full with mussels. read more

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Really beautiful beach on a sunny day. It's hard to get nice sunny days here in the summer but worth it when it is. Biggest downfall is the parking. There is never enough parking at California parks but at least you can park on the street in certain areas and just walk. Bathrooms had no toilet paper so bring your own. Overall, beautiful beach but the Parks side of it could do better. read more

Muir Beach - Parks Near Me - Muir Beach, California

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Went to the Muir beach with my baby and it was my baby's first time at the beach. The beach was amazing.. but there was mood destroyer in the parking lot. For so many years that i have lived in the US, this was my first racit encounter. Tiny woman seemed like a volunteer and was assisting in parking. She asked us to keep the car to the right because left side was reserved for emergencies. We enter the lot and our car was to the RIGHT. Fourth car on the left was backing up and leaving, and so we stopped, gave an indicator and waited for them to leave so we can take their spot...atleast that's what you usually do when you go to costco or any other place where you need to find parking... None of the cars behind us honked or anything... but this teeny tiny woman starts yelling out of nowhere and stoops down to the point of telling my husband "this is the United States, you need to follow rules here". Just an FYI, that woman didn't seemed like she was originally from the US and she was pointing fingers at us which is none of her business... so if you run into her, just roll up your windows and let her yell because she does not even needs to be dignified with an argument. and there goes the one star..... read more

Great place to hike to from Rodeo Beach and/or Muir park redwoods entrance. The beach is beautiful and great place to relax by the water.

What a great little beach! I like how it seems tucked away. Brought my dog here and we just loved it. The beach has fire pits. Not overcrowded. I definitely would go back. read more

Tight curvy drive but once there was great. Not super crowded. Our first Pacific beach. Walk to it was clearly marked. Take everything you need for the day. Water was super cold we just waded. read more

Muir Beach - Parks Near Me - Muir Beach, California

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Gayle recently suggested that we take a field trip and take a walk on the Beach. Although we love the San Mateo Coast, we decided on a shorter trip to Muir Beach, including Lunch at The Pelican Inn. Muir Beach is located about 2 miles from the entrance to Muir Woods and a nice windy drive through the eucalyptus trees, one you get past the back up at the Mill Valley "T". On the day Gayle and I visited, parking was available and we enjoyed a nice hand in hand stroll to the beach. I suggested to Gayle that we enjoy a "From Here to Eternity" moment, but all I got was a "You've Got To Be Kidding" Look! The Beach itself is about 1000 feet long and 200 feet wide, is comfortably secluded, and features coarse clean sand and several large boulders that were fun to climb. The Beach wasn't crowded and the folks here were a diverse bunch that like us were really enjoying a really nice day. We walked along the shore, hiked a little but up the hill, admired the houses within unincorporated Muir Beach, and promised ourselves that we should do this more often. read more

Gorgeous and dog friendly, what more can a girl ask for on a Friday afternoon? Went up the small hill overlooking the beach and found a chair someone left behind. I sat down and pondered life as I put my feet up and watched all the pups running after each other and getting in the water. It was such a nice, relaxing afternoon. The ride up to the beach is extremely curvy and if it's your first time, don't miss the turn off for the beach, it's somewhat hidden. I am very jealous of those who live in the houses here because their views are amazing. I appreciated the wildlife sighting board next to the beach path. They mark which days which animals were seen including whales. We weren't lucky enough to catch any of that but the dogs were enough to put a smile on my face! If you are near here, go! read more

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What: - Muir Beach - Hiking Trails - Pirates Cove - Dolphins, Sea Otters, Steelhead Trout, Seals - Birds More Info: - Free parking - Free admission - Mobile restrooms at the parking lot - BBQ Pits near the beach Coastal Trail - Coastal Fire Road - Coastal Trail Length: ~4.5 miles; Elevation: ~150 feet; Time: 3 hours; Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous Although I like to say that the Muir Beach is located within an hour and a half drive from San Jose, with the heavy traffic and the circuitous roads, it took us two hours to get here on a weekend. We parked the car in the lot and walked for a bit when the path split into two; one leads you to the Coastal Trail and the other leads you to the Muir Beach. We turned left to take the Coastal Trail, which started ascending immediately and took us to the top of the rugged coastal bluff. Once you reach the top of the cliff, look behind to see the beautiful Muir Beach and the Redwood Creek forming a lagoon and connecting the beach. View of Muir Beach and Redwood Creek from the top of the cliff - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RfhK07XqbafJDgFMsYLaAA?select=wPu8Cc7z-34wuGGnzLAMwg#wPu8Cc7z-34wuGGnzLAMwg We continued on the Coastal Trail for a little over a mile and saw the Pirates Cove to the right. Take a keen look at the rocks in the Pirates Cove; you might find a few seals basking on the rocks. The alternate ascends and descends of the trail kept us huffing and puffing through the hike. At one point of time, the trail is on a ~150 feet cliff and another point of time, the trail runs very close to the ocean. View from Coastal Trail - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RfhK07XqbafJDgFMsYLaAA?select=wPu8Cc7z-34wuGGnzLAMwg#k-p2UQdvBSVKNYHnpGj4pA A small detour in the trail that takes you closer to the waters in Pirates Cove and when we were walking down the trail, I thought I saw a tail fin just off the shore. With a closer look we noticed three dolphins swimming very close to the shore. Pirates Cove - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RfhK07XqbafJDgFMsYLaAA?select=wPu8Cc7z-34wuGGnzLAMwg#mye59n7SBnWDEOiQEiKG1A We then reached a point in the trail, where it split into Coastal Fire Road and Tennessee Trail. The Tennessee trail takes you further away from Muir Beach all the way till Tennessee Cove and Tennessee Beach. As the day was very foggy, we decided to return to the Muir Beach and take the trail to the Tennessee Cove on a different day. The Coastal Fire Road trail running parallel to the Coastal Trail is paved on the mountains offering very limited view of the ocean. The gradually descending trail took us back to the Muir Beach without too much of heaving. Trail on the mountains - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RfhK07XqbafJDgFMsYLaAA?select=wPu8Cc7z-34wuGGnzLAMwg#2OuGwTLjdWuaPpQFMvAzKA We spent some time in the Muir Beach and noticed steelhead trout and a sea otter in the Redwood Creek that forms a lagoon next to the beach. The rocks in the Muir Beach offer a vivid look that photographers love and we returned home after watching the sunset. Sunset from Muir Beach - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RfhK07XqbafJDgFMsYLaAA?select=wPu8Cc7z-34wuGGnzLAMwg#ANLj-Fs_G9xBrtiPmJKRog Sunset from Muir Beach - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/RfhK07XqbafJDgFMsYLaAA?select=wPu8Cc7z-34wuGGnzLAMwg#0S1U0alCVJ-yxNYfu2OgqQ If you are somewhere near Muir Beach, I highly recommend going to the Muir Beach Lookout (http://www.yelp.com/biz/muir-beach-overlook-muir-beach), which is a few miles away from the Muir Beach. We did not get a chance to visit it on the day we went to the Muir Beach but we certainly plan to go there sometime. Tips: - Wear covered clothing because certain parts of the trail are narrow and there were bushes on either sides of the trail; we had to clear the bushes to make our way read more

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After Muir Woods, we made our way to Muir Beach (3 miles away). It wasn't busy when we went and there was plenty of parking. There's a footbridge from the parking lot to the beach. It was quite windy and cold but there were people surf boarding and also lighting up bonfires. The main reason I wanted to come was for the overlook, but I don't think it's accessible from here. We hiked one of the trails (Tennessee Valley I think), but it kept going up, up, up. I didn't make it to the top as my friends wanted to call it quits. After coming back down, we sat at one of the benches to enjoy our lunch. Even though I didn't get to the overlook, it was a nice stop to enjoy the sound of the waves. read more

Muir Beach - Parks Near Me - Muir Beach, California