Muir Woods

"THE BEST tree-lover's monument that could possibly be found in all the forests in the world." That statement, made by conservationist John Muir over a century ago, is one that seemed to make perfect sense to me when I had the opportunity to visit Muir Woods many decades later.

Muir Woods is an old growth forest with ancient and majestic coast redwoods located near Mill Valley, California about 12 miles north of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Redwoods of this type only exist along a narrow strip of U.S. coastline in northern California and southern Oregon.

One hundred years ago, Muir Woods was named a National Monument, one of ten in the United States. The site has a diversity of flora and fauna, but the most dominate feature is the redwoods - the tallest living things in the entire world. Most of the trees are between 800 and 1000 years old, and some are over 250 feet tall and 14 feet wide. The floor of the forest is shaded, moist, and cool year-round, with an average temperature between 40 and 70 degrees.

The Woods, named in honor of John Muir, is a 560 acre area with several trails - including six miles of mostly level paved pathways on the canyon floor. It is open every day of the year from 8 in the morning until sunset. Reservations are not needed, but further information is available by calling 415-388-2595.

Muir Woods is not only a National Monument, but also stands out as a true national treasure. It is a special attraction, and a destination most worthy of your time and leisure dollars. "Spend a day you'll remember for a lifetime!"