Muir Woods National Monument - California
Forty minutes north of San Francisco is Muir Woods, part of the Golden Gate National Parks in California, home to redwoods and moss; everything coated in bright green, with the sound of rushing water in the distance.
We arrived in the morning, beating most of the crowds, and were lucky enough to find a place to park. But even early on a weekday the parking lot was filling up fast and by the time we left people were parking along the road leading into the park. Friendly Park Rangers checked our National Park Pass (if you don't have one you should absolutely get one and see every National Park and Monument you can) and we walked down the path and into the forest.
I loved the rainy quiet of this place, the towering trees and moss, the sound of other visitors muffled when we turned a corner and had the path to ourselves. Small things caught my eye, fungus and moss, the texture of the trees and tiny delicate flowers.
We didn't stay long, our goal for the day Glass Beach in Fort Bragg several more hours north along the coast. But I'd love to go back. I want to hike each trail and photograph every small thing.
Since this first visit we had the chance to go again in 2017. Before you go make sure you check out the National Park Service website for conditions and regulations. You’ll also have to make a reservation separately to guarantee entry. In 2018 parking reservations became a much needed requirement.