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John Muir National Historic Site Built in 1849 by Vincente Martinez, the Martinez adobe is the oldest building in Martinez, CA and part of John Muir NHS.
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The "Father of the National Park Service"

John Muir was many things, inventor, immigrant, botanist, glaciologist, writer, co-founder of the Sierra Club, fruit rancher. But it was John Muir's love of nature, and the preservation of it, that we can thank him for today. Muir convinced President Teddy Roosevelt to protect Yosemite (including Yosemite Valley), Sequoia, Grand Canyon and Mt. Rainier as National Parks.

 
Muir home peeking through trees.

Where is the Muir home?

John Muir NHS is located in Martinez, California. Muir chose to live in this urban environment because his wife Louie, and her family were from here. Muir's in-laws, the Strentzels, finished their mansion after two years of construction in 1882. John Muir moved into the home with his wife and two girls in 1890. Muir lived, worked and wrote in the home for the last 24 years of his life.

Main Visitor Center Now Open, Now Greener!

Come by and see our newly renovated visitor center. With energy saving and sustained use kept in mind, it is one we hope Mr. Muir would be proud of. 

A cell phone tour of the Muir Orchards is now available on-site...or anywhere. Visitors can dial 925-232-2600 followed by the stop #'s 1-11, for different messages about Muir's life as a fruit rancher and the agricultural history of the site. Orchard Tour Map

The visitor center renovation was a result of the partnership between the National Park Service, Western National Parks Association, and the John Muir Association our non-profit park friends organization which provides support at the historic site.

 
California poppies on Mt. Wanda.

Mt. Wanda

Originally part of the 2600 acre ranch, John Muir NHS aquired this 326 acres of oak woodland in 1993. Named for his oldest daughter, Muir took both girls on nature walks here to look at the trees, wildflowers and birds. We continue that tradition today with ranger led wildflower and bird walks in the spring, and full moon walks in the summer.

Mt. Wanda Map  Muir Nature Trail Map

 
Muir in his "Scribble Den".

Museum Collections at John Muir National Historic Site

This Museum Collections Exhibit celebrates John Muir, preservationist, writer and friend to National Parks. It features Muir's family and home in Martinez, California, including personal belongings, photographs, and specimens that he collected.

 
Juan Bautista De Anza NHT exhibit opening.

Juan Bautista De Anza NHT Exhibit at John Muir NHS!

September 25th marked the unveiling of the first full-scale Anza Trail exhibit in Martinez, California! This multi-sensory experience engages visitors through evocative images and interactive displays. Grand Opening festivities included fun family activities, live music and dance, and a celebration of the diversity of people whose lives were changed by the Anza Expedition.

 
 

Write to

John Muir National Historic Site
4202 Alhambra Ave.
Martinez, CA 94553

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information
(925) 228-8860 ext. 6400

Fax

(925) 228-8192

Climate

SPRING: February - April, wet to dry, 50-75 degrees
SUMMER: May - September, dry to dryer, 80-100 degrees
FALL: October - November, dry to wet, 80-55 degrees
WINTER: December - January, wet to wet, 35-55 degrees
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Did You Know?

Did You Know?
John Muir not only has a National Historic Site and Muir Woods National Monument named for him, but schools, hospitals, plants, a rock type, a mammal, a bird, a butterfly, trails, a pass, a glacier, a wilderness area, a beach, an inlet, a mountain, and he's even on the 2005 California state quarter!

Last Updated: December 11, 2011 at 10:55 MST

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