Muir Beach

 

Muir Beach Parking Lot to Close for Construction from June through November 2013. See details below.

Three miles west of Muir Woods along the coastline, Muir Beach is a quiet cove, beach and lagoon favored by locals.
Redwood Creek at Muir Beach is home to numerous shorebirds, amphibians, salmon and trout, and marshy, water-loving plants called rushes (Juncus). This expansive network of wetlands, lagoon, and dunes is being restored by increasing the capacity of the creek and floodplain system to convey water and sediment and by adding diverse habitat conditions for the endangered coho salmon and threatened California red-legged frog. In addition, the restoration project is fostering long-term stewardship by incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Coast Miwoks and providing opportunities for youth in conservation.

This restoration project - a partnership between the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy - will restore the natural function of the creek, wetlands, and intermittent tidal lagoon.

Tips and Highlights

• There are no lifeguards at Muir Beach. The northernmost end of the beach is popular with clothing-optional sunbathers
• The Muir Beach parking lot will be closed for construction from June through NOvember 2013. Parking and restrooms will not be available during this period. The parking lot will be rotated to remove much of its footprint from the floodplain while maintaining the same number of parking spaces.
• A 225-foot long pedestrian bridge-the Pacific Way Bridge-connects visitors from the Muir Beach parking lot to the beach and Coastal Trail, which is multi-use and accessible.
• The overlook picnic site is scenic but windy, so remember to carry layers and hold on to your paper plates!
• Milk goats, collect eggs, help bees make honey, and teach little ones about how food is grown at Slide Ranch located between Muir and Stinson beaches. Reservations required.
• Avoid the overlook trail if you're scared of heights.
  Cliffs along the Rocky Point coast are isolated and very dangerous. Use caution when hiking
• Cell phone coverage is not reliabel. Rescue crews are further away

Nature

Whale Watching
Muir Beach Overlook is one of the many spots along the parks' coast for whale lovers to catch a glimpse of these giant marine mammals as they swim by during their winter migrations.

Monarch Butterflies
Every autumn thousands of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) embark on a once-in-a-lifetime migration to the California coast. Wintering monarchs can sometimes be found decorating Monterey pines in the small grove at Muir Beach; look for their distinctive orange and black wings.