Things To Do

 

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Please Note

(April 1st, 2020)

Weekend visitation has been higher than expected and and wait times to enter the Strentzel/Muir home can be long.

• Weekend visitation has been extraordinarily heavy and may impact your visit.
• Under current COVID protocols, only one household group of 12 people or less is allowed in the house at a time, and visits are limited to 20 minutes.
• Wait times to tour the Strentzel/Muir house can be 2 hours or more.
• If you are interested in touring the house, we strongly recommend visiting on a weekday to reduce wait times.

 

The Strentzel/Muir house at the John Muir National Historic Site.

Luther Bailey, NPS.

Visitor Center and Muir/Strentzel Home

Begin your exploration of John Muir's life and legacy at the visitor center, located at 4202 Alhambra Avenue in Martinez, California. Watch the 20-minute film, A Glorious Journey, to gain an in-depth view of Muir's contributions to conservation. You may explore the Muir/Strentzel house and the grounds on your own. Admission to the park and home are free and no reservations are required for general visits. For large groups, please visit our Permits and Reservations page.

 

Ranger Programs

NOTE: We are currently not offering guided tours
Join a ranger or docent-led tour of the first floor of the Strentzel-Muir House all week at 2 p.m., with additional 11 a.m. tours on Saturdays and Sundays. If you'd like a tour of the grounds, please refer to the Cell Phone Tour information below. If you need to schedule a large group tour, please call [phone].

 

Mount Wanda trail.

Luther Bailey, NPS.

Mount Wanda Hiking and Exploring

Named after his eldest daughter, Mt. Wanda is 326 acres of oak woods and grasslands. The Muir family never used it for fruit production, but as an escape for the daughters to take nature walks with “Papa”.

Explore the hills where John Muir hiked with his two daughters, Wanda and Helen. Mount Wanda is open daily sunrise to sunset. Please come prepared, as no water or toilet facilities are available. Pets are permitted on a leash. Bicycles and horses are allowed on fire roads only. To access Mt. Wanda, travel ¼ mile south from the visitor center on Alhambra Avenue to the trail head parking lot next to Franklin Canyon Road.

 

The Strentzel/Muir Family Gravesite Tour

Enjoy this video (Youtube) about the Strentzel/Muir Family Gravesite opening.

Join a Ranger for a 1-hour tour of the final resting place of John Muir. Learn about Muir’s burial and the family members that are buried here with him as you stroll amongst the heritage trees that are nestled around the small 1.25 acre site. Tours meet at the John Muir NHS Visitor Center every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:00pm. Reservations are required as there are limited seats! Some same–day reservations may be available. Call [phone] x0.

Note: There is uneven ground at the site, and no amenities, so please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Conditions can get muddy and heavy rain will cancel the tour.

 

Cell Phone Tour of Grounds

Take a self-guided cell phone tour of the park grounds. Numbered wooden posts located on walking paths contain the phone number to dial as well as sequential stop numbers. There are no cell stops inside of the Muir home, but rangers or volunteers can answer any questions you have. Also, we provide guided tours of the bottom floor of the Muir home at 2 PM each day.

 

The Martinez Adobe at the John Muir National Historic Site.

Luther Bailey, NPS.

Martinez Adobe

The Martinez Adobe, located on the western edge of John Muir's historic orchards, features bilingual exhibits for the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Come learn the story of the Anza Expedition, when Spanish Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza led 240 men, women and children up the California coast in 1775. For more information, vist the Juan Buatista de Anza website.

 

Picnicking

Enjoy a picnic atop Mount Wanda or beneath the shade of redwood and pecan trees in John Muir's historic orchards. It is required for all groups to take any supplies or trash with them when they leave.

 

Seasonal Programs

Seasonal wildflower walks, campfire programs, bird walks and full moon walks are available on Mt. Wanda. Check the "Calendar" section on our website for current seasonal tour information, or call the park for more information at: [phone] x0.

 

Become a Junior Ranger

Children of all ages - and children at heart - can obtain a Junior Ranger activity booklet from the front desk. Complete the booklet to earn your official Junior Ranger badge!