Hi everybody! I was looking for input on whether it is worth it to go to Muir woods if we will be spending a day in Big Sur. I actually do really like outdoorsy stuff and hiking but I was curious if they are too similar or if one would be a letdown after the other. We are spending two nights in Monterrey and definitely plan on taking a day trip to Big Sur. We will be in San Francisco for four nights and I am trying to decide whether we should still plan a half day to Muir woods. Any input would be helpful. Pardon my ignorance. Perhaps these two are vastly different. thanks in advance!
Muir Woods/Big Sur
Big Sur and Muir Woods are very different. For most true nature-lovers, neither one would be a letdown after seeing the other. Big Sur is along the coast and the ride is very dramatic. You%26#39;ll always have the ocean on one side, and on the other the scenery will vary from farmland to small towns to sheer mountains as you go south of Monterey. Hopefully you will have clear weather to enjoy the views of the ocean.
Muir Woods is a redwood forest; the trees are called coast redwoods but actually grow a little ways inland (you won%26#39;t see redwoods along the Coast Highway to Monterey). Instead of sweeping, panoramic views like at Big Sur, you will be in a cathedral-like setting of tall redwoods that form a canopy over a natural stream (Redwood Creek) and smaller, shade-loving plants, birds and small mammals.
Muir Woods is very close to the City. If you go early (a MUST in summer because it is so popular that parking fills up), the trip from most of San Francisco is 20-30 minutes. A half day would allow you to take a longer hike, but to simply appreciate the trees and other natural wonders, 1-2 hours is adequate. On the way back, you could do lunch in Sausalito.
OK--with that said, you can STILL see coast redwoods without going to Muir Woods. On the way to Monterey, you can go down on the inland route until Santa Cruz and return on the coast (or vice versa). The main inland route is on State Hwy 35 through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Several county and state redwood parks are in that area (some are off Hwy 35). You can pick from San Mateo County Memorial, Portola, Henry Cowell Redwoods, or Big Basin Redwoods State parks. Many of us think Big Basin would be your best choice.
Muir Woods/Big Sur
Muir Woods itself is a small park in a deep redwood canyon, but it%26#39;s at the foot of Mount Tamalpais, which is sort of a miniature version of the Big Sur coast,. Mount Tam is just one mountain with about 5 miles of Hwy One running along the ocean, while Big Sur is an entire range about 100 miles long.
There is a stretch of Hwy One through Big Sur that goes inland a bit along the Big Sur River (this is where the Big Sur post office is, so it is where the dot labelled Big Sur is found on maps). Redwoods grow in this valley, though they are not as big as at Muir Woods. This area is about 30 miles south of Monterey.
But if you want to see bigger redwoods after seeing the Big Sur coast, Big Basin has the largest trees and area south of San Francisco.
Roadrunner said 芦Many of us think Big Basin would be your best choice.禄
Count me among %26#39;em.
Bayatuning said 芦Big Basin has the largest trees and area south of San Francisco.禄
You can get a feel for a Redwood Forest by taking the long route through Bonnie Doon and Felton from Davenport to Santa Cruz (as I often do). The stretch of Redwoods is only about a mile long but it%26#39;s dense. Details are on the page of Driving Directions with links to relevant maps and URLs of places passed through: San Francisco to Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-Santa Cruz-Monterey/Carmel geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/DriveDir.html
How to see the redwoods at Big Basin on your way to Monterey...
From the city take Hwy 280 south, a beautiful freeway through rolling hills and past Crystal Springs Reservoir, San Francisco%26#39;s water supply.
Take the Hwy 85 exit from 280 at Sunnyvale. Then watch for the exit for Saratoga (I believe it is called Saratoga Sunnyvale Road at this point.) Go through the town of Saratoga. You will be on Highway 9. This is a pretty, if a little curvy, drive. Watch for the Big Basin signs. There is a road which makes a loop through Big Basin,coming back into Highway 9 further south. Its number is 236.
Highway 9 then goes through Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond and Felton before coming into Santa Cruz. Just out of Felton is another redwood grove...Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This is just off the side of the road.
When you get to Santa Cruz, take a little time to go downtown to Pacific Avenue and have a snack or a coffee at one of the sidewalk cafes. Get back to Highway 1 and it%26#39;s 45 minutes to Monterey.
I think this would satisfy your redwood craving easily and efficiently. Big Basin is much larger in area than Muir Woods, and it is quiet. You won%26#39;t find crowds here and you don%26#39;t have to park and walk to see the trees, just drive through them, getting out if you feel like it.
Have a great trip.
If you decide to drive through Ben Lomand, be sure to wave at my neighbors, Terry %26amp; Kathleen!
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