Redwoods and the California Coast in One Day
What’s more Northern California than standing beneath towering redwoods and then making your way to the coast less than 5 miles from each other?
I recently spent a drizzly morning exploring Muir Woods National Monument specifically with photography in mind. I wanted to scout, see what the trails actually felt like, how busy they were, what the lighting looked like beneath the trees, and what couples should know if they’re considering Muir Woods for wedding, elopement, or engagement photos.
After a couple of hours wandering through the redwoods, I drove over to Muir Beach to explore that area too. After seeing the two together, I would absolutely recommend combining them for your photos and experience!
Muir Woods gives you the quiet, enclosed feeling of being surrounded by ancient redwoods, while Muir Beach opens everything up with coastal views and a rocky shoreline. They’re incredibly different landscapes, but they’re only about a 10 minute drive apart.
What Muir Woods is Actually like
I arrived at Muir Woods a little before 8:30am on a Thursday in August. It was a drizzly and overcast day (which I was not mad about!). The trees were surreal and everything smelled like damp wood and earth. The rain gave the entire forest that moody, hoa hoa feeling.
Basically ideal redwood exploration weather if that’s your vibe.
When I arrived I got the last spot in the main parking lot! There is a second parking lot as well which is great. From there, I made my way to the entrance to scan my ticket and explore the gift shop before heading off to explore!
Once I got on to the main trail, the park didn’t feel overwhelmingly busy. There were definitely more people toward the beginning of the trail, but the farther I walked, the quieter it became. By the time I reached the end of the main trail, I was passing people much less frequently and had significantly more breathing room.
I spent about two hours slowly making my way through the park, taking photos, admiring the trees, and thinking through the logistics of what it would actually be like to photograph a couple there.
The trees are every bit as beautiful as you’d hope. Magical really. It felt like an honor to stand among them and admire how much time and change they have been witness to.
Back toward the entrance there is a cafe, gift shop, and bathroom. Which makes for a nice stop before or after exploring! The gift shop had tons of cute souvenirs if you want a little something to remember the day by. I grabbed a coffee when I finished exploring before heading toward the coast!
What to Know About Taking Photos at Muir Woods
One of the biggest things to keep in mind is that Muir Woods is a popular public space. Even if you visit first thing in the morning, you should expect to share the trails with other people.
You’re also required to stay on designated trails and walkways, some of which can be fairly narrow. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does affect how I would approach a session or elopement here.
This isn’t a location where I would plan on having a huge amount of open space to ourselves. Instead, I’d build in plenty of time, move slowly, and take advantage of quieter pockets as we find them.
For photos, my recommendation would be to arrive when the park opens and make your way down the main trail, stopping for photos along the way. The deeper I got into Muir Woods, the fewer people I encountered.
If you’re hoping to exchange vows or have any kind of small ceremony here, I’d especially want to seek out one of those quieter areas farther down the trail rather than trying to do it near the entrance.
It’s a location where a little patience and flexibility can go a long way.
You can find more information about Muir Woods National Monument’s photography policy here: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/film-and-photo-permits.htm
For events and ceremonies: https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/specialparkuses.htm
Special events permit info: https://gomuirwoods.com/special/
Parking, Reservations, and Cell Service at Muir Woods National Monument
If you’re driving to Muir Woods and parking in one of the main lots, you’ll need to make a parking reservation ahead of time.
When I made mine, I was able to add my park admission during checkout. I purchased both at once and took a screenshot of the barcodes before heading out.
Do not skip that last part!
There is essentially no cell service around Muir Woods, so don’t count on being able to pull up a confirmation email or reservation once you arrive. Have your parking reservation, admission information, directions, and anything else you might need downloaded or screenshots of ahead of time.
Stay up to date on current conditions in the park here: https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
You can find additional information for parking and transportation here: https://gomuirwoods.com/muir/shuttleInfo
From Muir Woods to Muir Beach
After exploring the redwoods, I made my way to Muir Beach.
Because I still didn’t have cell service, I couldn’t rely on pulling up directions on my phone. Thankfully the route was easy to follow using the map I already had open, and there were signs along the way pointing me toward the beach. I never felt like I was lost or unsure of where I would be going.
The drive from Muir Woods to Muir Beach took me about 10 minutes.
That short distance is a huge reason I love the idea of combining these two locations for photos. You can go from towering redwoods to the California coast without spending a big chunk of time in the car.
For an elopement or longer couples session, that gives you so much variety while still allowing the experience to feel relaxed.
Exploring Muir Beach
I arrived at Muir Beach around 11:00am, and the parking lot was almost completely empty. There are bathrooms near the parking area, which is always worth knowing when you’re planning a wedding day or session!
From the parking lot, it’s about 0.2 mile walk to the beach. It took me roughly four minutes at a casual pace, and the walk itself was easy and mostly flat!
You start by crossing a long wooden pedestrian bridge that leads toward the beach. It’s beautiful on its own and immediately caught my eye as another potential photo spot before even reaching the water.
Once I made it onto the beach, it was incredibly quiet (aside from the sound of the ocean waves and seagulls of course). There were maybe five other people there during my visit.
The overcast sky created a really soft, beautiful light, and I spent some time wandering along the shoreline, climbing on the rock formations, and looking at different areas we could use for photos. Turning away from the beach you're met with a beautiful view of the sprawling hills of Mount Tamalpais State Park (which would also make a stunning backdrop for photos, and you guessed it, more variety). There’s also a small overlook up on the hill that gives you another perspective of the beach and surrounding landscapes.
It’s so different from Muir Woods. Open. Expansive. Which is exactly why the two work so well together from a photo perspective - different vibes, added variety. And a fun experience!
Why I’d Combine Muir Woods and Muir Beach
If you’re drawn to Northern California because you love both the redwoods and the coast, you don’t have to choose between them.
Starting your morning exploring Muir Beach and then making your way to Muir Woods would give you two different experiences without requiring a ton of driving or complicated logistics.
You could spend the morning walking along Muir beach, exchange vows, and take some portraits. Then you could head to the forest and wander through the redwoods slowly exploring the forest and taking some more portraits along the way.
From a wedding and elopement photographer’s perspective, I love how much variety that type of experience creates. More importantly, from an experience perspective, it gives you room to actually enjoy two incredibly beautiful places rather than treating them like boxes to check off a photo list.
Is Muir Woods Right for your Elopement or Photo Session?
Muir Woods National Monument is beautiful, but it might not be the right redwood location for every couple.
If having a completely private ceremony or lots of space is important to you, there may be other redwood locations in the Bay Area that better fit what you’re envisioning. The trails here are shared, you’re limited to designated walkways, and other visitors will be part of the experience.
But if you’re okay embracing that, arriving early, and giving yourself time to wander until we find the quiet pockets? It could absolutely be the redwood location for you! There’s something pretty incredible about getting to experience these trees.
And being able to go to Muir Beach before or after makes the whole experience better.
I’ve only explored the main trail at Muir Woods, and I’m already itching to go back and check out some of the longer hiking trails to see what possibilities are hiding there.
If you're dreaming about a wedding, elopement, or couples photos that include the redwoods, the coast, or a little of both, I'd love to help you dream up what locations make the most sense for the experience you want to have.
Needing more location inspiration and guidance in the Bay Area and beyond? Read more in my location guides below!
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park: https://www.taylorzimmermanphoto.com/blog/reinhardt-redwood-regional-park-elopement/
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco: https://www.taylorzimmermanphoto.com/blog/golden-gate-park-photo-locations/
Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park: https://www.taylorzimmermanphoto.com/blog/conservatory-of-flowers-san-francisco-photo-location/
Shark Fin Cove: https://www.taylorzimmermanphoto.com/blog/shark-fin-cove-elopement-davenport-california/
Henry Cowell Redwood State Park: https://www.taylorzimmermanphoto.com/blog/henry-cowell-redwoods-california-elopement/
About Taylor Zimmerman Photo
Hi, I’m Taylor! A queer California elopement and wedding photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm drawn to both quiet and loud, meaningful, and deeply human moments.
My work is rooted in connection, intention, and creating space for people to feel safe enough to actually be themselves. I blend candid moments with gentle direction so your images feel natural, emotional, and grounded.
If you’re wanting photos that feels a honest and like you, you’re in the right place. Click the button below, and let's chat!
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