Muir Woods and Tourist Club Loop

Utilize the roadside parking lot opposite the Mountain Home Inn. Additional parking can be found at nearby areas along the Panoramic Highway and other folk seem to make their own parking spots along the roadside.

To begin the hike, head downhill at the north end of the parking lot and pick up the wide Panoramic Trail which leads in a southerly direction parallel to the highway above.

Leave the Panoramic Trail behind and head down the Ocean View Trail toward Muir Woods.

The winding Ocean View Trail snakes gradually down the hillside under shade of trees, including some younger California redwoods. Bridge after bridge carry you over the babbling streams of water cascading through the notches in the valleys towards Redwood Creek.

You've now entered the heart of Muir Woods National Monument, surrounded by old-growth redwood trees.

The tallest living things on earth, the California Redwood (sequoia sempervirens) trees in Muir Woods tower up to 250 feet in height and the thickest is over 14 feet wide.

Several trails loop around Redwood Creek at the bottom of the valley, which are worth exploring and add up to 2 miles to your hike. If you plan to enjoy the full Muir Woods experience - and since our hike doesn't enter Muir Woods by the main entrance - please remember to pay the fee as you exit the park.

You'll find a full-service visitor center near the entrance to the park, including restrooms, drinking water, gift shop and even a cafe.

To continue our loop trail, exit Muir Woods by the main entrance and head through the parking lots.

Continuing past the first parking lot, turn right and proceed down the road until you happen upon a Dipsea Trail sign on the left (North) side of the road.

Head uphill on the Dipsea trail, leaving behind the tour buses and the foot traffic and you'll soon be climbing through dense forest.

Continue uphill when the trail breaks out of cover and follow the trail as it runs parallel to the road. Eventually the trail crosses the road at a hairpin bend (watch out for traffic racing around corners here).

Take a sharp turn to the left at this junction and you'll be heading along the Sun Trail, a route which traces its way around the hillside in a way typical of Mt. Tamalpais trails.

Enjoy the sunshine and the views, before we're back under cover of foliage again. Next up is the Tourist Club.

To reach this place continue on the Sun Trail until it terminates at a wide track, then bear left and the Tourist Club building should be directly ahead and down some steps.

The hosts at the Tourist Club are very welcoming to all, providing they are not already hosting one of their frequent members only events.

Chill out here with a glass of wine or poison of your choice. And when you're tired of admiring the forest views from the balcony, why not try a game of checkers over a second glass? Providing you're not driving of course - because it's only a little over a mile back to the trailhead from here.

Pick up the Redwood Trail up the hill and behind the club buildings for another forest hike back to the Panoramic Trail, followed by a short return trip back to the trailhead.