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Muir Beach
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
41 reviews for Muir Beach
another great place to hike and view the beach.
awesome trails too.
Following the coastal trail from Muir beach to Tennessee Cove (and back) is one of my favorite hikes in Southern Marin. Along the upward climb, I catch amazing views of the coastline, peek-a-boo views of the Golden Gate bridge and glimpses of a fog-shrouded San Francisco - it's a transporting experience, and I liken it to the Scottish highlands.
My trusty mutt, Murphy, leads the way tirelessly, making me both proud and humbled at his insatiable need to explore. I could do without him showing off, however, like when he runs 20 yards ahead, stops to turn and see me wheezing on the uphill, and then runs back down to where I'm standing, as if to say, "There, see? Wasn't that easy? Come on, fat ass, you can do it."
On our return trip, we loop around vis a vis the Green Gulch trail so that we can weave our way down through the Zen center. A place of tranquility and contemplation, I'm always tempted to stay for a while and get in touch with my inner Buddha, but rather than feed my soul, I opt to feed my belly, which, in a way, will bring me physically closer to Buddha (in appearances). This, inevitably, leads me to the Pelican Inn (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), which is a few hundred yards before the entrance to the Muir Beach parking area.
The beach itself is dog friendly. Murphy ventures off leash, plows through the surf, and chases seagulls. I'm dreading the wet dog stench that will permeate my car on the long, windy drive back, but to wear out a 90 lbs dog to the point where he'll sleep the rest of the afternoon is a huge accomplishment for any dog parent. While he sleeps, I'll be throwing back pints and working off the exercise.
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Nor Cal is so damn beautiful, especially north of the GG bridge. We went here as a "OMG, I'm leaving SF and must see as much as I can!" trip.
It's a little crazy road to get there, but once you are there, it's amazing. Great little beach, kids playing - people surfing (wtf?! it's so COLD!) and just generally having a good time.
We hiked up a little to the top, but we're so severely out of shape right now, the smallest hill was killing us. It's funny really.
Enjoy the pics!
There are so many places to visit in the bay area - and I intend to visit them all this year!
This gem we discovered on our way to Stinson Beach - I read the sign wrong, and we went left ... to Muir Beach. Good thing though because it was closer than Stinson - and my daughter wasn't feeling well in the jump seats in a pick up truck (note to self ... take the van next time - or a car!) ... so Muir Beach was close ... and not a minute too soon - we needed the fresh air. Wasn't too crowded when we arrived around 11am --- and it heated up nicely throughout the day.
We saw lots of muscles, starfish, crabs, dogs, kids, families, rocks.
We didn't get a chance to go hiking but next time...
At the northend of the beach there were few nude sunbathers & it was fine - no complaints from anyone.
Would love to come back again - during the week!
This is a natural destination after a nice walk in Muir Woods. Sunbathe, listen to the waves, and relax here.
Afterwards, go to Pelican Inn for some beer or wine. The food is tasty - British comfort food.
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Nice beach. Dog friendly. Good to swim in (well, as much as any beach is around here; freezing and rocky!). I have always found plenty of room to spread out. Gorgeous.
Nice and small beach, great if you want to get away with a group of friends and want a private place. Soft sand and one of the few beaches in the bay area where I see people wading in the water even when it's cool out. There's even a deck between the parking lot to the beach to let the sand out.
We came here after a nice day at Muir Woods. It wasn't crowded at all.
Nice, smooth, fine sand - the kind you find when in Hawaii.
We enjoyed the tide pools and the tons of mussels, some were the biggest Ive ever seen. From sea anemones to star fish...we all had a lot of fun at this beach. Plus parking is free.
Dogs roam around free and as you're walking on the beach you see whats was once a bonfire or two.
There is a trail going up the side of the hill, I think it was just a typical trail to see the whole bay. But daaaaamn that was a steep, uphill in sand hike. (Which I didn't do) Kudos to the ones that did!
The waves here are small and that itself makes it kid friendly!
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Go now, while the weather is warm!
Time for Rd. 2 of my beach circuit. Muir beach is just across the Golden Gate and over the hills to the West. It's a nice cozy place with hills to the North and South, and some simple hiking trails that can overlook the water. The sand is nice, and it doesn't get too crowded because the parking is very limited nearby. That said, because there are very few parking spots, get there before lunch on weekends or else you won't be able to park.
There's a pretty cool bridge that you walk over to get to the Beach, and some small dunes, hilly terrain which is good if you play bocce ball. While I don't go to beaches to get a tan (obviously), it's cool to just sit in the sun and catch up with friends or read.
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The beach was perfect and lovely! Its dog and beer friendly...only reason I didnt give it 5 stars is the porta potty's the public has to use instead of a normal restroom with plumbing. It was a distance we had to walk from the beach to the porta potty (which wasnt fun in the heat) but all in all I would say the beach lived up to the reviews!
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I can't believe I'm writing a review about a beach! But I just have to, it was so gorgeous...
So I had a date (second date) and he took me here for a picnic lunch. I was a little worried it would be a too romantic for a second date, but he did a great job at making sure the afternoon was light and playful. It was a gorgeous day, with big swells, and I was ecstatic to be near water (I'm a Scorpio peeps). He brought his 6 month old bulldog puppy (cutest damn thing ever!) and we had a grand ol' time just chillin. And I never chill. To say the least, this was a great way to connect with someone. Good times had by all!
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This beach looks like ones in Maui, except that the water is freezing cold. After seeing this beach, Crissy Field in Marina has become a bit boring....
There's a little trail on the hill right by the beach, and there's a bench you can sit on and the see the whole beach. Relaxing, it would be a great meditation place.
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Muir Beach at night during a full moon is absolutely magical. Especially if you hike to it.
One of my shortest reviews ever. But that pretty much sums it up.
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Beautiful beautiful sights at Muir Beach replete with rolling waves and jagged cliffs... so much so, that we stood on the beach daydreaming about moving to this area for a good 20 mins.
This beach is dog-friendly and right before it, there's a creek where you can watch trout swimming and the salmon run. There are also great hikes nearby that you can check out on http://weekendsherpa.com
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As I write this, I have just finally rid myself from all the sand clinging to me after our afternoon trip to Muir Beach. I have yet to tackle the sand covering my dog, but she's so tired from playing for the last few hours that she doesn't seem to mind.
Muir Beach is lovely. There were quite a few people there today, which unfortunately included several screaming kids and a couple of ill-behaved pups, but overall the atmosphere was pretty relaxed. Dogs are allowed off leash, as long as they are within voice control range. This means there are quite a few dogs just running willy nilly on the flat, dark sand, damp from the waves and super excited to be alive.
Though the weather was just gorgeous, the breeze made it slightly too chilly to lay out comfortably in just a bathing suit. When I go back, I'll definitely bring a light blanket to snuggle under, as well as a few beers - a group of people next to us had a pack of Coors and I was jealous.
In terms of logistics, the parking lot off of Pacific Highway was full when we arrived at about 2pm (grr to double parkers) but we we snagged a spot from someone who was just leaving. The parking is free and the beach is easily accessible from the parking lot via a little foot bridge. There are signs saying there are bathrooms, too, though I didn't use them.
One draw back for me was all the flies. It kind of made it irritating to stay put for too long, lest they start to congregate on you.
What a geat neighborhood beach! Neighborhood envy for those living in the hillside above it. Although not a lot of parking......good for the community, the beach is very peaceful, low key and great spot for everyone, from families to couples. If you are looking for more, take the trail to the South of the beach and you get fantastic views of a rugged coastline and some peeks toward San Francisco. It was a clear day, so saw a bit of Twin Peaks and the Presidio.
Yay for nude beaches!
Whether clothed or unclothed, the area to the right of the rocks/cliffs is the place to be. There's less wind and less foot traffic.
But nonetheless, only about an hour drive from the city (through beautiful eucalyptus forests), coming to Muir beach feels like a true vacation.
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Stinson gets the glory and the crowds, but to me, Muir beach is better in many respects. Its smaller, more intimate, and its tucked back in a little cove and surrounded by hills on all three sides, so it's protected from the wind a bit. It still gets chilly there quite often, and yeah, there's a nudie section & occasionally some less-than-responsible dog owners, but on a warm day, you can't beat it...
Try walking the Headlands & Mt. Tam trails that access the beach - winding your way down to the sand is cool way to cap off a hike on sunny day. If there's a chill to the air, make the Pelican Inn's olde style English pub your warming hut and pop in for a libation & some time by the fire...
Not to sound cheesy, but for me, starting a hike at Muir Woods after marveling at the old-growth redwoods, and ending it at the Beach (redwood creek trail) is pretty much as 'spiritual' an experience as there is...
If all i ever accomplished was having places like these named after me, i'd die very content in the knowledge i did something right.
"The earth is a whole, round and watery and bright; bravely spinning through space as a quiet steady star while so many fine shows are being made on its surface."
~ John Muir
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This beach has a little something for everyone, apparently.
Today we enjoyed it with a group of horses with a break for brunch at Pelican Inn.
There are beautiful rolling hills, cliffs, Redwoods, dirt trails and the beautiful sandy beach to enjoy.
It's not ridiculous to get to, albeit it does get a bit crowded.
The town of Muir Beach is pretty cool in a quaint sort of way, and the beach houses cascade down the side of the cliff, almost to the water. Very cool.
Like I said, something for everyone.
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Cold water does not frighten Natashka... and nothing excites more than a dare, such as "No one would be mad enough to go swimming here in November," or "If there is anyone swimming in the ocean, they get a bottle of champagne." These were the magic words, and my cashmere sweater quickly came off, with the temptation of the icy shock as much as the bubbly reward.
Muir Beach is preferable in the off months such as November, when the cold gleam of the sun through chilly Northern California air scares away the crowds, and the beach is left, fairly clean and inviting, for the naughty and the daring.
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I love Muir Beach. It's been a favorite since I was about 2 years old. Stinson is such a scene, and a lot of the beach doesn't allow dogs anymore, which is fine, because the beach is just a long stretch of featureless sand, anyway. Lame! But Muir is gorgeous. It's much more tucked away. Long stretches of sand, Marin Headlands rising up, jagged rocks on one end, rolling rocks barely separating beachettes on the other... a tidepool from time to time. And the lagoon! The lagoon is what really makes Muir Beach!!! First, because the water is generally kinda warm, and we all know that the Pacific Ocean ISN'T warm... so it gives a swimming option without freezing. Secondly, because, well... it's just really fab, k? I seriously love it... sometimes you can even find a crab running around.
The Headlands are right there... you can actually walk from GG Bridge to Muir (or vice versa) if you want. The view is gorgeous, and it's kinda nice to stand above everyone... very much a ego-trip (this is another plus of the lagoon, coz it has a small elevated peak).
And to the people complaining about dogs... blah blah blah. They have a right to be there, too. God forbid they run around or get in the bird area (though only once have I seen a dog in that area - the vast majority of people keep their dogs out, myself included)... frankly, people are the ones who built the parking lot, built houses, and destroyed the bird habitat thus causing the necessity to have "protected" areas in the first place ("protected" areas are protected from HUMANS). If you wanna bitch about dogs (particularly the person who gave props to the nude area), then I'll bitch about there needing to be "protected" areas because the rest of the beach is designated for humans so your hairy ass can sunbathe in public.
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My wife, myself a couple friends and their dog hiked from Fort Cronkhite to Muir Beach and back last weekend. The hike was amazingly beautiful, fairly hard (about 6 miles each way with some decent climbs) and the beach itself was very nice. Since the weather was so nice, the beach was fairly crowded but we still found plenty of room to take some time and have lunch on the beach. My only complaint about the beach is they do not have any water. No drinking fountains, no faucets, no hoses, nothing. Since we had the dog with us and the weather was pretty warm, we were hoping to find a water source to cool her down. Unfortunately, they did not have anything there. All in all, this is my only minor complaint about this beach. Aside from that, it's well hidden from everyday traffic and provides some great natural beauty.
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One of the most beautiful beaches in all of NorCal... the river, the tide pools, the dunes, and the sand. The only negative is that unlike some of the other, larger beaches there are no showers so you're getting in your car covered in sand... Great place.
There is nothing better than a lazy Monday stroll through the semi-black sand beach facing the turbulent Pacific.
The jagged rocks and the soaring waves makes this spot a perfect city getaway for a day trip.
I drove through the Richmond bridge on the foggiest day. This area is beautiful! Although the road to get to Muir Beach is very steep and windy...not for the car-sick prone people.
Gorgeous views out at the Pacific and back at the redwoods make this an excellent place to picnic or start a hike.
I wouldn't recommend it for typical beach activities like tanning or swimming, however, as the shoreline itself is pretty small and rocky.,
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Very small, pebbly beach. You feel like you're in a little alcove when you're here. I've never been when there are crowds and I apparently haven't explored enough, cuz I've never noticed a nudist section. Next time I will go with eyes wide open. Clean, beautiful beach.
On your way out, stop at the Pelican Inn for a beer or wine. Don't expect service. Just enjoy it anyway.
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It's a small beach, and not a particularly warm one, but a great place for a romantic walk on the beach at sun down with your schweetie.
All though its not legal, its also a really nice place to throw down a sleeping bag and crash under the stars (on those oddly warm nights). I would suggest camping behind the water line.....
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northern california rock-n-rolls! it is going on two years since moving to sf from southern california and every week we are still finding new adventures of food, drink, eclectic neighborhoods and in this case the great outdoors. it is like a completely different state up here.
we stumbled upon muir beach during one of our butt busting hikes my wife dreams up when she gets her hands on a trail map. i knew of this beach, but i didn't make it a priority to get here sooner. a very pretty cove like beach that you can hike in or drive in. for the drive in people round up your family, the bbq, a cooler stocked with your food and drink, some fire wood for the fires pits scattered about and maybe a fishing pole to keep your rug rats occupied and out of the beer ; )
with your wine/beer buzz setting in and a belly full of bbq bratwursts it might be time to stretch your legs. if so, i say hit the trail to the south and almost straight up for a view of the pacific ocean and beach below, san francisco bay and city to the east and south. this trail is a climb, so depending on your fitness level the hike up is a one to three beer climb. or you could do as i would if i drove in and trade the water filled camelbak for a beer filled camelbak to ward off those judgmental eyes of "the healthy hikers" !
for the out of town visitors or locals needing a break from the big bad city, you have an overnight choice at pelican inn. they have you covered like a jimmy hat for a place to eat, drink, sleep.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
for the hike in visitors, get a trail map of the area and keep it away from your wife. pick out a nice little trailhead about a mile away and don't tell her there are over 500 miles of trails to hiked in the surrounding area. then enjoy the beach and pelican inn to refuel for the grueling hike back to the car.
i have read this is also a beach where you can let it all hang out if you know what i mean. i didn't see any of that, but i wasn't looking either as it is always the crusty old men letting it all hang out. another 15 years or so maybe it'll be time for me to let it hang if you know what i mean ; )
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Muir Beach I had not been to this beach in years..
I went about a month ago on a Sunday and it was crowded but not overbearing even though the weather was nice. I found it to be very dog friendly which is good because I brought my doggie here and she loved it.
I went again 2day and it was a little chilly but I was not freezing and I had on a short sleeve shirt...There were not 2 many people there which was good because it was like having ur own private beach.
I took my date there for a late afternoon lunch we went to Molinara's in north beach prior got sandwhiches , I picked up a botttle of wine and it was and all over great day...
I wonder why I don't go here more often maybe I will start...
the only thing i miss about living in socal are the beaches. beaches that are sunny and warm, without piles of feathers, dead things, painfully jagged rocks or syringes dispersed about like an obstacle course.
after hiking in muir woods, climbing in and out of holes, jumping my heart (and belly) out and then eating dim sum that we fortuitously ordered an excessive amount of, we stopped at muir beach. the sun was still out and there was a breeze. the sand, while not at all fine, made me a little nostalgic for hermosa beach, and that never happens.
you can hike up a hill to get a broader view of the water or sit on the rocks and logs, looking out at the waves, and contemplate life, when you will live near the ocean again, or how much dim sum you just ate.
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Muir Beach is the less crowded beach option. Stinson, which takes longer to get to, is more fun because there's the cute little town that comes with it, but if the weather is nice it gets CROWDED.
But Muir Beach is quiet and sweet and considerably smaller than Stinson. It's more private, more of a place to hang out with the family than to show off your tan while you play volleyball. It's more of a locals kind of beach too I think.
Yay for naked people. Oh, and its beautiful too.
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We stumbled upon Muir Beach after a day of hiking Muir Woods, and it was so beautiful that we decided to keep our hike going and follow the trail up to the rocky top of the beach ledge, though it was tiring the view is unparalleled. I definitely recommend it!
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It's all already been said. So I'm just here to add my 5 stars. Beautiful beach, really close to a gorgeous national park. What else can you ask for?
went there on a spur of the moment yet very planned out field trip today. this place is well hidden and totally serene.
i would give it 5 stars if the weather was in my favor. it was so god damn foggy and cold that we built a fire. BUILT A FIRE in broad daylight.... in our bathing suits, and sweatshirts, and jackets, and blankets!!!!
I recently realized that with the end of school comes the end of having summers. so sad.
anyway, Muir beach is really pretty and a nice alternative to going south to santa cruz. i am very lame and yet to visit Stinson, and when I do, you will get a compare and contrast report.
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Watch out for unleashed dogs running around in the fenced off area, scaring the bejeezus out of nesting wild birds. Self-righteous, indifferent owners won't care if their dog pees in your picnic basket either, but aside from the dog problem, it's a great beach to sit and watch the waves. Can be cold most of the time, but its clothing-optional section is without exceptions tranquil. Best to visit on warm days.
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Love Muir Beach - just a quick jaunt over the hill from Mill Valley and you're there. Great for kids, kites, dogs BBQ's. Small enough to let the kids run wild and what's left of the nude hippies are at the far left hand side beyond the small tide pools. Only bummer is that a recent storm brought a lot of rocks up onto the beach and they can really get in the way of a kid.
Great spot to relax, take an afternoon nap, go for a walk. Good people watching if it's busy. Of course there's a beautiful drive through Muir Woods to get there, which adds bonus points. It loses a star, though, because the sand is still better at Rodeo Beach. Here, there is some debri and such scattered about from bonfires and people so you have to watch where you step. Otherwise, quality spot!
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great little beach! fun to hike to the top of the hill to the left of the beach and look down with the wind blowing in your hair.
oh how i love muir. it's small and beautiful and not too crowded. the far end of the beach past the rocks is nude but it doesn't affect families on the main part of the beach. muir has amazing sunsets and views. also has multiple fire pits and barbecues and some great places to wander/hike. wear warm clothes, muir is very cold even on sunny days. it might be warm the one week a year when the rest of marin is in the 90s.
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