Muir Beach Overlook
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Muir Beach Overlook (road name), Muir Beach, off Shoreline Highway 1
Starting Point: On Shoreline Highway 1, at the western edge of the town of Muir Beach, watch for the Muir Beach Overlook sign, go up the hill to the Muir Beach Overlook parking lot
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/muirbeach.htm
Muir Beach history info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/nature/muir-beach-history.htm
Muir Beach info link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/muir-beach
Distance:
Muir Beach Overlook is a vista spot with a long stair walk to a round platform that juts out with amazing views. The distance is negligible, but the ability to go up and down stairs is needed for those who wish to go to the farthest viewing spot. Views are great just from the top as well.
Considerations:
•There is a parking lot at the Muir Beach Overlook, which like any other hiking/vista site in Marin, tends to get crowded on weekends. This is often a spot where people do the short overlook walk and drive on somewhere else, though, so it’s easier to find an open spot than trailheads for long hikes.
• There is a toilet facility at the Muir Beach Overlook parking lot.
• This is a starting spot for other hikes that will be covered in future posts.
The trail:
Muir Beach Overlook is one of those “let’s just stop and look since it’s on the way” spots that I can’t resist turning off for if I'm in that area. It has been a starting spot for a number of my favorite hikes. It has been a nice extra add-on after visiting Muir Beach. It is also just great to stop at if you’re on that section of Shoreline Highway 1.
From the parking lot, just walk toward the Pacific and you’ll see informational signs. In addition to explanations of the natural science of the area, there is also information on the World War II military historical relevance of the site.
For those who cannot manage stairs, the views are great from the top, facing north, west and south.
If you can manage stairs, the long stairway to the round platform at the end offers changing views as you go along before that last stop jutting out facing the ocean.
The rocky outcropping along the way is scenic in and of itself, having a bit of a bonsai tree arrangement feel to it.
You can see Muir Beach and points beyond facing south toward San Francisco. Depending on the visibility, facing north you may see to far points north in Point Reyes National Seashore.
Muir Beach Overlook is a good example of a starting spot for great hikes, or a stop off for amazing views in and of itself. (Muir Beach Overlook Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Guardians” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Muir Beach Overlook (road name), Muir Beach, off Shoreline Highway 1
Starting Point: On Shoreline Highway 1, at the western edge of the town of Muir Beach, watch for the Muir Beach Overlook sign, go up the hill to the Muir Beach Overlook parking lot
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/muirbeach.htm
Muir Beach history info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/nature/muir-beach-history.htm
Muir Beach info link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/muir-beach
Distance:
Muir Beach Overlook is a vista spot with a long stair walk to a round platform that juts out with amazing views. The distance is negligible, but the ability to go up and down stairs is needed for those who wish to go to the farthest viewing spot. Views are great just from the top as well.
Considerations:
•There is a parking lot at the Muir Beach Overlook, which like any other hiking/vista site in Marin, tends to get crowded on weekends. This is often a spot where people do the short overlook walk and drive on somewhere else, though, so it’s easier to find an open spot than trailheads for long hikes.
• There is a toilet facility at the Muir Beach Overlook parking lot.
• This is a starting spot for other hikes that will be covered in future posts.
The trail:
Muir Beach Overlook is one of those “let’s just stop and look since it’s on the way” spots that I can’t resist turning off for if I'm in that area. It has been a starting spot for a number of my favorite hikes. It has been a nice extra add-on after visiting Muir Beach. It is also just great to stop at if you’re on that section of Shoreline Highway 1.
From the parking lot, just walk toward the Pacific and you’ll see informational signs. In addition to explanations of the natural science of the area, there is also information on the World War II military historical relevance of the site.
For those who cannot manage stairs, the views are great from the top, facing north, west and south.
If you can manage stairs, the long stairway to the round platform at the end offers changing views as you go along before that last stop jutting out facing the ocean.
The rocky outcropping along the way is scenic in and of itself, having a bit of a bonsai tree arrangement feel to it.
You can see Muir Beach and points beyond facing south toward San Francisco. Depending on the visibility, facing north you may see to far points north in Point Reyes National Seashore.
Muir Beach Overlook is a good example of a starting spot for great hikes, or a stop off for amazing views in and of itself. (Muir Beach Overlook Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Guardians” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
