The Climate of Muir Woods
Muir Woods is located in a narrow valley over 1,000 feet (300 Meters) above San Francisco Bay, and just across a ridge from the Pacific Ocean. The ocean fog plays a critical role in the health of the old growth redwood forest, providing moisture to the redwoods during the dry summers of Northern California.
Temperatures here at Muir Woods rarely exceed the low 70's F (the low 20's in degrees C.) on all but the very hottest days of the year, and fog makes an appearance most days in both the morning and the late afternoon.
Even if it's a hot summer day down the hill in Mill Valley and Sausalito, be sure to bring a sweater or windbreaker for your visit to Muir Woods. On warm days there can still be a chilly breeze and the valley floor is shadowed by the large trees and nearby slopes.
Muir Woods from May through August
Summers in the San Francisco Bay Area are dry, with rain a rarity from June through August.
Ironically, though, summers here are the high season for fog. The marine layer invades the Bay each afternoon to settle in for the night. The fog retreats from the mid-day heat to hover along the coast, then re-enters the Bay mid-afternoon to repeat the process.
If you visit Muir Woods from May through August, assume there will be fog each morning and afternoon and dress warmly. Once in a while the fog will stay away, but even then the shady trails are subject to cool breezes from the Pacific.
Muir Woods from September through October
The local climate in early autumn remains very much like summer, but the fog often recedes and we can have some of our warmest days of the year. For this reason many people will find September and October to be the nicest time of the year to visit Muir Woods.
This is also the time of the year when we get our first rains of the season, although they are often followed by weeks of sunny days.
Just remember, even with the warmth and blue skies, the shaded valley floor has cool ocean breezes so you'll want to have a sweater or windbreaker in case it's cold. If the forecast calls for rain be sure to bring an umbrella.
Muir Woods from November through April
The rainy season in the San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County features cold, wet Pacific Ocean storms that blow in from the northwest. Between the storms we can have crisp, clear, beautiful days in Muir Woods with temperatures in the 40's and 50's F (5 to 15 degrees Celsius).Visiting the Park this time of year calls for a warm jacket and an umbrella or a good raincoat. If you come on a sunny day, just remember that Muir Woods closes at sunset and that the mornings can be the most glorious time to see the redwood groves in all their splendor.
On a personal note, I think there are few more special places and times on earth than being in Muir Woods early in the morning after it rained the night before. The smell and the feel of the air cannot be described, they just have to be felt -- all I can say is that the sense of cool peace wraps me up and puts me in a very soothing and thoughtful place.
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