Wide coastal view from a high overlook shows deep blue ocean rolling against a rugged, rocky shoreline with foamy surf. Dry golden-brown hills and scattered shrubs line the steep coast under clear daylight.

Muir Beach

Muir Beach, CA

A small crescent-shaped beach at the mouth of Redwood Creek, surrounded by steep coastal hills. The beach was restored in 2010 as part of a major wetland restoration project, and the creek now supports coho salmon habitat. The beach faces southwest, creating excellent conditions for sunset photography with rocky outcrops as foreground.

Photography Guide

Best Time: golden hour
Crowds: Moderate
Shot Types: landscapelong-exposurewide
Best Seasons: fallwinterspring

Practical Tips

The parking lot fills quickly on sunny weekends. The rocks on the south end of the beach provide interesting foreground for long exposures at sunset.

Is it a good day to go?

7-day outlook

Mild, dry days with light winds are the most comfortable for a visit.

Forecast by Open-Meteo. Verdicts weigh the forecast against the conditions that suit this spot.

Gallery

Nearby Places

Sweeping view of the Pacific from a high coastal bluff, with blue water breaking in white foam along steep, tan-and-green cliffs. The shoreline curves toward distant headlands under a pale blue sky with thin clouds.

Overlooks

Muir Beach, CA

Muir Beach Overlook

A dramatic coastal overlook along Highway 1 with WWII-era military observation bunkers perched on cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. The overlook provides sweeping views north toward Stinson Beach and south toward the Golden Gate. The concrete bunker structures create strong geometric foreground elements against the ocean backdrop.

golden hourspring · summer

Black-and-white scene of Marines climbing through dense, tall grass on a steep hillside, one soldier reaching down to help another. Helmets, packs, and a rifle stand out against the tangled vegetation and rough ground.

Hidden Gems

Stinson Beach, CA

Steep Ravine Cabins and Beach

A collection of rustic 1930s-era cabins perched on a cliff above a secluded rocky beach along Highway 1. The area includes a steep staircase down to the shoreline where tide pools and sea stacks create dramatic foreground elements. Webb Creek flows through a nearby redwood canyon with a small waterfall.

golden hourwinter · spring

Sunlit green hills roll down to a neighborhood of houses tucked into the valley, with a winding road cutting through the scene. Mount Tamalpais rises in the background under a clear blue afternoon sky.

Overlooks

Mill Valley, CA

Panoramic Highway Overlook

Several pullout viewpoints along Panoramic Highway between Mill Valley and Stinson Beach offer sweeping views of the Pacific Coast and the slopes of Mount Tamalpais. The road winds through stands of Douglas fir and coastal chaparral. The viewpoints near the junction with Muir Woods Road are particularly expansive.

afternoonspring · summer