Muiraculous Beauty

Have a bonfire at Muir Beach in Marin

Ready to make your non-California friends jealous? Have a bonfire at Muir Beach while watching the sunset. This is Northern California living at its most braggadocious.

Bring your own firewood and picnic provisions (yep, you can roast some marshmallows and hot dogs if you’re so inclined) and try to arrive in time to get one of the handful of firepits on the beach. {Tip: Bonfires cannot be started before 9am, and you must use a designated fire-ring which are first-come, first-served. According to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, there are six fire rings available May through November, and three fire rings are available December through April. Be sure to follow bonfire rules and regulations.} Once you get set up, all that’s left to do is kick back, relax, and enjoy the view … beach goers, surfers, and seals bop about and linger as the sun sinks pink over the surrounding headlands.

The beach is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and bongo-drum-friendly, so take it all in and enjoy. Just be sure to put out the fire completely before leaving it (*using water, not sand), and be conscientious in general. In whale migration seasons you might even get lucky and spy a … wait, is that a blow in the distance?

BONUS HIKES: There are plenty of trails around Muir Beach. We like this beach-hopping adventure hike.

NOTE: Muir Beach closes one hour after sunset, so keep that in mind! Dog-friendly!

IMPORTANT: Be sure to follow the rules and regulations on bonfires at Muir Beach, including using only designate fire rings and ensuring that fires are completely extinguished before leaving, using water, not sand. You have until one hour after sunset to put out the fire completely and leave the beach. More information.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

    View
  2. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

    View
  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. There's Always To Moro!

    Looking for a rock-solid itinerary in Sequoia National Park? Pair the park's most famous viewpoint with one that's often overlooked.

    View
  2. Rancho Style

    Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

    View