The John Muir National Historic Site preserves the 14 room mansion where naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. While living in Martinez, Muir accomplished many things: he battled to prevent Yosemite National Park's Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed, served as the first president and one of the founders of the Sierra Club, played a prominent role in the creation of several national parks, and wrote hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles and several books expounding on the virtues of conservation and the natural world. Muir's work laid the foundations for the creation of the National Park Service in 1916.
In 1992, Mt. Wanda was added to the Site. The 325-acre tract of oak woodland and grassland was historically owned by the Muir family.
The Basics
Location:
North of Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area
Hours:
John Muir NHS is open: Wednesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years day.
Season:
Open all year Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Address:
4202 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone:
925-228-8860
Map
Some More Things to Know
Receive orientation to the site at the visitor center. The park film is shown at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 1:30, 2:30, 3:30.
Muir House is available on self-guided tours any time of the day. Public tours are available at 2:00 Wednesday through Friday, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 on weekends. Please call 925-228-8860 to organize group tours. There are picnic tables available on the grounds.
Mt. Wanda is available for hiking seven days a week, sunrise to sunset.
Directions
Eastbound I-80 to eastbound Highway 4. Exit at Alhambra Avenue, turning left at ramp. Cross beneath highway; Site is immediately on your left.
I-680 northbound to Highway 4 westbound. Exit at Alhambra Ave. Turn right at bottom of ramp; the site is located immediately on your left.
Start with an orientation to the site at the visitor center, and enjoy the twenty minute biographical film of Muir's life,"A Glorious Journey". It is shown on demand throughout the day. Restrooms and our bookstore are also located in the visitor center.
The Muir Home is available for self guided tours from 10 am to 5 PM Wednesday through Sunday. Public tours are available at 2:00 Wednesday through Friday, and 2:00 and 3:00 on weekends. Please call (925) 228-8860 to organize group tours. There are picnic tables available on the grounds.
The Martinez Adobe, built in 1849, is also on site and open to the public.The two downstairs rooms of the adobe have exhibits about John Muir, the Martinez family and early California history.
MT. Wanda is available for sauntering seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. It is 1 mile uphill to get to the top. Always bring water and wear comfortable shoes when setting out for the 640 foot summit!
Wildflower walks, Bird walks and Full Moon walks are available on Mt. Wanda. Call the site for more information at: (925) 228-8860.
With almost 9 acres of fruit orchards surrounding the Muir home, the opportunity to arrive at the right time of year (summer & fall) and sample something to eat is great! As fruit becomes available, it is picked by staff and park VIPs and put in wooden boxes around the park. There is no charge for fruit.
Spring offers not only the many colored blossoms of fruit and nut trees in our orchards, but of wildflowers on Mt. Wanda. Mt. Wanda is our 326 acre natural area where Wildflower and Bird walks are offered by rangers during the spring. Sauntering on Mt. Wanda is encouraged anytime of the year. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
During the summer on Mt. Wanda, Full Moon walks are offered in June, July, and August. Reservations are required for these walks. The annual Perseid Meteor Shower (mid-August) is also a popular event to view from the summit of Mt. Wanda. No reservations are required for this event.
Call (925) 228-8860 for further information.
Guided Tours
Guided tours around the 1st floor of the Muir home are available to the general public Wed. - Fri. at 2 pm, and Sat. & Sun. at 2pm & 3 pm.
These tours are 30 min. in length and are limited to 35 people. Please make a reservation if you are planning on bringing a large (more than 10) group.
Guided tours for school groups are available, with a max. of 70 students. Please allow 90 mins. for this tour and film. Picnic tables are available, and we ask all groups to please remove their own trash.
Please call to make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance, longer if you have a specific date or time in mind. (925) 228-8860
Self-guided tours are available of the Muir home, orchards and Martinez adobe, Wed. - Sun. 10 am to 5 pm.
Indoor Activities
The Visitor Center has a bookstore, and a 20 minute film about John Muir's life called "A Glorious Adventure" is shown there as well.
Muir's 14 room Victorian mansion and the Martinez adobe are also open for the public Wed. - Sun., from 10 am till 5 pm.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Attractions
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site, Danville,CA
Port Chicago National Memorial, Concord, CA
Rosie the Riveter/World War 2 Homefront National Historical Park, Richmond, CA
The John Muir NHS visitor center is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 am till 5 pm. The bookstore is located in the visitor center and offers all of Muir's books, and many about him for sale.
The Muir home and the Martinez adobe are open for viewing during regular park hours.
