Visiting Muir Woods, it’s easy to feel small beneath the ancient redwoods. Just forty-five minutes outside San Francisco, it makes for an easy day trip. We arrived early in the morning and enjoyed the forest’s calm before the crowds rolled in.

I spent the hours walking the trails, photographing spots where sunlight hit the forest floor and noticing the texture of the bark, the patterns of shadow, and the scale of the trees. Their height and presence left me in awe, reminding me how small I felt beneath them. Even brief pauses on the trail felt immersive.

Some areas of the forest are quieter than others, giving a sense of stillness that contrasts with the busier trails near the entrance. Wandering off the main paths, I found small clearings where shafts of light created subtle, fleeting moments to capture.

Beyond the trees themselves, Muir Woods is full of small details: ferns growing along the trail edges, moss on fallen logs, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife. Both the large and small elements of the forest feel alive, making it a place to observe as much as to photograph.

Part of a San Francisco photo series — next up, Painted Ladies at Alamo Square