After leaving Point Bonita, we made a quick stop at Muir Woods Overlook along the coastal drive. The pull-off sits high above the Pacific, with a wide, unobstructed view of open water stretching to the horizon. There isn’t much to see in the way of landmarks — just the ocean and the sky meeting in the distance — but that simplicity is what makes the stop worthwhile. Standing there, the scale of the view puts everything into perspective before heading back down into the winding roads and redwood valleys.

Part of a San Francisco photo series.