john muir national historic site

We decided to take an afternoon trip up to wander around the orchards and check out the Muir House. It was a gorgeous day and so nice to explore this lovely property. Even though you can hear the noise of the town, it's still a little refuge and easy to see why John Muir loved it. We also hiked Mt Wanda down the road. Both the house site and the hike were dog friendly (except for inside the house, of course)! We will definitely be back when the fruit trees are full, maybe on a fall day.

This is a very good historical adventure if you go on a day where you can tour the house. Otherwise it's informative but less interesting. They do have incredible craftsman made walking sticks at reasonable prices.

The John Muir home does s lot of fun events throughout the year, not to mention a cool hands on learning experience with the elementary school kids. They dress up in pioneer clothes and learn how to make candles and Adobe bricks, eat with a dinner Pail and tin cup and plate. The highlight for the kids is always climbing to the top of the bell tower and ringing the bell. A very informative tour led by park Rangers who really love their job. The spring is beautiful with the orchards in bloom. Earth day celebration is cool, christmas is lovely with traditional decorations from John Muir's time including a bay laurel tree for a Christmas tree. He didn't believe in killing trees for Christmas. So he would cut a large branch off a bay tree and his daughters would decorate it. The Rangers tell stories of his life and many adventures, and there is much of his memorabilia there in the home. Worth a stop if you are into local history. I love the story of him walking to downtown martinez with a paper sack full of money to deposit in the bank. I didn't know he was a father of the national park service and the Sierra club, or that he walked from Mexico to Alaska. Also did not know he was the one with Teddy Roosevelt when he had the bear encounter. See... I learned a lot from my visits as well. I really enjoyed it.

Four star if your expectations are realistic. The Taj Mahal it is not, but it is an historically significant house that has been well preserved. The guided tour of the house is recommended. It's very informative, not too long, and all of the info is shared on the first floor before the tour guide sets you free to explore the second floor, attic, and bell tower on your own. Who doesn't love to poke around someone else's house?This isn't an attraction that requires you to set aside a full day to visit. You can easily check it out in an hour or two and feel like it was time well spent. Stop on your way to Napa or on a lazy Saturday. If you go at the right time of year, you can pick fruit from the trees in the orchard. Pack a picnic lunch or go for a hike up Mt. Wanda.The best part? It's free!

The John Muir National Historic Site is located just between Napa Valley and San Francisco. You can visit the house that John Muir used to live in and learn about his contributions to America and the National Park system. In addition, you'll find part of the Juan Batista de Anza National Historic Trail here. If you're a collector of the National Park Passport Stamps, you'll find stamps for both at the Visitor's Center here. They also have a Junior Ranger program here to encourage children (and adults) to learn about John Muir.

Yet another fantastic, FREE National Park in the Bay Area. The entire house has been well preserved to tell the story of the National Park Service's founder. The grounds and nearby Mount Wanda are available to stroll until sunset. Come learn about John Muir and his legacy. If you need a no/low cost family outing in the East Bay, there's hardly a better place!

The house and tour are interesting. Since I am Polish American, it was interesting to find out John Muir's father-in-law and wife, of course, were Polish. His father-in-law was an MD and botanist. It was pretty amazing that she was OK with his travels. She knew sticking around the ranch after he worked it was hard on him. It is great living in a town w/ a National Monument!

It is worth visiting this house of John Muir well preserved with well conversant guide, for a non English( US accent) he explains in simple accent not typical US accent. Importance of place is it is hopuse of john Muir a force behind US National parks A person who took 'Teddy" rosevelt then president with him in the Yosemite it is enthralling just to see photos pictures his room etc.

Living nearby we had not been to the historic home of John Muir since grade school.Going back as an adult it is interesting to see the detail in his home, the historical photos and the antique furniture.The film is only 20-minutes and very helpful to fully understand what John meant to the area.If you are lucky, the ranger may allow you to visit the bell tower and ring the bell. It's a little narrow but the view from the top is amazing.Worth a visit and be sure to bring the kids.

I'm a frequent visitor to Yosemite and as anyone who visits there knows, John Muir was the inspiration behind Yosemite retaining its natural splendor and becoming a national park. I felt like I knew the historical impact of John Muir fairly well, but after visiting the John Muir House, it was clear I had missed a big piece. The house gives a very personal view of John Muir, his love of his wife, his children, his friends, community and his state. In his study I could almost see him holding up dinner just to pen another influential letter to someone in government. I thought the house itself was very interesting, especially the views from the bell tower and the somewhat disorganized yet quaint attic. The grounds are well kept and I enjoyed wandering along the path to the carriage house and the adobe house at the back of the property. Admission is free but there are donation boxes in the gift store and the main house. I am leaving off one star because the descriptive signs and "hands on" materials in the house are rather shabby and hard to read. It's probably due to the large school groups that come through. I also was disappointed the employee at the entrance never mentioned the movie or offered to show it to me. The friendly docent in the main house asked if I had viewed the movie, and since I hadn't, I felt I missed out on the experience. Overall, a wonderful place to visit and learn about local and national history and the man who helped influence the conservation of our natural wonders.

Worth the time - they have a short movie about John Muir and you can either enjoy a guided tour or do a self-guided tour of the beautiful home.

Visited The John Muir home in Martinez. Nice little visitor center and gift shop offers many of his books as well as park and nature books. Be sure to watch the film of John Muir's life. It is well done and worth sitting the 20 minutes. Walk up the hill to the house and a docent will greet you and show you around. You are also free to wander all the way to the attic where you can climb to the belfry and ring the bell! After, wander down through the fruit orchards (I didn't do the cell phone tour) and have a picnic. Visit the well executed abode house to learn about Juan Bautista de Anza and the expedition to San Francisco, and the impact it has had on the native populations. If you are hale, drive two minutes to Mount Wanda and climb the steep fire road to the top to the beautiful views. BRING WATER! In addition to being a great naturalist, Muir was progressive in his farming. For example, he brought the rail in to move his crops efficiently. This visit was educational, relaxing, and a good workout. Nice way to spend a few hours or all day.

Very educational visit to Muir's home. The tour was good, as was the history from Muir's great grandson.

This is something every Martinez resident should take the time to see and a great place to take out of town visitors.

Everyone should visit John Muir Homes and out lying area. You can see how he and his family lived. The home and grounds are well kept. He was amazing person.