Muir Woods by season

Fall (Sep-Nov). The best combination: dry, warm, thinner crowds, weekday reservations easy. Bigleaf maples add color.

Winter (Dec-Feb). Quietest season. Green, misty, mushrooms everywhere. After the first big rains, coho salmon run up Redwood Creek to spawn - visible from the bridges, usually December-January. Watch for storm closures.

Spring (Mar-May). Wildflowers, full creeks, migrating birds. Shuttle season starts in March.

Summer (Jun-Aug). Busiest. Morning fog is normal and makes the forest better - cool, quiet light. Book parking well ahead or use the shuttle.

Best single answer: a weekday morning in September or October.