You don’t have to choose between forest and beach — and honestly, why would you? Melinda and Trent’s Muir Woods engagement session had the perfect mix of both. We started deep in the redwoods, where everything feels hushed and cinematic, then ended the evening barefoot in the sand with golden light pouring over the cliffs.

It was one of those “wait, how is this real life” kind of days. Two locations, one outfit change, and a full gallery of images that feel layered and intentional without ever being stiff.

Planning a Muir Woods engagement session

Muir Woods is about 45 minutes north of San Francisco, and if you’re looking for towering trees and moody light, it’s hard to beat. But there are a few logistics to plan around — this place is beautiful because it’s protected, and it’s not the kind of location you can just roll up to unannounced.

Here’s what to know before you book:

• You need to reserve a parking spot ahead of time (no exceptions — and no street parking)
• There’s a small entrance fee per person
• Stay on the trail — like seriously, you will get kicked out if you step off
• No permit required for engagement sessions, but you’ll need one if you plan to elope here
• There is absolutely no cell service, so send pins and download offline maps in advance

We planned ahead to carpool from the beach (where we’d end the session) to the woods, which made things way easier. I always leave the final choice up to my couples — meet me there or ride together — but in this case, having one car made the whole process smoother.

Building the session around light (and why it matters)

One thing to know about photographing in the redwoods: they’re dense. I’ve photographed in forests and mountain ranges for years, so I expected filtered light — but Muir Woods gets dark faster than most. We started our session in the early evening and while the images are beautiful, even starting an hour earlier would’ve given us more of that soft, glowy woodland light.

The beach, on the other hand, was golden hour magic. The cliffs lit up, the wind kicked in just right, and we ended the night with that salty, cinematic kind of energy. The two locations balance each other so well — but if you want to time it perfectly for both, building a custom session is the way to go.

If I were to re-do this one with ideal lighting in mind, I’d split it up: forest earlier in the day, then a little break (Pelican Inn is right there for a happy hour moment), and beach at sunset. Same number of photos, less rush, better light across the board.

Whether you’re dreaming of a full-day adventure or a laid-back two-stop session, I’ll help you build a plan that fits your vision — and make sure we’re chasing the right light the whole way.

The forest and the waves — all in one session

This kind of session is perfect for couples who want variety without sacrificing intention. The forest gave us quiet intimacy and big, sweeping landscapes. The beach brought all the color, movement, and end-of-day joy. Melinda and Trent changed outfits between the two locations, but we kept the momentum going and never once felt rushed.

If you’re dreaming of a session that actually feels like you — whether that’s hiking into the trees, climbing barefoot over rocks, or both — I’d love to help you plan it.

Reach out here to book your own Muir Woods engagement or build something totally custom. I’m in the Bay again in October 2025 (so no travel fees!), but more than happy to make my way over the hill anytime.

Related: Cliffside Coastal Session in Big Sur