Muir Beach, California

Muir Beach
Muir Beach as seen from the beach in December 2013
Muir Beach as seen from the beach in December 2013
Location in Marin County and the state of California
Location in Marin County and the state of California
Muir Beach CDP, California
Muir Beach CDP, California
Coordinates: 37°51′44″N 122°34′53″W / 37.86222°N 122.58139°W / 37.86222; -122.58139
Country United States
State California
CountyMarin
Government
 • TypeCommunity Services District
 • Board membersSee Directors
 • SupervisorDistrict 4
Dennis Rodoni[1]
 • State senatorMark Leno (D)
 • AssemblymemberStephanie Nguyen (D)
 • U. S. rep.Jared Huffman (D)[2]
Area
 • Total0.493 sq mi (1.28 km2)
 • Land0.493 sq mi (1.28 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation312 ft (95 m)
Population
 • Total304
 • Density620/sq mi (240/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
94965
Area codes415/628
FIPS code06-49950
GNIS feature IDs1853403, 2408888
Websitewww.muirbeachcsd.com

Muir Beach is a census designated place (CDP), unincorporated community, and beach on the Pacific Ocean. The community is located 16.5 miles (26.6 km) northwest of San Francisco in western Marin County, California, United States. Unlike many other entities in the area, it is not named directly in honor of conservationist John Muir; instead, it was named after Muir Woods National Monument to capitalize on the latter's popularity.[6] The population was 304 at the 2020 census.[5] The community itself flanks the northwest side of the beach.

Located about 2 miles (3 km) from the entrance to Muir Woods, the beach is about 1,000 feet (300 m) long and 200 feet (61 m) wide, with coarse sand and several large boulders. Redwood Creek empties into the beach. There is a parking lot at the beach, which is accessible via a footbridge.

The subdivision of homes was formerly called Bello Beach, and the beach itself was formerly called Big Lagoon after a freshwater lagoon that was located where the parking lot is now. Damage from 20th century dairy farms interfered with the flow of the creek and the lagoon.[7]

  1. ^ "County of Marin District 4 webpage". County of Marin. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "California's 2nd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Muir Beach". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "P1. Race – Muir Beach CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  6. ^ Jim, Wood (May 20, 2008). "Muir Beach". Marin Magazine.
  7. ^ Nolte, Carl (May 25, 2013) "Muir Beach to Close for the Summer." San Francisco Chronicle. (Retrieved 6-11-13.)