When conservationist John Muir returned from the wild in 1890, he and his wife settled in Martinez, on his father-in-law's 2,600-acre fruit ranch.
Today, you can visit his home and see his "scribble den," 9 acres of the orchard and the historic Martinez Adobe home.
Visitor center and groundsStart at the Visitor Center at 4202 Alhambra Ave. Here you will find a helpful ranger, books and T-shirts for sale, clean restrooms and, best of all, a fascinating 20-minute movie about John Muir's life.
Exit the back of the visitor center to begin a tour of the park grounds.
(You are free to take home fallen fruit.) You can also take a self-guided cell phone tour of the grounds.
Given to him and his wife by his in-laws, Dr. John and Louisiana Strentzel, who had lived in it previously, the Italianate Victorian home is 10,000 square feet and has 17 rooms with 12-foot ceilings.
Mount WandaAlthough the trailhead through this 326-acre parcel is only about a quarter mile from the visitor center, you cannot safely walk from one to the other as there is no sidewalk on Alhambra Avenue.
