His first film, 1973s american graffiti, prominently featured san franciscos mels. Travel across the bay to muir woods and walk among the towering trees. The coastal redwood forests up there, however, look very similar. Our new muir woods escapade tour covers an array of locations including sausalito, giant redwoods, muir beach, stinson beach, bolinas old downtown and hidden beaches, and mount tamalpais state park, which is the highest point in marin county. Muir woods tour was important for us because we wanted to see where the return of the jedi was filmed. It was even cooler when i found out it was where they filmed return of the jedi there. Visit star wars lucasfilm in san francisco san francisco. You may have hiked along its ragged cliffs to baker beach or driven through. Star warsthemed cocktail party a perfect way to celebrate the force awakens. My particular favorite is muir woods, only because its easily accessible by car from san francisco and there are many walking trails. During the annual national parks week, held in april, entry fees are waived in more than 100 parks nationwide, including muir woods national monument.
How star wars transformed the northern california redwoods. May 19, 2014 do these trees look familiar, star wars fans. Muir woods national monument is a united states national monument managed by the national park service, named after naturalist john muir. Sep 03, 2014 you convene with mother nature, thats what you do. The norcal redwoods would provide the stage for the home of the ewoks, an epic speeder bike chase and a battle that would spark the end of the empire. Travel across the bay to muir woods and walk among the towering trees that inspired. Common names include coast redwood and california redwood. The muir woods national monument is basically surrounded by the mount tamalpais state park, and all of the trails in one connect to the other. Fontmuir woods tours with sausalito via san francisco golden gate bridge were. Multiple global locations were used for filming locations during the production of the. The moon was covered in dense woodlands, tall mountains, and savannas. Maybe you can recognize the forests of muir woods national monument.
Return of the jedi scenes, like the famous speeder chase scene, set in endor home of the ewoks the lost world. Apr 24, 20 we were on a tour so only had an hour in the wood but it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Sep 15, 2015 contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in muir woods, but rather in a private redwood logging area near crescent city. How dawn of the planet of the apes made overgrown future woods in. Many of the forest locations filmed in return of the jedi no. Muir woods is an ancient remnant of the redwood forests that once covered large areas of north america. The moon was covered in dense woodlands, tall mountains, and savannas, and home to the sentient ewok. They filmed endor from star wars here and it is such a cool place. Visiting realworld endor and naboos great grass plains. Muir woods national monument is the closest place to san francisco where visitors can see coastal redwood trees, just a few miles north of the golden gate bridge. Ask yahooholidays about muir woods national monument. Taking up three square miles on the northern coast of san francisco, the presidio is an old army post that dates back to 1776.
The return of the jedi was filmed in muir woods san. Nov 07, 2012 jennifer joined save the redwoods league in 2007 as the director of outreach, charged with leading the organizations marketing communications and outreach efforts to connect people to the peace and beauty of the redwood forests. Top 10 mill valley hotels near muir woods national monument. It protects 559 acres 226 ha, of which 240 acres 97 ha are old growth coast redwood sequoia sempervirens forests, one of a few such. As youre wandering through the woods, you genuinely are waiting to get hit by an ewok spear or a speeder. These amazing trees are now rare, and can now be found in only three places on earth. They drive to the redwoods, a scene many think was filmed in muir woods, 16 miles north of san francisco. Mar 28, 2017 we walked to the visitor center to grab a map and figure out where to go. The return of the jedi was filmed in muir woods san francisco. Im not a huge star wars fan, but thats pretty cool. If you live in the area, i highly recommend a visit to the mount tam area the views are beautiful, the forest is lush, and if you are a star wars fan its basically a required visit as they filmed.
Its located roughly an hour outside the center of san francisco. I was born in 72 and in 77 when i was 5 my older brothers took me to see star wars at the local drive in. Contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in marin countys muir woods national monument 1 muir woods rd. For the ultimate star wars kick, stay at finse 1222, the hotel where the star wars crew stayed and where they filmed some scenes from the back door during a snow blizzard. Discover the magic of worldfamous muir woods and the exciting wines of sonoma county during this fullday combo tour from san francisco. Redwood forests are quiet and deeply shaded places in which wildlife may seem rare or absent entirely. Attention star wars nerds i have found the mother land, and it is in the presidio. William kent, who donated the land for the monument, requested that it be named for noted conservationist john muir. In all seriousness though, their san francisco wedding photography north bay engagement session in muir woods and muir beach was a total blast. On january 9, 1908, with just the stroke of a pen, president theodore roosevelt used the powers of the antiquities act to create muir woods national monument. Contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in muir woods but rather in a private redwood logging area near crescent city.
Naftah and its surrounding desert to see the lars homestead, daqas where the jawa and tusken raider scenes were filmed, matmata and ksar medenine pictured below where anakins home is located and skywalker alley. We focus on providing creative and exclusive tours, offering customers the most diverse and rich touring experiences possible. The muir woods tour element of the day included an hour in the national monument to take a small hike, grab souvenirs, and of course attempt to hug the trunks. Top places star wars fans should go in tunisia include. Here at save the redwoods league, we get a kick out of celebrating star wars day every may 4th as in, may the 4th be with you. We walked to the visitor center to grab a map and figure out where to go. It is located on mount tamalpais near the pacific coast, in southwestern marin county, california. You really, really love star wars but for some reason. Making star wars among the redwoods of northern california. George lucas also favored the redwood giants as the setting for scenes in star wars episode vi. This is a muststop for anybody thats a star wars fan. Muir woods is a redwood forest thats been protected as a national park. Get out and enjoy the fresh air before sipping on some of the best wines in the world as you sit back and let a knowledgeable guide show you around. A north bay engagement shoot in muir woods and muir beach.
Wander around hiking trails, visit two popular wineries and visit local shops on this. Anyone know of cool places to visit which influenced the band. In commentary producer george lucas said he wanted a primitive look. We are an innovative tour operator specializing in private and small group custom tours. Because of the giant trees and the alien flora, the endor scenes for the star wars movie return of the jedi were filmed in the tall trees redwood grove. Movies you never knew were filmed in marin marin arts and. Match the movie and scene with the redwoods park it was filmed in. Get straight to the heart of the san francisco bay with this allday, smallgroup tour of two main attractions. Redwoods in a starring role save the redwoods league. Just ask george lucas, who was moved the same way, then filmed star wars. I grew up camping in muir woods or at least adjacent.
Characters played by james stewart and kim novak visit the muir woods national monument in alfred hitchcocks 1958 film vertigo. I will be visiting sf with my three teenage children and what they are most excited about is the music history of the area that is relevant to them. You will enjoy it more if you go offseason or hike far enough into it to get away from the crowds. I even asked my nephew if he thought they filmed star wars there and he was unsure, i thought the trees were too small. But muir will instantly evoke feelings of the forest moon of endor and the home of the furry, if. Soak up the grand vistas of muir woods and then continue aboard your luxury coach to two of sonomas mostfamous wineries wine tasting fees included. And although this was one of my many someday i wills, it can now be checked off as one of your musts. Contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in muir woods, but rather in a private redwood logging area near crescent city. George lucas selected the site because the unusual features of the park area fit very nicely. Add this california wine country and muir woods tour to. Coast redwood, sequoia sempervirens, is the only living species of the genus sequoia. Actually, the forest shots in return of the jedi were filmed near crescent city, three hundred miles north of muir woods.
The photos dont really do it justice, but you may get a little idea of why i fell in love with the muir woods. In 1968, at the age of 16, he began his 4 year apprenticeship as a sculptormodeller at elstree film studios. Muir woods national monument is a unit of the national park service on mount tamalpais near the pacific coast, in southwestern marin county, california. Many of the forest locations filmed in return of the jedi no longer exist. While that may be just a little difficult, there are still the realworld locations that served as various worlds during filming, and they can be visited. Did you know that lucasfilm, the company that produced star wars. Top five local spots to get in that star wars mood without. Many of the forest locations filmed in return of the jedi. The hollywood mecca of northern africa, tunisia may be one of the only countries that appears in more than one even two star wars movies. Of the 460 planets that exist within the star wars films, where would you like to visit. We were living in fortuna ca at the time and we saw star wars a new hope at the state theater which had a huge drive in at the time.
Provided to youtube by tunecore muir woods dog music music for dogs. Lucasfilm shot scenes for moon of endor near smith river on millerrellim redwood company land april to may, 1982. Muir woods national monument, marin county contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in muir woods, but rather in a private redwood logging. Visit star wars lucasfilm in san francisco san francisco to do.
Vertigo communing with the redwoods may 24, 2011 citysleuth. Oct 24, 2018 adult bobcat soaking up the late afternoon sun. Ideal for spending an entire day, or just hiking for a morning. Your guide to all things star wars in san francisco. To most bay grown folks its normal to have never done or been to any of the infamous sf bay area tourist spots. To take down a technological superpower, rebels and ewoks used natural resources like stone and wood. Abrams filmed at least some of the movie using 70mm imax cameras, notes. Contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in muir woods, but rather in a private redwood.
The letterman digital and new media arts center is the headquarters of lucasfilm, creator. Brian ian muir, one of the most respected sculptors and artists in the film industry, has been working in film for over 46 years. Map showing star wars shooting locations and film studios scenery left over from the filming of tatooine scenes in onk jmel, tunisia multiple global locations were used for filming locations during the production of the star wars films to provide the setting for alien planets in the star wars universe. The series received its first home video release in 1990 when j2 communications released the star wars trilogy animated collection. Muir woods national monument, san francisco, ca cruisebe.
You have to pay an entrance fee to get into muir woods, with a few exceptions. Scottie and madeleine decide to go wandering together. Oct 02, 2015 contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in muir woods but rather in a private redwood logging area near crescent city. San francisco wedding photography thrilling muir woods. Jurassic park scene in which the tyrannosaurus rex pushes the motor home over the cliff. Top 10 mill valley hotels near muir woods national. The first stop will be muir woods national monument where you will marvel at giant coastal redwood. It is said that shots from the star wars franchise were filmed here as well as scenes with jimmy stewart and kim novac from the hitchcock whodunit vertigo. History of muir woods muir woods national monument u. While that may be just a little difficult, there are still the realw galactic backpacking, part 7. How dawn of the planet of the apes made overgrown future. There are several versions online about where star wars episode vi endor scene was filmed.
Ever since the original star wars was released in 1977, fans have always been dreaming about living in that galaxy far, far away. One of the big reasons they filmed on private land was so they could use all the pyro effects and basically trample the shit out of the forest bringing the crew and gear in and out. Muir woods national monument, also known as the redwood forest, is a united states national park on the pacific coast of southwestern marin county, california, 12 miles 19 km north of san francisco and part of the golden gate national recreation area. Admission is also free on selected other days that vary by. If you ever hang out with cheyenne and john, dont let them buy you tequila unless youre ready to party. The botanical or scientific name is sequoia sempervirens and it can be accurate to call them sequoia because giant sequoia is a common name reserved for sequoiadendron. Celebrate the eternal battle between the rebel alliance and galactic empire by exploring where the iconic star wars movies were filmed. Del norte county california provided the land of endor backdrop where rebels and ewoks fought the evil empire in star wars return of the jedi. Nov 30, 20 though the fire caves on some of the redwoods look fresh, the last forest fire that occurred in muir woods was about 160 years ago. May 03, 2016 contrary to popular belief, the speeder and ewok scenes in return of the jedi were not filmed in marin countys muir woods national monument 1 muir woods rd. Endor, designated ix3244a, also known as the forest moon of endor or the sanctuary moon, was a small forested moon that orbited the outer rim planet of the same name and was the homeworld of the sentient dulok, ewok, and yuzzum species, as well as the semisentient gorax and wistie races. In april of 1982, the star wars filming crew descended on the northwest corner of california to create a world in which the star wars fans had never experienced for return of the jedi.
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