John Muir National Historic Site Visitor Center
Address: 4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, CA 94553
This Martinez estate preserves the Victorian home where John Muir spent his last 24 years writing the books and articles that saved Yosemite, founded the Sierra Club in 1892, and created the national park idea itself. The site includes Mount Wanda's oak hills where Muir walked with his daughters.
Tour the 14-room mansion, see Muir's 'scribble den,' and walk the orchards; young kids love the hilltop views from Mount Wanda. For a challenge, take the full house tour and hike the Mount Wanda trails through the grasslands Muir knew.
Coordinates: 37.99217, -122.13101