If you're a Star Wars fan visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) offers more than just breathtaking views — it’s a destination where nature and the galaxy far, far away meet.
Yoda Statue
An essential stop for fans is the Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic campus in the Presidio of San Francisco—part of the GGNRA. While the campus itself isn’t open for public tours, visitors are welcome to explore the outdoor grounds, where a serene Jedi Master Yoda Fountain stands as a beloved photo spot.
Unveiled in 2005, the statue—created by renowned sculptor Lawrence Noble—depicts Yoda in a classic, contemplative pose atop a fountain. Cast in bronze, the statue feels almost like the Jedi Master himself has been frozen in carbonite—forever watching over visitors.
Just steps away, you can also peek through the lobby windows, where iconic props like Stormtrooper helmets, lightsabers, and more are displayed.
Muir Woods National Monument
One of the most iconic spots is Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County. While its towering redwoods feel like a perfect match for the forest moon of Endor, home of the lovable and adorable Ewoks, don’t let the scenery fool you—"Return of the Jedi" wasn’t filmed here. According to SFGATE, those scenes were actually shot farther north, in the now-lost old-growth forests owned by the Miller-Rellim Redwood Company in Del Norte and Humboldt counties. Sadly, those filming locations are gone—lost to time (and logging), much like the doomed planet of Alderaan.
Still, that doesn’t stop Star Wars enthusiasts from making the pilgrimage to Muir Woods, soaking in the Endor sights and scenery, and imagining speeder bikes zipping between the trees. It’s a peaceful place to channel your inner Jedi—or Sith.
And Muir Woods isn’t the only place with redwoods in the GGNRA. Other nearby areas, like Phleger Estate in San Mateo County, offer second-growth coastal redwood groves and forested trails that feel just as immersive. See our recommendations for redwood forest trails below—perfect for a quiet walk with the Force as your guide.
