"First and Best of California's State Parks" Big Basin Redwoods State Park by atufft

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 39 photos

Big Basin State Park - Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Underappreciated by Tourists

Big Basin is the oldest of California State Parks, nearly 4,000 acres of which were set aside in 1902. Today, the park is some 18,000 acres in size and includes the largest contiguous stand of Coastal Redwoods south of San Francisco. The park contains some of the few old growth coastal redwoods left in the state. The location of these massive and beautiful trees is within a watershed of the Waddell Creek, which is contained within a seismic depression or bowl like valley--thus the name Big Basin. The park is a popular among Silicon Valley and San Francisco residents, because it has a wide range of services and camping opportunities, yet despite it's close location to the Bay Area, seems off-the-beaten-path for international tourists who tend to flock to the lesser stands of coastal redwoods at Muir Woods and Big Sur.

Big Basin State Park

Big Basin has a diverse habitat because it spans the ridgeline in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The basin and Pacific ocean side have damp and foggy climate appropriate for the coast redwoods, while on the inland rain shadow mixed chaparral and scrub oak forest are more common.

Intro Written May 26, 2008
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Reviews (5)

Poison Oak - Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Avoid Poison Oak Warnings and Dangers (1)

Poison Oak is endemic throughout the Santa Cruz mountains, so avoid it or expect an uncomfortable rash. Sensitivity... more travel advice

Bay Tree and Oak Chaparral Forest Things to Do (3)

On the east side of Big Basin are forests of oak, bay leaf, madrone, and other trees that can tolerate the drier... more travel advice

Big Basin Redwood Forest Road - Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Stop And Appreciate the Redwoods Things to Do (3)

It's a great idea to simply find a turn out in Big Basin and walk into the forest. Mature redwood forests have very... more travel advice

Summit Trail Near Big Basin - Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Hiking Along the Summit Ridge Trail Things to Do (3)

The San Francisco Bay has a Summit Ridge Trail, the best part of which runs through the edge of Big Basin State Park.... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Old Fashion Tent Cabins and Much More

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Comments (3)

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Yaqui May 13, 2009 at 6:50 PM

Oh those big beautiful trees look wonderful. Some great tips too. Some day the family will travel this way. Nice page!
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SteveOSF May 30, 2008 at 11:23 AM

Alan, Nice little Big Basin page. Nothing quite like a redwood forest! - Steve
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Ewingjr98 May 29, 2008 at 12:30 PM

Alan, great little page. Looks like a nice spot for a hike in the big trees!