We stopped by here for a Spartan picnic on the way to Santa Cruz for skating. Costco is great for…read morethis. A roast chicken ($5.00) , bag of Mediterranean Salad $4.50) Farmer bread or rolls for starch ($5-$6). And a nice Beaujolais for the adults. The park was clean and deserted. It was a bit late and cold for us to swim. The swimming hole looks quite low. We could not find the rope to swing off of, however we did find a tire swing. We definitely want to return mid week when it's earlier and spend a few hours here. The drive is really winding and narrow. There were three spots where we had to stop, let traffic come from the other side, then take our turn. One 3 milestretch was really slow as the road was not wide enough for 2-way traffic. A little fear/excitement for kids not knowing if an oncoming car was heading toward us. I admit I did a bit 'speed-racer' to heighten the rush.

Best little swimming hole for families with young children! Clean and always some "new" little…read morefriend to play with. Has a sandy beach and a few picnic tables for lunch. Is dog friendly just as long as they aren't left to roam and take a dump while you aren't there to take care of that to throw away like responsible pet caregivers do so nobody will step in the hot steamy load while barefooted cause ya'know... beach/water/park bbq's umm yeah Oh there's typically some beautiful ducks taking a swim in the afternoon.

Wow! What a beautiful trail…read more My boyfriend and I did this trail as well as part of the skyline to the sea trail. There were a few detours that allowed us to complete a nice, lengthy 3.4 mile round trip to relax in the afternoon. The Redwood Loop Nature Trail is an easy and very short trail featuring the father of the forest and the mother of the forest. There are railings protecting the large redwoods, but even so, it's a very beautiful site. There isn't a lot of difficulty on this loop, as it's very flat and there isn't much incline. It's also the first trail you can do upon entering the park, as well as having the option to do much more difficult neighboring trails! This one in particular is great for kids. It can get muddy and there are a lot of mosquitoes! Definitely bring bug spray.

We went to Big Basin Redwood State Park and walked the nature trail. It is called the Redwood Loop…read moreNature Trail. There is a brochure one can pick up to read about the trail. There are interesting photos one can take with the redwood trees. There is on the route the Mother Tree of the Forest and also the Father Tree of the Forest to see.

The Buzzard's Roost offers one of the best payoffs in terms of hiking the trails at Big Basin…read moreRedwoods State Park. It is classified as "strenuous" by the park; however, it offers some of the best views to those who brave the trails. In terms of time, the hike is relatively short. If you're in shape, you can easily reach the top in less than two hours. You'll probably want to enjoy the stunning views for a half-hour and then make your way back on the same trail you came on. The hike isn't particularly difficult. The incline can be a bit steep at times. There are a few areas where you have to climb on rocky terrain. This can be slick on wet mornings or following rainfall. The trail itself is also a bit confusing. There are places in which one trail crosses, merges and/or diverges with another. There were a few places which weren't very clear in terms of direction. I recommend downloading an app for trails (before you arrive to Big Basin since you probably won't find cellular service at the park). If you don't have access to the app, you should pick up the free paper map at the park headquarters. Make a mental note of which trails you took in order to come back by the way that you came. The views on the hike are lovely. During much of the hike, you'll pass through old-growth redwoods. The most impressive redwoods are at lower elevation. They general become shorter as you go until you find yourself in dense pine forest. Much of the hike is spent "cliff-side." You'll definitely want to watch any younger children and make sure that they aren't meandering too close to the outer edges of the trail. Interestingly, this trail is generally less popular than other trails in Big Basin -- including the longer hike to Berry Creek Falls. During our recent hike to Buzzard's Roost, we never encountered another hiker even once. This was great to enjoy the Buzzard's Roost all for ourselves -- but it also made our uncertainty in terms of which trails to take a bit more perplexing. I recommend bringing the following with you: 1.) Water (and/or Gatorade) - It is a long uphill hike. You'll need to prepare to take one more bottle than you think that you might need. It is always "better to be safe than sorry." 2.) Food - Depending upon your trailblazing speed, you might want to consider bringing something to snack on. The Buzzard's Roost is a great place to have a nice picnic -- as long as you remember to keep it clean and "crumb free." 3.) Camera - The views are fantastic! It is located at a great elevation that allows you to take in much of Big Basin. PARKING: There are some lots near the park headquarters. Park entrance is $10 per vehicle (allowing you to park) unless you're camping at Big Basin Redwoods State Park or any of the adjacent state parks. In other words, you can camp at nearby Portola Redwoods State Park (or some of the other parks) which allows you to enter and park at Big Basin.

Such a beautiful hike. It's a little bit of a steep incline to get to the top if you're not in…read moreshape but it's totally worth it. The trail is shaded most of the way and is surrounded by redwood trees.

Great find! Was looking for a nice strenuous hike with beauty and comfort. Scored on all accounts…read more Wonderful docent provided advice and cautions (and a clean bathroom inside). Did a loop that was about 2 1/4 miles up, across the summit and back down - Woodrat Trail - Sunset Trail - Lower Chapparal Trail. Hint - Take a picture of the map at the sign. Caution - not all intersections are marked with signs. To get to the start of the Woodrat trail, you need to walk the Discovery Trail a bit (even through the sign "all other trails" seems to indicate otherwise). Lots of flora.....on June 1, lots in bloom. Bring bug spray (didn't see bugs, but be ready). Lots of wood shade which is a welcome break from the sun. Saw plenty of other hikers of all ages, so difficulty was only my being out of shape. Go check it out!

All I need to say is that this is the birth place of Sunset Magazine. I cannot believe this place…read moreis 2 miles from my house. Gorgeous for day hikes and watching wildlife. I've seen so many different bird species here it's unbelievable. Oh, and plenty of foxes, deer, and of course pumas.

stopped here because highway 9 closed. 5 year old and 3 year old had fun. Little mushy from the…read morerain. Near where we're staying so super convenient.

I'm glad this park is here and I'm glad that it's being looked after…read more I was wrong to make my previous review.

Great option for mountain biking, walking, or hiking. The trail starts off easy, but gets steeper…read moreas you make your way up. I completed the trail on a mountain bike with minimal stops, and the entire round trip took about three hours. The trail is well maintained, and I did not notice any trash or debris along the way. Hydration is important for this trail, so make sure to hydrate the day before, during, and after your adventure. I brought about 3 liters of water in a camel-bak and was completely out by the time I made it back down. It is also important to be mindful of mountain bikers descending the trail, as some ride fast and may be wearing headphones, making them less aware of those who are ascending. There is no designated parking lot at the main entrance, but there are a few parking spots located along the side of the road.

One of my favorite hiking trails in the area! I love that it is very wooded and has a lot of shade…read moreand away from the madding crowds. The trail itself is pretty easy and flat. Great walk to take in the nature sights and get amazing views of the mountains. Watch out for the speeding bikers. Parking is very limited along the windy street, so be prepared for that.

I needed a quiet place to continue the healing processes I need in my work as an immigration…read morelawyer. The Quaker Center was exactly what I was hoping to find...a place that feels totally removed from the rest of the world, but only a mile from Hwy 9 with stores and restaurants...the coziness and intimacy of Sojourners Cottage... the beauty of the forest and the huge redwoods...quietly hiking the trails with my husband...and a prayerful, restorative Labyrinth walk. I left feeling refreshed, renewed, and well rested.

Places like these remind me why it's so incredible to be living in the Bay Area. Just 50 miles…read moresouth of San Francisco, and you feel an entirely different world away. The redwood groves are absolutely stunning, and the forests are incredibly lush. Absolutely worth a trip out.

This is such a cool way to meet like minded people and get your steps in. I've been on a few of…read morethese hikes now. We meet up, hike, then grab a beer after. It's great! I've met so many people, discovered new trails to hike, and tasted lots of yummy beers over the years. Highly recommend checking out one of their hikes. They usually plan 1 or 2 a month at parks all over the bay area, santa cruz mountains, and beyond!

I have made amazing connections and lifelong friends through this group. There are so many great…read morehikes in the bay, and I've discovered so many through this group! So many awesome adventures, and of course all the great beer. I highly recommend going on at least one Brewtrails hike!