Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
4.5
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Towering redwoods meet the sandy beach, offering something outdoorsy for everyone.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
683 reviews
Excellent
512
Very good
146
Average
19
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Tami S
Skagway, AK136 contributions
Jan 2020
We were driving up to San Francisco from the Monterey Bay area and wanted to stop and see the Redwoods. Muir Woods had some crazy reservation system where you had to schedule your time ahead. We wanted more flexibility and Big Basin was conveniently located and offered exactly what we wanted. We arrived just in time for a guided walk which was highly informative. Our guide taught us so much about the trees in general as well as some interesting facts about the park and specific trees in the park. I learned a lot! We only walked the one trail due to time, but there are a variety of trails as well as camping.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stellan D
Bromma, Sweden560 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Very interesting but ofcorse sad to see what happened to this grand wilderness during the fire which started by lightnings in 2020 and kept on for 2 years! All buildings at the park as well as 1000 homes in the area were destroyed. A very nice lady from Boulder Creek told us the story and explained the history of this very large forest and how is was effected by the fire and how it will slowly recover. She also told us she herself was evacuated from her home for 3 months. Some of the trails are still closed and you cannot reach any of the waterfalls at the moment.
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tattersall_12
Elk Grove, CA446 contributions
Dec 2019
We saw huge and stunning costal redwoods along with plenty of Douglas firs in the park. We took the guided 1/2 mile hiking tour which made the light hike interesting and educational. I believe our guide's name was Barry and he was a wealth of knowledge about the park and history of San Francisco. It a pleasant fun hike. There was plenty of parking too.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marletteboys
Richwood, OH31 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Wow, great park! Got to see “Mother” & “Father” of the Redwood family.
Signs everywhere to wear masks if going inside, gift shops, and to Keep 6ft distance...
My family and I were on a trail, park ranger passed and said nothing like “hi, hello,” but said this: “I would put your masks on while walking on the trail”.
Seriously!? We are outside around No one.
They had even made the trail “one way”, and he was the one going the wrong way. He left me speechless. What I said to myself after- Mind your own business!
Signs everywhere to wear masks if going inside, gift shops, and to Keep 6ft distance...
My family and I were on a trail, park ranger passed and said nothing like “hi, hello,” but said this: “I would put your masks on while walking on the trail”.
Seriously!? We are outside around No one.
They had even made the trail “one way”, and he was the one going the wrong way. He left me speechless. What I said to myself after- Mind your own business!
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyria
Staunton, VA91 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We were visiting from the East Coast and had never seen the redwoods before, so were really excited to come here. I loved the park. It was an easy walk through the woods and the trail was well marked with information. Definitely would come back.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
San Jose, CA1,139 contributions
Jul 2020
This is a very nice park for hiking among the redwoods. For an introduction to the redwoods, the accessible Redwood Loop Trail close to the Visitor Center is an interpretive trail where one can find the "Father of the Forest" tree and the "Mother of the Forest" tree. There are also other trails rated as easy, moderate, or strenuous to suit different tastes and time budgets. There are many creeks in the park, with the Opal Creek being the closest to the Visitor Center and next to the Skyline to the Sea Trail. As explained by the interpretive sign, due to minerals carried in the water, the creek looks polluted. In late July, the creek is not dried up, but is reduced to puddles in certain areas.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald C
Barstow, California, United States179 contributions
Jul 2020
This is a very good state park to visit. We could not use the Visitors Center due to COVID. But the rangers were quite helpful. The Redwoods Loop Trail is an excellent first hike for this park. It gives you a lot of information on the Redwoods environment.
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reslimpan
Rayong, Thailand3,743 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Very nice state park. Great drive to get there. The visitor center is a must do. The staff there is wealth of information. As we didn’t have too much time we we opted for the short trail, which is an easy walk among these giant trees. I would love to go back and try the longer trails.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathan U
San Jose, CA1,209 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Really nice, relaxing hikes available here. $10 to get in, parking can be a pain if you don't get in before 10am. Sequioa trail was a great, enjoyable walk that doesn't require a specific pace, 4 miles total. Amazingly tall and wide-girth Redwood trees, enough to leave you in awe. Lunch area at the main information booth if you need food or water.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA212,052 contributions
Mar 2020
We had a very nice time at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This time we walked the nature trail; its very scenic. We also went to the visitor center. The redwoods are amazing to see.
We have been to the park numerous times. Its always worth a repeat visit.
We have been to the park numerous times. Its always worth a repeat visit.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi my son is getting married and is looking for a location, can we hold a wedding there and is there a fee?
Written January 18, 2024
Hi,
When I was a kid, I remember buying small bags of food to feed the deer. It's been decades since I've visited the park but I wonder if/when it was discontinued? Thanks.
Written July 25, 2023
Can you see the redwoods while driving thru the park. Will be traveling with someone who will not be able to do more than a basic walk/small hike. They could not do anything long. We will be in the area and thought it might be a neat place to visit. Thanks!
Written March 19, 2019
Yes you can see some trees, and one of the walks is super short, flat and fast to do.
Written March 20, 2019
Tamar
Los Angeles, California
Hello there,
We are a couple with a baby girl. Planning an RV trip to the Redwood park at the beginning -midlle of March, depending on a good enough weather.
What will be open and is there neeHello there,
We are a couple with a baby girl. Planning an RV trip to the Yosemite park at the beginning -midlle of March, depending on a good enough weather.
What will be open and is there need to order place at the RV campings in advance?
Thank you!
Ofer and Tamar (Israel)
Written February 11, 2019
I plan to take Uber to the park and hike alone for 3 hours and then call Uber to take me back to San Jose. Is this fraught with disaster? Thanks for your time.
Written October 16, 2018
The 17 bus goes from downtown San Jose to Santa Cruz. It does not go to Big Basis, but can take you to some other great places in the area safely and inexpensively. The drive to Big Basin is not quick or easy for just a quick trip.
Written October 16, 2018
Located in the Santa Cruz mountains, can access it from Hwy 1, to 9 straight up 9. Or access hwy 9 just off hwy 17, take the Mt. Herman exit in Scotts Valley, follow Mt. Herman all the way down hwy 9 and take a right on hwy 9 and follow it up.
Written July 30, 2019
Hi
I have multiple sclerosis and it has left me unable to walk distances. I compensate for my limitations using an electric scooter. I've been trying to find out if the park would be accessible and have not had any luck..we are hoping to do this next Friday 8/3/18. We are hoping to see some large Redwoods ... I also have heat intolerance due to MS...While I see the temperatures are fairly high ..the humidity seems to be rather low.... does it feel like 100?
Any hints or suggestions from recent visitors would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks Chris Cunningham
Written July 29, 2018
I don’t think any of the trails are handicap accessible, but the area around the visitor’s center is and many trails run along the road, you might be able to go along them if you’re in a group. It’s very shady and the heat was not too bad early in the morning.
We went to Muir Woods last year, and while it is not terribly near by, if you’re staying in the Bay Area in general, I would recommend it. There is more that is handicap accessible. My sister is in a wheel chair and I remember thinking she would be able to visit a decent amount of that park, albeit it is smaller than Big Basin.
Written July 30, 2018
Do you know of any boutique hotels in proximity to the park? We're not campers and would like to find a nice place to stay before a day of exploring the park. Many thanks for any suggestions!
Written April 13, 2018
The famous haunted Brookdale Lodge is just down the road on hwy 9. There are more hotels in Scotts Valley, another 15 minutes, or you could go into Santa Cruz closer to the beach, and there are tons of motel/hotels there too.
Written July 30, 2019
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