Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
4.5
State Parks
Read more
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Towering redwoods meet the sandy beach, offering something outdoorsy for everyone.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Big Basin Redwoods State Park and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
12 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
680 reviews
Excellent
509
Very good
146
Average
19
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Tami S
Skagway, AK139 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.
tattersall_12
Arvada, CO488 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
Marysville, OH25 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, VA99 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
809 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 States194 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, Thailand2,999 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, CA959 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, CA175,453 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.
erikkieser
Los Angeles, CA201 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
If you're in the area for more than a couple of days, and/or you're an avid hiker, this is a must-see in San Jose/Santa Cruz. Incredible forest, and amazingly most visitors only get maybe a mile up any given trail. Big park, huge, and you can if you want hike all the way to the ocean from the park entrance (or enter from the ocean side and hike all the way to the other side.) Spring and summer most years there is a beautiful waterfall about halfway between the park entrance and the ocean side. Has a general store where you can get stuff to eat/water/guidebooks/etc. Park Rangers are great. Even if you're NOT a big hiker it is something you need to see if you've never seen a redwood forest - the trees will blow you away.
Written February 19, 2012
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.
Julie S
Harrisburg, PA65 contributions
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!
EDUARDO N
Fountain Inn, SC283 contributions
Yes you can see some trees, and one of the walks is super short, flat and fast to do.
Greg B
San Jose, CA12 contributions
can I build a fire to cook on?
Annabell O
California392 contributions
We had campfires every night and cooked on them - there were no restrictions (we visited in November 2018).
Can we stay for 3 night with à fiftwheel
Jim H
Sparks, NV693 contributions
No overnight camping.
Tamar
Los Angeles, CA
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)
mary d
9 contributions
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.
Jim H
Sparks, NV693 contributions
If you stay in the park and follow the trail, that is more than enough time. I was by my self and I had a great time!
johnpmudri
Dunedin, FL
Where is it located?
Kimmy500
Oakdale, CA18 contributions
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.
Christine C
Yardley, Pennsylvania
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
Lindsay Z
Washington DC, DC34 contributions
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.
IHartTravel
San Francisco, CA46 contributions
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!
Kimmy500
Oakdale, CA18 contributions
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.
peterthewanderer
9 contributions
I'm about to set off on my first trip to California with the family - very excited!. On the Friday before Easter we're picking up a car in San Fran and heading to Monterey. I want to stop in at Salinas on the way down to see the Steinbeck museum, and am thinking about whether to try and fit in a short stop in Santa Cruz and/ or Big Basin Redwoods State Park beforehand. Is it too much to do all 3 of these stops justice in 1 day since we won't be leaving SF until about 11am? Also, we'll be driving on the "wrong side of the road" for us - is the drive in to Big Basin easy enough? Any advice and ideas appreciated.
Rick H
Duluth, MN104 contributions
The drive on “ Big Basin Way” which is a 20 mile stretch depending on your route, might be challenging for you! Checkout google maps you can see how curvy it is! There are no road shoulders either, which means you can’t pull off the road either to let cars pass. Not sure how the traffic is on Friday, but would imagine busy! Once you get to Big Basin Park there is a short trail that takes maybe an 1 1/2 hours depending on how many pictures! But there are some 250’ Redwoods.
pattimedwrite
Morristown, NJ
hello i will be arriving late to the park on a tuesday and I see the hours are 6pm closure. we are hoping to spend 1 hour to see redwoods. if the park is closed when we arrive we will be able to see redwoods? thank you
NewfiePupLover
Des Moines, IA308 contributions
yes. the park operations close, but the road through the park is still open. you can see the trees any time, but if you need to check in to camping, want to buy souvenirs at the store, ask a ranger questions, etc. you'll need to arrive before the closing time.
