I love this park. Especially in the spring time, when things are green and the wildlife is out and…read moreabout feasting on new growth. It is peaceful here and not a far drive from residential areas. A nice escape for a day or even an hour.

This is a great 2 mile loop walk. There is plenty of FREE parking…read more The trail has a tiny bit of incline for those walking with strollers or wheelchairs. The trail has minimal shade so make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. There are portable toilets. If you are a hiker, there are different trails to choose from. The popular one is the steep one that leads you to the top and has a beautiful view. The hike has no shade so definitely wear sunscreen and a hat. Dogs, horses, carriers, strollers, wheelchairs, bikes are all welcome. There's a sign at the entrance that lets you know what time they are closing.

Berry Creek Falls is absolutely stunning! If you're coming to Big Basin Redwoods State Park and…read moreyou've never hiked to the falls, you MUST do it. Don't come all the way out here and miss out on this gorgeous waterfall. We did an 8 mile out and back hike to the falls via the Skyline to Sea Trail. The hike is moderate and begins on a downhill slope into the forest. Going down is always the easiest part for me, especially when a trail starts off descending. The real challenge is going back up once you reach the falls. It's nothing too strenuous but I'd definitely bring plenty of water and bug spray because there are lots of bugs on the trail. The trail itself is mostly shaded and features an abundance of beautiful redwoods, vibrantly green foliage, and scenic viewpoints. The waterfall is definitely the highlight of the hike! The falls were still flourishing in mid-July which worked out for us because we were able to take full advantage of the scene. When you make it up to the falls, there's a small deck area with two benches where you can sit and enjoy the picturesque views of the falls. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded on a Saturday afternoon in mid July. You may have to wait your turn to take a picture next to the falls. People were really courteous and didn't spend too much time which allowed for others to capture the moment. Bring your lunch and take a break here before continuing on your hike back. The scenery is so amazing here. Definitely recommend a hike to Berry Creek Falls is you're visiting Big Basin Redwood State Park.

AMAZING PLACE…read more Beautiful views and scenery. We did the Redwood Trail to the Skyline to the Sea to the Berry Creek Falls to the Sunset back to the parking lot. There are so many beautiful waterfalls along the trail. Some parts of the trail near the falls are muddy so wear good hiking shoes Note: This is a long trail (11 miles). Pack water and lunch and stay on the trail. You pay for parking with the rangers (10$ cash or card). Bathrooms at the park entrance are nice!

Long overdue review, but this is from 2019 trip, loved hiking there, checked out a few waterfalls,…read moreand the area is absolutely gorgeous. You do lose signals so it was hard to tell which trail you are on and can easily get lost, so plan ahead. Overall a gorgeous spot

I had been wanting to go to Uvas Canyon for over a year now and I finally made it on a Sunday in…read moreMarch! I recommend going after heavy rain so that the waterfalls are stronger. You have to buy a parking permit for $6 at least 24 hours in advance and bring a printed copy with you. We arrived around 10:30am and thanks to the timed entry system, it was not too crowded. We did the Upper, Basin, and Black Rock Falls via Contour and Waterfall Loop and used All Trails for directions. Hiking shoes not required but there were a few points where we had to cross a stream so could be useful for those portions. Took about 90 minutes for us to complete, so would say the trail is easy-moderate. Overall, the views were simple but the mossy forest and the waterfalls were very pretty. Trail was well maintained and the bathrooms at the trailhead were clean. Nice, calming hiking spot - I would come back next year after the rain!

Back in the mid-80's, my younger brother and I had a bit of cabin fever, and decided to walk from…read moreour grandparents' central Watsonville home, up to Mount Madonna park. We made it about 2/3rds of the way up the winding, two lane road before a passing motorist stopped for us. The driver told us to pile into the bed of his pickup truck, then shortly after dropped us off at the park. My brother and I briefly explored the park, but dusk was approaching. Back in the days when there were public pay phones aplenty, we used a dime (or perhaps a quarter) to telephone our grandparents to ask for a car ride back down the mountain. In our youthful minds, it was just a little adventure, but our grandparents spoke of it for years afterwards.

On a warm Sat at the end of Feb, I hiked with 2 friends on an 8 miles, 700 ft elevation gain,…read moreSprig, Merry-Go-Round, and Tan Oak Loop. Paid $6, parked at the Amphitheater at 9am. Headed over to the ruins of Miller's Mansion. The forest grove sure was pretty and tranquil. The lake was nice but far away. Saw some benches carved out of huge logs, very cute. Too bad we missed the white deer pen. We completed the hike exactly at noon, 3 hours hike.

A beautiful CA national park. We did 2 short hikes in one day…read more The pinnacle rocks and the caves are SO cool! Parking was really easy for the trails we wanted to access. National Park pass is required.

Pinnacles National Park has some really unique scenery and impressive rock formations. We did the…read moreBear Gulch area, which was definitely the highlight of our visit. The Bear Gulch/Moses Spring-Rim Trail is about 2.2 miles with around 500 ft of elevation gain, taking you through beautiful rock formations and the scenic Bear Gulch area. The biggest challenge for us was parking. The Bear Gulch parking lot was full when we arrived, and there was no shuttle available, so we had to walk from the Visitor Center to the Bear Gulch trailhead. The walk is about 2.3 miles each way, adding roughly 4.6 miles to the hike. With the hot weather, that made the overall hike quite tiring. On the way back, one of us got a lift to the Visitor Center to pick up the car and then drove back to the hike's starting point for pick up. I'd recommend arriving early, especially on warmer days, to get parking closer to the trailhead.

Gorgeous trails, ample parking, a gift shop, clean restrooms, and some trails are even dog…read morefriendly! Henry Cowell State Park boasts some of the most spectacular Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One can opt for a trail hike, or make a campground reservation to spend more time in nature! Take in some fresh forest air, get your steps in, and take in the natural beauty around you. You surely will not be disappointed. $10 entry fee for the entire day. Such a deal!

This is a beautiful scenic hike surrounded by nature. The river runs alongside the trail for most…read moreof the way, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere as you make your way toward the overlook deck. The views are breathtaking and the sound of the flowing water makes the experience even more enjoyable. If you're planning a picnic, head down to the river area -- the water is not very deep, making it a great spot for families and kids to enjoy. The steam engine train ride adds a special charm to the visit, offering a beautiful way to take in the scenery. There are also BBQ options available where you can purchase food, along with items from the general store. You can also bring your own food and spend the day soaking in the peaceful surroundings. A wonderful place to hike, relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Well first of all it's not open for the public . When it was I went and saw the old ruins . If you…read moreever get the opportunity to take a tour if it should open , you'd love it there is a lot of History there.

Gilroy hot springs will plan to open summer 2021, they are still looking for volunteers and…read moredonations. You can donate at: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/reopen-gilroy-hot-springs-in-2021 They are currently closed to the public. Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs has a tea house and cabins. This is the only hot spring/ onsen in the Bay Area! Excited for the restoration and reopening of this mineral rich, history rich state treasure!

So beautiful, an amazing area to fish in. I recommend the coves to fish in as they tend to bring in…read moremore fish. Definitely renting a boat next time we go! Parking was easy to find, kind of shocking for a Saturday! Recommend visiting!

Getting there and having to pay for limited parking is the worst, but if you can stomach that,…read moreyou'll be rewarded with a nice serene lake! It's still pretty much a secret and for pretty good reason.. The road to there is rough and windy. There's also not much at the park. The prices for boat and water stuff rental is pretty reasonable.

Fantastic views and breathtaking overlooking bay almost over the clouds from peak. Good parking and…read morecamping options.

Smelled like shit from the campsite bathroom could smell 50 feet away, so many bugs, DO NOT GOread more