backpacking

Big Basin State Park

Cali's first state park is still one of the best.

Loch Lomond Gets A Makeover

Your rental kayak here. Photo by Hilltromper.

Imagine a redwood-ringed lake in Santa Cruz County with a zipline, kayaks and canoes for rent, yurts for camping, backpacking sites, an amphitheater and a wedding facility. It could happen.

Ridge-Saratoga Gap Trail Loop

The view from the top of Castle Rock Falls, on Saratoga Gap Trail. Photo by Paul Hagey.

5 miles; 1.5 - 2 hours; moderate
Castle Rock State Park

Castle Rock SP

Castle Rock State Park, one of the Bay Area's favorite places to climb and boulder. Photo credit: Blase Iuliano.

A rock climbing playground near the summit.

Big Loop to West Ridge Trail Camp and Five Finger Falls, Part 2

Footbridge near West Ridge Camp. Photo by Garrett McAuliffe.

West Ridge Trail Camp to park HQ (approx. 7 miles)
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Big Loop to West Ridge Trail Camp and Five Finger Falls

If banana slugs like it, you probably will too... right? Photo by Garrett McAuliffe.

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Park HQ to West Ridge Trail Camp (approx. 7 miles)

Forest of Nisene Marks

Easy trails in Nisene Marks wend among some old-growth redwoods. Photo credit: Leor Pantilat.

Thirty miles of redwood-shaded trails.

Portola Redwoods SP

Pescadero Creek runs through the middle of Portola Redwoods. Photo credit: Damien Jay.

Uncrowded home of old-growth redwoods

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