Big Basin State Park
For many hikers, Big Basin State Park is one of the top destinations in the Bay Area, and locals regularly take pilgrimages to the cathedral-like redwood groves and lush waterfalls in the sprawling Santa Cruz County park. Big Basin headquarters on Highway 236 is rarely quiet and peaceful, for tourists, out for a short jaunt through each item on a bay area "must see" list, crowd the trails, and this part of the park can often feel like a tour through Ikea. Hikers wanting some solitude can find it (redwoods and waterfalls too) by starting a dayhike at the Rancho Del Oso Trailhead, on Highway 1 north of Davenport. Although Big Basin is a popular destination 365 days a year, Rancho Del Oso (Ranch of the Bear) is much less busy than park headquarters, and used mostly by locals.
