See redwoods Muir vs Big Basin No car?
Aug 12th, 2003, 06:38 PM
#1
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See redwoods Muir vs Big Basin No car?
Any way to take my wife and three kids to SF to see redwoods w/o a car? If so, what is most easy from downtown SF, most economical, and most interesting?
thanks
ken
thanks
ken
Aug 12th, 2003, 07:33 PM
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kendu
Not sure about Big Basin, but when we were in SF I remember seeing tour advertisements by bus for Muir Woods. Sorry I can't be of more help as we had a car and I did not pay close attention. I'm sure someone else will have the name that you need.
Not sure about Big Basin, but when we were in SF I remember seeing tour advertisements by bus for Muir Woods. Sorry I can't be of more help as we had a car and I did not pay close attention. I'm sure someone else will have the name that you need.
Aug 12th, 2003, 10:59 PM
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You'll have to rely on a Grayline or similar tour from SF to Marin/Muir Woods. There really is no practical way to get to Big Basin w/o a car.
You are driving during the LA portion of your trip - why not do the same up north. You don't need a car in SF, but you could rent one for a day trip to Big Basin (larger redwood groves) or Muir Woods.
A one day rental would be cheaper than paying for 2 adults and 3 children on a group tour. And you would have flexibility to see a lot on the way to either park.
You are driving during the LA portion of your trip - why not do the same up north. You don't need a car in SF, but you could rent one for a day trip to Big Basin (larger redwood groves) or Muir Woods.
A one day rental would be cheaper than paying for 2 adults and 3 children on a group tour. And you would have flexibility to see a lot on the way to either park.
Aug 13th, 2003, 07:15 AM
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I'd rent a car for 1 day and head down to Big Basin. Since you've got kids, you might want to check out Roaring Camp in Felton - there is a steam train that takes you on a tour through the forest. In Santa Cruz is the Boardwalk, which is always a hit with kids. If your kids are younger (10 and under) I'd opt for Roaring Camp. If your kids are older, then definitely the Boardwalk if you are looking to combine 2 activities for that day.
Aug 13th, 2003, 01:49 PM
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Well, with all these consistencies, I would have to say Big Basin it is. Santa Cruz and boardwalk also sounds nice. I am going to look into tours that go there to avoid renting a car if not, I will just have to.
Thanks
Ken
Thanks
Ken
Aug 13th, 2003, 02:21 PM
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No, there is no practical way of getting there, just as a previous Fodorite suggested. However, is Muir woods really that much worse? Please share experiences. Also, anyone have any opinion on whether or not kids 10-13 would like Alcatraz
Thanks
Ken
Thanks
Ken
Aug 13th, 2003, 03:06 PM
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There is nothing wrong with Muir Woods. It is a lovely park. It is much smaller than Big Basin.
Anyhow, your problem is basically the same. There is no good way to get to either park. In theory you could could take the bus to Marin City and then connect to a bus that will take you NEAR Muir Woods (approx 2 miles) but I don't think that sounds like a happy trip.
You have only one public transit option that I can think of. There are regional parks in Oakland and Berkeley that have a number of redwoods. You could take BART to the Coliseum Station in Oakland and then take AC Transit bus #46A from to 11500 Skyline Boulevard (the former administrative headquarters) just before intersection of Joaquin Miller Road. It's free to enter, and they have nice hiking trails. And you don't have to drive.
Anyhow, your problem is basically the same. There is no good way to get to either park. In theory you could could take the bus to Marin City and then connect to a bus that will take you NEAR Muir Woods (approx 2 miles) but I don't think that sounds like a happy trip.
You have only one public transit option that I can think of. There are regional parks in Oakland and Berkeley that have a number of redwoods. You could take BART to the Coliseum Station in Oakland and then take AC Transit bus #46A from to 11500 Skyline Boulevard (the former administrative headquarters) just before intersection of Joaquin Miller Road. It's free to enter, and they have nice hiking trails. And you don't have to drive.
Aug 13th, 2003, 03:09 PM
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Muir Woods is very nice, it just isn't as nice as Big Basin; also because there are tours to Muir Woods and it is smaller it can get very crowded and that severely detracts from the experience IMO. As janis suggested it will probably cost less to rent a car for one day and drive to Big Basin than to pay for a family tour to Muir Woods.
Aug 13th, 2003, 05:44 PM
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At the ages your kids are, I would think they would like Alcatraz. We used to go at that age (usually on a field trip) and it was neat. Obviously some of the history will be lost on them but the boat is fun and being inside a jail is kinda spooky and cool at the same time.
Aug 14th, 2003, 07:29 AM
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Muir Woods is nice, but as other posters have mentioned, it is smaller and more crowded than Big Basin. I guess it's a question of what you are looking for though. Personally, I really like the outdoors and enjoy the forest, but don't care for crowds while I am in the woods. Other people just want to see some big trees and don't mind the crowds.
Which ever you decide, I think renting a car would be cheaper than buying 5 tickets for a tour.
As for Alcatraz - your kids would probably really enjoy it. The ride across the bay, seeing a prison where real live gangsters were held. I went there for the 1st time when I was 11 and what really caught my interest was the escape attempt and take over of the island by the native americans in the early 70s.
Which ever you decide, I think renting a car would be cheaper than buying 5 tickets for a tour.
As for Alcatraz - your kids would probably really enjoy it. The ride across the bay, seeing a prison where real live gangsters were held. I went there for the 1st time when I was 11 and what really caught my interest was the escape attempt and take over of the island by the native americans in the early 70s.
