Will be in San Francisco bay area with planned side trips to both Sonoma and also Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur. One of things we really want to see while there are the beautiful Redwoods. Have time to choose one location between either Muir Woods on the way north of the city to Sonoma or Big Basin on the way south to Santa Cruz to start our drive south along HWY 1. Which one do you recommend - Muir Woods or Big Basin? Many thanks!

It's been a while since I've been to Muir Woods, but I was in the Big Basin area just last week.
Both are nice, but I'd opt for Big Basin. There's a more primitive feel to it, and the drive through the surrounding area is prettier.

I can tell you that Muir woods is close to SF and is set up to handle large busloads of tourists (and it's scary to see those buses driving down that narrow, twisty road that leads to Muir, I'll tell you, lol). If you go later in the day, it can get packed. People even drive there just to jog the paths.

They don't want people picnicking in the grounds proper.

There are lots of hiking paths you can take from the area, and there's an easy access path leading around a grove.

The Basin has a small tram with a ranger giving a guided tour. It wasn't nearly as crowded when I went last, which was actually quite a while ago. The drive through the area is very beautiful.

So I'd say it depends on what you like and how much time you have.

Been to both many times. Muir Woods is quicker to access, attracts the tour buses, smaller, flat trail--a fine, but small and well used federal site. Big Basin is more your typical state park--a little harder to get to (but lovely drive), larger, more families in cars with coolers, other park areas besides the redwoods, more trails. Given a choice--Big Basin every time.

John,
Here's another choice in the Santa Cruz Mountains area: Henry Cowell Redwoods. It's a state park off Highway 9, which connects to Santa Cruz and Highway 1. It's a bit easier to get to than Big Basin. Good, acessible trails and it's also the terminal for the little steam train that does a run over the ridgetops, into Santa Cruz and back. Can't say if the trees are bigger than Big Basin.
Muir Woods has a very special quality to it, more "sacred" I guess. But it's hard to pick up on that unless you are there at an uncrowded time. The most crowded area is from the main parking lot to about a mile into the grove. Don't know how much of a hiker you are, but there are trails leading down from Mount Tamalpais (like Bootjack Trail) into the back end of Muir Woods. You'd definitely have a quieter experience that way.
But don't worry about whatever choice you make - being in the redwoods is a wonderful experience no matter which ones they are.

John,

I would recommend Big Basin(www.bigbasin.org) in the Santa Cruz Mountain above San Jose. The scenery is great. You also should look into the Roaring Camp Railroad(www.roaringcamp.com) which has a steam train tour through the redwoods. For those of us who live in San Jose or its surrounding suburbs, Big Basin is a perfect way to spend the day outside of the city.

One more little thing, not many people know that there's a small redwood grove across the road from the Berkeley Botanic Garden, just above the campus (and the sports arena). Both places are usually pretty empty and are lovely to walk through/sit in. From one bench in the Botanic garden there's a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

There's also a small grove in the Arboretum in Golden Gate Park. Another nice place to spend a few hours of the day in SF.

It looks like Big Basin gets more votes and has a more serene setting (less crowded)... I'll go with this option. Thanks much to those of you who provided your feedback, it was most helpful!

Big Basin is about 10 times larger than Muir Woods, though not all accessible. You have to turn your headlights on to navigate the little roads. Be aware though that the drive up to Big Basin is not for the faint of stomach!!! It earned our puppy the nickname of "Barfy." An easier way to reach it is to take 280 to Woodside Road and go over to hwy 1 on that. The curves are a bit gentler. You can then drive up hwy 9 from the coast to 236 to Big Basin. Hope this makes sense---you'll need a good map. Whatever you do, go a bit farther out of your way and have lunch at Duarte's Tavern---famous for artichoke soup, crab cioppino and green chile soups. Ollalieberry pies too.....a really good taste of California and better than anything you'll find in Santa Cruz. If you don't want to detour, an alternative is the Cash STore in Davenport.

We live in Woodside and I would recommend going over Woodside Road (it's route 84). Duarte's Tavern is wonderful and located in Pescadero.