Where is Big Basin?
 

I've read all the posts which suggest Big Basin over Muir Woods but wonder where it is in relation to Muir Woods. How far and which direction? WHat city is nearby?<BR>Thanks

It's in the Santa Cruz mountains, which about an hour south from Muir Woods (depending on traffic).<BR><BR>http://www.bigbasin.org/

Where is Muir Woods?

Depending on where you are, Big Basin may be best reached from the center of Saratoga, a delightful small town west of San Jose and next to Los Gatos. The main street of Saratoga is called Big Basin Way and you can follow it right out to the redwoods. The train ride there is fun and the scenery is spectacular. You can also go out the other way to the coast, coming out near Santa Cruz.<BR><BR>If you want a nice place to stay the Inn at Saratoga right off the main street and overlooking a little creek is wonderful (but pretty pricey). You can walk to at least a dozen good restaurants from there. The main street is a sort of restaurant row.

Big Basin is located in the Santa Cruz mountains above San Jose. Muir Woods is in Marin County and is about 90 miles north of Big Basin. I wouid plan on about a 2.5 hour drive depending on the traffic. Big Basin can best be reached off of Highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Roaring Camp steam train tour (www.roaringcamp.com) is great.

Along Hwy 9 on the Santa Cruz side of the mountain, there are several small towns that used to be primarily summer resorts. Now people live there year round. There are plenty of small shops, studios of local artists and artisans, and cafes to stop in and check out. Hwy 9 is very curvey, but the scenery is so beautiful you wont want to drive fast anyway. <BR><BR>Just for clarity, Roaring Camp is next to Henry Cowell State Park, which is near Felton. Big Basin is near Boulder Creek. Both are in the same area, but Boulder Creek is further up the mountain and Felton is closer to Santa Cruz. I highly recommend both places. If you only have time for one place and you have children under the age of 13 traveling with you, I would opt for Henry Cowell/Roaring Camp because of the train ride through the redwoods.