At a glance
- Redwood Rides has brought more than 1,400 people into the redwoods
- Each ride reflects the diversity of the communities we partner with, welcoming participants from youth to seniors, including LGBTQ+ community members and people from Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and Latino communities, as well as college students and educators
- The program operates across the Bay Area, connecting communities within a 90-mile radius to nearby redwood parks and open spaces
- Trips reach a wide range of destinations, from California State Parks in the Bay Area, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo, to Muir Woods National Monument and lands managed by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, East Bay Regional Parks, and San Mateo County Parks
About the program
By eliminating the largest barrier between underrepresented communities and redwoods parks—lack of transportation—Redwood Rides is not only expanding outdoor access, but also inspiring the next generation to care about the ancient forests. Photo by Vivian Chen.
On a cool spring morning in 2022, a bus rolled toward the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, bringing more than just passengers. It carried curiosity, anticipation, and, for many riders, a first-ever opportunity to step beneath one of California’s most iconic ecosystems.
This moment marked the beginning of Redwood Rides, a Save the Redwoods program inspired by a simple truth: people belong in the redwood ecosystem. But access to them has not always been equitable. Transportation remains one of the largest barriers preventing communities from visiting these landscapes. Without easy and inexpensive transportation, even a nearby park can feel impossibly distant—Redwood Rides was created to change that.
Our program coordinates free transportation to local redwood parks and pairs each visit with welcoming, relevant outdoor experiences. One ride at a time, Redwood Rides helps people hurdle the transportation barrier. In partnership with Redwood Parks partners and trusted community-based organizations, the program meets people where they are, both literally and figuratively.
More than merely transportation, Redwood Rides experiences are invitations into the forest. Families share meals under towering canopies. First-time visitors learn the stories of the forest, feel the awe of standing beside a centuries-old tree, and discover that these places belong to them, too. For some, it’s a day of rest and renewal. For others, it’s the spark of a lifelong relationship with the redwoods.
When communities feel connected to these forests, collective wellbeing grows and so does our capacity to care for the redwoods for generations to come. Redwood Rides is about building genuine, lasting partnerships with communities and listening, learning, and co-creating experiences that reflect diverse needs, cultures, and histories.
As the bus heads home, the redwoods fade into the distance, but something else takes root. A sense of belonging. A renewed connection to the land. And hopefully, a shared commitment to caring for these forests, because when people can reach the redwoods, the redwoods and our communities are stronger for it.
Get in touch
Communities interested in booking a Redwood Ride can contact us at [email protected].