Events

Come to the Sempervirens Room next to Park Headquarters for free coffee or hot chocolate! This is a great way to start your day in Big Basin. A Big Basin docent will be happy to answer your questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail. And bring the kids for a fun craft activity! Parking is $10 and supports the park.

Develop your hiking muscles with this challenging 5-mile round trip to Buzzard’s Roost. Join Docent Steve Stolper for a hike to a dramatic rock formation with a commanding view of the park. We gain 1,200 feet in elevation on the way up. After a relaxed lunch on the rocks, we return to headquarters. Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Big Basin Park Headquarters, located 9 miles north of Boulder Creek…

How do redwoods grow to become the tallest organisms on earth? How important are banana slugs to the redwood ecosystems? Why are there so few old growth trees left? Answer these questions and more every Saturday on our Redwood Grove Walks. One of the knowledgeable docents will lead you through the magnificent old growth forest and answer any questions you may have. There are two walk times offered: 11:00 am & 1:00 pm Meet at the Visitors Center in the…

Discover what life was like a century or more ago on this innovative dairy ranch. The hour-long tour at 1 pm includes the 1897 Victorian home, 1856 Gothic Revival farm house, 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. You can also play Victorian games or bring a picnic to enjoy on the front lawn, visit the farm animals and see what activities are taking place on the ranch this weekend. You may learn about hand quilting, watch blacksmithing…

How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the incredible Chimney Tree on this 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Big Basin Park Headquarters, located 9 miles north of Boulder Creek on Highway 236. Event is free; vehicle day-use fee is…

Explore the plants, animals, and geology of the coastal bluffs on a 2-hour natural history tour. Meet at the Wilder Ranch Interpretive Center. Bring a snack, water, binoculars, and good walking shoes. Binoculars are available to borrow. Rain cancels. Event is free; vehicle day-use fee is $10. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, California State Parks volunteers, and California State Parks. Visit us on the web at www.thatsmypark.org

Why are snakes important to us? How do they see, smell, taste, hear? What and how do they eat? What does a snake feel like? Come to the Sempervirens Room at Park Headquarters and meet Docent Diane Shaw and learn about the fascinating world of snakes. Stop by anytime to meet the snake and talk to Diane. Big Basin Park Headquarters is located 9 miles north of Boulder Creek on Highway 236. Event is free; vehicle day-use fee is $10.…

Join the California State Parks on a guided scavenger hunt along our trails. The group chooses from a selection of pre-planned walks, and then together seeks out the wonders of the woods! With their ample selection of trails, abundance of wildlife, and constantly changing seasons, no two adventures will ever be the same! Meet at the Visitor Center, in the day-use area of the park located off Highway 9 in Felton. Tour is free; vehicle day-use fee is $10. Event…