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AKB -- Question on day trip around San Jose, CA

Tom McAndrew

Tom McAndrew

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May 29, 2001
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I'll be in the San Jose area for a wedding, and want to take a side trip to see redwood trees. I've been to Muir Woods before, and would like to avoid San Francisco traffic/bridges/etc.

It seems as though Big Basin State Park, and Henry Cowell State Park would meet my requirement, and also provide some nice hiking, sightseeing, etc. For those that live in the Northern CA area, or have been to these parks, any preferences, suggestions, etc.

Thanks in advance
 
Tom McAndrew said:
I'll be in the San Jose area for a wedding, and want to take a side trip to see redwood trees. I've been to Muir Woods before, and would like to avoid San Francisco traffic/bridges/etc.

It seems as though Big Basin State Park, and Henry Cowell State Park would meet my requirement, and also provide some nice hiking, sightseeing, etc. For those that live in the Northern CA area, or have been to these parks, any preferences, suggestions, etc.

Thanks in advance
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Most importantly, do you know the way to San Jose?

Sorry, corny, but couldn't resist :)
 
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Tom, another idea for a day trip is heading down to Point Lobos State Park and then over to Carmel. Point Lobos is right on the ocean with some nice hiking trails and great scenery. If you are lucky, maybe you will see some whales close to shore.
 
Tom McAndrew said:
I'll be in the San Jose area for a wedding, and want to take a side trip to see redwood trees. I've been to Muir Woods before, and would like to avoid San Francisco traffic/bridges/etc.

It seems as though Big Basin State Park, and Henry Cowell State Park would meet my requirement, and also provide some nice hiking, sightseeing, etc. For those that live in the Northern CA area, or have been to these parks, any preferences, suggestions, etc.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Big Basin is great (been there many times) but strongly suggest you take a day to head to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. There is a a walking loop that lets you get close to the giant sequoias and massive coast redwoods. While you're there drive a bit further to visit Yosemite National Park. I have been here now for the last 20+ years (proudly boasting my PSU bias may I add) these two are great.
 
sfo-psu said:
Big Basin is great (been there many times) but strongly suggest you take a day to head to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. There is a a walking loop that lets you get close to the giant sequoias and massive coast redwoods. While you're there drive a bit further to visit Yosemite National Park. I've live here now for the last 20+ years (proudly boasting my PSU bias may I add) these two are great.
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If I had a few days, I'd certainly head to Yosemite. I looked at Calaveras BIg Trees SP, but it's 2 hr. 43 min each way from San Jose. I'm not looking to spend 5 1/2 hours in the car for a day trip.

Since you're from the area, would you recommend Big Basin, or Henry Cowell?
 
Tom McAndrew said:
If I had a few days, I'd certainly head to Yosemite. I looked at Calaveras BIg Trees SP, but it's 2 hr. 43 min each way from San Jose. I'm not looking to spend 5 1/2 hours in the car for a day trip.

Since you're from the area, would you recommend Big Basin, or Henry Cowell?
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BB has hiking trails, HC has steam locomotive tour. Choose your ride. Personally - I like the hike.
 
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am embarrassed that I have lived in SJ almost my whole life and only went to see Redwoods once....
 
DandyDonII said:
am embarrassed that I have lived in SJ almost my whole life and only went to see Redwoods once....
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Funny - I lived / worked in State College for 20 years after graduation and rarely went to see the games (traffic, crowds, long lines - all the excuses) but now, we'll spend thousands on air fare, lodging, and toys to spend homecoming week there.
 
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Tom: Since you are in San Jose to begin with and appear to have limited time, my suggestion would be to head west and south towards Santa Cruz. (I think the relevant highways are Highway 17 and Highway 9. Highway 1 - i.e., PCH - when you close in on Santa Cruz,) There are some coastal mountains, and a whole lot of trees (including California live oaks, pines, cedars, and redwoods), in those mountains. Santa Cruz is itself a nice place to visit. The hills slope sharply down to the sea there. Maybe Dandy has something to add in this regard, since he lives nearby in the Monterey Area.
 
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Definitely do Big Basin.
Easy to get there from SJ, though the last 5-10 miles is a windy narrow road.
Good hikes - we did a 4 or 5 mile hike (brought our lunch and lots of water) and hAd a great day a couple years ago.
 
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I have a lot of relatives in Santa Cruz county and have visited both parks numerous times. Both are great, both have very large redwoods but I think the ones in Big Basin are a bit larger and better. It's a bit more of a drive but if I was from out of the area it would be worth a few more minutes drive to see Big Basin.
 
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The train is at roaring camp. Near cowell but not in it. Cowell is more accessible and has some nice educational features. It is more of a walk than a hike. Big basin as others have indicated is real hiking.

That said do yourself a favor and drive to half moon bay (look for Mavericks parking lot on google maps). There is a trail that you can walk along the cliffs above the ocean that goes for a couple of miles to Moss Beach. We visit the area frequently to see family and have been to all of the places discussed. We go back to Half Moon Bay every time and often more than once.

If you time it right there is a distillery at the Moss Beach end of the trail that does food too, I think. I have never been but might make for an interesting waypoint for lunch, tasting, etc.
 
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Tom McAndrew said:
I'll be in the San Jose area for a wedding, and want to take a side trip to see redwood trees. I've been to Muir Woods before, and would like to avoid San Francisco traffic/bridges/etc.

It seems as though Big Basin State Park, and Henry Cowell State Park would meet my requirement, and also provide some nice hiking, sightseeing, etc. For those that live in the Northern CA area, or have been to these parks, any preferences, suggestions, etc.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Big Basin is an excellent park and an amazing collection of coast redwoods (different that the Giant redwoods in Sequoia). Camping there on a foggy evening night is amazing as the trees disappear into the dark fog above. Bean Hollow beach is a nice place to walk and contemplate the coast, in land from there in Pescadero is a place called Duartes that makes (well used to back in the late 90s) excellent food. Also head over to half Moon Bay, get fried calamari and bottle of wine and watch the sunset
 
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Steve G said:
Big Basin is an excellent park and an amazing collection of coast redwoods (different that the Giant redwoods in Sequoia). Camping there on a foggy evening night is amazing as the trees disappear into the dark fog above. Bean Hollow beach is a nice place to walk and contemplate the coast, in land from there in Pescadero is a place called Duartes that makes (well used to back in the late 90s) excellent food. Also head over to half Moon Bay, get fried calamari and bottle of wine and watch the sunset
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Duarte’s is not fancy. It is the kind of restaurant and tavern that existed in the days before interstate freeways and chain restaurants. The place has knotty pine paneling and hasn’t been remodeled since around 1950. But the food is good home cooked fare with local cuisine like cream of artichoke soup and olallieberry pie.
 
I’ll second (or third) the Half Moon Bay area, it’s a cute little town, great fresh fish. The town’s website talks about hiking options for you.

I’ve played golf there several times and hit local places for meals but it’s been too many years to offer specifics for you.

I hope the wedding is NOT 9/8/18!
 
NewEra 2014 said:
Tom, another idea for a day trip is heading down to Point Lobos State Park and then over to Carmel. Point Lobos is right on the ocean with some nice hiking trails and great scenery. If you are lucky, maybe you will see some whales close to shore.
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You can do both that *and* Henry Cowell in one day. I did a few years back--I have a buddy in Mountain View, and that's where he took me. From Point Lobos, BTW, you can see Pebble Beach across the water. At Point Lobos you will also see sea otters, seals, and sea lions--fairly close.
 
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ILLINOISLION said:
I’ll second (or third) the Half Moon Bay area, it’s a cute little town, great fresh fish. The town’s website talks about hiking options for you.

I’ve played golf there several times and hit local places for meals but it’s been too many years to offer specifics for you.

I hope the wedding is NOT 9/8/18!
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Tom: I don't recall seeing when you were coming out to San Jose, but if you are coming out in October and have thoughts of going to Half Moon Bay, be aware that there is a Pumpkin Festival there in October, and the main highway connecting Half Moon Bay to Highway #101 (Highway #92, I believe), gets CHOKED with traffic.
 
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