Hike to the heavens on the nature trails at Big Basin Redwoods State Park  in the Santa Cruz Mountains. California's oldest state park (established in 1902), Big Basin Redwoods has over 80 miles of trails covering over 18,000 acres of old-growth and recovering redwood forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area, Big Basin is the perfect spot to get away from it all, open year-round for camping, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

Grab a map at the park headquarters before starting, and check out the cool kiosk in the Sempervirens Room, with information, photos and videos of Big Basin's most beloved trails. One popular with locals is the Skyline to the Sea Trail, which runs along Waddell Creek to the ocean and nearby Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve, a freshwater marsh. In Big Basin, you'll find incredible waterfalls, California wildlife, and the ever-present banana slug.

Join Kayak Connection’s experienced guides for a very exciting kayak outing. During the months of March, April and May, paddle out into the bay every Sunday to find California Gray Whales, as they journey back to their northern home in Alaska. The whales usually have their calves with them and the trip home is often slower and closer to shore, allowing paddlers to easily view these magnificent mammals. Whale sightings are always uncertain, but a good time is guaranteed.