Found only from Central California to Oregon, coastal redwoods are the pride of the Pacific shoreline. Sleep beneath the ancient giants at any of these hike-in campsites.
With its towering old-growth redwoods, year-round waterfalls, and glistening canyons, Big Basin Redwoods is California's first and much beloved state park. Escape the busy car-camping areas by hiking a few miles into the heart of this redwood wonderland and pitching your tent at Sunset Trail Camp. Start at the park's headquarters and walk along the famed Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, passing big red beauties on a path that parallels Kelly and West Waddell creeks. Next up: the park's famous waterfalls in short order: Berry Creek, Silver, and Golden Cascade. Take off your pack and dip your toes into the falls' pools or dare to dunk your head (refreshing!). Sunset Trail Camp is only a quarter-mile from Golden Cascade Falls. Pick from 10 campsites set along West Berry Creek and relish the red wonders of the ages.
To reserve a spot at Sunset or any other Big Basin trail camp, call 831-338-8861. Campsites are $15 per night and there's an additional $5 reservation fee. Directions: From park headquarters hike 4 miles on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. Make a right onto Berry Creek Falls Trail and go about 1 mile to reach Silver and Golden Cascade falls. Look for signs to Sunset Trail Camp .25-mile after Golden Cascade Falls. Make it a big loop by returning to park headquarters on the Sunset Trail for 5.5 miles. No dogs.
Sea caves, river otters, redwoods and Victorian architecture blend smoothly in the charming hamlet of Mendocino. Most visitors head for B&Bs or convenient drive-in campgrounds, but located just a few miles south of town is one of the best hike-in campgrounds on the California coast. Van Damme State Park follows the Little River inland from the ocean, and the nine tucked-away campsites can be reached only via the partially paved and mostly flat Fern Canyon Trail. You can hike to the campsites but we recommend bringing your bike to ride the 2 miles in. Each site has a picnic table, some have fire pits, and all are nestled among coastal redwoods in a fern canyon along the Little River. Beautiful. Spend some time exploring. Hike a couple of miles from camp to a pygmy cypress forest where 100-year-old trees reach just one foot in height. Or hang out on the large and delightful beach at the mouth of Little River (a popular entry point for scuba and abalone divers). Damme good time!
No reservations accepted. Campsites are first come, first served. $25 per night.
Portola Redwoods State Park is about as remote as you can get in the Bay Area. A twisty road descends for miles through the Santa Cruz Mountains until you reach this tiny but mighty park. Most people stick close to the park headquarters. But venture in just 3 miles and discover Slate Creek Trail Camp's six secluded campsites. A highlight of this backcountry camp is its proximity to Peters Creek Redwood Grove— a forest of enormous virgin redwoods that somehow dodged the logging operations of the 19th century. From camp, it's a 2.4-mile hike (one-way) to the grove—where thousand-year-old redwoods can get up to 12 feet in diameter. In this neck of the woods being in the red is wonderful.
To reserve a spot at Slate Creek Trail Camp, call 831-338-8861. Campsites are $15 per night and there's an additional $5 reservation fee. Directions: From park headquarters, get on the Old Tree Trail. After a couple hundred feet, make a left onto Slate Creek Trail. Stay on Slate Creek Trail for 2.4 miles, which takes you to the trail camp.
The mood is set: a cozy little spot on the Monterey coast, a beautiful sunset, and the next thing you know…he's pregnant? Yes, he! Get the exclusive on the only male pregnancy in the animal kingdom—only at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's The Secret Lives of Seahorses. With a head like a horse, a tail like a monkey, and a kangaroo-like pouch, these quirky underwater creatures are spilling all their secrets at this brand-new exhibit. You'll be awestruck by the strangely beautiful leafy sea dragons and fascinated by the upside-down antics of the shrimpfish—just a few of the more than 15 different species featured. Get to The Secret Lives of Seahorses and take the most interesting anatomy lesson since sixth grade.
BONUS: Can't get enough of the seahorses? Become Pacific seahorse Herbie Hippocampus's friend on Facebook for seahorse surprises and special events.
Visit MontereyBayAquarium.org to plan your visit and purchase advance tickets to avoid lines.