Quick! Besides Muir Woods and Big Basin Redwoods State Park, where are the best stashes of redwood trees in the Bay Area…without the crowds? These three top our list.  

Blink and you'll miss it. Roy's Redwoods in West Marin has no signs pointing to it and no parking lot. You've just gotta know where to go (directions below). Begin a gentle 2-mile walk at a tranquil green meadow surrounded by laurels and madrones. Walk through the meadow to a hefty cluster of redwoods; these are Roy's big boys, reaching so high into the sky that not much light beams to the needle-covered floor. Pop out on the other side of the grove and follow Roy's Redwoods Loop Trail until it connects to the Nature Trail, a short loop-hike around Nicasio Hill. There are no big views, but there is plenty of canopied forest with sections of mighty lightening-scarred redwoods. We're not sure who Roy is, but we like hanging out at his place.

Before you go, print out a map here; none are available at the park. Directions to Roy's Redwoods: From Hwy. 101 northbound in Marin, take the San Anselmo exit; stay in the left lane and continue on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. heading west. Go 10.5 miles and turn right onto Nicasio Valley Rd. Go .5 mile and park in one of the turn-outs. The trail starts on the right (east) side of the road. Follow the trail through the meadow. Continue past the redwoods on a faint trail up to Roy's Redwoods Loop Trail and go right. At a four-way junction (where a spur trail goes left to a hilltop view), go right onto the Nature Trail (or "David Hansen Trail" on the map). Make a loop; then go back to your car the way you came. More information here.

If coastal redwood trees are left undisturbed, they become the tallest living things on earth. The bad news is that years ago loggers wiped out nearly all these long-limbed beauties in the Bay Area. The good news is that today you can walk among their offspring—second growth redwoods—in the East Bay's best patch of redwoods at Redwood Regional Park. With miles of trails spilling up and down the shady canyon, there's plenty to explore—but relatively few people exploring. Park at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area and hike the mostly flat Stream Trail that parallels Redwood Creek and runs right into the heart of the canyon's redwood re-growth. There are plenty of benches for stopping and savoring the next generation of forest giants.

Directions to the Canyon Meadow Staging Area: From I-580 eastbound in Oakland, take the 35th Ave. exit,; go left and follow 35th Ave. east. This becomes Redwood Rd. Continue 4.5 miles, cross Skyline Blvd., and look for the signs to the park. Pick up a map at the entrance. If inclined, take a side trip up the Fern Trail to the sunny West Ridge Trail. More info here.

If you like walking through forests thick with redwood trees, hiking to panoramic ocean views, and encountering practically no one along the way, then go to Butano State Park. Close to Pescadero on the San Mateo Coast, Butano may soon emerge as a favorite day-hike destination. First-time visitors should try the 5-mile Mill Ox Loop—watch out for newts and banana slugs! This moderate hike packs a diverse geographical beauty that shows why the Native Americans were attracted to this land hundreds of years ago. After crossing Little Butano Creek, the shaded trail makes a short zigzag up to Butano Fire Road. Make a right and continue along the fire road, soaking in the sunshine and views of the long Coastal Range. Loop back to the starting point on Jackson Flats Trail, which drops back into the canyon and follows the gently flowing creek. Ahhh, solitude. Butanoful.

TIP: Fill your tanks at the only gas station in Pescadero. Don't let the understated surroundings fool you—inside the gas station, Taqueria Los Amigos serves some of the best Mexican food this side of Tijuana.

Directions to Butano State Park: The park is about 22 miles south of Half Moon Bay. Go south on Hwy. 1 and turn left on Pescadero Rd. Go 2.5 miles (through town and past Taqueria Los Amigos) to Cloverdale Rd.; turn right. Go 4.2 miles to the entrance of Butano State Park. Ask for a map. After the entrance, look on the left side for a sign for Mill Ox Trail—it's easy to miss and the parking lot holds only a few cars. Follow the Mill Ox Trail up to Butano Fire Road and go right. Follow this to Jackson Flats Trail and go right, which takes you back to the Mill Ox Trail. More information here.

You've got the dog, easily one of your best pals. Now you want to find the summertime day-trip you can both enjoy—in a place that's off the beaten path. Time to float in style! Head to the Russian River and lose the crowds in an inflatable canoe that coasts along a quiet stretch of the river. Never been in an inflatable canoe? Think of it as a cushy Cadillac on water. It navigates with ease, and it noses to shore for snack breaks, rope-swing fun, and snoozin' in the sun. SOAR Russian River Adventures makes it all happen. The dog-friendly company happily puts you and two friends—or a pal and a pooch—in an inflatable canoe that floats a part of the Russian River most paddlers don't even know exists. Gorgeous scenery included. SOAR will shuttle you back to your car when you're done—and they won't complain when your wet mutt shakes off the dog-day afternoon, making a splash that everyone feels. Arf!

Russian River Adventures, 20 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg; 707-433-5599.