Ancient Redwoods in Southern California

Question

We are doing a road trip from San Fran down to LA, with some inland stuff added in. We want to see some ancient redwoods and initially thought we would visit muir woods from San Fran but our time there is limited and not sure wether we will have time. So, we thought maybe Big Basin Redwood State Park on the way from San Jose to Monterey, however, I am aware that it sustained catastrophic damage as a result of the fires and wonder whether there's actually anything to see other than the sprouting new growth - presumably no toilets or visitor centre anymore, but did any of the large ancient trees survive?

Answer

If your goal is to see ancient redwoods on a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, there are a few important considerations regarding Big Basin and alternatives.

Big Basin Redwood State Park:

Big Basin suffered extensive damage during the CZU Lightning Complex fires in 2020. Many historic and ancient trees were lost, and the park’s infrastructure—including trails, restrooms, and the visitor center—was heavily affected. However, some large old-growth redwoods did survive, though access is limited, and the landscape is very different from pre-fire conditions.

The surviving giants can still be impressive, but expect a lot of new growth and burned areas along trails.
Facilities are limited, so plan to bring water, snacks, and be prepared for minimal amenities.
Trail access may be restricted or altered for safety reasons, so check the official park website before visiting for current conditions.

Alternative Options:

If your schedule is tight and you want a guaranteed experience of mature redwoods with visitor facilities, consider these options:

Muir Woods National Monument: Located just north of San Francisco, Muir Woods remains a reliable option. It has well-maintained boardwalks and trails, impressive old-growth redwoods, and visitor amenities. Reservation is required for parking.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Near Santa Cruz, this park has a scenic grove of ancient redwoods with easy trails and amenities, making it a good stop on the way to Monterey.
Redwood Regional Parks: East Bay locations like Redwood Regional Park (Oakland) have smaller but still impressive groves that are easily accessible.

In summary, Big Basin does have some surviving giants, but it is no longer a “classic” old-growth redwood experience due to fire damage. For a short trip with limited time, Muir Woods or Henry Cowell are safer bets for seeing mature redwoods with accessible trails and facilities. If you are very adventurous and want to see Big Basin’s recovery, it can be a unique experience, but plan for rugged conditions and limited amenities.

Ancient Redwoods in Southern California

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