Big Basin Bus Route Reinstated: Hikers Delighted

After 286 people signed a petition, the Santa Cruz METRO transit agency voted unanimously to bring bus service back to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the oldest state park in California.

The service had been cut in 2011 making it impossible for people to do the famed 29.5 mile "Skyline to the Sea" trail without two cars.

Service is planned to start twice a day on the weekend of June 8 and 9, and will run through the late Fall, with two trips each weekend day extending the Route 35A to Big Basin Park Headquarters (morning and evening), and two trips each weekend day extending Route 40 to Waddell Beach (morning and late afternoon).

The organization Campaign for Sensible Transportation  will be posting hiking maps and routes. 

Home to the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco, the park consists of over 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian habitats, according to its website. Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet. The climate ranges from foggy and damp near the ocean to sunny, warm ridge tops. 

The park features family and group camping, tent cabins, backpacking camps, hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. It is open year round and reservations are encouraged during the summer.

Most people like to start the 29.5 mile "Skyline to the Sea" trail in the mountains and hike down to the ocean, but without the bus, it required leaving a car on the bottom and driving back up to the top. 

For more park information, click here. 

Find METRO routes here.