Seeing Red (Woods, that is)

[RStar]

Hello to our happy campers in the north, or those familiar with the San Fransisco.

I was born and raised in Southern California, but have yet to see the Redwoods or Giant Sequoias. So a few months ago we planned a trip to the San Fransisco/Redding/Marin County areas. The highlight of the trip for me was to see Muir Woods.

However, thanks to our wonderful, caring, and productive team in Congress, Muir Woods and most other National parks are CLOSED! :( And I doubt that by the time I get there at the end of this week that any of that will change.

So the question is, what other options do I have to see giant ancient woods? Off the side of the road, a state park, or something?

[alphabassettgrrl]

I bet that's frustrating. I'm not sure where else to go to see redwoods but I do know there are a lot of spaces with them. Something in the CA state system?

I hope you find an open grove.

[alphabassettgrrl]

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/redwoods.html

http://www.bigbasin.org/

http://www.redwoods.info/showrecord.asp?id=4583&source=Favorites

These have info on state parks as well as the obviously temporarily useless national parks. Some of the drives through the coastal side may not be in a park at all; I can't tell.

[lashbear]

Is that for real?? Muir Woods is closed ?!?!

You're kidding, right?

[Snowflake]

Is that for real?? Muir Woods is closed ?!?!

You're kidding, right?

Nope, so is Alcatraz. You can't get into prison even if you break the law.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Sorry, all I know is Sequoia National Park. :(

A quick google turned this up. Parks that are temporarily open. (http://www.nps.gov/shutdown/index.html)

[RStar]

Thank you, all. And yes Rob, because of the partial government shutdown they have closed most national parks, woods, beaches, and cemetaries (and put those people out of work). It's costing millions of dollars. The good news is that the senate passed an agreement, and the house is looking at it now. The president is pleased. But I doubt the parks will open soon enough for my trip, but who knows.

I have found some state parks that are open, but I will need to drive 90 minutes out of my way. Oh well, I hear that these state parks are even better, so it will be worth it.

[Snowflake]

Well, if you go to Big Basin, in Felton there is also the Bigfoot Museum (http://blog.sfgate.com/getlost/2013/10/14/offbeat-tourist-spots-in-the-bay-area/#16572-2)

[Alex]

If the bill passes tonight, I'd expect the Muir Woods to be open again tomorrow or Friday.

[RStar]

If the bill passes tonight, I'd expect the Muir Woods to be open again tomorrow or Friday.

Yes, it has passed, and I think we are now planning to go there Monday. I would expect it to be open by then as well. My mom grew up in that area, and Muir woods has a special place in her heart. So we would rather go there if we can.

[lashbear]

I'm glad for that - Muir Woods and Alcatraz were two of the highlights of my sojourns to SFO. Stoaty got to Muir Woods, but he never got to tour Alcatraz. Just close to it on a bay cruise.

[Alex]

They're all reopened as of today according to KCBS just now.

[RStar]

Well, as it turns out, all you have to do is drive down the Avenue of the Giants off HWY 101. It was wonderful, by the way...

[Alex]

Oh, I would have suggested that, but for some reason just assumed you were coming from the south.

[RStar]

We did have a loose itenerary, and ended up going into Eurika from Redding, then driving down south on the 101. This made it easy to to turn off onto Avenue of the Giants. It did mean driving quite a long time that whole day as we were staying in San Rafel that night.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'm glad you got to see some!

[RStar]

Me too! I was born and grew up in Southern California and had never made it up there to see them. Now I can check that off my list of things to do, along with visiting a winery in Napa and doing a tasting. :snap:

[Stan4dSteph]

Well, as it turns out, all you have to do is drive down the Avenue of the Giants off HWY 101. It was wonderful, by the way...I ran the half marathon through there. It was great! Glad you got to visit.

[RStar]

Wow, that would be a great place to run a marathon! The road gets a little tight, so I assume they blocked it off to car traffic for the race.

[Alex]

Yes they did (I ran the same one and another one previous). It is a very good running route, a bit of a logistical pain coming and going though.

[RStar]

I bet! But it looks like it was worth it!