California State Parks and Santa Cruz Metro announce a convenient option to access Big Basin Redwoods State Park on weekends through Sept. 10: Take Metro Route 35, explore California’s oldest state park, reopened after the devastating 2020 CZU lightning fire. Day-use parking at the Scotts Valley Transit Center is free.
Those who ride the bus to the park do not need to pay a parking or entrance fee.
Other visitors should make a day-use parking reservation online to guarantee a spot.
Weekend departures from the Scotts Valley Transit Center include 7:55 a.m., 9:55 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 2:10 p.m. and 4:10 p.m.
Return departures from Big Basin are scheduled at 8:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Riders from Santa Cruz and Watsonville can catch the Route 35 bus at the Metro Center on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz and transfer to the Big Basin Route 35 Bus at the Scotts Valley Transit Center.
Fares for adults are $2 each way; a bus day pass is $6. Riders can buy fares using the Splash Pass app.
Youth ride free.
Buses are equipped with bike racks.
More info: scmetro.org.
Park access is limited due to extensive damage sustained by the CZU Fire. Currently there are 4 miles of hiking trails and 18 miles of fire roads available for hiking and biking. Visitors are encouraged to bring plenty of water, as there is no potable water in the park, and wear sunscreen.