Santa Cruz: Roaring Camp train ride?

[WDWLinda]

Hi,
Can you tell me if you've taken this one hour train ride through the redwoods, and if you'd recommend it? How much of the ride is through the big redwoods, and what else do you see along the way?

Thanks!
Linda

 

[RMH]

This is a pretty cool train ride from the Santa Cruz mountains all the way to the Santa Cruz boardwalk where they make a short stop and then head back. I believe they offer one that stays in the mountains too, but we didn't take that one. It is well worth it in my opinion. The train is open air and our conductor was very informative. It is also right next to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park which has a ton of huge Redwood trees - even one that is hollowed out that you can go inside. I would say 50% of the ride is among the big redwoods and 50% coming out of the mountain down to the coast through the town. We visit Henry Cowell on every trip to N. California (about once a year) and do the train ride on special ocassions.

 

[WDWLinda]

Thanks RMH for the input. I don't remember where I read about this, but its nice to hear from someone who's actually done it. We'll do it too when we go in June.

Thanks again,
Linda

 

[RMH]

Have a great time. It is fun - and kids love it if you are taking them along. But take the time to walk around Henry Cowell park too. Some of those trees are amazing.

 

[WDWLinda]

Yes, my two sons, 2 and 5 yrs, will be there, and they love trains, so that's why I picked this.

Since we'll go to the Santa Cruz boardwalk for lunch in the afternoon, I was going to take the 11:00 ride into the mountains. But it sounds like you don't get off the train. So do you mean before or after you get on the train ride, walk around in the park then? Is the park close to the train station?

Thanks again!

~Linda

 

[RMH]

If they like trains they will love this one. The park is on the other side of the tracks from the train station - the trip to the coast actually goes thru the park - so it is right there. They have a paved (I think) trail that loops through the park for about a mile with a ton of Redwood trees. Your neck will hurt from looking up at the tops of them from the ground. You could do the park either before or after the train ride, they are right next to each other. Also if you want to go inside the hollowed out tree - it is very cool - take a flashlight with you, or you can borrow one at the Park Visitors center.

 

[RangerPooh]

Yes, both parks are next to each other. Henry Cowell is literally right across the tracks from Roaring Camp. If you like camping you can do it at Henry Cowell. If you are interested in seeing other Coast Redwoods try Big Basin which is about 30 minutes (max) up the highway (hwy 9) in Boulder Creek.

 

[maci]

Oh this is great! Thanks for the info!

I love the DIS!

 

[birkner]

Oh this is great! Thanks for the info!

I love the DIS!

Don't forget there is a train from Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and reverse roundtrips to Roaring Camp and back can also be purchased from the conductor in Santa Cruz. Three hours roundtrip!!

http://www.roaringcamp.com/