This hidden gem of a tour is a doubleheader highlighting both the unique natural beauty that the greater SF Bay Area has to offer (hint: get the heck out of the city) as well as a step back in time to the end of the 19th century!
Meeting in SF near the wharf was convenient and easy. Once seated on the very comfortable Sprinter van we were on our way through the city and down Highway 1, where the scenery changes quickly to coastal cliffs, oceanscapes and quaint towns. We stopped near Half Moon Bay for a seaside photo op, and at one point even saw a whale breaching near the coast! Soon thereafter we were in the Santa Cruz mountains surrounded by the forest that would be the setting for the highlights of the day. The Roaring Camp Railway Park is situated right next to Henry Cowell State Park, affording us the opportunity to take a walk through Cowell's beautiful redwood grove and muse through the visitor education center. Upon returning to Roaring Camp we ate lunch at the park cafe while waiting for our train. The food was surprisingly good considering the rustic nature of the camp being an old west historical park. The absolute highlight of the tour was the Redwood forest steam train adventure: a trip up and around the mountain on a narrow gauge steam locomotive from the 1890s. We grabbed seats on the open carriage of the old logging train for the best views and were shuttled up through stunning redwood groves, up and over hills and old terraces all while enjoying the commentary from the conductor/park guide. The ride was relaxing and scenic but never dull as the terrain required many tight turns, relatively steep elevations and track switches which kept things very interesting as well as educational. Near the top the train stopped and we all were able to get out to view an awesome cluster of redwoods up close and even take photos inside the trunks of the trees. Upon watching the other passengers filling the four cars, you could really see the wonder and joy on the faces of everyone from small children to retired seniors and everyone in-between. Even melancholic teenagers and jaded twenty-somethings put down their phones and were in awe of the beauty and experience! The entire train ride was a bit under 90 minutes, though it seemed to go by much faster. Once we disembarked we had a chance to look around the old logging camp and the different historical buildings. It certainly feels more like a small old west town than what one thinks of when hearing the word camp, reminding me of 1880s Hill Valley from Back to the Future III. From there we met up with our guide/driver Ken and boarded the van to head back to the city, all while enjoying the scenic views of Highway 1 once again. We got back a tad before 4pm, thus giving us plenty of time to experience more of the city.
As you can no doubt tell from my laudatory commentary I truly enjoyed this tour and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique bay area experience. It is highly family friendly and will keep adventurers of all ages intrigued and awe inspired. What makes this tour even more unique is your guide Ken, a Bay Area native (already a rare breed) who grew up in Santa Cruz and knows the area intimately. His unique perspective and knowledge of these hidden and underappreciated gems off the beaten path truly make this tour a special experience that you will long remember!