Itinerary suggestions Santa Cruz, Felton, Redwoods?

We%26#39;ll be staying in Monterey for about 5 days in April. Before we head home (via San Jose airport), we are considering a few extra days in or around Santa Cruz. We have two kids (3 and 10 months). My 3 year old LOVES trains, so we are considering a stop at the Roaring Camp Railroads near Felton. Is there a fun place to stay somewhere near there with kids (cabins, cottages, etc.)? We would also like to see the Redwooods. Which area would you recommend? We might stay in San Jose, but if the Redwoods/train area has more to offer, we%26#39;ll stay there. Can you recommend things to do, places to stay, and places to eat?

I realize this is a Santa Cruz board, but this is the only place I can think of to ask. Perhaps it%26#39;s best to stay in Santa Cruz and drive to those other places each day? Thanks for your time!

Itinerary suggestions Santa Cruz, Felton, Redwoods?

Felton is only about half an hour of driving from Santa Cruz so you could stay in Santa Cruz quite conveniently. If you want to stay in the midst of Redwood Trees, there are cabins available at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, also only about half an hour from Felton but inwards into the mountains on Hwy 9. April should be nice at Big Basin because there are a couple good sized smaller waterfalls there that should be turned on full blast after the winter rains are over. The waterfalls are maybe an hour%26#39;s hike into the park from its cabins and trailheads.

Comparatively, San Jose doesn%26#39;t have much to offer for tourists%26#39; interests. Hotels in SJ will be cheapest on weekend nights because they cater mostly to business travellers.

Itinerary suggestions Santa Cruz, Felton, Redwoods?

Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad in Felton is less than five miles from downtown Santa Cruz...out Highway 9.

The schedule in April is Mon-Fri at 11:00 and Sat %26amp; Sun. at 11:00, 12:15, and 2:00

The trains have late 19th century steam locomotives and open-aired and covered passenger cars and travel on narrow gauge rails through the redwoods along a 6 mile, 75 minute trip, These are ';second growth redwoods';, meaning the area was once logged, but they will still be tall because that was usually done at the turn of the century.

However, on Highway 9 on the outskirts of Felton, coming from Santa Cruz is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where the trees are first growth, I am told. They will be much taller and larger.

There is also a train which leaves the Roaring Camp Station on a round trip excursion into Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk; however, it only runs May-Oct.

The Boardwalk, however, is a place I would bet your child would love. It has an antique carousel with the original carved horses and it runs to the music of an antique calliope. While most of the rides would be too advanced for a three year old, there is a section especially for toddlers at the far end of the park, with little cars which run on a circular track, and other attractions for wee folk. Caution, it may only be open on weekends in April. Memorial Day is when it begins to be open from 11 to 11 every day. Admission is free you just pay for what you do...ride, eat, etc.

Depending upon the weather, you might want to spend a little time at the beach. Sometimes we get some beautiful days in April.

There are some cottages on Highway 9 near Henry Cowell. I know nothing about them, but they are listed in the Northern California AAA Tour Book and given s two diamond rating. According to the Guide, they have 15 cottages, high speed internet, whirlpool, fishing, badminton, ping-pong, hiking trails, horseshoes and a playground. They have a minimum stay of 2 nights, I believe more in season. Rates are listed as $60-$119 in April. They don%26#39;t give a website but you might google them to see if they have one. Telephone number is (831) 335-4412.

I would recommend that instead of staying in San Jose and driving back and forth over winding Hwy 17 to see what%26#39;s here, you stay in this area.

As for places to eat, downtown Santa Cruz has a pretty tree-lined street just full of restaurants, (quite a few with sidewalk tables), boutiques, coffee houses, a 9-plex theatre. One place I have noticed which is very kid friendly is called, no kidding, ';Rosie McCann%26#39;s Irish Pub';...it is upstairs with a largish dining room and they always seem to treat the kids great.

I hope this gives you some ideas. There are lots more things to do in the area....

Oops, the cottages in Felton are ';Fern River Resort';. While Darth is right abougt Big Basin, it is more of a venue for camping, or cabin-ing and doesn%26#39;t have much to keep a three year old occupied. Also, as I remember the last time I drove there it is a longer drive than mentioned and it isn%26#39;t very convenient for getting to a San Jose airport departure.

And here is the website http://fernriver.com

Looks nice.

You and the kiddies will LOVE the Roaring Camp Railroad...and the Boardwalk. The Roaring Camp has this little Western ';town'; with food, candy shop, ice cream..etc....my kids were in heaven!

We camped at Cotillion right next door and walked the train tracks (even over the bridge...reminded us of the movie, Stand by Me';) to the Train....Fun Fun Fun!

This is great information. Thanks. I had no idea that the railroad was so close to downtown Santa Cruz. Perhaps we%26#39;ll just stay in Santa Cruz. Is the Best Western All Suites Inn the best suite-style hotel for us? We need an extra room or space for my baby as she%26#39;s a light sleeper and my 3 year old will keep her up if they are anywhere near each other. Any other suggestions for a reasonably priced hotel/motel in Santa Cruz? Thanks. I love the look of the Fern River cabins. Has anyone ever stayed there?

I would say the Best Western All Suites Inn would be a good choice for you. The other accommodatiions that I know of would not be able to give you the extra space you need. In addition it is only about two or three blocks from Pacific Avenue.

Roaring Camp also operates the Beach Train which runs right into Santa Cruz itself, and down to the beach. It runs along the middle of a two-lane one-way street along the beach, going the wrong way on the return leg, and all the cars have to pull over to let it through. It%26#39;s a diesel, the other line is a steam train. Google Roaring Camp Beach Train.

Bayatuning,

As I mentioned in the too long post, the ';Beach Train'; only runs between May and October and Paleochick will be here in April. Too bad,...I wanted to try it out myself, but will have to wait, I guess.

It%26#39;s been a long time since I lived in Santa Cruz and the SF south bay area, but I have a few suggestions others haven%26#39;t mentioned. North of Santa Cruz on CA1 is Ano Neuvo Beach where elephant seals breed. I don%26#39;t know the current status of viewing them or if they will be there during your visit, but that should be interesting. San Juan Bautista with its mission and nearby Fremont Peak make a nice place to visit. Big Basin SP probably would be the best for redwoods, but there are a number of other state parks having redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mts. Look for banana slugs whose name is apt in moist areas of the forest.

As to staying along CA9 north of Santa Cruz, I personally wouldn%26#39;t because it always seemed to me to be perpetually damp and gloomy with water always on the road in at least one spot and I always thought the people living there should have moss growing on them. I personally would stay in Santa Cruz on or near the beach and also visit the boardwalk. The drive up CA9 to Skyline Blvd. (CA35) then down CA84 through La Honda to the coast, then back on CA1 to Santa Cruz is nice with a lot of good places to stop including Big Basin and Ano Nuevo.