Roaring Good Time

There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. It’s a fun way to roll! Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

In the late 1800s, steam locomotives hauled massive redwood logs through the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains. Today, some of those very same engines—dating back as far as 1890—transport passengers up Bear Mountain for a close-up look at two-thousand-year-old trees.

During the 75-minute ride, you’ll chug across wooden trestles and steep mountain switchbacks through the redwood grove. The train’s conductor offers engaging commentary about the area’s history and the locomotives themselves. An open car offers the best neck-craning tree views, but from any seat you can hear the rhythmic clack of the tracks and see the impressive billows of white steam.

At the top of the mountain, you’ll have time to explore the forest on foot before reboarding for the return trip down.

From Santa Cruz, drive on CA-1 South and take exit 442 for Ocean St. Turn left on Ocean St. and continue onto Graham Hill Rd. for about five miles until you reach the Roaring Camp Railroads on your left. Redwood Trains depart daily, though advance reservations are recommended–especially on summer weekends. Tickets and parking passes.

Story and photos by Yvonne Pasquini, @yvonne_pasquini