Big Basin SP, Boulder Creek, Bear Creek Vista Point

On 27 May 2024, my parents and I drove took a trip to Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA. We also dropped by Bear Creek Vista Point in Los Gatos, CA and the town of Boulder Creek, CA. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

High Resolution Photos: If you want to see high resolution photos of any of the photos you see here, use the following links. If you wish to purchase prints of any of the photos, please contact me here. To view my best Los Gatos, CA photos, use this link. To see all of my photos from Los Gatos, CA, use this link. To see all of my photos from Boulder Creek, CA, use this link. To see all of my photos from Big Basin State Park, use this link.

Our first stop was Bear Creek Vista Point in Los Gatos, CA. The view of the mountains and forest was amazing!

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest and Wild Mustard Flowers (bottom right). The photo was shot at Bear Creek Vista Point in Los Gatos, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 02" N 122° 02' 03" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest, and Wild Mustard Flowers & Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) (bottom right). The photo was shot at Bear Creek Vista Point in Los Gatos, CA.

The photo was shot at the same spot as above.

A photo of Wild Mustard Flowers (left), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) (right), and Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest (background). The photo was shot at Bear Creek Vista Point in Los Gatos, CA.

The photo was shot at the same spot as above.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest and Wild Mustard Flowers & Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) (bottom). The photo was shot at Bear Creek Vista Point in Los Gatos, CA.

The photo was shot at the same spot as above.

Next, we arrive at Boulder Creek, CA, where I came to take some photos of the town and buy some Mexican food for lunch.

A scenery photo of stores shot on State Route 9 in Boulder Creek, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 07' 34" N 122° 07' 21" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of Boulder Creek Sheriff's Office and Fire Department shot on State Route 9 in Boulder Creek, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 07' 31" N 122° 07' 21" W

After I got my lunch, we went to Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. The park was pretty much a ghost town. Google Maps in the morning did display that the park was pretty much a ghost town despite several state parks near it filled to the brim. I thought maybe it was an error on Google Maps. Nope! The park really was a ghost town. The last time I visited the heart of Big Basin State Park was in 2016, and in 2017, I did the hike from Waddell Beach to Berry Creek Falls. The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire changed the park forever. All the trees were burned, and the historic Park Headquarters is no more. Unfortunately, only a small area of Big Basin State Park was open, and there was really not much to see. The new bathrooms in the heart of Big Basin are porta-potties, and the new temporary visitor center is made from (I'm guessing) a shipping container. While it was interesting seeing the stark contrast of what Big Basin State Park is now versus what it used to be, the trip was mostly a disappointment.

A scenery photo of State Route 236 and burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 21" N 122° 13' 20" W

A scenery photo of the location of Historic Park Headquarters burned down by CZU Lightning Complex Wildfire. In the background is the burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest. The photo was shot in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 21" N 122° 13' 18" W

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Redwood Loop Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 20" N 122° 13' 25" W

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Redwood Loop Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 15" N 122° 13' 25" W

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Redwood Loop Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 14" N 122° 13' 27" W

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Redwood Loop Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

The photo was shot near the same spot as above.

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Redwood Loop Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

The photo was shot near the same spot as above.

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Redwood Loop Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 13" N 122° 13' 26" W

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Redwood Loop Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 08" N 122° 13' 23" W

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on Skyline-To-The-Sea Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 27" N 122° 13' 25" W

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot at the intersection of Dool Trail and Sunset Trail in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 33" N 122° 13' 24" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of burned Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest shot on North Escape Road in Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 10' 32" N 122° 13' 18" W

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Mt. Diablo State Park - Contra Costa County, CA

On 26 May 2024, my parents and I drove took a trip to Mt. Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA driving to the top of Mt. Diablo. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

High Resolution Photos: If you want to see high resolution photos of any of the photos you see here, use the following links. If you wish to purchase prints of any of the photos, please contact me here. To see all of my photos from this trip, use this link.

A scenery photo of Mt. Diablo and forest shot on Fossil Ridge Road.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 50' 51" N 121° 55' 51" W

A photo of a rock at Rock City.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 51' 01" N 121° 56' 04" W

A scenery photo of Tri-Valley (San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton), Mission Peak & Mt. Allison (slightly left from center), and Sunol Peak (slightly right from center). The photo was shot at Livermore Valley Overlook near Summit Road.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 51' 45" N 121° 55' 50" W

A scenery photo from Livermore Valley Overlook near Summit Road. In the distance are San Pablo Bay, Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Benicia.

The photo was shot at the same spot as above.

A black and white process of the photo above.

The rest of the photos in this blog post are from the summit of Mt. Diablo.

A scenery photo of North Peak, delta region, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Antioch Bridge, and clouds. The photo was shot on the summit of Mt. Diablo.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 52' 55" N 121° 54' 51" W

A scenery photo of North Peak, delta region, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, and Antioch Bridge. The photo was shot on the summit of Mt. Diablo.

The photo was shot at the same spot as above.

A scenery photo of the Mt. Diablo Summit Building and mountains. The photo was shot on the summit of Mt. Diablo.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 52' 54" N 121° 54' 51" W

A scenery photo of Brentwood (center), Stockton (in the distance on the right), and clouds. The photo was shot on the summit of Mt. Diablo.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 52' 55" N 121° 54' 51" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of San Pablo Bay, Walnut Creek, fog, mountains, and clouds. The photo was shot on the summit of Mt. Diablo.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 52' 54" N 121° 54' 51" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of delta region, windmills, Pittsburg, and Antioch. The photo was shot on the summit of Mt. Diablo.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 52' 55" N 121° 54' 51" W

A scenery photo of Altamont Pass windmills and Tracy (left). The photo was shot on the summit of Mt. Diablo.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 37° 52' 54" N 121° 54' 51" W

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Martinez Bridge, Lake Berryessa, Lake Hennessey

On 25 May 2024, my parents and I drove to see Lake Berryessa and Lake Hennessey in Napa County, CA. We also visited Benicia Bridge Vista Point in Benicia, CA and Putah Creek in Yolo County, CA. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

High Resolution Photos: If you want to see high resolution photos of any of the photos you see here, use the following links. If you wish to purchase prints of any of the photos, please contact me here. To see all of my photos from Benicia, CA, use this link. To see all of my photos from Yolo County, CA, use this link. To see all of my photos from Napa County, CA, use this link.

Our first stop was Benicia Bridge Vista Point in Benicia, CA. This vista point was very hard to find! We actually accidentally entered the port where they are driving imported vehicles off the cargo ships! 😂 We backed out and ended up finding the vista point. The view of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge is beautiful!

A scenery photo of Benicia-Martinez Bridge (left & right), Benicia-Martinez Railroad Bridge (slightly right from center), Mt. Diablo (in the distance on the left), Martinez (across the bridges), clouds, parking lot, and the bay. The photo was shot at Benicia Bridge Vista Point in Benicia, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 03' 01" N 122° 07' 47" W

A scenery photo of Benicia-Martinez Bridge (center), Benicia-Martinez Railroad Bridge (right), 

Mt. Diablo (in the distance on the right), Martinez (in the distance), clouds, and the bay. The photo was shot at Benicia Bridge Vista Point in Benicia, CA.

The photo was shot at the same spot as above.

Next, we arrive at Putah Creek in Yolo County, CA. The place was very nice, but it was hot! We also heard some peacocks at Lake Solano County Park.

A scenery photo of Putah Creek, trees, and clouds. The photo was shot on Pleasants Valley Road, near Lake Solano County Park, in Yolo County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 29' 36" N 122° 01' 42" W

We then started our drive down State Route 128 towards Lake Berryessa in Napa County, CA.

A scenery photo of Putah Creek, trees, clouds, and mountains. The photo was shot on Putah Creek Fishing Access in Yolo County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 30' 27" N 122° 02' 37" W

A scenery photo of State Route 128, mountains, and clouds shot in Yolo County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 30' 37" N 122° 02' 44" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

We arrive at Lake Berryessa in Napa County, CA to view the Glory Hole!

A scenery photo of Lake Berryessa, Glory Hole (left), mountains, and clouds. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 30' 44" N 122° 06' 14" W

A photo of Lake Berryessa, Glory Hole, and mountains. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

The photo was shot at the same spot as above.

A photo of Lake Berryessa and Glory Hole. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 30' 43" N 122° 06' 17" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A photo of Lake Berryessa Dam and Putah Creek. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 30' 44" N 122° 06' 14" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of Lake Berryessa, mountains, clouds, and wild mustard flowers (bottom right). The photo was shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 30' 35" N 122° 06' 40" W

A scenery photo of Lake Berryessa, mountains, and clouds. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 30' 08" N 122° 07' 07" W

A scenery photo of a pond (most likely dammed off from the rest of Lake Berryessa to build the road), mountains, and clouds. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 29' 55" N 122° 07' 16" W

Next, we started driving down State Route 128 towards Napa Valley, dropping by Lake Hennessey.

A scenery photo of State Route 128, mountains, and a cloud shot in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 28' 02" N 122° 09' 04" W

A scenery photo of Lake Hennessey, forest, and mountains shot on the side of State Route 128 in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 29' 24" N 122° 20' 56" W

A scenery photo of Lake Hennessey, forest, and mountains shot at Lake Hennessey Boat Launch in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 29' 01" N 122° 21' 24" W

A scenery photo of Lake Hennessey, forest, and mountains shot at Lake Hennessey Boat Launch in Napa County, CA.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 29' 02" N 122° 21' 26" W

After this, we had dinner in Napa, CA, before heading home for the day! It was my first time at Lake Berryessa and Lake Hennessey despite living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 2 decades! The lakes are beautiful!

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.