Henry Cowell Redwoods SP - Felton, CA (Cellphone Photos)

On the 18th December 2025, my parents and I went to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA to see Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens), and later we dropped by Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA (no pictures from this location this time). I took photos with my cellphone. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest. The photo was shot on the trail between Redwood Grove Loop Trail and Pipeline Road in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A photo of mushrooms on a dead tree, grass, and leaves. The photo was shot on Pipeline Road in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

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.

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP & Natural Bridges SB (Cellphone Photos)

On the 10th November 2025, my mom and I went to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA to see Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens), and later we dropped by Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA. I took photos with my cellphone. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

The first stop on our trip is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens) and ferns. The photo was shot on Redwood Grove Trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens) and ferns. The photo was shot on Pipeline Road in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens) and ferns. The photo was shot on Eagle Creek Trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens) and ferns. The photo was shot on Pipeline Road in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens), sign, and ferns. The photo was shot at the intersection of Pipeline Road and Rincon Fire Road in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

Our next stop was Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA. Unfortunately there were not a lot of monarch butterflies present yet. I only saw a small amount through my binoculars. It was a bit of a disappointment.

A scenery photo of Sandy Beach, clouds, houses, trees, Monterey Bay (left), lifeguard station (right), and people. The photo was shot at Sandy Beach in Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA.

A scenery photo of Sandy Beach, Natural Bridge (right), clouds, people, Monterey Bay, cars (left), and birds. The photo was shot at Sandy Beach in Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA.

A scenery photo of Sandy Beach, Natural Bridge (right), clouds, people, Monterey Bay, cars (left), and birds. The photo was shot at Sandy Beach in Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA.

A scenery photo of Sandy Beach (right), clouds, houses, Natural Bridge (left), Monterey Bay, birds, iceplant (bottom). The photo was shot at 20 Minutes Parking Lot in Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA.

A scenery photo of Monterey Bay, clouds, mountains (in the distance), iceplant (bottom). The photo was shot at 20 Minutes Parking Lot in Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA.

After this, we made a quick trip to Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz, CA (no photos), and stopped by Luigi's Pizza and Pasta in Campbell, CA before heading home. I still highly recommend Luigi's Pizza and Pasta (2495 Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA 95008) if you ever pass by. The food is good!

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.

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP & Scott Creek Beach (Cellphone Photos)

On the 18th April 2025, my parents and I went for a day trip to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA and Scott Creek Beach in Santa Cruz County, CA. I had a great time seeing the giant Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens). While I did bring my mirrorless camera on this trip, I didn't end up using it as the scenes were super contrasted with no clouds in the sky that day (at least in Henry Cowell Redwoods SP, there were clouds at Scott Creek Beach). I took photos with my cellphone. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

Message from the Photographer: I went on a few day trips during this previous long weekend (Easter Weekend). My energy has been much less affected recently, however I think Long COVID has shifted into attacking something else. Recently, my brain has been having some issues with forming speech, along with some other weirdness.

Our first stop (our main stop) is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA. It was quite warm in the redwood forest that day.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood Forest (Sequoia sempervirens), ferns, and Redwood Grove Loop Trail (right). The photo was shot in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A photo of an antique camera in the visitor center at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

My mom helped take a photo of me next to a Coast Redwood Tree (Sequoia sempervirens). The photo was shot on Redwood Grove Loop Trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

My mom helped take a photo of me next to a Coast Redwood Tree (Sequoia sempervirens). The photo was shot on Redwood Grove Loop Trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A photo shooting upwards from the forest floor showing multiple Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens), showing just how tall these trees are, and showing how thick the forest is. The photo was shot on Redwood Grove Loop Trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A photo of Redwood Grove Loop Trail (center), Coast Redwood Forest (Sequoia sempervirens), people (center), and ferns. The photo was shot in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A photo of Redwood Grove Loop Trail (right), Coast Redwood Forest (Sequoia sempervirens), people (right), and ferns. The photo was shot in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A photo of Redwood Grove Loop Trail (bottom center), Coast Redwood Forest (Sequoia sempervirens), people (center), and ferns. The photo was shot in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

I took this photo just to show off how tall these Coast Redwood Trees (Sequoia sempervirens) are.

A scenery photo of the Old Train Trestle Bridge, San Lorenzo River, and forest. The photo was shot on River Trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Coast Redwood Forest (Sequoia sempervirens), ferns, and River Trail (right). The photo was shot in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Eagle Creek, rocks, Coast Redwood Forest (Sequoia sempervirens), and ferns. The photo was shot at Cable Car Beach in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

A scenery photo of Eagle Creek, rocks, Coast Redwood Forest (Sequoia sempervirens), and ferns. The photo was shot at Cable Car Beach in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA.

Our last stop for the day was Scott Creek Beach in Santa Cruz County, CA. It was super cold by the beach, but I finally was able to see some clouds in the sky that day. While on the beach, an unexpected high wave came in and soaked my feet. Unfortunately for me, I was wearing hiking shoes that day.

A photo of a lagoon, wetlands, mountains, trees, cows (in the distance on the left), and clouds. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 1 (next to Scott Creek Beach) in Santa Cruz County, CA.

A scenery photo of Scott Creek Beach, Pacific Ocean (left), birds (in the distance in the center), State Route 1 (right), mountains (right), and clouds. The photo was shot in Santa Cruz County, CA.

A scenery photo of Scott Creek Beach, Pacific Ocean (right), rocks, Scott Creek Bridge (left), and clouds. The photo was shot in Santa Cruz County, CA.

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.

Big Basin SP, Boulder Creek, Bear Creek Vista Point

On 27th 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.

Land of the Medicine Buddha (Cellphone Photos) - Soquel, CA

On 12 November, 2022, my parents and I took a day trip to Land of the Medicine Buddha in Soquel, CA, and Pacific Grove, CA. I took cellphone photos on my trip. The photos are split into 2 blog posts (Soquel & Pacific Grove). I hope you enjoy viewing my photos. 

Parts: Land of the Medicine Buddha | Pacific Grove, CA

Our first stop on our day trip was the Land of the Medicine Buddha in Soquel, CA. The Land of the Medicine Buddha is a Tibetan style Buddhist monastery and retreat center located at 5800 Prescott Rd, Soquel, CA 95073 in the Santa Cruz mountains. Ever since I came to the US as a child from China, this is the second time I visited a Buddhist monastery in the US (the first time was visiting a monastery in San Francisco). As a child in China, my mom would take me to our local monastery to pray every weekend, but unfortunately the US just doesn't have that many Buddhist monasteries for us to do that. I had a great time viewing everything the Land of the Medicine Buddha had to offer despite our short visit. This was our family's first time experiencing a Tibetan style Buddhist monastery as none of us have every been to Tibet before. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos from the monastery and retreat center.

We first checked out the area near the headquarters of the retreat grounds.

A photo of a Buddha statue at the main entrance.

A photo from near the main entrance. On the right is the Great Prayer Wheel.

A photo from the headquarters of the retreat. On the right is a prayer wheel.

A photo of a prayer wheel at the headquarters of the retreat.

A few photos of the statue of the Guanyin Bodhisattva near the book store and gift shop.

中文：观音菩萨、观世音菩萨、观自在菩萨。

Photos of the Great Prayer Wheel.

A photo of a few Buddha statues inside the Main Gompa.

A photo of a Buddha statue and photos of the 14th Dalai Lama inside the Main Gompa.

A photo of Buddha statues inside the Main Gompa. On the right in the corner is a photo of the 14th Dalai Lama.

A panorama of Buddha statues and photos of the 14th Dalai Lama inside the Main Gompa.

Up next, we went to Ksitigarbha Pure Land venue of the retreat.

A photo of a prayer wheel at Ksitigarbha Pure Land.

A photo of a Buddha statue and many small prayer wheels at Ksitigarbha Pure Land.

A photo of a bell at Ksitigarbha Pure Land.

A photo of a gong at Ksitigarbha Pure Land.

A wide angle photo of Ksitigarbha Pure Land.

Up next we checked out the Wish Fulfilling Temple venue at the retreat.

A photo of the Wish Fulfilling Temple.

A photo of the statue of the Maitreya​ Buddha in the Wish Fulfilling Temple.

中文：弥勒佛、弥勒菩萨。

At the end of our visit to Land of the Medicine Buddha, we visited a work in progress, the 100,000 Stupa Project.

A photo of the stupa at the 100,000 Stupa Project.

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 Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Parts: Land of the Medicine Buddha | Pacific Grove, CA