Any fans of Muir Woods , outside of San Francisco, would love this less traveled spot, Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos, CA, just south of Santa Cruz. It’s uncrowded and one can drive miles into this expansive park without paying a fee. The Park is probably bigger than Muir Woods with probably more ‘rain forests’ and lakes, as it were. We had never been here before or even heard of it until this time we happened to almost run into it during a visit to the South Bay. Highly recommended and you can see much of the park by car, as mentioned, or by bike. It’s very easy to find, just off the main drag in the burg of Aptos, off Hwy 1
