Family Weekender: San Francisco

Austin Creek Recreation Area

Go Guide

Getting there: From River Road in Guerneville, drive 5 miles north on Armstrong Woods Road to the park entrance.

Reference: The Hiker's Hip Pocket Guide to the Sonoma Coast, by Bob Lorentzen. Bored Feet Publications, (888) 336-6199.
 

Added value: Go for a horseback ride with the park's horse outfitters, (707) 887-2939; www.metro.net/ayers. Or canoe the nearby Russian River, (800) 640-1386; www.trowbridgecanoe.com.
 

Contact: Armstrong Redwoods/Austin Creek State Recreation Area, (707) 869-2015; www.mcn.org/1/rrparks/parks/austinc.htm.
 

Even 21st century kids like a good tree fort. And you can't beat a house-size redwood tree when it comes to finding your own coniferous castle. In Armstrong Redwoods State Park there are hollowed out trees big enough for the whole family to take shelter. A mile-long self-guided nature trail winds through the 300-foot-tall trees.

The real secret here is the redwood-shrouded campground where you and the kids can pitch a tent and camp amongst (if not actually in) the big trees. Austin Creek Recreation Area and the campground at Bullfrog Pond are located in a hidden wilderness of rolling hills and sparkling streams tucked behind Armstrong Redwoods. A number of hiking trails emanate from the campground area, and young anglers can fish in the pond.