Steaming Through the Redwoods

It's hard to beat a day in the redwoods, especially if the day includes a ride on a narrow-gauge railroad once used to haul redwood logs out of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Roaring Camp Railroad's vintage steam engines date to the 1890s, but today they haul people—and dogs, if leashed and well behaved—on a scenic route through towering redwood groves and up a winding grade to the summit of Bear Mountain. The ride itself is only an hour long, but the beautiful grounds invite lingering.

Almost every weekend in summer is filled with special events. They range from "great train robbery" excursions to moonlight rides, visits by Thomas the Tank Engine, a gathering of mountain men and even a musical saw festival. A children's ghost train in late October has been named one of the country's top 10 Halloween events.

Roaring Camp also operates a beach train from Felton to Santa Cruz, but since the Santa Cruz station is at the Beach Boardwalk, where dogs are not allowed, that route isn't as suitable for DogTrekkers.

Photo: "Roaring Camp Covered Bridge" - Mel Foody (CC)