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Just found a unknown hidden Gem near Santa Cruz


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#1 CALIcamperdad

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Posted 25 March 2015 - 06:52 PM

I'm sure this place won't stay unknown for long

 

Currently it does not show up in the St parks site which is why its probably not known very well.

 

Little Basin St Park formerly known as the Little Basin HP employee camp.

I could only find two videos on line and both are pretty limited but looks like a really nice place.

 

Only 2 miles from the Big Basin St Park which is packed and sold out months and months ahead of time!

 

Hmmm?

 

Thought you folks might enjoy this

 

Shows up in Reserve America under Little Basin State Park


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#2 super doody

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Posted 26 March 2015 - 04:46 AM

I'm sure this place won't stay unknown for long

 

Currently it does not show up in the St parks site which is why its probably not known very well.

 

Little Basin St Park formerly known as the Little Basin HP employee camp.

I could only find two videos on line and both are pretty limited but looks like a really nice place.

 

Only 2 miles from the Big Basin St Park which is packed and sold out months and months ahead of time!

 

Hmmm?

 

Thought you folks might enjoy this

 

Shows up in Reserve America under Little Basin State Park

Thanks for the tip!


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#3 CALIcamperdad

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Posted 26 March 2015 - 04:05 PM

I booked a site for mid April. Ill report back. Big Basin has been booked soilid for over a month for April. Little Basin had several nice sites still available. For sure keeping this one on the radar.

Edited by CALIcamperdad, 26 March 2015 - 04:06 PM.

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#4 kmcintyre

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Posted 26 March 2015 - 11:03 PM

Having worked and retired from HP, this kind of sucks.  Bill and Dave had a few of these sites for employees and then when Carly took over (maybe Hurd) they sold them.  The beginning of the end for HP was when they went outside for a CEO.


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#5 CALIcamperdad

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Posted 27 March 2015 - 01:15 AM

Km HP was in decline when they stopped developing new tech. No new tech your screwed. If your screwed the best and brightest goes elseware and the decline snowball picks up speed.

Just glad they gave it to the state parks vs sell out to a developer.

Edited by CALIcamperdad, 27 March 2015 - 01:20 AM.

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#6 kmcintyre

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Posted 27 March 2015 - 01:29 AM

I agree CALIcamperdad.  I'm glad it didn't get developed too. 


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#7 wuck

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Posted 03 April 2015 - 05:57 PM

Yeah, just think, it coulda been "CampCarly". Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

Fond memories of Little Basin, first went to HP employee picnic there in late 60's - My mom worked at the Santa Clara site then.

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#8 CALIcamperdad

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Posted 20 April 2015 - 10:20 PM

Ok so quick campground report for Little Basin which is just 2.2 miles from Big Basin St Park located in the coastal Redwoods in the mountains above Santa Cruz.

Little Basin I think is more family and kid friendly than the Big Basin campgrounds.

Little basin has a huge modern play structure for the kids, and a second set of swings located in another location. Along with a proper fenced in soccer field and they have a small Frisbee Golf course that runs through the meadow. I must say we were really impressed. The showers we were told were getting a major rebuild this week and that was our primary complaint given the showers near us were closed this weekend but they are being rebuilt this week.

Some notes regarding the layout when you look at the map the sites in the higher numbers are in the hilly terrain and the sites in the lower numbers are down on the flat. For instance we had site #29 which was for frame of reference half way if you will up the hill. Not steep but our site was sloped and the parking pad was not level. We arrived late 12 midnight not ideal for a good set up of our tent trailer. Anyway I have a Horse shoe folding tire type leveling device basically it cradles the tire then has a large screw resting in the lower portion that you then crank up to lift the tire off the ground and level the trailer. I had it maxed out and were were just barely level tire was about 13inches off the ground on one side. Needless to say Friday night I found my self laying on the floor twice given I didn't get our bed level.

I had to do a little minor excavating Saturday to get the adjustable feet on the outer portion of our bed frame to sit a little lower on the hill side to level the bed.

Anyway the campground was really nice quiet no bug issues though they did have lots of standing water left over from the rains we had over a week ago. So that could change. Roads were all paved and in great shape unlike Big Basin LOL. Fewer people and not on the main road its well hidden off the beaten path.

Keep in mind its privately run but State land so its an odd combo and they do have rules that are Atypical. No dogs period. I have a dog he stayed home I didn't have an issue with that. No Alcohol which is one I found very interesting. I suspect its more of a tool to shut down and chase out loud groups given they don't check your kit when you come in. Wife and I had a nice glass of wine after the kids went to bed. ;-)

The picnic tables were all modern metal table bench combos with a rubber coating cemented in place. Sadly ours was far from level which made cooking on the end of it on the camp stove a major pain.

We will be going back but probably target a lower number site for a flatter set up.


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#9 Ethergore

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Posted 30 April 2015 - 01:24 AM

Pretty expensive place but thanks for the tip.


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