California’s oldest state park is home to some of the largest and oldest living things in the world – trees taller than the Statue of Liberty, and older than the Roman Empire. Discover how these ancient trees have persisted for millenia via a self-guided stroll and accompanying brochure along the Redwood Loop Trail. Other notable features include Berry Creek Falls—reached via a rewarding 9-mile trek—and Rancho del Oso, a coastal expanse named for the area’s former grizzly bear population.

Big Basin has the “largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco,” according to the state park’s website. Many trees here are nearly 300 feet tall and more than 1,000 years old. It’s hard to even appreciate their full scale from the ground, but you’ll certainly feel dwarfed when you stand next to a trunk that’s 60 feet in circumference. On the Redwood Loop, you can do just that. You can even walk inside one that’s been hollowed out by fire, though it still survives.