The same redwoods that awed passengers back in 1875 when the Roaring Camp Railroads opened are still doing so today. Roaring Camp, headquartered in Felton, California, takes visitors on train rides through the towering trees up to the summit of Bear Mountain or to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Visitors can also tour the train depot's grounds, which include an old-fashioned general store, playing fields, a stage for special events and more. 

Although the train tickets are pricey, most recent travelers said the breathtaking views of the redwoods are worth every penny (some described the experience as "magical"). Some reviewers recommend visiting during Roaring Camp Railroads' special events, including Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party and the Holiday Tree Walk. 

Roaring Camp Railroads is open on the weekends in the fall and spring, and is open daily in the summer. The trains take two different routes – the Redwood Forest Steam Train is a 75-minute round-trip ride up Bear Mountain; the Santa Cruz Beach Train is a three-hour round-trip ride from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Tickets cost $29 for adults and $22 for children for the Redwood Forest Steam Train, and $31 for adults and $25 for children for the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Kids younger than 2 ride for free. Keep in mind that there are also parking fees for both the Santa Cruz and the Felton (Roaring Camp headquarters) train departures – $12 and $10, respectively. Felton is situated about 7 miles northwest of downtown Santa Cruz. For more information, consult Roaring Camp's website.