Samuel P. Taylor State Park

This 2,800 acre park features a unique contrast of coast redwood groves and open grassland. Shaded, fern-filled groves of coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are found along the canyon bottoms and up the north-facing slopes. Head up the Pioneer Tree trail, just past the gate at the Redwood Grove Picnic Area, for a lovely experience in a quiet forest. Other tree species found in the park are tanoak, madrone, live oak, laurel and Douglas fir. The striking elk clover displays immense leaves with huge cream-colored flowers in early summer. The most common animal in the park is the black-tailed deer. There are also raccoons, striped skunks and gray foxes. Coho salmon and steelhead trout migrate up Lagunitas Creek to spawn. This dedication was made in memory of Betty Setzer who spent her childhood among California's old-growth redwoods.