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Big Basin Redwoods State Park
California's oldest state park is one of its best. If you can cope with the crowds and are willing to venture beyond the half-mile walking loop with its admittedly impressive old-growth trees, Big Basin rewards with deep canyons dense with eons-old redwood giants and sun-blasted ridge-crests offering distant Pacific views. Several waterfalls, many campsites, a few very rustic cabins and dozens of trails make this a worthy destination.
To get to Big Basin: From Santa Cruz drive north up Highway 9 to Boulder Creek; turn left at 236 and drive 10 miles to park entrance. To reach Rancho del Oso (the coastal section of the park), drive 16 miles north of Western Drive on Highway 1 and park at Waddell Creek. 831.338.8860. -
Castle Rock State Park
Castle Rock is nicely located at the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where Highway 9 meets Skyline Boulevard halfway between Boulder Creek and Los Gatos. Thus situated, it allows for unparalleled views west to Monterey Bay and east across the Santa Clara Valley toward the Diablo range. Besides the pretty sights, it offers rare recreational opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers and rock-climbers. The Rock for which the park is named is a climber's dream. Long a training ground for serious enthusiasts, it is now beloved by purists for whom bouldering without ropes is a favored pastime. Similar formations, such as Goat Rock, inspire similar affection among the vertical set.
To reach Castle Rock: Drive north from Santa Cruz on Highway 9. Turn south at Skyline Boulevard and go 2.5 miles to entrance. 408.867.2952 -
Fall Creek State Park
Universally described as the best-kept secret in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Fall Creek is technically part of Henry Cowell Redwoods, although it's located a mile or so farther up Highway 9 and a short jaunt up Felton Empire Road.With only a dirt parking lot to mark it, Fall Creek features trails that are often empty—something rare for hikers who prefer solitude. The Limekiln Ruins offer a glimpse back at California's mining history. The trail in and out features plenty of typically gorgeous stuff, including a host of creekside maples that make the place especially pretty in the fall.
To get to Fall Creek: Head up Highway 9 from Santa Cruz to Felton; turn left on Felton Empire. About a mile up, start looking out for the sign on the right. Turn in to the dirt parking lot and park. 831.335.4598 -
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
On the rich bottomland straddling the San Lorenzo River, Henry Cowell Redwood State Park contains some of the most impressive old-growth redwood trees on the planet, most of which are located on an easily accessible short loop trail. A small yet mind-blowing collection of individual wonders, together they demonstrate the remarkable variety of forms the Sequoia sempervirens can take, given a few thousand years to improvise. By themselves, they are worth a visit, but the small park offers much more. Close enough to Santa Cruz to allow for a spontaneous getaway, Henry Cowell nevertheless contains some hidden gems. Local teenagers and hippies know about the pools of Sycamore Grove, accessible from a turnout on Highway 9, two miles south of Felton, marked by the namesake grove of tall trees with their telltale white bark. Up and down the San Lorenzo throughout Henry Cowell, there are a half-dozen equally swimmable holes, each of which contain the unbeatable summertime combination of hot rocks and cold water. (Be advised: At best, the water quality in the river is questionable, so remember to keep your mouth shut as you dive in.)
To get to Henry Cowell: Drive north of Santa Cruz up Highway 9. About six miles up, on the outskirts of Felton, is the entrance to Henry Cowell. To reach the campground, take Graham Hill Road out of Santa Cruz toward Felton; once past the summit, look for the sign on the left. 831.335.4598. -
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
One of California's southernmost redwood forests is rebirthing right here along Aptos Creek, as second-growth trees thrive on land that was clearcut some 80 years ago. Proximity to the sea gives Nisene Marks a special flavor—any short, steep hike leads to spectacular views across Monterey Bay. On a typical summer day, morning coastal fog gives way to shade-softened heat; in wintertime, the big trees offer some protection from the rains. Nisene Marks' legacy as a logging camp is evident throughout the park, and not only in the form of huge stumps. The remnants of the Loma Prieta Mill, as well abandoned rip-rap roads and other artifacts, can make for some interesting historical viewing.
To get to Nisene Marks: Take the State Park exit off Highway 1 away from the sea; turn right on Soquel Drive; after a mile, turn left on Aptos Creek Road to park entrance. 831.763.7063. -
Pogonip Park
Although it's not a state park (it's operated by the city of Santa Cruz), Pogonip has the feel of one, with the bonus of being about six minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. Its 640 acres include grassland, redwoods, laurel and oak—and lovely views of town and the bay looking toward Moss Landing. And it's a hikers paradise: bikes and horses aren't allowed. The road leading up from Golf Club Drive is thronged with berry bushes, though you have to get up pretty early in the morning to beat the neighbors to them come late summer.
To get to Pogonip: From Santa Cruz, drive up Highway 9; a half mile past the intersection with Highway 1 is Golf Club Drive; turn left, follow to the gate and park. Alternatively, enter through Harvey West Park or Spring Street on the Westside. 831.420.5270. -
UCSC Trail System
UCSC may have a burgeoning science department, fun and quirky professors and a refreshingly laidback attitude, but the main reason many end up applying to this city on a hill is the fact that it's drenched in natural beauty. The real treats are hidden deep in the campus, where a 400-acre network of nature reserves protects an array of unique ecosystems, ranging from seep springs to evergreen forests to sweeping wide-open meadows. The Seep Zone, which has a trailhead leaving from the back parking lot of College 10, features a number of tree species and a lush layer of undergrowth. Redwoods, firs, oaks and madrones are interspersed with wild azalea and chaparral shrubs formed by water collecting in the light surface soil.
For those on the east end of campus, the Pogonip can be accessed via a trailhead behind the Crown apartments. About half a mile in is a bench with a gorgeous view of the valley landscape below, and all along the trail are chinquapin groves, marsh plant life and dwarf redwoods. -
Wilder Ranch State Park
Spectacular Wilder Ranch comprises 7,000 acres of gorgeous, varied terrain and 34 miles of multi-use trails frequented by hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Cyclists flock to this park for its long, steep roads leading from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the sea; everyone else goes for the wildlife and the unparalleled vistas, not to mention a chance to experience oak-studded grasslands, cool redwood-shaded ravines and fragrant laurel groves all in one day. Chickens, draft horses and the odd goat and cow are to be found in this old dairy's small demonstration farm area, which also features beautiful Victorian houses that are open for weekend tours. Fourth of July and October Harvest festivals are big deals here. Old Cabin Trail—accessible by taking Engelman's Loop to Wild Boar—leads through a silent, fragrant stand of huge redwood trees. Coopers' hawks, marsh hawks and redtails rule the skies; downright brazen coyotes run the show on land. Lucky hikers might glimpse one of the bobcats that hangs around the old farm site.
To get to Wilder: Head north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1; approximately one mile north of Western is the brown State Parks sign for Wilder; turn left into the parking lot or park in the informal lot by the side of Highway 1. 831.426.0505.
