Santa Cruz Hiking & Nature Walks

Santa Cruz is home to a number of wonderful areas that are perfect for hiking and nature walks.

To review our listings of hiking trails and nature walks, please scroll down the page.

Santa Cruz Parks, Beaches and Nature Preserves

Big Basin State Park—Rancho Del Oso (Ocean end of the State Park)

Due to the August 2020 wildfires, this park is temporarily closed.

Located 20 miles north of Santa Cruz on Hwy. 1, the park has miles of trails, which serves hikers and equestrians, links Big Basin to Castle Rock State Park and the eastern reaches of the Santa Cruz range. Maps >>

One of our favorite short hikes – around 1 ½ hours round trip – is located in the Rancho Del Oso section of the park by the ocean. For more information about his really fun hike, go to https://explorer1.com/santacruz/big-basin-redwoods-state-park-rancho-del-oso/.

After your hike or nature walk, walk across the highway to Waddle State Beach. It’s a parasailer’s paradise. Almost always windy, so you get a chance to see the bright colored sails dancing across the waves.

Major rating websites rate Rancho Del Oso 4.7 stars out of 5 . We love this place. Our rating is a solid 4.7 stars.

Address: 3600 CA-1, Davenport, CA 95017
Phone: (831) 427-2288
Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=863

Big Basin State Park

21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA (831) 338-8860

Due to the August 2020 wildfires, this park is temporarily closed.

The park has over 80 miles of trails. Be sure and pick up a map at park headquarters before your hike and take a look at the multimedia kiosk in the Sempervirens Room (next to park headquarters). There you will find great information, photos, and video of some of the most popular trails.

Address: 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
Phone: (831) 338-8861
Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540

DeLaveaga Park

Trails are open to hikers and bicyclists. Please stay on designated trails.

Major rating websites rate DeLaveaga Park 4.2 to 4.6 stars out of 5. We rate it a solid 4.5 stars.

Address: 850 N. Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Website: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/parks-recreation/parks-beaches-open-spaces/parks/delaveaga-park

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

The park offers rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet. It has over 30 miles of hiking, jogging and biking trails.

Major rating websites rate Forest of Nisene Marks State Park 4.3 to 4.8 stars out of 5. We rate it a solid 4.5 stars.

Address: Aptos Creek Road, Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA
Phone: (831) 763-7062
Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

This park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a forest that looks much the same as it did 200 years ago.

Major rating websites rate Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 4.2 to 5 stars out of 5. We rate it a solid 4.8 stars.

Address: 101 North Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA
Phone: (831) 438-2396
Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

Since one can take short hikes or rides to scenic overlooks or longer loop trips, the preserve is very popular with hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.

Major rating websites rate Long Ridge Open Space Preserve 4.5 to 4.7 stars out of 5.

Located on Skyline Boulevard, about 3.6 miles north of its intersection with Highway 9, and approximately 3.3 miles south of its intersection with Page Mill Road.

Address: La Honda, CA 94020
Phone: (650) 691-1200
Website: https://www.openspace.org/preserves/long-ridge

Pogonip Park

Pogonip features approximately 8 miles of hiking trails. In the northernmost portion of Pogonip, a multi-use trail (approximately one mile in length) is open hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. This multi-use trail provides a connection between Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Pogonip, and the upper UCSC campus. Bicycles and horses are prohibited on all other trails. Bicyclists must ride responsibly and at a safe speed.

Major rating websites rate Pogonip Park 4.2 to 4.6 stars out of 5.

Address: 333 Golf Club Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 420-5270
Website: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/parks-recreation/parks-beaches-open-spaces/open-spaces/pogonip

Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve

The two mile multi-use Saratoga Gap Trail provides great opportunities for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

Major rating websites rate Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve 4.5 to 4.7 stars out of 5.

located at Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Highway 9 intersection

Address: 28798 Big Basin Way, Los Gatos, CA 95033
Phone: (650) 691-1200
Website: https://www.openspace.org/preserves/saratoga-gap

Soquel Demonstration State Park

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Offering almost 5 miles (out and back) trails, this preserve is extremely popular with mountain bikers.

Major rating websites rate Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve 4.8 stars out of 5.

Address: 29400 Highland Way, Los Gatos, CA 95033
Phone: (831) 475-8643
Website: https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/demonstration-state-forests/soquel/

University of California Santa Cruz – UCSC

UCSC has many excellent bike trails on campus lands adjacent to the Campus Natural Reserve. Use of the campus trails, are encouraged. Riding bicycles in the reserve, on the trails or elsewhere, is prohibited

Major rating websites rate University of California Santa Cruz – UCSC 4.8 stars out of 5.

Address: 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA Campus Police at
Phone: (831) 459-2231
Website: https://maps.ucsc.edu/printable-maps/UCSC_upper_campus_map.pdf

UCSC Upper Campus Natural Reserve

Major rating websites rate this trail 4.8 stars out of 5.

Address: 7487 Red Hill Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-4867
Website: https://maps.ucsc.edu/printable-maps/UCSC_upper_campus_map.pdf

Seep Zone Interpretive Trail