For a larger selection of State Beaches north of Santa Cruz toward Half Moon Bay(5 to 40 miles), please click on San Mateo County Beaches<\/a> <\/strong>or Parks and Open Spaces<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Due to the August 2020 wildfires, this park is temporarily closed.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0Maps<\/a><\/strong> >><\/p>\n One of our favorite short hikes \u2013 around 1 \u00bd hours round trip \u2013 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\/<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Address: 3600 CA-1, Davenport, CA 95017 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA\u00a0\u00a0 (831) 338-8860<\/p>\n Due to the August 2020 wildfires, this park is temporarily closed.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Address: 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 The park has 10,000 acres of rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet.<\/p>\n Major rating websites rate the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park 4.3 to 4.8 stars out of 5 . We love this park. Because of the beautiful trails, trees and vegetation, we rate it a solid 4.6 stars.<\/p>\n Address:\u00a0Aptos Creek Rd, Aptos, CA 95003 Harvey West Park is a 50-acre municipal park. Located just off the intersection of Highways 1, 9, and 17 and is truly Santa Cruz’ most complete central park complex. The park includes hiking trails, swimming pools, ball fields, play equipment, clubhouses, barbecue pits, picnic areas and more. It’s the perfect place for team sports, a Sunday picnic, an evening swim or just a walk on the trails.<\/p>\n Major rating websites rate Harvey West Park 4.0 to 4.4 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\n Address:\u00a0326 Evergreen St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Abundant wildlife viewing. Peaceful place for a walk. Interpretative signage and information available on site. No dogs allowed in wildlife refuge area.<\/p>\n Major rating websites rate Neary Lagoon 3.5 to 4.4 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\n Address: 110 California St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 A scenic 640-acre expanse of open meadows, woodlands and creeks., A multi-use trail (approximately 1 mile) is open to bicyclists and equestrians in the northernmost portion of Pogonip. This multi-use trail provides a connection between Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Pogonip, and UC Santa Cruz campus lands. Bicycles and horses are prohibited on all other trails in Pogonip.<\/p>\n Major rating websites rate Pogonip 4.0 to 4.6 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\n Address:\u00a0333 Golf Club Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 The site of a complex of buildings erected around the original Santa Cruz Mission.<\/p>\n Major rating websites rate Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park 4.0 to 4.5 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\n Address: 144 School St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 The Park has 4,505 acres, with 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails winding through coastal terraces and valleys.<\/p>\n Major rating websites rate Wilder Ranch State Park 4.3 to 4.7 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\n Address: 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 To explore beaches further north of Santa Cruz, please visit https:\/\/explorer1.com\/halfmoonbay\/things-to-do\/parks-open-spaces\/<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Santa Cruz County has many State and Local Parks and miles of unspoiled beaches that stretch both north and south of\u00a0 the City of Santa Cruz. For a larger selection of State Beaches north of Santa Cruz toward Half Moon Bay(5 to 40 miles), please click on San Mateo County Beaches or Parks and Open […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":1022,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Santa Cruz County <\/strong>has many State and Local Parks<\/strong> <\/a>and miles of unspoiled beaches<\/a> <\/strong>that stretch both north and south of\u00a0 the City of Santa Cruz.<\/p>\r\n For State and Local Parks in and around Santa Cruz, Please scroll down the page or click on Santa Cruz area Parks<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Click here for Santa Cruz beach<\/a><\/strong> reviews and recommendations.<\/p>\r\n For a larger selection of State Beaches north of Santa Cruz toward Half Moon Bay(5 to 40 miles), please click on San Mateo County Beaches<\/a> <\/strong>or Parks and Open Spaces<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n The park has 10,000 acres of rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet.<\/p>\r\n Major rating websites rate the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park 4.3 to 4.8 stars out of 5 . We love this park. Because of the beautiful trails, trees and vegetation, we rate it a solid 4.6 stars.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Address:\u00a0Aptos Creek Rd, Aptos, CA 95003\u00a0 Harvey West Park is a 50-acre municipal park. Located just off the intersection of Highways 1, 9, and 17 and is truly Santa Cruz' most complete central park complex. The park includes hiking trails, swimming pools, ball fields, play equipment, clubhouses, barbecue pits, picnic areas and more. It's the perfect place for team sports, a Sunday picnic, an evening swim or just a walk on the trails.<\/p>\r\n Major rating websites rate Harvey West Park 4.0 to 4.4 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\r\n Address:\u00a0326 Evergreen St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060\u00a0 Abundant wildlife viewing. Peaceful place for a walk. Interpretative signage and information available on site. No dogs allowed in wildlife refuge area.<\/p>\r\n Major rating websites rate Neary Lagoon 3.5 to 4.4 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\r\n Address: 110 California St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060\u00a0 A scenic 640-acre expanse of open meadows, woodlands and creeks., A multi-use trail (approximately 1 mile) is open to bicyclists and equestrians in the northernmost portion of Pogonip. This multi-use trail provides a connection between Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Pogonip, and UC Santa Cruz campus lands. Bicycles and horses are prohibited on all other trails in Pogonip.<\/p>\r\n Major rating websites rate Pogonip 4.0 to 4.6 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\r\n Address:\u00a0333 Golf Club Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060\u00a0 The site of a complex of buildings erected around the original Santa Cruz Mission.<\/p>\r\n Major rating websites rate Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park 4.0 to 4.5 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\r\n Address: 144 School St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060\u00a0 The Park has 4,505 acres, with 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails winding through coastal terraces and valleys.<\/p>\r\n Major rating websites rate Wilder Ranch State Park 4.3 to 4.7 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\r\n Address: 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060\u00a0 Big Basin Redwoods State Park\u00a0(ocean side)<\/em><\/p>\r\n One of our favorite short hikes \u2013 around 1 \u00bd hours!<\/span><\/p>\r\n 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.\u00a0Maps<\/a><\/strong> >><\/p>\r\n Major rating websites rate Rancho Del Oso 4.7 stars out of 5 .<\/p>\r\n Address: 3600 CA-1, Davenport, CA 95017\u00a0\u00a0 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA\u00a0\u00a0 (831) 338-8860<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n<\/a>State & Local Santa Cruz Parks and Nature Preserves<\/h2>\n
Big Basin State Park\u2014Rancho Del Oso (Ocean end of the State Park)<\/em><\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 427-2288
Website: https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=863<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Big](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.explorer1.com\/images\/camping\/big-basin1.jpg?w=1080\")
Big Basin State Park<\/a><\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 338-8861
Website: https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=540<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Nisene](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.explorer1.com\/images\/camping\/Nisene-Marks1.jpg?w=1080\")
<\/a>The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park<\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 763-7063
website: https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=666<\/a><\/p>\nHarvey West Park \u2014 City Park<\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 420-5270
Website: https:\/\/www.cityofsantacruz.com\/government\/city-departments\/parks-recreation\/parks-beaches-open-spaces\/parks\/harvey-west-park<\/a><\/p>\nNeary Lagoon \u2014\u00a0City Park<\/span><\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 420-5270
Website: https:\/\/www.cityofsantacruz.com\/government\/city-departments\/parks-recreation\/parks-beaches-open-spaces\/parks\/neary-lagoon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nPogonip \u2014\u00a0City Park<\/span><\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 420-5270
Website: https:\/\/www.cityofsantacruz.com\/government\/city-departments\/parks-recreation\/parks-beaches-open-spaces\/open-spaces\/pogonip<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nSanta Cruz Mission State Historic Park<\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 425-5849
website: https:\/\/thatsmypark.org\/parks-and-beaches\/santa-cruz-mission-state-historic-park\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWilder Ranch State Park<\/h3>\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 423-9703
Website: https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=549<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>Parks & Open Space North of Santa Cruz<\/h2>\n
<\/a>State & Local Santa Cruz Parks and Nature Preserves<\/h2>\r\n
![\"Nisene](\"http:\/\/www.explorer1.com\/images\/camping\/Nisene-Marks1.jpg\")
<\/a>The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park<\/h3>\r\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 763-7063
website: https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=666<\/a><\/p>\r\nHarvey West Park \u2014 City Park<\/h3>\r\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 420-5270
Website: https:\/\/www.cityofsantacruz.com\/government\/city-departments\/parks-recreation\/parks-beaches-open-spaces\/parks\/harvey-west-park<\/a><\/p>\r\nNeary Lagoon \u2014\u00a0City Park<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 420-5270
Website: https:\/\/www.cityofsantacruz.com\/government\/city-departments\/parks-recreation\/parks-beaches-open-spaces\/parks\/neary-lagoon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\nPogonip \u2014\u00a0City Park<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 420-5270
Website: https:\/\/www.cityofsantacruz.com\/government\/city-departments\/parks-recreation\/parks-beaches-open-spaces\/open-spaces\/pogonip<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\nSanta Cruz Mission State Historic Park<\/h3>\r\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 425-5849
website: https:\/\/thatsmypark.org\/parks-and-beaches\/santa-cruz-mission-state-historic-park\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\nWilder Ranch State Park<\/h3>\r\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 423-9703
Website: https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=549<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/a>North of Santa Cruz on Hwy 1<\/h2>\r\n
Big Basin State Park\u2014Rancho Del Oso<\/h3>\r\n
Phone:\u00a0(831) 427-2288
Website: https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=863<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n![\"Big](\"http:\/\/www.explorer1.com\/images\/camping\/big-basin1.jpg\")
Big Basin State Park<\/a><\/h3>\r\n