Such a cool neighborhood park with 3 different sets of slides and some shade. One set of slides is…read morea long run, old school metal with several dips and generally there is cardboard at the bottom you can use to help you get more lift. There is a kiddie playground, too. And there is a basketball half court. Benches and picnic tables for snacks. Nice views of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in the distance.

A beautiful spot to sit in the shade and read, shoot hoops,or just gaze at the Boardwalk and ocean…read more Street parking only (including two handicapped spots), so try to come on a weekday. Several benches, but we take our folding chairs. Bring the dog -- they can be unleashed in part of the park. A functional restroom with two unisex stalls near the entrance -- an outside sink and soap dispenser complete the facility. I'm experiencing a profound sense of peace, despite the occasional screams from people on the rides at the Boardwalk.

Nice popular park , plenty of restroom and a community garden. They even have a water refilling…read morestation . The play ground it huge and a cute theme too

Wow! We went to Leo's Haven at Chanticleer Park and it's amazing. I wish this park was closer to…read morehome. It was just built in 2020 so everything is in great condition. It was built in partnership with Shane's Inspiration (if you've been to Griffith Park, it's the same organization). So, many of the park features are universally accessible. The playground area is spacious and a wonderful safe space for children. There are some climbing areas and slides for toddler age but the larger playground is great for preschool-elementary age. There isn't a ton of shade so bring hats and sunscreen! There are some benches scattered around the park and a few tables outside of the gated area. There is a private lot and street parking. They have bathrooms and they are fairly clean!

Came here for a short stroll along the coast on a day trip to Santa Cruz... I was impressed!…read moreExpansive and well maintained trails matched with beautiful views and wildlife! You can even go down to beaches, although the water doesn't look the best for swimming. Many birds and seals, and I believe the trail is pet friendly as well!

I often stop here for a picnic on my ride on the rail trail from Santa Cruz. The new trail…read moreextension to Davenport is almost complete!! Wilder ranch is such a great place. I bought a patch last weekend. Can't wait to eat another picnic lunch here while biking between Santa Cruz and Davenport!

Gorgeous trails, ample parking, a gift shop, clean restrooms, and some trails are even dog…read morefriendly! Henry Cowell State Park boasts some of the most spectacular Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One can opt for a trail hike, or make a campground reservation to spend more time in nature! Take in some fresh forest air, get your steps in, and take in the natural beauty around you. You surely will not be disappointed. $10 entry fee for the entire day. Such a deal!

This is a beautiful scenic hike surrounded by nature. The river runs alongside the trail for most…read moreof the way, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere as you make your way toward the overlook deck. The views are breathtaking and the sound of the flowing water makes the experience even more enjoyable. If you're planning a picnic, head down to the river area -- the water is not very deep, making it a great spot for families and kids to enjoy. The steam engine train ride adds a special charm to the visit, offering a beautiful way to take in the scenery. There are also BBQ options available where you can purchase food, along with items from the general store. You can also bring your own food and spend the day soaking in the peaceful surroundings. A wonderful place to hike, relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

If you love lighthouses come see this one…read more Food and coffee close by. Closed to look at but the view is worth it. Lots of parking Lots of places to sit and listen to the water.

Lighthouse Field State Beach is located in the city of Santa Cruz at the north end of Monterey Bay…read more The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in a 1967 lighthouse, is also in there. This is a spot to visit, relax, and enjoy the scenery and landscape, and a great spot to watch the surfers. Parking is free, but parking lots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Don't come here for a kids birthday party without a reservation. They do not have public picnic…read moretables (mostly on weekends), when they are "reserved". Pretty ridiculous to have zero public tables at a public park

Really nice park with a lot of space. It is right by a school. There is a big playground for the…read morekids. If you head up the stairs, there is a huge field with a large running track around it which worked out well for me. BTW, what's the scoop with the blue balls all around, someone has a sense of humor!

A Bridge Too Far…read more Sixty-five-acre park and beach located in Santa Cruz and named after a rock formation that forms a "natural bridge" across the ocean. The Good: * Restrooms * Bikes are allowed on paved roads. * Picnic Tables * The beach isn't huge, but it's great for tidepooling. Be sure to check the tide charts before arriving if that's what you're after. * One of the better places to spot Monarchs (mid-Oct to mid-Feb), as their grove of non-native Eucalyptus trees is an overwintering site for everyone's favorite butterfly. The Meh: * No dogs allowed. * $10 entrance fee or free with Golden Poppy Pass. The Ugly: * Can be a very popular place due to its location, especially if the butterflies are plentiful. Conclusion: Great place to visit with plenty to see and do--if your timing is right.

5/10/2026--Mother's Day: My second-born daughter, Kris on my right side and first-born daughter,…read moreJoy on my right-strolled on the beach. It's awesome seeing people building sand sculptures, just chilling mesmerized by the ocean waves' sound, and zoning out hearing the seagulls cawing.

First, this is Not a dog friendly beach as some reviews have stated…read more Otherwise, it is a gorgeous landing spot for viewing the natural bridge and tide pools. There is a long, and slippery walk to get to the tide pools. Unless you can sneak past the waves, against the rocks, like my kids did. Very nice bathrooms. Definitely worth the $10 parking.

Pretty small State park/beach. So there will be a fee to enter their parking lots. But there are…read morelots of free parking on the side streets if you don't mind walking a bit. The beach part is fairly short but wide. You can walk from end to end in just a few minutes. There's a big rock feature in the water that forms an arch. I heard it used to be attached to the land but has crumbled at some point so the rock now sits out in the water like an island. It's a sea bird's sanctuary so lots of bird activity. Behind the beach there's a marshland with lots of eucalyptus trees. There's a few trails out there that connect with the neighboring streets. I think this area is better for bike riding than hiking. And within those marshlands and thick covering of trees, makes an ideal habitat for monarch butterflies. I think around February is when they are in abundance. I came once about 5 years ago to see it. They were in good presence but it wasn't like a spectacle or anything. You have to look high into the trees where there is ample sunlight and you'll see a flickering of activity. If you want to take pics you'll get opportunities to see some up close near ground level. Not really a place for me to hang out or linger. But I do use this as a piece of a bigger hike where I'll start here and connect elsewhere. Sea Cliff Drive is near and that is a very picturesque road that hugs the ocean perched on a cliff. I love hiking it when it is foggy which is very often in these parts. Extra star for easy access and low key beauty.

Ducks. My daughter really wanted to see ducks. Let me post one photo and say in her words. "This…read moreplace rocks". Thanks for this location and we will return in the future for more fun animals searching.

I saw a few photos and reviews of this place and decided to check it out. I was I interested in…read moreseeing the goats but apparently they already did their job of mowing down the grass and left. But we saw lots of birds and ducks! It's a lovely place with a long boardwalk that meanders around. We thought the entrance near the water plant was very stinky but as we walked past it we didn't smell it anymore. It's a nice place to visit if you're around the area and want to get away from the city for a bit.

Garden My Heart…read more 115-acre botanical garden and seed preserve located a few miles from the UCSC campus. The Good: * Not just native plants, but they have an extensive collection of plants and trees from all over the world. In fact, the garden is separated by continent for your viewing and edification pleasure. * Home to over 300 endangered and rare plants * Tours available (check website) * Parking on-site * Free admission every first Tuesday of the month * Great place for bird and insect watching as the garden draws in all the critters. * Nice gift shop The Meh: * Admission: $13/adults, $10/seniors (65+), & $7/kids (4-17). Under 4 is free, obviously. The Ugly: * If you don't pre-pay for your tickets online, then be prepared to either write a check or have cash handy. Conclusion: Nice place to come and stroll through the gardens and be amongst the trees. Highly recommended.

We wandered our way up to the gardens during late July 2025. We have been here before during the…read morespring and (as my pics show) the gardens are in full bloom at that time. Not so much in July. Still a nice walk, but the best time is definitely in the spring.