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.

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.

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!

This is a beautiful nature walk with a relaxing swim hole to swim in. It does get crazy crowded and…read moreparking is limited, so plan ahead for that. There is no bathrooms, cell service, or trash cans, so keep that in mind when coming.

I used to come here 50 yrs when it wasn't many people there, only locals and you could really relax…read moreand breathe in the tree air. It's a gravelly walk so DO NOT BRING CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6 at least. It's not Disneyland! Even the JrHigh to Highschoolers were acting overly careless. I went there the other day and it was a moronic madhouse. You used to go there to be in lovely nature and the smell of the trees. Now It was overrun with kids from god knows where with aftershave and perfume on. I think a bunch of university students and tourists saw it now on social media unfortunately. Some were spraying awful smelling spray on sunscreen, many acting as if they were at a waterpark as if the rocks were really made of rubber. Reports of accidents, weeding out stupid but maybe someone was an innocent bystander accidentally pushed by stupid. It was NOT FOR KIDS! Selfish entitled parents bringing their children tired, whiney and crying! (Don't make excuses) ruining for everyone else. There was even a stroller parked nearby. No bathrooms for kids or anyone else so that can't be good for the environment. you need to be somewhat fit ! I've seen so many lovely places closed to the public because it got ruined by the public. So help make it nice again, don't wear anything perfumey, wear unscented deodorant only. NO SUNSCREEN. wear a hat and tshirt. Don't bring kids unless they are older and well behaved. Thank you and you will thank yourselves.

West Cliff Drive is a scenic route starting downtown at the pier that winds along the rugged…read morecoastline northward to the Natural Bridges Park. This beautiful path is approximately 3 miles long which can be enjoyed by walking, biking or a slow ride in one's vehicle. A good portion of the route is wheelchair accessible. It is a great route to enjoy the sights and sounds of the abundant marine life including seals and dolphins, the waters of the Pacific ocean and Monterey Bay, fantastic views of the rugged coastline, and the waters full of surfers at iconic Steamer Lane. There are a few parking spots along the way. The parking lot at the north end of West Cliff Drive can fill up quickly.

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I love this park! There are plenty of trails and they are well maintained. Dog friendly - I saw…read moreseveral people with their dogs

This is large open space in the hills of Santa Cruz near the UC. It is not really a public park in…read moreterms of there aren't a whole lot of public benches, picnic tables, garbage receptacles, playgrounds etc... What it does have are numerous trails, most if not all are unpaved that weave into this raw open space. Some parts of the hills are open grass lands thus no shade. Some trails go into a forested area where lots of trees are some being smaller redwoods, thus lots of shade there. I picked a route/loop that was about 4 miles that had a little incline and mostly through the forested area. It was mostly on the Spring Trail. There's an old Limestone Kiln on this trail that used to extract limestone from rocks, which was then used for mortar and plaster to help build California in the 1900s. So a little piece of history here. Not crowded at all (which I love) during a Monday afternoon. More joggers than hikers for some reason, no bikers that I saw and lots of leashed dogs strolling with their owners. Santa Cruz is a very dog friendly town. I'm assuming most if not all users here are from the surrounding neighborhoods/university. I ran into lots of colorful plant life along with the birds those tow, small lizards basking in the sun and even a 3 foot snake right on the trail. Startled me at first as it is well camouflaged on the dirt and shade from the trees. I could tell by the shape of the head that it wasn't a rattle snake, so I just carefully stepped around it as not startle it. Unlike many people I don't freak out on these occurrences, so this was more exciting to me than worrisome. But glad I found this open space as I often like to exercise/hike while I'm visiting an area and now I can pair this with some beach relaxation afterwards. Santa Cruz score!

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.

Caitlin was the nicest tour guide. She had us walking through nature and explained a lot about…read moremushroom hunting, and made the experience magic.

We went on the short hike adventure. This hike is perfect for someone who is a beginner who hasn't…read morethought about foraging in a forest before. We all learned something new. The guide was very nice and informative. Meeting at one location, then meeting at another 5 minutes away seemed like a time filler. I would recommend just giving a meeting location and starting on time at the location. People should be able to handle going pee and getting coffee on their own before a hike. Seriously, I would consider dropping that part of the tour. For the price I would have hoped for a location that was a little more remote or wooded. We walked 0.5 miles and could see the parking lot the whole time. A great addition would be to make a little helpful hints guide for all of the participants so they can look back and remember the tips. That would make the price seem more worth it.

What a gem! Beautiful park with biking and hiking trails, disc golf and golf courses, ball field,…read moreplayground and picnic areas. We came for a UCSC mountain bike race and got to watch some amazing athletes compete from up and down the state. Dogs on leash are allowed on trails. Parking is free.

Parking at the Enchanted Trail Trailhead parking area, I made my way up into De Laveaga Park for a…read morewalk through the Redwoods. I didn't have the chance to make it up to Henry Cowell State Park, but this location seemed a compromise since I was making my way to the Mystery Spot. I meandered through the trails just east of Branciforte Drive. The trails are well groomed, easy to hike with younger children and pets, and it was such a pleasant quiet morning for me. The trees were so tall and impressive, and I enjoyed being out in nature but close to civilization at the same time. If I had more time in the area, I would have spent more time here. I think it is a great location for locals to get out and enjoy nature!

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.