Great for hiking. Provided some great scenic views. Got some great photos and felt the ocean mist right at the edge of some cliffs. After parking you made about a mile walk to where the cliffs overlook the ocean. There is no beach access at this location. Parking with access was $10. Good price for the experience for my family of 3. After the 3 hour drive from Sacramento this visit was the perfect way to stretch our legs and also get some much needed steps in. read more

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What a delightful State Park with medium and short trails that are coastal. We went at the end of the day, so we couldn't hike very far-- thus, we plan on returning another day when we could arrive earlier with the right gear (snacks, water, sunscreen, hat, camera, etc) because there is SO MUCH to see here! The trails aren't super long to get to cool sites, like seal pups and fern caves, and you get to gaze at beautiful wildflowers and bushes along the way, like giant calla lilies and blackberries. There were also many frogs croaking and birds singing while we were hiking, which created such unexpected symphonies. It also wasn't very crowded. We saw a few groups of casual hikers and a few joggers. There was some construction in areas close to the parking lot that was unsightly and a parking fee, but other than that, everything was just lovely. I can't wait to return to Wilder Ranch for a deeper exploration! [TIP: If you're a serious hiker who's looking for an all day trip, this isn't the location for you. Wilder Ranch is on the easy to medium hike level with trails that are fairly short, like 2.5 miles for one of the popular beach loops. You can, of course, make it a longer hike but exploring multiple trails or crossing the freeway to the other trails, but it is not the kind of location you can get lost. It's perfect for families and people who have a couple hours to spare.] read more

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Nice place that offers a beautiful easy to walk coastal experience. There is a bike paved path for a bit with plenty of room to go explore the scenic fcliffs and historic areas. The only downside is parking is paid but there is a decent shoulder along the 1 and walk a little more. read more

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Ok it takes a while of a walk to get out there where you can see the coast but that's the reward. That's where it gets really nice. Hidden beaches, wildlife reserve like a LARGE beach reserved just for ANIMALS like sea lions and so many birds! What a paradise for them Get a map from the entrance gate to see the trails Can get WINDY out there! Saw an island of LOTS of birds (hundreds of them?) then another piece of land of LOTS of sea lions (or seals? I don't know. About 50 of them). Spotted otters playing around in the water too read more

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Beautiful trail, perfect for any summer or winter day. There is even a small farm which has different variety chicken , sheep , goat etc and some old tractors and other instruments people used to use on farm. Don't forget to visit the visitor center to get a glimpse of how the people lived there . The trail itself is not rough . You can easily carry a stroller if you don't plan to get down to some of the beaches . But if you do plan to go down to one of those beaches , you won't be able to take stroller . Also you will see lots of sea lions and sea gulls along the way . And if you are lucky , some bunnys too Enjoy the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean while you walk on this mesmerizing trail . read more

Wilder Ranch State Park - Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Came here during a weekday and it was not busy at all with lots of parking! We got to see seals right after when we least expected!! Take the Old Cove Landing trails to be led to Grotto Beach where you'll find a hidden place to hangout maybe bring a snack! Lots of fun not a hard trail at all maybe like 2.5 miles all around the loop! read more

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I mean just look at my photos. We did the Old Cove Landing Trail, which is a short (2 miles) easy hike/walk. There's so much to see on this trail. There are beautiful coastlines, cliffs, and it leads you to Fern Grotto beach, which I highly recommend you stop for. There's a short decline off the trail to this secluded beach. There's a cove covered in ferns that's spectacular. There was hardly anyone around when we came on a Saturday morning. As you walk a little further, you'll see a bunch of sea lions resting on rocks. Watch them for a little while, and you'll see them swim into the water. This is such a gem, I'll definitely be back. The parking is $10 and well worth the visit. read more

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Came here late morning in mid-February 2025 to see Fern Grotto Beach. Only $10 for entry to park your vehicle at the multiple trailheads. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL this time of year. Though I think we were a little late to see the Monarch butterflies this year, on the trail to Fern Grotto we saw plenty of wildflowers (Calla lilies, wild radish, and buttercups), harbor seals with their pups, and of course ferns! Be sure to bring good shoes you don't mind getting a little wet (the trails can be a bit muddy this time of year). The trail takes about 30 min if walking leisurely to Fern Grotto. read more

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Beautiful, peaceful, and mellow walk along the coast with a lot of wildlife and scenic views. Parking is easy, the Old Cove Landing Trail loop is about 2 miles and they are mostly flat with some trails down to the beach. We saw a ton of seals and a variety of birds. read more

Wilder Ranch State Park - Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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We saw people parking along highway 1, so we did the same. Otherwise $10 parking fees. We had a great time participating in the Coastal Walk at 11am. We saw quite a few bicyclists on the path. Learned a whole bunch of stuff, such as the history of that land, identified some invasive and native vegetation, such as the Coastal Willow. Learned about the declining Snowy Plover birds situation. Saw the Fern Grove Cave and Beach. Saw a bunch of seals sunbathing. The docent taught us the difference between Sea Lions, Seals, and Otters. Behind the historic houses, apples were ripening in Oct, the docent told us we can pick some since they have an abundance of it and that the apples were too sweet for the goats to digest. read more

We went to the park to see the cliffs and had even greater fund seeing the variety of birds on the rocks and many seals on the beach even more. The first few views of the cliffs were nice, and we took many pictures of them. But as we walked further, we realized the views got even better. Even though we were told that it was not yet the season for seals to congregate there (in late October), we were fortunate to have found many of them. It took a walk of about 45 minutes, with stops to take photos, to reach the area with seals. read more

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It has been some time since I've been to the coast and with a short little hike me and my BFFITWWW had a great time just watching the water batter the cliffs. It's definitely a good walk around the perimeter. read more

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What a grand park. I think with all the different elements, you won't find a reason to not like this place. You can walk around a historic farm. There is a gift shop located near the house and barn. You can walk the cliff loop, looking at the ocean and some sea lions. Or you can walk back towards the hills and hike along the trees. There is so much variety in elements for you to pick from. The parking lot I'm sure fills up on the weekends. Parking is $10 per car. Bathrooms are located near the lot, and one port-a-potty near the gift shop. Bring your sunblock, water bottle and snacks. Enjoy this gem of a start park. read more

Oh wow. This is an amazing resource. First visit to Wilder Ranch State Park. 10 dollars to park. The park ranger recommended the old cove landing trail. The first mile was dusty and boring but then we walked on the cliffs, visited a fern grotto and saw harbor seals. read more

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Favorite Bay Area hike. Just wish it was closer to where we live in Oakland. Flat surfaces with gorgeous ocean views and wildlife which are perfect for bikes, children, and people with some mobility issues. We visited the goats, sheep, and chickens today and visited the water wheel building. The views are breathtaking. read more

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A nice, easy walk along the coast. If you prefer you can hike up the hill for a challenge. There is a parking lot, bathrooms and picnic tables. No food or water so plan accordingly. We brought a picnic lunch. You can bike or hike. No dogs allowed. Lots of wildlife: Birds, seals, rabbits, lizards. Check out the ranch house and ranch. There are goats and chickens. Tours on Sat. And Sun. Enjoy the ocean. read more

This place is beautiful ! You do have to pay for parking to get in the park, but parking seems to be ample. The state park itself does not seem very big (in terms of areas to walk/hike), but it does connect to other areas. My husband and I did not want to do a super long hike anyways, so a place like Wilder Ranch seemed perfect. We went on a cloudier day, but it was still really pretty there, so I'm sure on a nicer day the views could be even more beautiful ! Honestly, along with the beautiful trail and ocean scenery, I really loved seeing some wildlife there ! There are these really cute bunnies here and there on the trail. Additionally, you can see seals from quite a close distance ! They're below the trail a good distance away, but you can see the seals clearly, all chilling on the sand. I don't know if I would go again, but for people looking for things to do in the Santa Cruz area, I would definitely recommend this place ! read more

Wilder Ranch State Park - the ocean ! - Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Wild's Play This is probably our favorite State Park/Beach that almost nobody has ever heard of. Located just a short 40-minute drive from the South Bay, Wilder Ranch offers up superlative views, easy hikes and hidden coves to explore. The Good: *Visitor Center and Ranch area are a good place to start here. *No dogs or drones allowed *Horses and bikes are OK *Views are spectacular, and the trails are all mostly relatively smooth and well-maintained. *Small hidden beaches to explore along the trail. The Meh: *$10 parking fee, but that pass can be used at any state park/beach the rest of the day. *Almost zero shade on the trails, but you're so close to the coast that it hardly matters. The Ugly: *The initial ±1/2-mile hike to the east of the parking lot to get to Wilder Beach is so indescribably boring that I almost can't be bothered to finish this sentence. But I did. Because I care. TLDR: Once you manage to slog thru the first part of this park, you're in for a real payoff to getting your Vitamin Sea. read more

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Beautiful state park! We took the old cove landing trail and it was perfect for a stroller. There were a few bumpy areas but our son stayed asleep the whole hour despite the wind buffeting us and we got to enjoy the AMAZING views. The old ranch was also fun to visit! When we went they were hosting a kids birthday party. Many swallows have made their nests here and it was so neat to see them chirping and flitting about! There were also chickens and some really weird fuzzy caterpillars to look at. There are many more trails to go on here, but the coastal one was easy, relatively short, and gorgeous. Parking at the lot is $10, well worth it for the convenience of day use. They also had very clean toilets, although you'll need to have your own soap or hand sanitizer. Adding this to my favorites! read more

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My favorite hike of all time. Has great views of the ocean and lots of spots to sit on the cliff and enjoy views of the water or walk down to the sandy beaches. You'll meet some friends down on the rocks too (seals & otters). There are so many flowers and little plants along the cliff side making it so colorful and breath taking. The hike itself is fairly easy and quick, the terrain goes from sand to trail to rocky cliff but is an easy walk and not too long. Favorite views here on a sunny or cloudy day. read more

Great walk along well marked trail that skirts the ocean. A few picnic tables near parking lot. Pay at the entrance, please don't cheap out and park on the adjacent highway. The California state parks need the revenue to stay open and let us experience nature. read more

Hiked here mid week and there was parking available for $10 or there was available parking on the street for free. Since I like to support the state parks' maintenance and bathrooms, I gladly pay the $10. Upon arrival there is the Welcome sign with some history and a trail map and there are bathrooms and a picnic area. Of the 6 bathrooms, only three were open. While cyclists and horses are allowed, dogs are not. For photography reasons, I chose the Old Cove Landing Trail (2.3 miles) which has picturesque Santa Cruz coastline views and rural working farm areas which are typical along the CA coastline. Initially, the trail had big gusts of wind so hold onto your hat. As for the fauna, there were seals and their pups sunning themselves on the beach below (inaccessible to hikers) and coastal birds. Accessing the beach was possible at the Fern Grotto sign. At the time I was hiking, there was only one person on the beach. When I have more time, I look forward to exploring more of the trails offered at this park. read more

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Love love loved it!! One of the best hikes we have ever done. We did the wilder ridge loop trail. This loop is about 10 miles, but we took a short cut and did a total of about 9 miles and experienced the most diverse scenes all in one hiking trail. Open space, rocky, muddy all kinds of trails, access to the beach, walk through a vast farm, coastal view, wild flowers - an amazing experience overall and I highly recommend it. I would call it a moderate level hike - less than a mile of elevation, otherwise mostly flat. You will meet many bikers on the trail. Overall moderately busy trail. About half way through our hike we had access to a nice, clean, quite, not super crowded beach. Fun to sit around take a break from the walking and watch surfers. We also walked through a dense farm...about a mile through the farm - It was fun to walk through the splinters on a hot day! Felt like a kid all over again :) I absolutely loved this hike and will be going back again soon! read more

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A nice coastal park that has a few paths, but plenty of scenic ocean views. It might seem a little confusing at first, but it really isn't. Came here to take my daughter to some beach and while there are a ton of large beaches, it's been than any public beach due to having a bit more space due to a lack of people. We came on Memorial Day of all days and it wasn't bad. If you like beaches and hikes, then this is a great spot for you. read more

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First of all, don't follow the directions on yelp. They'll lead you to park on the side of the road and go down a dangerously steep "trail" (not a trail). The one bonus is that it's free entrance but why try to not pay a state park? Second of all, try to make it to one of the free docent tours at the visitors center. You won't just get great historical info, but you'll also gain access to some of the buildings, including the two homes. read more

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Fabulous state park with wonderful walking trails. We chose the path along the bluffs, about 2 miles, with lovely ocean breezes. Rabbits, squirrels, goats, seals, birds and more wildlife showed up. One of the many beaches, had an access path. Picnic tables available, if you bring your own lunch. Restrooms available, but the house museum and store were not open. Great day! Thank you kindly City of Seaside recreation department: Oldymeyer senior citizen program ($2). Of course, I have signed up for the Alcatraz and Oakland zoo adventures. Also, ($5) shopping mall trips! Crazy wonderful, not to have to drive!!! read more

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Love walking here wear a hoodie or bring a beanie if it gets windy and if you enjoy bird watching the baby pelicans hang out!!

The Ohlone coastal trail is one of my most beautiful trails I have ever done. The scenery was absolutely breath taking and no picture can do it justice. The trail was well maintained and mostly flat and sandy. I wouldn't recommending bringing a stroller though. No dogs allowed also. It cost $10 ($9 for seniors) to park at the lot, but I noticed about 0.3 miles outside of the park has plenty of free parking along the road. I arrived at 10:30am and the lot was pretty packed, but we were able to find parking. I have two complaints: 1. It was a bit difficult to figure out where the trailhead to the coastal trail was as there was no clear cut signage or directions at the parking lot. The rangers were nice and pointed me to the right starting point. 2. The bathrooms were out of toilet paper at 12pm and they were gross. Regardless of all that, I am coming back for sure with my loved ones and a backpack full of picnic food and drinks so I can enjoy my lunch down at the grotto beach and listening to the waves crash against the rocks. It's a must visit in Santa Cruz! read more

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We arrived at noon on a Tuesday and there was no one there. No one at the kiosk. No one in the park. No visitors; no workers. We felt like we weren't supposed to be there even though we paid. All the buildings were locked, apart from the stable barn. I'm sure it's a nice place, but nothing was operational so we left rather disappointed. read more

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When we take the bikes to Santa Cruz, we ride from what appears to be a sewage dropoff inlet south of the boardwalk (aka "Santa Cruz Beach"), dodging clueless tourists like a game of Paperboy up the West Cliffs to Natural Bridges, and then through a few low-traffic blocks back up to the 1 (GPS: 3166 Mission). Enter a trail there and dodge horsepoop bocce balls for 2000 feet: your reward, the park. Being unfamiliar and not seeing too much signage, we didn't go too deep into the park but we did come across 2 deer and a lot of bugs. History before being acquired by the state in 1974: 1769: missionary/explorer Crespi wrote of the area: "The road on this march was very troublesome, on account of the frequent gulches [arroyos] along the way. Two stars!!" 1791: this area was pasture land for Mission Santa Cruz, where the cows were treated better than the Native Americans if you believe that critical race theory nonsense! 1834: divided into rancho land grants (part of Bolcoff's Rancho Fefugio's house, one of a few historic buildings, still stands- it's was adobe so it's hard to tell if it was photoshopped). 1871: Wilder, a dairyman, acquired the land and built the 1897 Victorian home that also survived, as did Clarabelle, the demonic doll that stares out the attic window on the coldest and most restless of sunsets. read more

Uniqueness: A mix of dry trail and beautiful ocean views, all in one park! Wait Time: [x][x][x][x][x] Walk Quality: [x][x][x][x][ ] Setting: [x][x][x][x][x] Cost: [x][x][x][x][ ] Recommendation? Beautiful to walk on during a hot or cloudy day. Bring a nice water bottle and make sure you go to the restroom before you start because there isn't any restrooms until you get back. First time visiting Wilder Ranch State Park and I can't believe I've been missing out on this beautiful Santa Cruz trail all my life. This trail is perfect for trail biking as the trails are just a tagged rugged for bikers. For trail walker/runners, the ruggedness means just be careful for any dips or cracks in the dirt as you don't want to twist an ankle. But aside from that, the seaside views here is beautiful once you walk through the drier parts of the trail. You'll see plenty of seabirds and also harbor seals perching the rocks and snoozing, perfect for the kids to be amazed and enjoy. I believe the entrance fee per car was around 10-12 dollars and it's worth the price for all day. Crowd and parking lot was spacious and didn't feel overpacked at all compared to Natural Bridges so you won't be worried too much for parking, and overall experience is safe as I didn't see any notices of any break-ins here (but don't be reckless now). Overall, I'll definitely want to come back here if I want to enjoy some nice, peaceful, serenity in nature with the land and sea of Santa Cruz. read more

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A good place to walk with ocean views! It's great for all ages as there isn't any incline and can be down without any hiking shoes. Bring a jacket as it can get chilly with the wind! There is a $10 parking fee upon entering the park. read more

Wilder Ranch State Park - Parks Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Wilder Ranch State Park is one of my favorite hiking destinations. Even if you're not into hiking, there's plenty to do at this popular nature preserve. There are easy, moderate, and strenuous trails for hikers and mountain bikers alike, both inland and along the coast. I especially enjoy the Ohlone Bluff Trail in the summer when it's hot inland. Hawks circle overhead, pelicans dive into the chilly water to catch fish, and cormorants sun themselves on rocky outcroppings. There are spectacular picture-perfect ocean vistas of massive cliffs carved by centuries of wave action. Between December and April you might spot migrating grey whales just offshore. I've often seen seals lounging on the beaches below as well as sea otters floating nearby. The trails along the bluff are flat but if you're adventurous you can scramble down to one of several beaches where you can explore a fern grotto (at Marker Post 8) or maybe wade into a tide pool to see the colorful sea anemones at low tide. All-day parking is $10 per car (or $9 for seniors) and it's worth it if you want to support this amazing park. There are clean restrooms at the parking lot. This former ranch and dairy is also a terrific destination for history buffs. You can stroll around the complex of historic buildings, including an 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, a red tile-roofed adobe, and the beautifully preserved Queen Anne Victorian home that California pioneer Deloss Wilder built for his family in 1897. There are plenty of picnic tables. Docents are often available for guided tours on weekends. The water-powered machine shop, built in 1896, is fascinating. Kids will enjoy seeing the farm animals up close. I highly recommend Wilder Ranch State Park. It's ideal for hiking, biking, families, and especially out-of-town visitors who want a classic Northern California coastal experience. read more

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Wilder Ranch State Park is one of my favorite areas to visit in Santa Cruz County. It's one of the few state parks in the area that you're actually allowed to bike and lower wilder ranch offers great views of the ocean, right up close. There are plenty of trails to explore and wildlife galore! My favorite part of this state park are the harbor seals that make their home in a secluded little cove. It's important to make sure you always respect the wildlife that is there so please pack out your trash and try your best not to leave your mark. read more

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Impromptuu hike at Wilder Ranch on our way to Capitola. Parking is $10 for the day but there is also plenty of street parking on the main road. The place is huge, has easy to moderate trails and a great spot for biking. We did a quick 2.5 miles walk around the coast, beautiful views, saw some sea lions as well basking in the sun. Super windy though, bring a jacket. A fair bit of toilets near the parking area, not the cleanest and not well stocked, so might be a good idea to pack some napkins. read more

I love coming to this park for a nice hike or bike ride! It has beautiful views! You can park on PCH (free) or pay $10 to park in the lot. Has trails for all levels! There are bluff trails, trails in the Santa Cruz mountains and they are all beautiful. The bluff trail is a casual walk on dirt along the coast. There are a few beaches you can go down to if you want to relax also. This trail is good for a bike ride if you want to explore further as well. Easily you can do a 10 mile ride on this trail and even more if you'd like. I have gone as far north as 4 mile beach. A quarter of a mile from the parking lot is the actual Wilder Ranch. They have a small gift store and offer tours and nature hikes in groups. You can see the old Ranch houses, stables and you can sometimes find horses, goats and chickens there. On the other side of PCH are the mountains and there is a loop trail we partially did. Wilder Ridge and Zane Gray cutoff loop. It's about 7.5 miles from beginning to end. We decided to only go to the lookout and back. That was about 4.6 miles. The views are beautiful and the hills were green (Jan, 2022). There was a bit of an incline but it was manageable for us. I think in total it was about 615ft elevation gain. Would definitely recommend this State Park for anyone looking for a hike in Santa Cruz. It's not even too far from the downtown area! read more

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We love this park for hiking and biking. The coastal trail is spectacular and truly one of the most breathtaking spots of the slow coast.

Wilder Ranch State Park has quickly become one of my favorite spots--as is Santa Cruz. Old Cove Landing Trail follows allow the coast providing amazing views of the ocean and cliffs. There are a couple of opportunities to get down to the shoreline for beach combing. We usually see seals and lots of birds, butterflies and dragonflies. One of the things I like about this park is that it is less busy than say Point Los Lobos (another favorite of ours). There is a nice visitors center with a barn and farm animals but the best part of that area is this amazing tree that kids love to climb. With 7,000 acres and 35 miles of trails, there is still tons left for us to discover. read more

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It's a pretty spot with tons of trails to jog and bike on. Many of the trails will lead you along the edge of the coast where the coastal view will keep you at awe. Tons of bird watch, nature admiring and most importantly fresh sea air. During the wet season, it can get muddy but that is expected. read more

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This is now my favorite hiking spot in Santa Cruz! It's a very flat hike with beautiful scenic views all around, which are my most favorite type of hikes. I really enjoyed soaking in Santa Cruz's stunning coastline. Parking is $10 or you can try to find parking along the roadside if you're lucky. Once parked, make your way to the the beautiful coastal trail via the Ohlone Bluff Trail. You will see people bike riding on the trails as well as horseback riders! I recommend hiking down to Fern Grotto Beach where there is a small cave you can walk under (note that there is no end of the tunnel to this cave, it really is just a small entrance for you to poke your head in). The cave is surrounded by a mini beach area as well. The hike down can be slippery, so be careful! I didn't walk into the mini cave entrance because water was dripping from the rocks and the mini waves came in and soaked my shoes, boo. I saw a bunch of seals laying out on the beach just living their best lives, too! Glad they don't have to social distance and worry about Covid. I can't wait to come back here during the spring when the wildflowers bloom. Also, I've never been to the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, but Wilder Ranch State Park gave me Cliffs of Moher vibes ;) California is stunning and I was happy I didn't have to travel across the world just to experience a gorgeous coastal view hike. read more

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