Hiking, Biking & The Great Outdoors

Santa Cruz County is filled with nature preserves, state parks, and miles of coastline – all of which offer exceptional terrain for hiking trails. They span 2,000-foot elevations in the Santa Cruz Mountains down to the ocean shore, leading to plunging waterfalls and stunning ocean vistas.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a beautiful redwood forest near Santa Cruz that spans across 4,650 acres of protected wilderness lands. This park is home to some of the oldest and tallest redwood tree species in the world. There are about 20 miles of trails, ranging from 0.4 miles long to 3.3 miles long. Walk the self-guided Redwood Grove Loop to view the tree named for “Pathfinder” Lt. John C. Frémont. Ridge Fire Road near Pine Trail hosts the observation deck at one of the park’s highest points and offers vistas of the Monterey Bay. Fall Creek includes almost twenty miles of connecting trails. www.thatsmypark.org

Off the beaten path, Nisene Marks State Park is a refreshing retreat from the busy towns and beaches along Highway 1 near Santa Cruz. Its dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rises from near sea level to steep coastal mountains. Most visitors come to hike, jog, or bike on the 30 miles of trails in rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet. Explore one of 11 easy hiking trails that continued on page 8