Santa Cruz, CA Recreation and Outdoor Activities

Pogonip features approximately 8 miles of hiking trails. In the northernmost portion of Pogonip, a multi-use trail (approximately one mile in length) is open hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. This multi-use trail provides a connection between Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Pogonip, and the upper UCSC campus. Bicycles and horses are prohibited on all other trails. Bicyclists must ride responsibly and at a safe speed.

University of California Santa Cruz - UCSC
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA Campus Police at (831) 459-2231

UCSC has many excellent bike trails on campus lands adjacent to the Campus Natural Reserve. Use of the campus trails, are encouraged. Riding bicycles in the reserve, on the trails or elsewhere, is prohibited

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Road, Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 831-763-7062

The park offers rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet. It has over 30 miles of hiking, jogging and biking trails.

Soquel Demonstration State Park
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
4750 Old San Jose Road, Soquel, CA (831) 475-8643

Offering almost 5 miles (out and back) trails, this preserve is extremely popular with mountain bikers.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 North Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA (831) 438-2396

This park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a forest that looks much the same as it did 200 years ago.

Big Basin State Park
21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA (831) 338-8860

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.

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve
Skyline Boulevard, about 3.6 miles north of its intersection with Highway 9, and approximately 3.3 miles south of its intersection with Page Mill Road.

Since one can take short hikes or rides to scenic overlooks or longer loop trips, the preserve is very popular with hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.

Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve
Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Highway 9 intersection

The two mile multi-use Saratoga Gap Trail provides great opportunities for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

See Also State Parks and Beaches...

Bowling

AMF Cabrillo Lanes
580 Auto Center, Watsonville (831) 724-1155

Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz (831) 426-3324

Fishing

Reel Sportfishing
P.O. Box 3300, Santa Cruz (831)465-0639

Santa Cruz Sportfishing
P.O. Box 5235 (831) 426-4690

Shamrock Charter's
2210 E Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz (831) 476-2648

Stagnaro Fishing Trips
32 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz (831) 427-2334

Tom's Sportfishing
P.O. Box 647 Moss Landing (831) 633-2564

Hiking in Santa Cruz County

Wilder Ranch State Park
Located north of Santa Cruz, immediately west of Hwy 1 (831) 423-9703

The Park has 4,505 acres, with 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails winding through coastal terraces and valleys.

DeLaveaga Park
850 N. Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz, CA

Trails are open to hikers and bicyclists. Please stay on designated trails.

Pogonip Park
333 Golf Club Drive, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 420-5270

University of California Santa Cruz - UCSC
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA Campus Police at (831) 459-2231

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Road, Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA (831) 763-7062

The park offers rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet. It has over 30 miles of hiking, jogging and biking trails.

Soquel Demonstration State Park
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
4750 Old San Jose Road, Soquel, CA (831) 475-8643

Offering almost 5 miles (out and back) trails, this preserve is extremely popular with mountain bikers.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 North Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA (831) 438-2396

This park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a forest that looks much the same as it did 200 years ago.

Big Basin State Park
21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA (831) 338-8860

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve
Skyline Boulevard, about 3.6 miles north of its intersection with Highway 9, and approximately 3.3 miles south of its intersection with Page Mill Road.

Since one can take short hikes or rides to scenic overlooks or longer loop trips, the preserve is very popular with hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.

Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve
Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Highway 9 intersection

The two mile multi-use Saratoga Gap Trail provides great opportunities for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

See Also State Parks and Beaches...

Horse Back Riding

Monterey Bay Equestrian Center -- Beach rides
19805 Pesante Rd., Salinas (831) 663-5712

See Also State Parks and Beaches...

Hot Air Balloon Rides

Kayaking Monterey Bay

Adventure Sports
303 Potrero, Santa Cruz (831) 458-3648

Kayak Connection
2370 Hwy 1, Moss Landing (831) 724-5692

Kayak Connection
413 Lake Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 479-1121

Monterey Bay Kayaks
693 Del Monte Ave., Monterey (800) 649-5357

Venture Quest Kayak
125 Beach St., Santa Cruz (831) 427-2267

Castle Rock State Park
Along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Park contains 3,600 acres of coast redwood, Douglas-fir, and madrone forest. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are popular with rock climbers, and hikers can enjoy the 32 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails.

Pacific Edge Rock Climbing Gym
104 Bronson, Santa Cruz (831) 454-9254

Roller Skating

Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 423-0844

Sailing Schools

Lighthall Yacht Charters -- Sailing School
934 Bay Street, Santa Cruz (831) 429-1970

Pacific Yachting & Sailing -- Sailing School
790 Mariner Park Way, Santa Cruz (831) 423-7245

U.C. Santa Cruz Boating Center -- Sailing School
(408) 425-1164

Scenic Boat Tours/Rentals

Chardonnay Sailing Charters
704 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 423-1213

O'Neill Yachts
2222 E Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz (831) 425-0949

Pacific Yachting & Sailing -- Sailing School
790 Mariner Park Way, Santa Cruz (831) 423-7245

Santa Cruz Yacht Club
244 Fourth Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 425-0690

Stagnaro Fishing Trips
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz (831) 427-2334

SCUBA Diving

Adventure Sports
303 Potrero, Santa Cruz (831) 458-3648

Aqua Safaris Scuba Center
6896 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 423-3483

Bamboo Reef
614 Lighthouse Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 372-1685

Surfing

Club Ed Surf and Windsurf School
Located on Cowell beach next to the Santa Cruz Wharf (800) 287-7873

Train Rides

Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad
Graham Hill Rd., Felton (831) 335-4484

Tours

Danu Enterprises
313 McCormick Ave., Capitola (831) 476-0543

Earth Sea & Sky Tours
7887 Soquel Dr., Aptos (831) 688-5544

Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Tour
(831) 633-5555

Redwood Adventures
P.O. Box 1191, Boulder Creek (831) 338-1191

Santa Cruz Touring Company
P.O. Box 3508, Santa Cruz (831) 763-0620

Sea Breeze Tours
2 Seacliff Dr., Aptos (831) 688-2556

Walking in Santa Cruz County

Circle Trail -- Santa Cruz
A walker's guide to some of the most scenic areas Santa Cruz has to offer.

Santa Cruz Mission Hill
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
140 School Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

The Mission Hill District is the birthplace of Santa Cruz and the first permanent European settlement in Santa Cruz County.

Click here for Walking Tour brochure (PDF)

Walnut Avenue
Downtown Santa Cruz

With its uninterrupted Victorian buildings and mature tree cover, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll down one of the most beautiful streets in the City. Building ages range from 1870 to 1938.

Click here for Walking Tour brochure (PDF)

Ocean View Avenue

Established in 1871, this street is made up of many large homes that were originally built by wealthy year-round residents of San Jose and Central Valley residents looking for fine summer homes.

Click here for Walking Tour brochure (PDF)

Beach Hill

The area's historic residences reflect changes in Santa Cruz architectural styles form sea captain's cottages to mansions to bungalows.

Click here for Walking Tour brochure (PDF)

West Cliff Drive

Explorer1 Review -- Located between the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Municipal Wharf at one end and Natural Bridges State Park at the other, it is home to perhaps the most scenic pathway in Santa Cruz. The two mile drive has extra wide pathways that are wheelchair accessible and are designated "multiuse". They are perfect for cycling, skating, and walking. West Cliff also provides visual and physical access points to surfing, tide pools, beaches, fishing, Frisbee, and skim boarding.

During the peak tourist season and various surf and sea kayak contests, the area can get extremely busy. Also, the local surfers at Steamer Lane can get a little territorial with the waves.

When visiting West Cliff Drive, don't forget to visit the "Surf Museum" located in Lighthouse Field.

University of California Santa Cruz - UCSC
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA Campus Police at (831) 459-2231

Santa Cruz Wharf
Next the the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. (831) 420-5270

Home to several restaurants and shops, you can spend hours strolling along the wharf while you take in the sights and sounds of Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor
Santa Cruz Port Dist., 135 Fifth Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 475-6161

Along with housing boats, the harbor is also home to several restaurants and bars. The harbor has wide walkways and a service road that boarders the harbor. The mostly flat surfaces make it perfect for walking, jogging and biking. Also, with the exception of the harbor's restaurant/bar area, most of the course has very little car traffic.

Also see biking and hiking links

Water Skiing

WindSurfing

GoinOff
A Web site that is dedicated to providing the best windsurfing and surfing links.

Windsurfing Paradise
A Web site that is dedicated to providing the best windsurfing and surfing links

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