Outdoors in Santa Cruz County
The many diverse outdoor attractions in Santa Cruz County offer visitors opportunities for relaxation, adventure and socializing. Santa Cruz has the widest variety of parks and beaches that would appeal to families, couples and groups of all ages. The beach campgrounds and parks in Watsonville are both beautiful and family-friendly for those with young children. Aptos has a nice mixture of beaches and parks that accommodate both the adventurer and those who prefer a tamer, more relaxed afternoon. Tiny Davenport is home to a unique state park and beach area that are perfect for those wishing to go off the beaten path a little bit. The big outdoor attractions in Capitola are two beautiful beaches – one that allows visitors to sunbath and lunch on the esplanade and another that provides a campground with some solitude. The inland San Lorenzo Valley is the place to go for state parks.
Jade Street Park
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Location : Capitola CA
Phone: 831-475-5935 |
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
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Location : Felton CA
Phone: 831-335-7077 Description : The main park area contains the large, old-growth redwoods, while the northern area (Fall Creek) has about 20 miles of hiking trails. The tallest tree in the park is about 285 feet tall, and about 16 feet wide. The oldest trees in the park are about 1400 to 1800 years old. |
Castle Rock State Park
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Location : Los Gatos CA
Phone: 408-867-2952 Description : Along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Park embraces coast redwood, Douglas-fir, and madrone forest, most of which has been left in its wild, natural state. Steep canyons are sprinkled with unusual rock formations that are popular with rock climbers. The forest here is lush and mossy, crisscrossed by 32 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. These trails are part of an even more extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys with Castle Rock State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and the Pacific Coast. |
Skypark
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Location : Scotts Valley CA
Phone: 831-438-3251 Description : The largest of all the Scotts Valley parks, Skypark has extensive facilities and is home to the Scotts Valley Recreation offices. Large fields are used for soccer events, and there are plenty of playground structures for younger kids. There is a Bocce ball court and a basketball half-court as well as a court for tennis at the far entrance. A fitness trail starts and ends in the park, winding around the riparian habitat of Scott Creek. A large BBQ pavillion is available for group events. Nearby is the skate park and dog park, making this a popular destination for families. |
Highlands County Park
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Location : Ben Lomond CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : This is a 26 acre park, complete with playing field, group picnic areas, play area, tennis court, and a beautiful house. The house features hardwood floors, picture windows, a large kitchen and private lawn. The house will accommodate groups of up to 200 for weddings, private parties, or meetings. This is one of Santa Cruz County's most popular wedding facilities. |
Ben Lomond Park
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Location : Ben Lomond CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : There's plenty to do in this 43-acre park: the athletically inclined may opt for a round of tennis or volleyball, children can take advantage of the playground or skate park, and anglers with a license can fish in the San Lorenzo River. There's also a lovely house here, perfect for holding small-to-medium events. |
Anna Jean Cummings Park
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Location : Soquel CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : This 95 acre park was opened in the summer of 2001 (upper field portion was opened Feb 2002), it is located next to Soquel High School on Old San Jose Road in Soquel. It offers a large modern playground, a large pavillion style picnicing area and multiple athletic fields. Park Hours 8am to dusk |
Felton Covered Bridge Park
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Location : Felton CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : Featured at this park is a covered wooden bridge, one of the few left in the state! Walk on the path, picnic or BBQ, play volleyball, use the playground or one of the large, grassy areas. Fishing with proper licenses is allowed. Restrooms are available. |
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
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Location : Aptos CA
Phone: 831-763-7063 Description : The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is located outside of Aptos in the Santa Cruz area. The entire park is essentially covered in a redwood forest canopy and the canyons of Aptos Creek and Bridge Creek are exceptionally lush with sorrel, ferns, and moss in abundance. The area has a long history of human extraction and destruction. At the turn of the century loggers ravaged these canyons and pulled out 24 million square feet of lumber. All logging operations ended in the early 1920′s and thankfully, nature has reclaimed these canyons. Many of the redwoods are now over 100 years old and the maturing forest is becoming very pleasant. Moreover, little evidence of the mill sites and logging infrastructure remains. For instance, what once was the Porter House, is now brush and young redwoods. Occasionally, I spotted an old cable track or rusting piece of metal. |
Wilder Ranch State Park
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-423-9703 Description : The park has 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails winding through coastal terraces and valleys. Several restored buildings once belonging to the Wilder family are preserved. The park has tours and living history demonstrations to help visitors explore the history of early ranchers and farmers along the Central Coast. The site was originally the main rancho supplying Santa Cruz Mission. It later became a successful and innovative dairy ranch. Surrounding grounds include Victorian homes, gardens, and historic adobe. |
Año Nuevo State Reserve
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Location : Davenport CA
Phone: 650-879-2025 Description : Ungefähr 80 Kilometer südlich von San Francisco befinden sich die kleinen felsigen Inseln, Rotholzwälder und hohen Dünen der Año Nuevo State Reserve. Dabei bildet das 150 km große Küstengebiet von San Mateo den Hauptteil der Kalifornischen Küste. Besucher kommen hier das ganze Jahr über auf ihre Kosten. |
Sunset State Beach
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Location : Watsonville CA
Phone: 831-763-7063 Description : Sunset State Beach features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes, and ocean side picnic spots. Bordered by large agricultural fields between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey, the beach is a year-round destination for thousands of visitors. The park features 91 campsites.A secluded stretch of coastland surrounded by farms. Camping reservations required in the summer. Day-use fee. No RV hookups. |
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
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Location : Boulder Creek CA
Phone: 831-338-8860 Description : The park features family and group camping, tent cabins, backpacking camps, hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. The park is open year round and reservations are encouraged during the summer. 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. |
Twin Lakes State Beach
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-429-2850 Description : Twin Lakes State Beach run West to East for about one mile. It technically starts on the East side of the mouth of the San Lorenzo River across the stream from the Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Harbor is located in the middle of the Twin Lakes State Beach area. Officially Twin Lakes State Beach ends at the breakwater at the west side of the harbor channel and continues again near 6th Avenue. The area from the east side of the harbor channel, to 5th Avenue belongs to the City of Santa Cruz and the beach area from 5th Avenue to 6th Avenue belongs to the county. Twin Lakes State Beach covers all the area of Schwan Lake from the beach to the railroad tracks behind the lagoon. There is a short break in the beach that is county land. From there, Twin Lakes State Beach continues to Black Point. |
Seabright Beach
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-429-2850 Description : This beach is located south of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and north of the Santa Cruz Harbor. Dogs are allowed on leash. Fire rings are available for beach bonfires. It is open from sunrise to sunset. To get there from Hwy 17 south, exit Ocean Street on the left towards the beaches. Merge onto Ocean Street. Turn left onto East Cliff Drive and stay straight to go onto Murray Street. Then turn right onto Seabright Ave. Seabright Ave will take you to the beach (near the corner of East Cliff Drive and Seabright). |
Seacliff State Beach
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Location : Aptos CA
Phone: 831-685-6500 Description : This long stretch of sand and bluffs has great accessible facilities including picnic areas, an interpretive center, and RV camping. This beach is known for its fishing pier and fossils of extinct marine creatures in the bluffs. The beach is also a popular swimming spot. One of the most unusual attractions in the Santa Cruz area rests at the end of the fishing pier. The USS Palo Alto, one of only three cement ships built during World War I, has been a popular attraction for visitors since it was put in place in 1929. The plan was to turn the ship and the pier into an amusement and fishing ship. The Cal-Nevada Company quickly constructed a dance floor on the main deck, a cafe in the superstructure of the ship, a 4-foot heated swimming pool and a series of carnival type concessions on the aft-deck. Unfortunately, the Cal-Nevada Company went bankrupt after only two seasons. The ship was then stripped, leaving the pier and the ship to be used only for fishing. |
Palm State Beach
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Location : Watsonville CA
Phone: 831-763-7062 Description : Palm State Beach is a popular day use area located in Southern Santa Cruz County. The wide beach is perfect for a long walk or a day in the sun. Fishing and swimming are popular activities at Palm Beach. Picnic tables are available in the day use area. Dogs are allowed on the beach, on leash. |
Fall Creek State Park
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Location : Felton CA
Phone: 831-335-4598 Description : I was 3 miles up the canyon at Fall Creek when TrailheadI recalled Jimmie Brewer's e-mail describing this loop. Jimmie said, "this is the longest 7 miles I have ever walked, " and I was beginning to see what he meant. I had been making slow progress up Fall Creek Trail, scrambling over and under fallen trees, while following the path's meandering up and down course. Fall Creek, a unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, offers hiking opportunities very different from "modern" bay area parks. |
Siltanen Park
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Location : Scotts Valley CA
Phone: 831-438-3251 Description : Located behind Vine Hill Elementary School, this park houses the little league fields for Scotts Valley. There are several fields used for soccer as well. A small amphitheater and multiple levels make the park fun to peruse. Playgrounds, picnic areas and a small community pool complete the layout. |
Capitola Beach
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Location : Capitola CA
Phone: 831-475-6522 Description : Capitola Beach is one of California's prettiest city beaches, always busy. It has beautiful views of the Monterey Bay and sailboats moored offshore, and a string of colorfully-painted cottages along the water add a festive touch. |
Pinto Lake County Park
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Location : Watsonville CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : Something for everyone can be found at this 183 acre regional park, which has a beautiful lake with a fishing pier and surrounding nature trails, playground, two family picnic areas, and wheelchair accessible restrooms. Turtle Dove, a public art project by artist Roberto Castro and youth from the JTPA program, can be found at the park; trail markers highlight the wildlife which can be viewed along the nature trail. |
New Brighton State Beach
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Location : Capitola CA
Phone: 831-685-6500 Description : New Brighton State Beach is one of the most popular and most visited state beaches in California. This 93-acre park along the beautiful coast of Santa Cruz offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. It is famous for its family-oriented campground which sits on the towering bluffs high above the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful, lush vegetation of towering pine trees, Monterey Cypress, oak, eucalyptus trees, and wild berry vines surround campers with a peaceful tranquility. Once the site of a Chinese fishing village, it now offers locals and visitors a haven from the hectic pace of city life. |
Depot Park
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-420-5270 |
Manresa State Beach
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Location : Watsonville CA
Phone: 831-763-7063 Description : Manresa Uplands Campground provides dramatic views of the ocean from the bluffs above the beach. This beautiful expanse of sea and sand offers surf fishing, surfing and other beach recreation. |
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
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Location : Felton CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : Formerly the home of Sunset magazine's publisher Laurence W. Lane, Quail Hollow Ranch offers a secluded, natural environment for your event. The ranch is not only historically significant but also ecologically notable for its rare sandhills environment and diverse habitats. The house provides a comfortable retreat while the spacious lawn offers scenic views of the pond, orchards and wooded hillsides. Your reservation includes the living room, kitchen and dining room, and two changing rooms. Also included for your exclusive use is a large lawn area with picnic tables, a shading oak tree and BBQ. |
Schwann Lake
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-429-2850 Description : Schwan Lake Park is part of Twin Lakes State Beach. Trail access and parking to the north shore of Schwan Lake is available behind the Simpkins Family Swim Center. Schwan Lake is listed as Schwann Lagoon on the AAA traffic maps of the area. |
Loch Lomond Recreation Area
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Location : Felton CA
Phone: 831-335-7424 Description : The Loch Lomond Recreation Area, including the scenic 175 acre Loch Lomond Reservoir, provides the public with fishing, picnicking, boating and hiking opportunities from March 1 to mid October. Water Department Rangers coordinate the operation of the park store and boat rental and provide public service in the forms of education, municipal code enforcement, and first aid. A staff of Ranger Assistants and seasonal Recreation Area Aides assist the Rangers in maintaining the Recreation Area, collecting fees, and operating the park store. |
Moran Lake Park
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : Moran Lake Park is a 9.2-acre regional park located directly across from the beach, where visitors can picnic, surf, and fish with the proper license. |
Harvey West Park
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-420-5270 Description : Harvey West Park is located on the northeast side of Santa Cruz. It's a large, very pleasant public park with baseball diamonds, picnic areas and a swimming pool. |
Davenport Beach
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Location : Davenport CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : Davenport is a small town located 15 minutes north of the City of Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County. Davenport enjoys spectacular ocean views, open expanses of land and beautiful redwood forests such as Waddell State Beach and Park. Very popular with kite surfers, the offshore waters are often filled with sports enthusiasts. Reds, oranges and yellows from the sails of extreme athletes who enjoy a thrill of bouncing up and down on the Pacific Ocean waves can be seen for miles along the coastline here. Several spots along the road provide drive out areas where cars can stop to watch the action |
Rio Del Mar Beach
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Location : Aptos CA
Phone: 831-685-6500 Description : RIO DEL MAR BEACH: This beach is known for its wide, long strip of clean sand and is a favorite place for dog lovers to walk their dogs on leashes. This area has become very popular for short-term vacation beach rentals, and is a favored beach for family activities during the summer months. There are nearby shopping and restaurants and Lifeguards in the summer. Open 8 am to 10 pm |
Pleasure Point Beach
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : Santa Cruz County beaches offer the perfect setting for seaside fun. Whether you enjoy surfing, playing beach volleyball, or hiking along the coastal bluffs, our beaches offer something for everyone. Looking for a dog-friendly beach, a place to picnic with the kids, or the perfect place for a romantic sunset stroll? From dramatic windswept cliffs to the charming ambiance of a picturesque seaside town, you're sure to find a beach in Santa Cruz County that is unforgettable. |
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
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Location : Watsonville CA
Phone: 831-728-2822 Description : The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR) is one of 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves established nationwide as field laboratories for scientific research and estuarine education. The Reserve is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. |
Natural Bridges State Beach
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-423-4609 Description : Natural Bridges State Beach is a 65 acre California state park in Santa Cruz, California in the United States. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach. It is also well known as a hotspot to see monarch butterfly migrations. The Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve is home to up to 150000 monarch butterflies from October through early February. |
Neary Lagoon
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-420-5270 Description : The Neary Lagoon Wetland Walk explores the unique characteristics and vital functions of a wetland habitat, the local historical influences on the lagoon ecosystem, importance of wetland preservation, and Ohlone uses of wetland natural resources.The Wetland Walk is an outdoor, environmental education program for 3rd grade students. The program consists of a three-part learning experience including an interactive, in-class presentation, use of our Wetland Education Kit, and finally, a field trip to Neary Lagoon. |
Aptos Village County Park
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Location : Aptos CA
Phone: 831-454-7938 Description : This is a 10.3 acre park tucked into old Aptos Village. It is the site of weekend music festivals, family picnics, weddings, company picnics, Renaissance Camp and other special events. |
Greyhound Rock County Park
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Location : Davenport CA
Phone: 831-454-7956 Description : Greyhound Rock County Park is located on Highway 1, just north of Davenport. The park offers coastal access, fishing, tidal pools, nature trails and family picnic area. Greyhound Rock County Park is open from sunrise to sunset. |
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-475-6161 Description : The harbor is a gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We are proud of the many non-profit companies that have chosen to call the harbor their home. We are honored to support programs that foster environmental awareness in our youth, such as the O’Neill Sea Odyssey program, and we are especially proud to support UCSC’s remarkable sailing program, which helps create tomorrow’s expert sailors. |
Derby Park
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-420-5270 Description : Derby is the Hot Tub Time Machine of skateparks, taking you back to a simpler time when style meant more than trickery. Age and cunning will always defeat youth and enthusiasm. |
Waddell Creek/Rancho del Oso State Beach
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Location : Felton CA
Phone: 831-425-1218 Description : Waddell Creek and Rancho del Oso (a part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park) offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Six miles of Canyon Road (a graded dirt fire road) meanders along the course of Waddell Creek. It is almost level for the entire length, so even younger bicycle riders can be found pedaling along. |
Main Beach/Cowell Beach
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Location : Santa Cruz CA
Phone: 831-420-6015 Description : Main Beach and Cowell Beach are located on either side of the Santa Cruz Municipal Pier, near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Often crowded with novice surfers, the long, gentle waves at Cowell Beach make it a great place to learn how to surf. |
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