13 Unique Hiking Trails in Santa Cruz

One of the reasons Santa Cruz is a popular tourist destination is its proximity to prominent hiking trails. They cut across the wildlands and 2,000-foot heights in the Santa Cruz Mountains and extend downwards to the ocean.

Why Should I Hike Santa Cruz?

You can’t afford to miss exploring the wild beauty of this lovely destination. Located about 1.5 hours south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is an extremely popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. On the weekends in the summer, Santa Cruz can get exceptionally busy in major tourist attractions such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Natural Bridges State Park.

With so many hiking trails in Santa Cruz, it’s easy to see why the area is so popular to visit! Below are some reasons you should hike Santa Cruz:

Hikes With Views of the Ocean

Who wouldn’t want this? Hiking in Santa Cruz will give you a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, so why not take advantage of that? Certain hiking trails will take you across wild and mountainous lands. However, hiking along the coast, no matter how long, is a great alternative and definitely a unique feature of the hiking trails in Santa Cruz.

Generally, hikes with ocean views are also a lot milder as they require less elevation gain. For my personally, the best hikes in Santa Cruz have an ocean view.

Escape the Heat in the Redwoods

The Redwoods are known for having one of the most prominent hiking trails in Santa Cruz County. There are tons of redwoods in the area that contain a lot of hiking options that you can choose from. 

Hiking trails in Santa Cruz redwoods are a good option when it’s extremely hot outside because the redwoods will offer up some shade and relief from the heat.

The Redwoods are also super unique to California and Oregon, and many visitors will find that it’s a jawdropping sight once you are there!

Slower Pace from San Francisco and City Life

Santa Cruz is remote to an extent and a perfect destination for you to unwind and attune yourself to nature. It’s the go-to destination if you want to leave the bustle of San Francisco or city life for a while. 

Santa Cruz isn’t as slow as the nearby town of Carmel for example and you will find a lot more entertainment here, but it will still feel like an escape from city life. There are many hikes near Santa Cruz that will make you feel like you’ve entered a whole new world.

Best Time for Hikers to Visit Santa Cruz 

Hiking is weather-dependent. Too much sun or rain can ruin what would have been a perfect hike – although there is a saying that if you had a bad hike, you just didn’t have the right gear (more on that below).

I recommend visiting Santa Cruz for hiking from June to October. As you can see in the chart above from Weather Spark, you will have the most comfrortable weather in the late afternoons during this time. It’s fairly common for Santa Cruz weather to start off cold in the morning and then get more comfortable in the afternoon. The morning fog off the coast of the Pacific Ocean also tends to die off by then, and then you will get some nice sunshine.

The hiking trails in Santa Cruz will be less enjoyable in the winter from November to March. It also becomes fairly rainy during that time. By January and February, there is a 25-30% chance of rain in Santa Cruz County.

This doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to hike. It just means that you need to be equipped with the proper hiking gear to make your hike comfortable, enjoyable, and safe! More on that below.

Gear for Santa Cruz Hiking Trails

Hiking Boots / Shoes

Here are some of my favorite hiking boots. Although the hiking trails in Santa Cruz are generally more mild and have good footing, it is still good practice to wear good shoes while hiking. They will protect your joints, feet and ankles in the long run!

Sun Protection

The sun is sneaky because it can often be cloudy and you think you don’t need SPF. But sun protection is still super important for the hiking trails in Santa Cruz! Here are some of my favorites.

Water Storage

Bringing water is really important for your hike. When I was first starting out, I used to just bring a small water bottle for an hours-long hike. Boy did I learn that was a mistake!

My general rule of thumb is 1L of water per hour while on the hiking trails in Santa Cruz. Here are some of my favorite water storage containers – I especially love the Drom Bags

Summer Hiking Clothing

Lastly, summer hiking clothing will keep you cool. If I’m going on a real hike, I will never wear cotton because it’s just a horribly inefficient material. For more details on why that is, check my post on Essential Hiking Clothes!

Favorite Hiking Outerwear

Hiking in Santa Cruz can get fairly chilly. Even in the summer, the days start off cool with the fog over the ocean. Hiking in the redwoods can also bring coolness because of all the shade from the massive trees. Here are some of my favorite hiking outerwear

Best Hiking Trails in Santa Cruz

1. Redwood Grove Loop Trail, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Length: 0.9 miles | Elevation Gain: Approx. 46 feet | Not Dog-friendly

The Redwood Grove Loop Trail is a popular trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which is only a quick 15-minute drive from downtown Santa Cruz. This hike is one of the easiest hikes in the park and one of the easiest hiking trails in Santa Cruz, as it takes 18 minutes to complete.

I recommend this trail for beginner hikers, small children, or anyone who cannot hike for a very long time. You can see beautiful redwood trees on this trail with minimal effort. It’s a very popular trail, so you’ll likely bump into other hikers or campers as well. This trail is open at all times of the year so that you can visit anytime you want to. 

The old Henry Cowell Redwood Grove is the main highlight of this brief loop trail. It’s a dense and compact stand, and it’s located close to touring routes and populated areas. It competes favorably with the very best of the old-growth groves. 

The only downside to hiking on this trail – and what you will notice for many Santa Cruz hikes – is that you can’t bring your dog(s) along. 

2. Fall Creek to Lime Kilns Trail, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Length: 3.3 miles | Elevation Gain: Approx. 499 feet | Not Dog Friendly

Another option in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is the Fall Creek to Lime Kilns Trail. This is an easy trail, but it will take hikers about 90 minutes to complete because of its longer distance of over three miles.

This trail exposes you to the industrial heritage of the Bay Area in the lush redwood northward of Santa Cruz. Lime processing was once a big business in California. When the industry became obsolete, the forest reclaimed the land that the factories occupied.

This hiking trail is all about what remains of that industry. It gives you a close-up view of the old kilns. 

3. Pipeline Road Trail, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Length: 6.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 925 feet | Partly Dog-friendly

Lastly in Henry Cowell, you have the Pipeline Road Trail. This hiking trail in Santa Cruz is an out & back trail that bisects the park. Unlike the first two trails on the list, it’s a moderate route, and it takes nearly 3 hours to complete. It’s the perfect hike trail for those with stamina and a great way to work out.

It’s a popular hiking trail, so high-foot traffic is common – especially on the weekends. This trail is perfect for dog owners because it’s dog-friendly. In fact, it’s the only trail in Henry Cowell that allows dogs. However, there’s a caveat to this privilege; Dogs must be on a leash while hiking.

4. Berry Creek Falls, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Length: 10.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 2,339 feet | Not Dog-friendly

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is one of my favorite parks to see redwoods. The park is located a bit further out from Santa Cruz at 1 hour driving distance along Route 236.

This hiking trail is one of the most famous hike trails close to Santa Cruz. The reason is the falls; they present a sight you can’t get tired of. The area surrounding the home trail is rich with small streams, moss, giant ferns, and wildlife. This trail will take hikers through the huge sequoias of the gorgeous Santa Cruz Mountains and luxuriant groves of old-growth redwood trees.

This loop route also takes hikers to the Silver & Cascade Falls, about a mile upstream. There, hikers get a chance to see several species of butterflies in the right season.

Please note: Following the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that started on August 2020, areas of Big Basin Redwoods State Park may be closed. Check the latest details at the California Parks website.

5. Sequoia Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Length: 4.3 miles | Elevation Gain: 604 feet | Not Dog-friendly

This loop hiking trail near Santa Cruz is an embodiment of nature. Despite its short length, it’s categorized as a moderate trail. With a short trail length and a slightly easy elevation gain, this is the perfect trail for new hikers to improve their endurance before exploring more challenging trails. Most of the trail is flat except for the steep Slippery Rock area. 

This trail is close to the waterfall, and hikers can use the stairs to ascend to where they’ll get the best view possible. Hikers can also have a great view of the Opal Mineral Pool. Unfortunately, as with all of Big Basin, this hike is not dog friendly.

Please note: Following the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that started on August 2020, areas of Big Basin Redwoods State Park may be closed. Check the latest details at the California Parks website.

6. Skyline to Sea Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Length: 24.5 miles | Elevation Gain: 2306 feet | Not Dog-friendly

This is the hardest and longest trail on this list. It is one of those “mega-day” type hikes and definitely one of those hikes that is on local’s bucket lists! This hike is often times done over the course of 2 or 3 days, but you can also do it in a long day hike if you are a more advanced hiker.

The Skyline to Sea Trail cuts from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, giving you a view of every sight there’s to see in the redwoods and ending at the beautiful coast. Although this trail is long, you will feel very accomplished starting from the heights of the old-growth redwoods to the forest floor filled with banana slugs.

7. Natural Bridges to Lighthouse Field Loop, Natural Bridges State Beach

Length: 4.8 miles | Elevation Gain: 121 feet | Not Dog-friendly

This Natural Bridges hike is one of my favorite gentle Santa Cruz trails at sunset. Check out how amazing the views are!

This hiking trail near Santa Cruz gives you a view of the beach habitat and tide pools at the Natural Bridges State Park. It’s an easy, out-and-back trail. This trail includes huge coastal scrub meadows which are rich with native wild flora during the spring season. 

The Moore Creek passes through these meadows, forming wetlands in the sand. Hikers can walk along the bluffs when this Creek is at low tide. The path between the coastline on the West Cliff Multi-Purpose Cycleway and the Lighthouse Field State Beach is mostly gentle and paved. 

8. Old Cove Landing Trail, Wilder Ranch State Park

Length: 2.4 miles | Elevation Gain: Approx. 102 feet | Not Dog-friendly

Wilder Ranch State Park sits 10 minutes west of Natural Bridges State Beach. Wilder Ranch is 7,000 acres of marshland and coastal seashore. There is also a rich history here. You can visit an 1897 Victorian home for example. Another fun fact: there is an endangered bird called the marbled murrelet that nests in the park!

This hiking trail near Santa Cruz is an easy route that can take about 50 minutes to complete. It’s located along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Hikers, mountain bikers, and birders get a great view of the ocean and see local fauna, including pelicans, geese, gulls, and even sea lions.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on this trail or any hiking trail in Wilder Ranch State Park.

9. Wilder Ridge Trail, Wilder Ranch State Park

Length: 7.7 miles | Elevation Gain: Approx. 882 feet | Not Dog-friendly

The Wilder Ridge Trail will take you all around Wilder Ranch State Park. You will see a variety of different landscape, from an ocean view of the Monterey Bay to grasslands and small redwoods and Douglas-fir trees.

At 7.7 miles, this is a lengthier hike but there is not much elevation throughout the course of this hike. I would rate this one as moderate.

This is a less popular and lesser-known hiking trail in Santa Cruz, so if it gets very busy on the weekend, Wilder Ridge Trail is a good bet!

10. Pacific to Redwoods Loop, Wilder Ranch State Park

Length: 12 miles | Elevation Gain: 1243 feet | Not Dog-friendly

This is a longer hiking trail option near Santa Cruz in Wilder Ranch State Park that gives you a little bit of everything – rolling hills, ocean cliffs, wildflowers, etc.

It takes almost 5 hours to complete. So we recommend that only expert hikers or people with good stamina and endurance should go for this. I would also caution you to be very careful when navigating the cliffs close to the Pacific Ocea 

Also, wear several layers of clothes because it can be very chilly around the ocean and then scorching hot further inland.

11. West Cliff Drive, Lighthouse Field State Beach

Length: 4 miles | Elevation Gain: flat | Dog-friendly

This out-and-back hike trail near Santa Cruz is categorized as an easy trail. This paved hiking trail is multi-purpose and family-friendly. This trail gives you both physical and visual exposure to kite flying, a beach, open fields, seals, sea otters, dolphins, whales, seagulls, crabs, etc. 

It’s a great trail for people of every age category. It’s just a short distance from Boardwalk and municipal pier to Natural Bridges State Park. This trail also permits dogs on a leash, making it one of the few dog-friendly hiking trail options in Santa Cruz.

12. Old Growth Loop Trail, Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Length: 1.4 miles | Elevation Gain: 350 ft | Not Dog Friendly

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is a lesser-known state park in Santa Cruz county. Hidden along Highway 1, it is a great escape from the busy streets of Santa Cruz on the weekends. Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is known for its dense redwoods to coastal mountains.

There are a lot of activity opportunities here. If you are looking for something more relaxed, you can picnic near Aptos Creek. Or the main activity here is to hike, jog, or bike on the 30 miles of trails located throughout the park. However it is not very dog friendly. Dogs are only allowed on Aptos Creek Fire Road and Aptos Rancho Trail, Split Stuff Trail, Terrace Trail, and Vienna Woods Trail.

The Old Growth Loop is the easiest hike in Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and is a great option for young children. The loop takes you around a ravine with five big redwood trees.

Overall, this grove will be less impressive as the huge old-growth groves at Big Basin or Henry Cowell, but if you have already seen redwood trees before, you will love Old Growth Loop for its more hidden-away nature.

13. Maple Falls via Bridge Creek Trail and Aptos Creek Road, Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Length: 10 miles | Elevation Gain: 870 ft | Not Dog Friendly

This is one of the most remote hiking trails in Santa Cruz. Maple Falls cuts down the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. It is a longer hiking option here and perfect if you are up for a waterfall!

The hiking trail goes through dense redwood forest and a few river crossings where you will need to hop over some rocks. At the end of the 5 miles, you will reach Maple Falls. And then you can turn around and head back to your car.

There are also tons of banana slugs in the redwoods here, and it’s very possible that you will see one during your hike!

Bonus: Castle Rock State Park

I added Castle Rock State Park here as a bonus. It is closer to Saratoga (20-minute drive) than Santa Cruz (40-minute drive), but it is located in Santa Cruz County.

This was the Santa Cruz State Park that I went to over and over again as a kid growing up. There are tons of easy hiking options here like Castle Rock Loop which is a 1-mile loop that takes you to fun rocks that you can climb, or the longer Skyline/Loghry Woods/Saratoga Gap Loop at 6 miles which gives you views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and if you are lucky on a clear day, Monterey Bay.

Note: dogs are unfortunately not allowed at Castle Rock State Park. There is also no cell phone reception so remember to download offline maps and bring emergency gear as needed.

Summary of Hiking Trails in Santa Cruz

Unfortunately, a majority of the hiking trails in Santa Cruz are not dog-friendly. We understand that this can be a bummer for pet owners. However, this shouldn’t deter you from the wonderful experience hiking in Santa Cruz brings.

The hiking trails in Santa Cruz can be the perfect spots for you to unwind and recharge from the hustle and bustle of urban life. There are tons of different views from the redwoods to the Pacific Ocean shoreline. And each Santa Cruz State Park has different hiking options from shorter to longer hikes.

Have you hiked in Santa Cruz before? What did you think?

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