914 41st. Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 475-3883
Bicycle Tours
Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 722-BIKE (2453)
Santa Cruz Bike Tours
Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 722-BIKE (2453)
A Web site dedicated to the best biking trails in the Santa Cruz Area.
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.
850 N. Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Trails are open to hikers and bicyclists. Please stay on designated trails.
333 Golf Club Drive, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 420-5270
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.
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.
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...
Birding
Box 267, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (831) 728-5939
Elkhorn Slough harbors the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay. This ecological treasure at the center of the Monterey Bay coastline provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including more than 340 species of birds.
Docent-led tours of the Reserve are held every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is also an early birding walk the first Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m. More >>
The Club sponsors birding walks in and around Santa Cruz County. For a very detailed list of the best birding locations, please review the Club's Guide to Birding in Santa Cruz County, California .
Bowling
AMF Cabrillo Lanes
580 Auto Center, Watsonville (831) 724-1155
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz (831) 426-3324
10 Windemere Lane, Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 662-3020
Sportfishing Charters and scattering of burial ashes.
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
32 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz (831) 427-2334
Tom's Sportfishing
P.O. Box 647 Moss Landing (831) 633-2564
Please visit our dedicated Hiking Page at by clicking here >>
Monterey Bay Equestrian Center -- Beach rides
19805 Pesante Rd., Salinas (831) 663-5712
The Mitchell Ranch/980 Travers Lane, Watsonville, CA 95076 (408) 528-5461
Offering horse back riding lessons and summer riding camps.
See Also State Parks and Beaches...
Box 267, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (831) 728-5939
Elkhorn Slough harbors the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay. This ecological treasure at the center of the Monterey Bay coastline provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including more than 340 species of birds.
For the kayak lovers, the reserve is absolutely wonderful! Click here to read how to protect the reserve and where to launch and land your kayak >>
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
693 Del Monte Ave., Monterey (800) 649-5357
125 Beach St., Santa Cruz (831) 427-2267
Rock/Wall Climbing
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
Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 423-0844
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
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
244 Fourth Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 425-0690
Stagnaro Fishing Trips
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz (831) 427-2334
303 Potrero, Santa Cruz (831) 458-3648
6896 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 423-3483
614 Lighthouse Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 372-1685
225 San Lorenzo Blvd at Riverside Ave., Santa Cruz, CA
508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, CA
Among the first public skateboard tracks. A favorite of street stylists
Jim Keeffe Skate Park at Highlands County Park
8500 Highway 9 Ben Lomond, CA (831) 336-5366
1301 Main St., Watsonville, CA
361 Kings Village Rd Scotts Valley, CA
Walking
A walker's guide to some of the most scenic areas Santa Cruz has to offer.
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
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
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
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 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.
