The Santa Cruz Hikes – The Top 5 Hikes In Santa Cruz list is a comprehensive guide to the top hiking trails in Santa Cruz County. Each hike has been reviewed and ranked based on trail difficulty, scenery, and views.
Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful places in California with tons of hikes to enjoy. These are some of my favorite hiking spots in the entire state. Santa Cruz is known for being a very laid-back place where you don’t need to be on a mission to have a great time.
It’s the holiday season. You’ve been busy buying gifts for the people on your list. Now you’re looking forward to spending some time with them. Or maybe you’re having a hard time finding a present for someone, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money, or you’re concerned that they might think you are cheap.
Maybe you have a family member or friend who has become sick and you just don’t know what to say or do for them. Or maybe you need to clear your head and get away from work for a while, but you don’t know where to go. Well, in any case, we can help. We’ve done all the research and put together a guide of five great hikes in Santa Cruz, California. Read on to find out what our picks are.
The summer is coming up, and what better way to spend some time outdoors than hiking? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite hikes around Santa Cruz and beyond.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite Santa Cruz hikes. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike, a beautiful trail, or even a family-friendly hike, you’ll find it here.
We’ve also included a map with all of the trails we recommend.
Mount Hermon
A hike to Mount Hermon has got to be one of the most beautiful hikes in Santa Cruz. If you want to see the beauty of nature, this is the hike for you.
I’m a huge fan of hiking, but have only ever done it in places with a lot of people around. That said, I love visiting the mountains. There is nothing quite like sitting at the top and taking in the view.
Mount Hermon is a beautiful place. It’s not the tallest mountain in California, but it’s definitely worth visiting if you’re near the area. It’s a little tricky to reach, so I would recommend hiring a guide. They’ll know the best routes and can point out cool things to see along the way.
It’s a great place to hike, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a little bit of a challenge. It’s a nice day trip from San Francisco, and I’d say it’s a must-do if you’re near the area.
As we near the end of summer, many people are planning their next adventures. While a lot of people go to the mountains for winter hiking, I recommend visiting the Santa Cruz Mountains for its wide variety of trails.
There are so many great hikes in the area that you could spend the whole weekend hiking, but I’ll focus on just three of them.
Stinson Beach
This trail is a moderate hike, and it is about 3 miles round trip. It is located off of Highway 1 and is on the opposite side of the freeway. This is a great trail to bring the family along with you. It is a fun hike and a great way to get out into nature.
Stinson Beach is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s where I spent my first summer after graduating high school. I was fortunate enough to spend my senior year of college there, too.
It’s a great place for hiking, camping, surfing, and relaxing. But it’s also a place where I learned to love the outdoors.
So when I decided to spend my Christmas vacation there, I knew I wanted to share some tips with people who might be thinking about visiting.
Here are some things you might want to know about Stinson Beach:
• The beach is accessible by car.
• It’s just under an hour away from San Francisco.
• There are two restaurants with amazing views of the ocean.
• There are plenty of great hikes around.
• A lot of people go to the beach at night.
• It’s a great place to watch the sunset.
If you’re thinking about going to Stinson Beach, I hope this post helps you plan your trip. I’d love to hear about any questions or comments you have. Feel free to share them in the comments section below.
Mount Diablo
One of the best views you’ll ever see in the city of Santa Cruz. You’ll get a view of the Bay Area from Mount Diablo.
Mount Diablo Hikes has an amazing team of hiking guides that lead hikes in the area. They are very knowledgeable and share their wealth of knowledge with visitors.
The only downside is that they are located in the East Bay. If you’re willing to drive, it’s worth the visit. If you’re looking to stay closer to home, check out some of the other hikes on their site.
The main thing I’d like to mention is that while you can hike anywhere, I’m going to focus on the ones near San Francisco. I chose these hikes because they’re close to San Francisco, have a lot of traffic, and are pretty easy to get to.
My other advice would be to make sure you bring water and snacks and a map. The trail is a little over 10 miles round trip, but you’ll likely want to stop along the way to rest and refuel.
Cowell Mountain
This hike is a little more difficult than the other hikes, but it’s worth it. The views of the surrounding mountains are breathtaking.
Cowell Mountain Hikes is a company that helps people enjoy the outdoors by providing them with guided hikes throughout their state.
The company has a reputation for being friendly, professional and knowledgeable, making it a great choice for people looking for a hiking experience.
The team behind Cowell Mountain Hikes offer a variety of options, so you can plan your hike to fit into your schedule.
Cowell Mountain is a popular destination for mountain bikers, hikers, and sightseers. This beautiful park is located near the base of Mount Washington, and is surrounded by thick forests and stunning views.
The trail network is well-maintained and well-signed, making it easy to navigate. This is a great place to explore the natural beauty of New Hampshire and New England, and it’s also a great place to take your kids on a family hike.
Wilder Ranch Trail
This trail is a very easy hike, and it is only about 1-mile round trip. It is located near the ocean, and it is great for families. It is located just below the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Wilder Ranch Trail is an online community for people living within 50 miles of the town of Wilder, Utah. There are over 6,000 members and they all share one common goal: To live more naturally, more healthily, and more sustainably.
They live their lives in a different way, and in return, they receive the benefits of a healthier life. The best part is that you don’t have to be a member of the community to reap these benefits.
Wilder Ranch Trail is a unique experience in Northern California. It’s a scenic 3.5-hour, 2-mile trail that takes you through lush forests, and along the banks of the American River.
It’s not just for hikers, though. Mountain bikers, runners, and other outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy this trail too. You’ll even find many places to stop and rest along the way.
The trail passes through the wilderness of Wilder Ranch State Park, so it’s a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the top five hikes in Santa Cruz?
A: I think the top five hikes in Santa Cruz are the Redwoods, which can be reached from downtown Santa Cruz, or it’s a 2-mile round trip. You climb a little bit of elevation, and you hike through the redwood trees. You also can go to Point Reyes and hike the trail to Piedras Blancas. That trail is a beautiful trail, and you can see all these whales playing on the shore. You can also hike to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. There’s no better way to get there than to drive. You just pass by San Francisco, you drive through Santa Cruz and then you’re there. Lastly, you can hike to the beach at Pescadero. It’s an absolutely beautiful spot.
Q: How do you get to the top of the Redwoods Trail?
A: You have to park down at the parking lot at the base of the trail. The parking lot costs $6. Then, you walk up the trail. You can either take the stairs or the elevator, but either way, it’s about two miles.
Q: Do you have any favorite hiking spots in Santa Cruz?
A: I like hiking around the city because you can be out in nature but still be in the city. The trails that I like to hike include: the Redwoods, which is the most beautiful trail; the trails along the waterfront; and the trails near the beaches.
Q: Are there any special tips or things to keep in mind when hiking in Santa Cruz?
A: When I hike, I bring a pair of shoes that I’ve had for a while because they’ll last longer if I wear them a lot.
Myths About Santa Cruz Hikes
1. Santa Cruz is always sunny.
2. You should take a hike at the beach during the winter.
3. Hiking requires special equipment.
4. Hiking is dangerous.
5. It’s illegal to hike on public lands.
6. You need to be prepared to hike for 6 hours straight.
7. Hikers should not wear shorts and t-shirts.
Conclusion
We’re a small group of people, mostly volunteers, who hike every month and post our experiences online. We’ve been around since 2016, and have over 200 members.
Our hikes are often in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, but we sometimes travel to other places too. Our goal is to give people an opportunity to explore new landscapes and meet new friends while getting some exercise.
We hope you enjoy the information that we provide in our hikes, and feel free to join us next time!