Every year, up to 10,000 elephant seals come to the Año Nuevo State Park nature reserve to mate, give birth to their pups and molt. This recurring natural cycle offers a special perspective on the coast: it is not just a landscape, but also a habitat. The park encompasses coastal terrace prairie, wetlands, dune fields and coastal scrub. Natural history exhibits in a historic 19th-century dairy ranch add a glimpse into the history of the area to these nature experiences.

Coast and Redwood Forests

At Natural Bridges State Beach, visitors can take beach walks to look for shells, build sandcastles and explore tide pools. The Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve borders the beach. Here, shoreline exploration and a protected marine area meet side by side.

Wilder Ranch State Park stretches across 7,000 acres, from Ben Lomond Mountain through marshland and ancient, rolling terraces to the ocean coast. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park preserves another kind of forest landscape: a 40-acre stand of towering old-growth coastal redwoods. The park’s higher elevations are also home to the rare Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat, with numerous endemic species.

A comparison of the redwood areas reveals different forest generations: Forest of Nisene Marks State Park has dense second- and third-growth redwood forest, extending from near sea level into steep coastal mountains. There are 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, in turn, offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming and camping. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park, preserves old-growth coastal redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Ranch History, Mission and Culture

Wilder Ranch’s landscape also has a historical side: early California ranching history is presented through a Victorian house dating to 1897 and a water-powered workshop from 1896. The two buildings provide tangible points of reference for the history, while the park landscape stretches from the mountains to the coast.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is home to the only surviving building of the twelfth California mission. The park offers a terrace, gardens and city views on Mission Hill. The history of the Ohlone and Yokuts at Santa Cruz Mission is presented through exhibits and a large-format film projection, which visitors can see on guided and self-guided tours.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History features rotating art and history exhibitions, as well as public festivals and cultural celebrations. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk offers its own attractions, including thrill rides, family rides and children’s rides. The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster there is designated a National Historic Landmark. Since schedules and operating hours may vary, check the dates before your visit.

Explore by Train and Season

Roaring Camp Railroads offers two different train rides. Authentic 19th-century steam locomotives travel through the Big Trees to the summit of Bear Mountain. Early 20th-century Pullman cars and open excursion cars travel through a scenic river gorge in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to Santa Cruz Beach. Schedules may vary; check the dates in advance.

The Coastal Rail Trail also offers a specific route to follow: the first construction section of Segment 7, Phase I, is a 1.2-mile paved multi-use trail from Natural Bridges Drive to Bay and California streets. Check construction and access status before your visit.

At U-pick farms in Santa Cruz County, visitors can harvest their own produce. Seasonal offerings include strawberries, olallieberries, apples and kiwis. Since harvest times, farm schedules and reservations vary, it’s worth checking the details in advance. Parks and beaches in Santa Cruz County also offer opportunities for swimming, camping, sunbathing and hiking. Visitor offerings also include wineries, farmers’ markets, surfing and shopping; check individual offerings before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Santa Cruz, Capitola, Watsonville, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Aptos, Interlaken, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Felton, Freedom, Rio del Mar.

For the main travel overview: California.