TOP 30 Historic trail attractions in Santa Cruz, California

The Historic Brookdale Lodge in Brookdale, California, offers a charming and historic hotel experience near Santa Cruz. With a variety of amenities including a bar, convenience store, restaurant, and night club, guests can enjoy a comfortable stay surrounded by the beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The lodge is currently undergoing restorations, but offers cozy guestrooms, delicious California cuisine, and breathtaking views from private balconies. With nearby hiking trails, wineries, and top attractions, the Brookdale Lodge is the perfect destination for a unique and memorable California experience. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or a group trip, the Brookdale Lodge offers a blend of history and modern comfort for all guests to enjoy.

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is a beautiful park and tourist attraction located at 210 Pigeon Point Road in Pescadero, California, United States. Visitors can explore the historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which is currently undergoing restoration, through a 3D, 360 degree narrated tour. The park offers guided hikes, public programs, and even backpacking adventures through the Santa Cruz Mountains. The park has facilities such as restrooms, limited picnic tables, and a park store in the historic carpenter's shop. A small public beach is also located nearby. The park does not allow dogs on the lighthouse grounds, drones, or model aircraft for the safety of visitors, wildlife, and cultural resources. The Pigeon Point Hostel, run by Hostelling International, offers overnight accommodations for guests. Special event permits for weddings and other events can be obtained by contacting SMPermits@parks.ca.gov. The park is supported by the Coastside State Parks Association and the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Join the mailing list to stay up to date with local California State Parks events and news.

Santa Margarita Ranch is a historic institution located at 9000 Yerba Buena Avenue in Santa Margarita, California. This picturesque ranch offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history of the area, with its charming buildings, stunning landscapes, and peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're looking to explore the ranch's vineyards, attend a special event, or simply enjoy a relaxing day in the California countryside, Santa Margarita Ranch is the perfect destination. Come and experience the beauty and tranquility of this unique institution in the heart of the United States.

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is a local government office dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Santa Cruz State Parks. Located at 1543 Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, California, this institution serves as a hub for park information, events, and programs that engage and educate visitors of all ages. As a popular tourist attraction, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks offers a wide range of activities and experiences for those looking to explore the stunning landscapes and rich history of the area. Join us in supporting and enjoying the beauty of Santa Cruz State Parks!

Wilder Ranch Day Use Parking is a convenient parking facility located at 1842-1826 Coast Road in Santa Cruz, California. This parking lot serves visitors to the beautiful Wilder Ranch State Park, allowing easy access to the park's hiking trails, beaches, and historic sites. Whether you're looking to spend a day exploring the natural beauty of the area or just need a place to park while enjoying the nearby attractions, Wilder Ranch Day Use Parking has you covered. With ample parking spaces and a convenient location, this parking facility is the perfect starting point for your outdoor adventures in Santa Cruz.

Harvey West Park is a beautiful and expansive park located at 326 Evergreen Street in Santa Cruz, California. This popular tourist attraction offers a variety of amenities and activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. The park is also home to the Harvey West Pool, perfect for cooling off on a hot day. With its lush greenery and scenic views, Harvey West Park is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and families looking to spend a day outdoors.

Brommer Street County Park is a beautiful and serene park located in Santa Cruz, California. Situated at 1451 30th Avenue, this park is a popular tourist attraction for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With lush greenery, scenic walking trails, and picnic areas, visitors can enjoy a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you want to relax in the shade of towering trees or explore the park's natural beauty, Brommer Street County Park is the perfect destination for a day of leisure and recreation.

The Old Train Trestle Bridge is a historic tourist attraction located on Pipeline Road in Santa Cruz, California, United States. Visitors can travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves, and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain while conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad, and the forest. The steam engines at Roaring Camp date back to the 1890s and are some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America. The train departs from the Santa Cruz Mountains, traveling through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Visitors can also take a reverse roundtrip from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back on weekends.

Located in Historic Pescadero on California’s scenic San Mateo Coast, Pescadero Creek Inn offers a serene and tranquil country setting to escape life’s hectic pace. Whether it is a hike through towering redwoods or a stroll on a deserted white sand beach, Pescadero will soothe your soul. Midway between Santa Cruz and San Francisco, it is a wonderful trip down Pacific Coast Highway. Relax in front of a beautiful stone fireplace in the century-old farmhouse or nap in a hammock by the side of Pescadero Creek. Enjoy the spacious decks overlooking the creek and listen to the water go by, and with it goes your cares and worries. Redwoods are a bicycle ride away, while Pigeon Point Lighthouse, elephant seals at Año Nuevo, or walks on long deserted white sand beaches are a short drive. Golfing, horseback riding, wine tasting, whale watching, and fishing may all be found nearby.

Scorpion Ranch is a historic park and tourist attraction located in Ventura, California, United States. Situated on Santa Cruz Island, the largest and most diverse of the eight Channel Islands, Scorpion Ranch has a rich history tied closely to its physical attributes. The island's vast grasslands, coastal scrub vegetation, oak woodlands, and rich coastline sustained the Chumash people for millennia. The island was also used by mariners, hunters, fishermen, and the military throughout the nineteenth century. The island was considered for the establishment of a Catholic mission to serve the Chumash population, and was later used as a base for otter hunters, fishermen, and smugglers. The ownership of the island changed hands multiple times, with ranching becoming a prominent activity on Santa Cruz Island. Dr. James B. Shaw, an English physician, played a significant role in the development of the island's ranching industry, importing cattle, horses, and sheep. Justinian Caire, a French immigrant, later acquired the island and continued a successful livestock and ranching operation.

Wilder Ranch State Park, located in Santa Cruz, California, offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and diverse natural beauty of the Santa Cruz coastline. With 7,000 acres of land, the park features a variety of attractions, including an Interpretive Center and Park Store (currently closed due to flooding), guided hikes, and public programs. Visitors can step back in time to the late 1800s and experience California's early ranching history by visiting historic buildings such as an 1897 Victorian home and a 1896 water-powered machine shop. The park also offers more than 35 miles of trails for hiking and biking, as well as equestrian-only campsites for horseback riding enthusiasts.

Pogonip Open Space is a sprawling park and popular tourist attraction located at 501 and 410 Golf Club Drive in Santa Cruz, California. This stunning open space offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with miles of hiking and biking trails, lush meadows, and scenic vistas. Whether you're looking for a peaceful nature retreat or an adventurous outdoor experience, Pogonip Open Space is the perfect destination for nature lovers of all ages.

Garden of Eden - Henry Cowell Redwood State Park is a stunning tourist attraction located at California 9, Felton, California, United States. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, with the Visitor Center open daily from 10am to 4pm and the Mountain Parks Foundation Nature Store open from 11am to 5pm. Visitors can reserve campsites and lodging up to six months in advance and enjoy activities such as hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping on over 4,650 acres of forested and open land. The park is most famous for its 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees, some of which are over 1,500 years old. The park also features diverse habitats including grasslands, river/riparian areas, sandhills, and redwoods. Visitors may spot wildlife such as banana slugs, black-tailed deer, coyotes, and more. The park also offers guided hikes and public programs, as well as naturalist-led backpacking trips through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Additionally, visitors can pay parking fees using the Yodel app on their smartphones. The park is a Crumb Clean environment, protecting the endangered marbled murrelet bird that nests in the area. Visitors can learn about the history and ecology of the park on the Redwoods Experience trail, a flat loop trail through the old-growth redwood grove. The park also offers camping facilities, and nearby Roaring Camp Railroad provides historic train rides through the redwoods.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, located in Felton, California, is a majestic park and tourist attraction nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visitors can explore a 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees that have historical significance and offer spectacular scenery. The park offers activities such as hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping across its 4,650 acres of forested and open land. Visitors can reserve campsites and lodging up to six months in advance, subject to availability and park rules. The park also features the Fall Creek Unit, a second-growth redwood forest with connecting trails for day use. Dogs are allowed in certain areas of the park, while bicycles are permitted on designated trails.

Welcome to Fall Creek Unit, a serene park and tourist attraction nestled in the heart of Felton, California. Located at 1101 Felton Empire Road, this enchanting destination offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue, perfect for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Explore the Trails: The Fall Creek Unit is a second-growth redwood forest featuring nearly twenty miles of interconnected trails. Wander through fern-lined river canyons and discover remnants of the area's lime-processing heritage. This area is open for day use only, providing a tranquil escape into nature.

Welcome to Cotillion Gardens RV Park, your serene getaway nestled in the heart of the enchanting redwoods of Felton, California. Located at 300 Old Big Trees Road, our picturesque park offers a perfect blend of tranquility and convenience, providing an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of accommodations to suit every traveler's needs. Whether you're arriving in your RV, looking for a cozy camping spot, or seeking comfortable lodging, our well-maintained facilities promise a relaxing stay. Our spacious RV sites are equipped with full hookups, ensuring a hassle-free experience, while our tent sites offer an authentic camping adventure amidst towering trees.

Explore the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument Discover the enchanting beauty and rich history of Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, a premier tourist attraction located in Santa Cruz, California. Nestled on the north coast of Santa Cruz County, this extraordinary landscape became part of the California Coastal National Monument just days before President Barack Obama left office, recognizing its incredible ecological, cultural, and historic significance.

Welcome to Barrel Mill Area, a captivating tourist attraction nestled along the scenic Fall Creek Trail in Ben Lomond, California. Discover the rich history and natural beauty of this enchanting location in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Once a bustling site of industrial activity, the Barrel Mill Area now serves as a serene escape for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Explore the remnants of the historic barrel manufacturing mill, where you can imagine the vibrant industry that once thrived here. As you wander through the lush forested trails, you'll encounter the soothing sounds of Fall Creek, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the invigorating scent of towering redwoods. Whether you're hiking, birdwatching, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, the Barrel Mill Area offers a perfect blend of tranquility and intrigue.

Welcome to Graham Hill Rd & Covered Bridge Rd N Transit Station, your convenient gateway in the heart of Felton, California. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, our transit station offers a seamless connection to both local attractions and neighboring communities. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, our station is designed to provide easy access to public transportation, making your journey smooth and efficient. Situated at the intersection of Graham Hill Road and Covered Bridge Road, our location is perfect for exploring the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Felton. Enjoy nearby amenities, including dining, shopping, and the historic Covered Bridge Park. With a commitment to accessibility and customer service, Graham Hill Rd & Covered Bridge Rd N Transit Station is your starting point for discovering all that this charming area has to offer.

Welcome to New Brighton State Park, a stunning coastal haven located at 1500 Park Avenue, Capitola, California. Just south of Santa Cruz, this beautiful park offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational activities, making it a must-visit tourist attraction for both locals and travelers. Nestled along the scenic bluffs, New Brighton State Park boasts breathtaking views of Monterey Bay and provides a serene beach setting ideal for fishing, beachcombing, and swimming during the warmer months. The park is easily accessible via the New Brighton/Park Avenue exit off Highway One.