The Best Hikes in Santa Cruz from The Dawn Thomas Team and MoveToTheBeach.com

Best Hikes in Santa Cruz
• Wilder Ranch State Park Loop - Wilder Ridge State Park - moderate
• Redwood Loop Trail - Henry Cowell Redwoods - easy
• Natural Bridges - Natural Bridges State Beach - easy
• Wilder Ridge Trail - Wilder Ranch State Park - moderate
• Pogonip Creek Trail - Harvey West Park - easy

Santa Cruz County is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse natural landscapes in the country. Getting out and exploring these areas is a fun, physical and engaging experience. Hi, I'm Dawn Thomas, with MoveToTheBeach.com, and here are our picks for the Best Hikes in the Santa Cruz area.

Wilder Ranch State Park Loop
The Wilder Ranch loop uses a network of trails through Wilder Ranch. The loop can be anywhere from 6 miles up to 20 miles, depending on the route chosen. You’ll walk through fields of grass and wildflowers, Redwood groves, and eucalyptus. The terrain on this trail is considered moderate.

Henry Cowell Redwood Loop Trail
Walk amongst the giants on this easy rated, 1 mile loop in Henry Cowell Redwoods. Along the way you’ll see the park’s tallest tree, known as the Mother and Father tree, and the park’s tree with the widest circumference, known as the Santa Clara tree, at an astounding 17 feet in diameter!

Natural Bridges State Beach Exploration
Enjoy gorgeous coastal views and wildflowers amongst this 3.3 mile, easy loop around Natural Bridges State Beach. The coastal portion of the trail runs along West Cliff Drive, and is a great place to spot migrating whales, seals and otters. In the fall, enjoy breathtaking clusters of migrating monarch butterflies.

Wilder Ridge Trail
Another beautiful trail in Wilder Ranch State Park, this 8 mile loop will take you up to Wilder Ridge Vista point. There you’ll find a picnic table and stunning views of the coast and the rolling hills all around. There are live oaks that provide shade, and a picturesque pond to be found along the way. The terrain covered is considered moderate.

Pogonip Creek Trail
Pogonip creek trail is a 4 mile loop that offers beautiful meadows of wildflowers, redwood groves, and oak woodland. Most of the redwoods are younger, but there are 4 old growth trees, including one by an old spring box that’s been turned into a koi pond. Pogonip is considered moderate terrain.