Life with ArielThe area from Scotts Valley to Santa Cruz is beautiful. But I don’t go there often because state route 17 is the only highway that goes through this area and it’s always jammed – one way from San Jose to Santa Cruz can easily take an hour and a half. On the days I go, I maximize my time there to make the trip worth the effort. I go hiking, chilling on the beach, kayaking, watching sunset, and / or dining.
You will find everything in this area such as forests, mountains, lakes, ocean views, and beaches. It’s green year round. Unlike the Peninsula area, it’s also sunny most of the time and feels like SoCal. There are lots to do there. In terms of hiking, I like the 5 trails below the most and they are discussed in the order of my preference. My criteria are discussed in this blog. In short:
- The trail has to be dog friendly.
- The trail is intermediate level with 8 miles and 1,200 feet elevation at maximum.
- The trail is wide enough for Ariel and I to walk in parallele.
- The trail is not too crowded.
- The trail is easily accessible.
1. Loch Lomond Recreation Area
This area is not that easy to access because it’s in the middle of the woods. But it’s worth the effort because you can spend a whole day there without getting bored. This recreation area features Loch Lomond Lake, which is a drinking water reservoir. Human and pet swimming is prohibited. But they rent boats and you can fish on the lake. Note that personal boats and kayaks are not allowed.
There are many picnic tables around the lake that are far apart from each other. So you and your group will have enough space and privacy. You will be able to see the lake and enjoy the beautiful view from the tables, which I found is the most attractive compared to picnic areas in other parks.
Loch Trail Loop is the perfect hiking trail for me. It has the right amount of length and elevation to provide a good workout. The view is beautiful as well because part of it is right next to the lake and part of it is on the mountain. Once you get to the top, you will be able to overlook the entire lake. It’s also mostly shaded.
2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell is one of the few state parks that allow dogs on hiking trails and thus ranks very high on my list. Per its name, it features redwoods, some of which are the oldest and tallest in the world. The majestic redwoods are thriving along the San Lorenzo River that runs through the park.
Among the numerous hiking trails, my favorite is the Pipeline Road Trail. It links the park’s south and north ends. On the north end, you can take a stream train ride from Roaring Camp. As the train takes off and starts roaring on the steam, it takes you back to the 19th century when the steam engines were invented. The ride passes by towering redwoods, goes to the deepest section of the forest, reaches to Bear Mountain, and returns to Roaring Camp.
3. Pogonip Open Space Preserve
The preserve is a scenic 640-acre expanse of open meadows, woodlands and creeks and connects to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. While it has lots of redwoods, there are also other types of evergreens in the forest. Prairie Trail, Rincon Trail, and Spring Trail Loop is amazing and you will see everything along the trail: meadows, woods, creeks, and wildflowers when in spring. What I like the most about this preserve is that it’s much less busier than Henry Cowell, making it a great place for some quiet solitary time.
4. West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive is a must-go in Santa Cruz no matter whether you are driving, biking, or walking. It’s an out-and-back trail from the famous lighthouse. You can access many beaches along the way. Every single spot on the trail offers stunning ocean views that vary every hour during a day. Although the trail is flat, you can jog, bike, or even go surfing to increase the intensity of your workout. Despite the fame, it’s not on the top of my list because 1) it’s busy all the time and 2) there’s no shade.
5. DeLaveaga Park
I went to this park after kayaking at the Santa Cruz Harbor one day and was pleasantly surprised. It has a huge, well-maintained lawn next to the entrance and Ariel loved it! The picnic area is concentrated and great for hosting events – on the day I went, two ladies were getting married there. You can go up to the DeLaveaga Park Trail to avoid the crowd. It’s a bit tricky to follow the trail because there are too many branches. But it’s mostly shaded, so I didn’t mind going back and forth to find the right way. Although the view at the top is not impressive, it’s still a good workout in the woods.
