Santa Cruz Walking Routes on Cliff and Trail

Walking is one of the easiest ways to see Santa Cruz. These routes are self-guided and mostly free, and the distances come from park and city information that can vary by route.

Route Menu

  • Easy and flat: West Cliff Drive, Redwood Grove Loop.
  • Short and historic: Pacific Avenue and the Mission.
  • Longer: Henry Cowell Observation Deck loop, Wilder Ranch Old Cove Landing loop.
  • Seasonal: Natural Bridges tide pools and Monarch Grove.

West Cliff Drive Path

A flat paved path links the Wharf, Lighthouse Point and Natural Bridges, about 3 miles each way. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum at 701 West Cliff Drive sits on the route and opens noon to 4pm, Thursday through Monday. The road reopened in August 2025, but the bluff is still wearing away, and parts of the path near Lighthouse Field fell in winter storms. Keep to the path and behind barriers.

Redwood Grove Loop

At 0.8 mile (1.2 km) and flat, this loop at Henry Cowell Redwoods passes the Fremont Tree, which visitors can enter with a flashlight. Dogs and horses are barred. Parking costs $10 per vehicle, or $9 for seniors 62 and over.

Observation Deck Loop

The Henry Cowell route to the Observation Deck covers 4 to 5.4 miles there and back, depending on the route, and climbs roughly 400 to 870 feet. The deck stands near 805 feet. Take water and set off early.

Downtown and Mission Plaza

Pacific Avenue is the downtown street, a few blocks from the Boardwalk. Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, on Mission Plaza, is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday from 10am to 4pm, closing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The free Sanctuary Exploration Center at 35 Pacific Avenue is open most days Thursday to Sunday.

Natural Bridges

Tide pools here can be visited only at low tide, 2 feet or lower, and as a marine protected area they must not be touched or collected. Low-tide Saturdays and Sundays bring public tide-pool tours. A boardwalk takes you to the Monarch Grove, whose season lasts from mid-October to mid-February. Lifeguards are not on duty, so keep away from the waterline rocks.

Wilder Ranch

The Old Cove Landing loop is about 2.5 to 3 miles round trip. Work on the Ohlone Bluff Trail brings intermittent closures in October 2026, so read the park page first. Dogs cannot use the trails. Free ranch tours start at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

On the Trail

  • Dress in layers because the bay stays cool.
  • Do not turn your back on the ocean at low beaches and rocks.
  • Leave drones at home, as the state parks ban them.

Trail information is on the Henry Cowell page and the Wilder Ranch page . For guided options, search GetYourGuide .

Read more: Santa Cruz sightseeing , plus outdoor activities .