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By Lisa Bibbee | Coldwell Banker Realty
📲 831.295.0065 | 🌐 homebylisab.com
One of the greatest luxuries of living in Santa Cruz County isn’t just the coastline — it’s the fact that within minutes, you can step into towering redwoods, coastal bluffs, and wide-open spaces that feel a world away from everyday life.
As a local, top-producing Realtor®, I often tell clients that hiking is part of the Santa Cruz lifestyle. People don’t “plan” hikes here — they fit them naturally into their week. Whether you’re living in a Capitola beach home, an Aptos oceanfront retreat, or a luxury neighborhood in Santa Cruz, these trails are what make life here feel balanced, healthy, and grounded.
Here are the Top 6 hiking trails near Santa Cruz — beloved by locals, breathtaking year-round, and a huge reason people fall in love with this area.
🌿 1. Wilder Ranch State Park (Coastal Bluff & Inland Trails)
Best for ocean views, wildlife, and variety
Wilder Ranch is one of the most iconic hiking destinations in Santa Cruz County. Located just north of town, it offers a perfect blend of coastal cliffs, rolling meadows, and inland redwood trails.
Why locals love it:
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Dramatic ocean views along the bluff trails
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Seasonal wildflowers
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Easy access from Santa Cruz
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Trails for all fitness levels
You’ll often see deer, hawks, and even whales offshore during migration season.
💡 Lifestyle note: Homes near the Westside are especially popular with buyers who want instant access to Wilder Ranch’s trails and open space.
🌲 2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Fall Creek Unit)
Best for towering redwoods and shaded trails
Henry Cowell is a crown jewel of the Santa Cruz Mountains. While the main grove is beautiful, locals often head to the Fall Creek Unit for quieter, longer hikes.
What makes it special:
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Ancient redwood forests
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Creekside paths
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Historic lime kiln ruins
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Cool, shaded hikes year-round
This trail system is perfect for days when you want forest immersion without driving far.
💡 Luxury lifestyle tie-in: Buyers seeking privacy and nature often explore homes near Felton or Scotts Valley for proximity to these trails.
🌄 3. Nisene Marks State Park (Aptos)
Best for long hikes and forest solitude
Nisene Marks is one of my personal favorites — especially for clients relocating to Aptos oceanfront homes who want easy access to nature beyond the beach.
This expansive park features miles of wide fire roads and narrow forest paths winding through redwoods and open ridgelines.
Highlights:
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Peaceful, uncrowded trails
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Creek crossings
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Long-distance hiking options
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Excellent elevation gain for fitness lovers
The deeper you go, the quieter it becomes.
🌊 4. West Cliff Drive Walking & Hiking Path
Best for casual hikes with ocean views
Not all hikes require dirt trails and elevation gain. West Cliff Drive offers one of the most scenic coastal walking paths in California.
Why it’s a favorite:
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Panoramic ocean views
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Whale-watching opportunities
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Easy, flat terrain
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Perfect for daily movement
Many residents walk this path daily — sometimes multiple times a day — simply because it’s that beautiful.
💡 Real estate note: Proximity to West Cliff is one of the most desirable features in Santa Cruz luxury real estate.
🌳 5. Pogonip Open Space (Upper UCSC)
Best for history, views, and quiet exploration
Pogonip offers a unique mix of history, open meadows, and forest trails overlooking Santa Cruz.
Once home to a 19th-century health resort, the area now features fascinating ruins and peaceful hiking routes.
What you’ll love:
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Quiet trails
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Unique historical structures
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Rolling hills and forest shade
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Fewer crowds than coastal parks
This area feels like a hidden world just minutes from town.
🌿 6. Seacliff to New Brighton Coastal Trail (Aptos)
Best for easy coastal walks and sunset hikes
This gentle coastal stretch connects Seacliff and New Brighton State Beaches, offering flat trails with ocean views and refreshing sea breezes.
Perfect for:
Perfect for:-
Sunset strolls
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Casual fitness walks
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Family-friendly hikes
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Coastal appreciation
Residents living near Capitola beach homes and Aptos love this route for daily outdoor time without effort.
🏡 Why Hiking Trails Matter When Buying a Home
One thing I always share with clients:
Access to nature is one of the greatest luxuries you can buy — and it never goes out of style.
Homes near top hiking trails often enjoy:
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Higher lifestyle satisfaction
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Strong long-term desirability
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Greater resale value
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A healthier, outdoor-focused community
That’s why proximity to these trails plays a major role in Santa Cruz home-buying decisions.
🌊 A Lifestyle Rooted in Nature
Living in Santa Cruz County means choosing balance — ocean and forest, activity and calm, adventure and comfort.
These hiking trails are more than recreation — they’re part of what makes everyday life here feel extraordinary.
🤝 Ready to Find a Home Near Your Favorite Trail?
Whether you’re searching for Santa Cruz real estate, Capitola beach homes, or Aptos oceanfront living, I’d love to help you find a home that fits the lifestyle you love.
Love Where You Live.
Call/Text: 831.295.0065
Website: homebylisab.com
Lisa Bibbee | Coldwell Banker Realty | CalDRE#02348001
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