As trail runners, we’re privileged to cover lots of ground in beautiful settings. I like to maximize my trail running time by doing it in the most epic locations possible, especially while traveling. But how do we reliably find the best places to run in a new area?
Apps like AllTrails are not always the best discovery option for trail runners. A trail could be popular on a platform like this for a number of reasons, but they’re usually not the things I’m looking for.
Local, manual curation feels like the best option. When I first moved to the Bay Area, I was stoked to find Trailstompers, and I’d estimate that I’ve since run 90% of the routes on there. It’s been an incredible resource for me.
With that in mind, I created a list of my favorite places to run in the general Santa Cruz area. This is not strictly limited to Santa Cruz… generally anything in the Santa Cruz Mountains (Felton, Aptos, etc) and within a ~1 hour drive is fair game.
Before we get into the list: if you want to run with an awesome group of friendly folks in Santa Cruz, check out Running Riot! They have 6am runs Mon-Fri, and longer weekend runs as well.
1. Fall Creek Unit (Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park)
Fall Creek Unit is my BFF – it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful and so peaceful. The shorter (3–4 mile) options are mostly flat/meandering trail, leading you along the creek, through giant, majestic redwoods, past waterfalls, and clear blue pools, some of which are deep enough to swim in. A mid-run cold plunge in Fall Creek is magical, and when the sunlight cuts through the tall trees, man oh man… Good luck not reaching for your camera every 30 seconds – I can’t help myself.
This “unit” of Henry Cowell seems to live in the shadow of the “main” Henry Cowell property down the road. In my experience, Fall Creek has easier parking, and I don’t encounter crowds there on weekdays. Fall Creek also has several waterfalls, and a hidden goldfish pond.
You can do some bigger loops and tack on some serious climbing too, if that’s what you’re looking for. I never grow tired of these trails, and in a pinch I’m always stoked to run there.
2. The Forest of Nisene Marks
I find myself in a state of awe running in Nisene Marks. There’s something truly magical about this park and it’s vast network of trails. It regularly occurs to me while running here that these must be some of the best trails in the world.
This park is pretty big (nearly 10,000 acres). You can get really far out there and not see anyone for hours. If you’re looking for big mileage (or waterfalls, or solitude) look no further. I recently did a 19 miler there, and could’ve gone much deeper without repeating any trails. You can also connect to Land of the Medicine Buddha or Soquel Demonstration Forest trails to keep the party going.
My favorite Nisene Marks trail is not on AllTrails (and they stopped accepting user-submitted routes 👎🏼, so here it is on Strava instead). I like to enter on Aptos Creek Road, climb Aptos Creek Fire Road, then come back down West Ridge Trail. Alternately, this is a great longer (~15mi) route.
I have a state parks pass, but if you don’t want to pay for parking, you can park just outside the entrance (by Epicenter Cycling) and get some bonus mileage on the road in.
🍕Hot tip: Nisene Marks runs are best paired with Michelin-star pizza at nearby Mentone.
3. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell is great for hikes with friends, and as a spot to show out-of-towners some old-growth giants. It’s also pretty solid for the occasional trail run. Yes, this is a discerning list.
You can park at one of several trailheads along Graham Hill Rd or Highway 9 and get lost in epic scenery in minutes. I generally follow a route that takes me up some sandy trails to the Observation Deck (like this) and there are plenty of options to add more mileage on.
I’m not a big fan of the stuff in the south side of the park, with lots of poison oak/overgrown trails and confusing water crossings. I like to run there once every few months just to remind myself why I don’t like it.
4. Land of the Medicine Buddha
I love everything about this place, including the drive in along Prescott Rd. It’s similar terrain as Nisene Marks (they’re connected), but this is a separate property. Unless I’m venturing up into Nisene Marks for a longer run, I’ll usually follow a route like this one.
Don’t run here in shorts! Some singletrack sections are corridors of overgrown poison oak. That’s true of most of these spots, but it’s easier to avoid in some of them. You will get poison oak running here if you don’t plan for it.
5. Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch is unique in the diversity it offers: bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean, exposed grassy hillside, and redwood forest singletrack (Enchanted Trail is a gem).
Wilder Ranch holds a special place in my heart. This was the first place I ran in Santa Cruz, years before moving here, and I remember being amazed by the redwoods. It also smells really good back there for some reason.
You can connect Wilder Ranch Trails to UCSC trails, Pogonip, and into Henry Cowell for some big mileage.
If you want a single route that takes you along ocean bluffs (or onto the beach) and deep into redwood forest, this is the spot for you.
6. Delaveaga Park
I lived right next to this park for some time and got to know these trails well. Delaveaga is a relatively small suburban park with golf/frisbee golf courses and a theater inside… but the trails are surprisingly great, particularly those on the northwest side of the park (Enchanted Trail, etc).
Park at the Enchanted Trail trailhead on Branciforte Drive (near the dog park) and plan to run Redwood Loop, Enchanted Trail, Delaveaga Upper Loop, and the trails in that area. They don’t all have names. They run parallel to one another, but are spread out enough to offer some nice variety and epic views.
7. Portola Redwoods State Park
Peter’s Creek Grove (in Portola Redwoods) is one of the last places to see old growth redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains. You’re gonna have to work to get down there, but it’s worth it! I’ve run Portola a few times and it’s always been very quiet, perhaps because it’s a little out of the way for most folks. Portola would be higher on my list if it wasn’t so far out of the way.
If you want some big mileage, you can access Peter’s Creek from Skyline Blvd (by connecting Ward Rd / Ward Truck Trail to Slate Creek Trail). With all of the County Parks and Open Space Preserves on Skyline, there are lots of possibilities.
Portola also has a trail camp and would make for a nice fastpacking trip.
8. Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Purisima Redwoods is nothing short of magical. There are numerous preserves in this area, but this one stands out to me. I’m trying not to factor personal proximity too heavily here, but unless you live in Half Moon Bay, it’s just a trek to get here… But it’s absolutely worth the effort.
The open hilltops have amazing views of the coast and redwood canyons, and once you drop down into those canyons, it’s cool and lush. I love Craig Britton Trail in particular. You’re gonna work to get down into the canyon, and even more so to get back up again. I’ve heard of folks coming in from the West Entrance on Highway 1 to avoid the climb, but I’ve never tried this.
9. El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space
Another magical spot off of Skyline Blvd, El Corte de Madera Creek is out in Woodside. I’ve done a ~5.6mi loop on Tafoni Trail / Fir Trail / El Corte de Madera Creek Trail and it’s almost all wooded, deep, lush narrow trail, but you can get more mileage out there.
For a leisurely trail run through beautiful settings, this loop is about as good as it gets for my tastes.
🥞 Hot tip: get up there early and grab breakfast after your run at the storied Alice’s Restaurant, which is right around the corner. This place gets slammed on weekends, and for good reason — it’s a gem.
10. Byrne-Milliron Forest
Byrne-Milliron is a working forest in Corralitos. This is a unique spot: the dog-friendly are a mix of deep redwood forest (similar to Nisene Marks) and exposed sections with panoramic views of the Monterey Bay.
I enjoyed running around in exploration mode, trying to cover as much ground as I could. My favorite sections were the smaller side trails off of the main trails, like Leonard-Bartle Trail and Milliron Trail (which has a 1,000 year old, 250 foot tall redwood at the end.
Unrelated to running, I really enjoyed the drive in to this spot. Parking is free.
11. Pogonip Open Space
Pogonip has some beautiful trails. I tend to avoid the lower section of the park as the unhoused community can be a bit unpredictable. The trails in the upper section of Pogonip are a bit quieter, and connect to UCSC / Wilder Ranch to the west. You can also cross over Highway 9 into Henry Cowell to the east.
Overall, it’s worth planning a run here (perhaps with a partner) if you’re in the city and want some quick/accessible trail time.
12. Ben Lomond Quaker Center
I haven’t met many folks that know about these trails, perhaps because they’re not on AllTrails. The Quaker Center provides a map of their trail system. There’s a rock labyrinth and a seasonal waterfall up there. It’s pretty quiet, and you might not see anyone else out there on these beautiful trails.
13. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
The 2020 CZU fire drastically changed the landscape in Big Basin, and I’m so grateful I got to experience the Skyline to the Sea trail before it burned. You can still run sections of that trail today.
Big Basin is a good option to mix things up, and it’s magical to see how things are regrowing. I’d recommend making a parking reservation in advance if you plan to visit.
Finally… There are seemingly infinite trails up along Skyline Blvd. As an avid trail runner, driving on Skyline makes feel like a little crazy because you pass dozens of trailheads, and I want to stop and run every single one of them. I’ve compiled those trailheads here and will keep the post updated with my progress.
What are your favorite trails in Santa Cruz? I’m sure this list is not exhaustive, so please let me know what I’ve missed… I love checking out new trails!
Honorable mentions, which I’ll expand upon as time permits:
- Cotoni-Coast Dairies
- Castle Rock State Park
- UCSC Upper Campus
- Loch Lomond
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Glenwood Preserve
- Quail Hollow Ranch
- Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
- San Vicente Redwoods
- Bonny Doon Ecological Preserve
- Butano State Park
- Fort Ord National Monument
Local-ish spots that are on my radar but I haven’t checked out yet:
- Garland Ranch
- Mount Madonna
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