Berry Creek Loop - Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Boulder Creek

Daily 8:00am-8:00pm
Location: 21600 Big Basin Way, trailhead at park headquarters
Why Go There? Loop hike is set in old growth redwoods, includes beautiful Berry Creek waterfall; 10 miles, 2150 ft elevation gain; allow five-six hours; popular, especially the shorter Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail segment, expect to share the trail
More Information: Berry Creek

 

Capitola Walking Tour, Self Guided - Capitola

Location: Historic downtown area
Why Go There? Many historic cottages, buildings, modern public art pieces, including murals in charming seaside Capitola. Some steep, hilly streets provide a good walking workout.
More Information: Walking Tour + Capitola Art and Historic Sites


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Pogonip - Santa Cruz

April-October sunrise to 7:00pm, November-March sunrise to 4:00pm
Location: 333 Golf Club Drive (street parking between the trestle, HWY 9; Harvey West Park Trailhead near Friendship Garden; (hiking only/No dogs) Spring Street limited parking (hiking only/dogs on leash)
Why Go There? Open space features network of 11.5 miles of trails; three are shared use (hiking/bicycling/horses) amid redwood trees, oak forests and slopes; can connect to Henry Cowell Redwood State Park, the UC Farm and/or over to the UC Arboretum. The word Pogonip, defined as a dense winter fog containing frozen particles, is believed to have originated from a Shoshone word meaning cloud.
More Information: Pogonip

 
 
 
 
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UC Santa Cruz Arboretum - Santa Cruz

Daily 9:00am-5:00pm, closed holidays
Location: 1156 High Street
Why Go There? Established in 1964, 135 acre living museum maintains collections of "hot spot" Mediterranean climate rare and endangered species; featured gardens to wander: Australia, California Natives, New Zealand, South Africa, also Aroma and Succulent, Butterfly, Eucalyptus, California Primitives gardens; gift shop offers plants, jewelry, books, scarves, pottery, gift items; tours (first Saturday monthly 11:00am free tours; docent-led reservation only tours $10); nominal entrance fee, discount (free to UC students, under 17 discount); free first monthlyTuesdays.
More Information: Arboretum

 
 

Additional Resources

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Felton
40-acre old-growth redwood grove, visitor center, other trails
CA Gov. PDF

Bay Area Hiker - Bay Area
 Lists many hikes, with photos, trailhead descriptions, assembled by avid hiker, author Jane Huber

Discover Los Gatos - Los Gatos
Free downloadable app for self-guided walking tours of historic downtown

Millionaires’ Row - Santa Cruz
Free downloadable app - Described as mobile drive tour, easily walkable

Japan Town Walking Tour - San Jose
Schedule a docent led tour of one of three remaining California Japan Towns (Los Angeles, San Francisco are the other two), and the only one in its original location