Things to Do around Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a region in California characterized by diverse landscapes, including ancient redwood forests, dramatic coastal bluffs, and the varied terrain of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This unique geographical composition provides a wide range of environments for outdoor pursuits. The area's natural features make it suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz offers a wealth of outdoor activities, with more than 400 routes available…
123
Routes
4.7
(280)
Average rating
6233
People visited
27
hikers
1.91km
00:30
10m
0m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.
5.0
(1)
3
hikers
4.89km
01:25
140m
110m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.
3
hikers
4.90km
01:26
150m
120m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.
3
hikers
851m
00:13
0m
0m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.
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5.0
(4)
189
riders
54.5km
02:24
460m
460m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
109
riders
53.3km
02:51
850m
850m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.8
(12)
66
riders
36.9km
01:53
290m
290m
Easy road ride. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
43
riders
67.8km
03:22
980m
980m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.7
(20)
189
riders
29.4km
02:42
490m
490m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.
4.8
(24)
143
riders
32.4km
02:53
520m
520m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.
4.9
(23)
167
riders
42.3km
03:45
760m
760m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.
4.5
(15)
113
riders
25.7km
02:18
430m
430m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.
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158
riders
64.1km
03:54
550m
550m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
4.8
(4)
100
riders
19.7km
01:08
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces.
4.8
(4)
41
riders
43.3km
02:58
710m
710m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
5.0
(1)
22
riders
14.5km
01:11
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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4.6
(9)
385
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
4.9
(9)
282
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
4.0
(2)
195
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
5.0
(1)
166
runners
17.4km
01:49
120m
120m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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5.0
(5)
66
riders
36.6km
02:52
560m
560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
5.0
(5)
24
riders
47.4km
03:55
780m
780m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
5.0
(1)
30
riders
20.6km
01:35
350m
350m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
5.0
(3)
31
riders
23.5km
01:39
160m
160m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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Top attractions in the region
Explore the region
Most popular attractions in Santa Cruz
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 400 routes. These routes have an average rating of 4.72 stars from over 10,000 visitors.
Where are the best places to hike in Santa Cruz?
Popular hiking spots include Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Wilder Ranch State Park also offers trails along coastal bluffs. More information can be found in the Hiking around Santa Cruz guide.
Are there mountain biking trails in Santa Cruz?
Yes, the Santa Cruz Mountains are known for mountain biking trails. Wilder Ranch State Park offers over 34 miles (55 km) of trails, and Soquel Demonstration State Forest, known as "Demo," provides challenging routes including the Flow Trail. Pogonip Open Space and DeLaveaga Park also have multi-use trails. Consult the MTB Trails around Santa Cruz guide for details.
What kind of cycling routes are available in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers routes for road cycling, touring cycling, and gravel biking. Scenic coastal routes and mountain trails are available for cyclists of varying skill levels. West Cliff Drive is a notable spot for biking. Guides like Cycling around Santa Cruz and Road Cycling Routes around Santa Cruz provide more information.
Are there easy or family-friendly hiking trails in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers trails suitable for various skill levels, including easier paths. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has accessible trails through ancient redwood forests. For specific recommendations, refer to the Easy hikes around Santa Cruz guide.
What natural features can be seen on trails in Santa Cruz?
Trails in Santa Cruz feature ancient redwood forests, dramatic coastal bluffs, and pristine beaches. The Santa Cruz Mountains offer diverse terrain with grasslands, oak-covered hilltops, and redwood-studded canyons. Wildlife such as sea otters and harbor seals can be observed in areas like Elkhorn Slough.
What are the most popular parks for outdoor activities in Santa Cruz?
Key parks for outdoor activities include Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Wilder Ranch State Park, and The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. These parks offer extensive trail networks for hiking and cycling. Soquel Demonstration State Forest is particularly popular for mountain biking.
What is the best time of year for outdoor activities in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz generally experiences a mild climate year-round, making outdoor activities comfortable in all seasons. Fall is often recommended for hiking due to potentially less crowded trails and favorable light conditions. The region's diverse landscapes are accessible throughout the year.
How many routes are available on komoot for Santa Cruz?
There are more than 400 routes available for Santa Cruz on komoot. These routes cover various sports, including hiking, cycling, and mountain biking. The routes have been explored by over 10,000 visitors.
What komoot guides are available for Santa Cruz?
Komoot offers several guides for Santa Cruz, including Hiking around Santa Cruz, Easy hikes around Santa Cruz, Cycling around Santa Cruz, Road Cycling Routes around Santa Cruz, MTB Trails around Santa Cruz, Running Trails around Santa Cruz, and Gravel biking around Santa Cruz.
What is the official website for Santa Cruz tourism information?
For general tourism information about Santa Cruz, the official website is visitsantacruz.com. This resource provides details on various attractions and activities in the region. The City of Santa Cruz also maintains a website at cityofsantacruz.com.
Are there trails with ocean views in Santa Cruz?
Yes, Santa Cruz features trails along its coastline that offer ocean views. Wilder Ranch State Park, for example, has trails that wind along coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Natural Bridges State Beach also provides coastal access and views.
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