Twenty minutes inland from Santa Cruz and you’re in a completely different world. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is home to ancient coast redwoods — some over 1,500 years old — and it offers one of the most accessible old-growth forest walks in Northern California.
The Redwood Grove Loop Trail covers just under a mile and stays flat throughout, making it a good choice for all fitness levels and families with young children. The trees on this loop are among the largest in the park — some reaching over 275 feet — and the trail is shaded year-round, which makes it particularly good on warm summer days when the coast is packed.
For something longer, the River Trail follows the San Lorenzo River through the park and connects into the broader Forest of Nisene Marks trail system. Allow a couple of hours if you plan to go further.
The contrast between a morning walk here and an afternoon back at the water is one of the best things about staying in Santa Cruz. You’re twenty minutes from ancient forest and twenty minutes from the Pacific, and neither one feels rushed.
The park is open year-round. Dogs are allowed on some trails on leash. Entry fee applies. Ready to plan your stay? Browse available dates here.
