01
Classic redwood escape
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Foothills Above Aptos • Expansive Redwood State Park • Best For All-Day Exploring
A deep, cool redwood canyon with enough trails to fill anything from a mellow stroll to a big mileage day.
Tucked just inland from Capitola, Nisene Marks is where locals go when they want to feel truly away from it all without a long drive. Wide, easy paths along Aptos Creek make it approachable for newer hikers, while steeper routes like the West Ridge and up-canyon trails satisfy those chasing elevation and solitude. Expect towering second-growth redwoods, occasional creek crossings, and filtered light that feels especially magical on foggy mornings.
02
Easy coastal favorite
New Brighton State Beach
Bluffs Between Capitola And Aptos • Family-Friendly State Beach Walks • Best For Families And Sunset Lovers
Gentle bluff and beach wandering with classic Monterey Bay views just minutes from Capitola Village.
If you want a low‑commitment outing with big payoff, New Brighton is hard to beat. From the campground and day‑use area, you can wander shaded paths atop the bluffs, drop down to the wide sandy beach, and connect your walk toward Seacliff or back toward Capitola at low tide. It’s an easy place to mix a short hike with tidepool peeking, picnic tables, and lingering to watch the sky light up over the bay.
03
Mindful forest loop
Land of Medicine Buddha
Soquel Hills Above Capitola • Tranquil Monastery-Adjacent Forest • Best For A Quiet Reset
A peaceful network of forest trails with prayer flags, wooden bridges, and enough elevation to feel like a real hike.
Set in the hills above Soquel, Land of Medicine Buddha offers shaded loops through mixed redwood and oak forest with a contemplative vibe. The popular Eight Verses Trail threads past prayer wheels and colorful flags, then climbs into quiet woods where you’ll hear more birds than traffic. Go on a weekday if you can, and treat the space respectfully—it’s both a beloved hiking area and an active retreat center.
04
Iconic coastal cliffs
Wilder Ranch State Park
North Coast Of Santa Cruz • Historic Coastal Ranchland • Best For Dramatic Ocean Vistas
Miles of mostly flat clifftop trail where every bend seems to unveil another cove, arch, or crashing surf scene.
A short drive west along the bay brings you to Wilder Ranch, a favorite when coastal views are the main goal. Start near the historic ranch complex, then follow the Old Cove Landing and Ohlone Bluff trails as they trace the edge of the cliffs above pocket beaches and sea caves. The terrain is easy underfoot but exposed, so bring layers and sun protection and plan extra time for photos and detours down to the sand where access is signed and safe.
05
Hidden meadow-and-redwood mix
Pogonip Open Space Preserve
Foothills Above Santa Cruz • Urban-Edge Open Space Preserve • Best For Varied Terrain Close To Town
A surprisingly wild-feeling mix of meadows, redwood groves, and creekside paths perched just above Santa Cruz.
Pogonip sits on the ridge between the UC Santa Cruz campus and town, but once you’re on the trail it feels much farther from the city. You can link gentle routes like the Spring Box or Lime Kiln trails into loops that pass through open grasslands with bay views, cool redwood pockets, and the occasional historic ruin. It’s an excellent choice if you want a change of scene from the beach without committing to a longer drive into the mountains.