Susie's Guidebook
Nature and Hiking Trails
If you have half a day, I highly recommended Henry Codwell Redwoods State Park about 20 minutes away from the house.
If you have half a day, I highly recommend Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park about 20 minutes away from the house. There are many trails between 3 to 8 miles as seen below, and I really like the trails along the Fall Creek Unit.
Observation Deck - highest point in the park at 805 feet elevation (245 meters)
Trailhead: visitor center; approximately 5 mile roundtrip, elevation change 600 feet.
Walk a mile up Pipeline Road through thick stands of second-growth redwoods. Veer left onto the single-track Eagle Creek Trail, and head up a lush, spring-fed hillside for 0.8 miles. Just before you reach the campground, turn right onto Pine Trail. Walk 0.7 miles along that single-track through the Santa Cruz sandhills to the Observation Deck. Have a look at the tall ponderosa pines along the way.
Cathedral Redwoods
Trailhead: visitor center; approximately 4 miles, elevation change 300 feet.
To reach this breathtaking family circle of coast redwoods, take Pipeline Road to Rincon Fire Road, to Big Rock Hole Trail. On the return trip, head to Cable Car Beach for a swim and continue back to the visitor center on the River Trail.
Cowell Highlights Loop
Trailhead: visitor center; 5.9 miles, elevation change 420 feet.
Like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, this hike has everything: redwoods, views, and water. From the visitor center, head up through the redwoods along Pipeline Road to the Eagle Creek Trail. Near the campground, turn right on the Pine Trail. In less than a mile you’ll reach the Observation Deck at 805 feet, the highest point in the park. From there head down the Ridge Fire Road to great views of downtown Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay from the Overlook Bench on Pipeline Road. As you loop back, you can swing by Cathedral Redwoods (on the Big Rock Hole Trail) and Cable Car Beach (on the River Trail). On a warm day, that’s a good place to finish with an afternoon swim.
Kiln Ruins
Trailhead: south end Fall Creek unit; 3 miles roundtrip, elevation change 300 feet.
From the south end of the Fall Creek Unit, take Bennett Creek Trail to Fall Creek Trail to South Fork Trail. A second-growth redwood forest changes to madrone and tanoak near your destination: the ruins of entrepreneur Henry Cowell’s limestone kilns.
Campground to Redwood Grove Loop
Trailhead: campground; 5 miles, elevation change
Walk between campground sites 82 and 84, past the scrubby chaparral of the Santa Cruz sandhills. Take Eagle Creek Trail down to Pipeline Road to the Redwood Grove loop trail and back. Along the way, take some time to loll along the San Lorenzo River. At the halfway point, head to the visitor center to learn about wildlife, plants, logging, and other park lore. Check out the steam trains next door before heading up
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdIf you have half a day, I highly recommend Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park about 20 minutes away from the house. There are many trails between 3 to 8 miles as seen below, and I really like the trails along the Fall Creek Unit.
Observation Deck - highest point in the park at 805 feet elevation (245 meters)
Trailhead: visitor center; approximately 5 mile roundtrip, elevation change 600 feet.
Walk a mile up Pipeline Road through thick stands of second-growth redwoods. Veer left onto the single-track Eagle Creek Trail, and head up a lush, spring-fed hillside for 0.8 miles. Just before you reach the campground, turn right onto Pine Trail. Walk 0.7 miles along that single-track through the Santa Cruz sandhills to the Observation Deck. Have a look at the tall ponderosa pines along the way.
Cathedral Redwoods
Trailhead: visitor center; approximately 4 miles, elevation change 300 feet.
To reach this breathtaking family circle of coast redwoods, take Pipeline Road to Rincon Fire Road, to Big Rock Hole Trail. On the return trip, head to Cable Car Beach for a swim and continue back to the visitor center on the River Trail.
Cowell Highlights Loop
Trailhead: visitor center; 5.9 miles, elevation change 420 feet.
Like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, this hike has everything: redwoods, views, and water. From the visitor center, head up through the redwoods along Pipeline Road to the Eagle Creek Trail. Near the campground, turn right on the Pine Trail. In less than a mile you’ll reach the Observation Deck at 805 feet, the highest point in the park. From there head down the Ridge Fire Road to great views of downtown Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay from the Overlook Bench on Pipeline Road. As you loop back, you can swing by Cathedral Redwoods (on the Big Rock Hole Trail) and Cable Car Beach (on the River Trail). On a warm day, that’s a good place to finish with an afternoon swim.
Kiln Ruins
Trailhead: south end Fall Creek unit; 3 miles roundtrip, elevation change 300 feet.
From the south end of the Fall Creek Unit, take Bennett Creek Trail to Fall Creek Trail to South Fork Trail. A second-growth redwood forest changes to madrone and tanoak near your destination: the ruins of entrepreneur Henry Cowell’s limestone kilns.
Campground to Redwood Grove Loop
Trailhead: campground; 5 miles, elevation change
Walk between campground sites 82 and 84, past the scrubby chaparral of the Santa Cruz sandhills. Take Eagle Creek Trail down to Pipeline Road to the Redwood Grove loop trail and back. Along the way, take some time to loll along the San Lorenzo River. At the halfway point, head to the visitor center to learn about wildlife, plants, logging, and other park lore. Check out the steam trains next door before heading up
If you have less than 2 hours. The closest hiking trails are West Glenwood Preserve and East Glenwood Preserve about 10 minutes away from the house. The Westside trails are organized into five loops that span a collective three miles. I recommend following the blue trail to the green trail to the magenta loop to enjoy sweeping, southeast views of the entire valley. The orange loop also offers exceptional look-outs along its route. The Eastside trails offer an additionalfour-plus miles of rolling hills, sweeping views, a variety of treed areas, wildflower fields, plus a picturesque fishing pond. The preserves’ parking lot at 350 Glenwood Drive is roughly 100 yards from either the West (Scotts Valley High School side of Glenwood) or East trails entrances. There are no additional facilities at the preserve including drinking water or restrooms, so plan accordingly.
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Glenwood Preserve
300-414 Glenwood DrIf you have less than 2 hours. The closest hiking trails are West Glenwood Preserve and East Glenwood Preserve about 10 minutes away from the house. The Westside trails are organized into five loops that span a collective three miles. I recommend following the blue trail to the green trail to the magenta loop to enjoy sweeping, southeast views of the entire valley. The orange loop also offers exceptional look-outs along its route. The Eastside trails offer an additionalfour-plus miles of rolling hills, sweeping views, a variety of treed areas, wildflower fields, plus a picturesque fishing pond. The preserves’ parking lot at 350 Glenwood Drive is roughly 100 yards from either the West (Scotts Valley High School side of Glenwood) or East trails entrances. There are no additional facilities at the preserve including drinking water or restrooms, so plan accordingly.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayFood scene
My favorite sushi restaurant in Scotts Valley about 12 minutes away from the house.
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Rumble Fish
4727 Scotts Valley DrMy favorite sushi restaurant in Scotts Valley about 12 minutes away from the house.
Delicious and simple Mexican restaurant 11 minutes away from the house. I love the fish and shrimp tacos.
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Los Gallos Taqueria
3726 Florence StDelicious and simple Mexican restaurant 11 minutes away from the house. I love the fish and shrimp tacos.
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdRomantic and unique restaurant with great food and service.
Ideal Bar & Grill
106 Beach StOne of our favorite places.
They have all kinds of awesome menu options and multiple televisions to watch sports.
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Woodstock's Pizza Santa Cruz
710 Front StThey have all kinds of awesome menu options and multiple televisions to watch sports.
Wineries and Vineyards
More than 70 wineries and 200 growers produce wines shaped by the elevation and the ocean’s cooling influence. The region yields elegant wines from small producers who specialize in pinot noir, chardonnay, and cabernet sauvignon.
A beautiful vineyard with spectacular views and nice wines. 12 minutes away from the house.
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Regale Winery & Vineyards
24040 Summit RdA beautiful vineyard with spectacular views and nice wines. 12 minutes away from the house.
An organic vineyard high in the mountains with beautiful views and award-winning wines. The owner Jerold gives very good education about wines during weekend tasting hours.
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Silver Mountain Vineyards
269 Silver Mountain DrAn organic vineyard high in the mountains with beautiful views and award-winning wines. The owner Jerold gives very good education about wines during weekend tasting hours.