Hilltromper Santa Cruz Overview

Swimming holes and beach-swims near Santa Cruz that let you work in some exercise.

How paying parking fees at state parks, beaches makes a bigger difference than most people think.

Miles of empty beach in either direction.

Property will be closed to public access through May 1, 2025 to selectively harvest trees and maintain forest health.

The CZU Fire brought about a transformation that’s a wonder to behold, and Big Basin is open to visitors. Here’s how to get there and what you’ll find.

Friends of the Rail & Trail. Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail & Trail is a volunteer powered non-profit organization that advocates for transforming the 32-mile Coastal Rail Corridor into a trail and rail transit system.

Segment 5 of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (aka Coastal Rail Trail) will connect Wilder Ranch to the town of Davenport.

Newish MTB-accessible trails wind through carefully protected wildlife habitat and thoughtful interpretive exhibits in the footprint of the CZU fire.

With the unveiling of new interpretive exhibits, the once-crumbling Castro Adobe emerges as a first-rate State Historic Park.

The original exhibit, “Cotoni-Coast Dairies: Monumental Steps,” looks at the soon-to-be-open National Monument on Santa Cruz County’s North Coast.

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County helps mountain lions, badgers and other critters who risk death on highways that bisect their habitats.

Remnant of an ancient ecosystem in the middle of town.