This 0.77-mile segment of the Santa Cruz Rail Trail consisting of pedestrian and bicycle lanes connects Depot Park with the existing railroad trestle over the San Lorenzo River.
Work was completed in 2019 at a cost of $10 million, and features an innovative 400-foot cantilevered span attached to the existing rail trestle over the San Lorenzo River.
A map of the Coastal Rail Trail Section 8 in Santa Cruz, from Depot Park in the west, passing the Boardwalk and crossing the San Lorenzo River to East Cliff Drive.
Looking west toward the path going to the left of the bicycle pump track.
Looking east down the path with Depot Park behind us.
Looking east as the path passes under the old West Cliff trestle.
Looking west toward the West Cliff trestle from next to the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Visitor's Center.
Once you cross the traffic circle intersection of West Cliff Drive, Front Street and Beach Street, the sidewalk and bike path heading east takes you past the Boardwalk to the bridge over the San Lorenzo River. There is a bike lane adjacent to the sidewalk, separated from automobile traffic by rubber curbs and a painted buffer.
Looking east on Beach Street next to the Boardwalk, with the iconic Big Dipper on the right.
A sign at the end of Pacific Street by the boardwalk, at the base of the ramp up to the span over the San Lorenzo River. The sign indicates distance at the point in the rail trail to various destinations.
Walking up the ramp connecting the end of Pacific Street with the span over the San Lorenzo River.
In the middle of the span over the river, looking southwest toward the Boardwalk.
On the span crossing the San Lorenzo River facing northeast toward East Cliff/Murray Street.
Looking east toward East Cliff Drive. Note that at the end of the bridge, the pedestrian/bike path turns left and slopes up to meet the sidewalk at East Cliff Drive, while the train tracks go under East Cliff Drive.
Looking east where the train tracks pass under East Cliff. It looks like the pedestrian/bike path could be carved out between the upright on the left and the overpass base on the left.
In the February 17 SCCRTC planning meeting, staff presented plans for building the trail under the East Cliff overpass, resolving the issue of merging with East Cliff.
Looking down the old pedestrian/bike path which climbs up from the bridge to the narrow sidewalk on East Cliff Drive. Most bike riders dismount and walk on this stretch because it's so narrow. At the top of the path where it meets East Cliff Drive, there is no bike path for several hundred feet and the sidewalk is narrow, so this section is currently a pain point for bicycle commuters.
