Summer Santa Cruz, 2013 Vol. XXIX | Page 10

Take a Hike By Pearl S. Jones Summer is here and it’s your time to escape the crowds and become one with nature. Santa Cruz County has a wealth of parks and reserves just to scratch that itch. So, lace up those hiking boots, grab a picnic lunch, your favorite pal and get outdoors. biking is also quite popular. Citings of bobcats, deer and hawks are common. Directions: Go two miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. Turn left into the park. Call: 831-426-0505. Elkhorn Slough This largest remaining coastal wetland in California is home to more than 250 bird species. Five miles of easy hiking trails wind past the nesting sites of the Great Blue Heron and snowy egrets. Rent a kayak in Moss Landing for an upclose and personal look. Docent-led tours are held on weekends. The slough is located at 1700 Elkhorn Road in Watsonville. Call: 831-728-2822 or 831-728-5939. Castle Rock State Park Located on Skyline Blvd this 3,600 acres park of semi-wilderness has spectacular views, rolling meadows and shady forests with waterfalls. It hosts picnic areas, horse trails and primitive backpack campsites. For info call: 408-867-2952. Fall Creek State Park This densely forested 2,400 acre park has 20 miles of hiking trails along old wagon and logging roads. Stop by the historic lime kiln and barrel mill. On Big Trees Park Road in Santa Cruz. Call: 831-335-4598. Rancho Del Oso State Park Located on Hwy 1 in Davenport this 3,000 acre coastal section of Big Basin State Park offers hiking and bicycling along Waddell Creek. Bring your own horse. Call the Nature and History Center for more info. Call 831-427-2288. Quail Hollow Ranch County Park Deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains is this 300-acre historic horse ranch and nature preserve, home to 15 habitats and 4.5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. It contains a ranch complex with a visitor center, picnic areas, horse barns, and an orchard. Located at 800 Quail Hollow Road in Felton, this park is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30am to 5pm. Call (831) 335-9348 or email [email protected]. UCSC Arboretum This is one of the most propitious horticultural sites in the world. The climatic and topographical diversity allows experimentation with almost every species grown along the California coast. It contains 35 Eco-Regions with meandering walking trails between them. Open daily 9am to 5pm closing only for Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Call (831) 427-2998. Steaks • Seafood & Pasta Big Basin State Park Big Basin State Park is California's oldest state park and has trails that lead from the magnificent mountain forests to the ocean. Located north of Boulder Creek at 21600 Big Basin Way, it offers over 80 miles of hiking trails within its 18,000 acres and also holds the largest continuous stand of Ancient Redwoods south of San Francisco. Trails start in the Santa Cruz Mountains paralleling Waddell Creek all the way to the ocean. Waterfalls abound and a wide variety of environments can be enjoyed. For info call: 831-338-8860. Henry Cowell State Park Home to the coastal redwoods, Henry Cowell State Park spans 1,800 acres of ecologically diverse landscapes. A network of well-kept trails lead you on an adventure from the rich, damp redwood forest, through the sunny, flowery meadows on to the hot chaparral. Begin at the nature center where docents will gladly provide you with maps. An easy .08 mile loop takes you past some of the park’s largest redwoods, some trees more than a thousand years old. Other trails within the park are for the intense athlete. 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