A gorgeous walk along Santa Cruz coastline.
Location: Santa Cruz Beach — West Cliff Drive
» PeasePress Map: Trails of Santa Cruz: Excellent quality map showing various parks in the Santa Cruz area.
Start of Hike: The eastern end of Twin Lakes State Beach is accessible from 14th Avenue in Santa Cruz.
Route: The total length of all sections listed below is 8 miles. However, you may combine a subset of adjoining sections to create shorter point-to-point or round-trip routes:
Notes: You may extend the hike with a 1-mile loop in Natural Bridges State Park (see Trail Map).
Location: East Cliff Drive & 14th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.
Directions: From CA-1 South, take exit 439 for Soquel Ave, then turn left on Soquel Ave and drive for 0.2 miles. Take the 2nd right onto 17th Ave and drive for 1.7 miles. Slight right onto East Cliff Drive and drive for 0.2 miles to reach the intersection with 14th Avenue.
Parking Permits: There is limited parking along 14th Avenue and plenty of parking along East Cliff Drive. In July 2011, permits were required from 11am onwards at all of these parking spots. Permits were available at a location along East Cliff Drive that was manned only from 10am onwards. Permits could be bought in advance from Live Oak Parking Program website.
Google Maps:
Parking Fees: Only Permit Parking is allowed. (last visited: July 2011)
Capacity: Limited parking along 14th Street. Plenty of parking along East Cliff Drive.
Latitude: 36.963819 Longitude: -121.991699
Location: West Cliff Drive & Swanton Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.
Directions: From CA-17 South towards Santa Cruz, continue onto CA-1 North and drive for 1.2 miles. Slight right onto Mission Street (signs for CA-1 North / Half Moon Bay) and drive for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Swift Street and drive for 0.3 miles. Take the 2nd right onto Delaware Street and drive for 0.4 miles. Take the 1st left onto Swanton Blvd and drive for 0.4 miles.
Google Maps:
Parking Fees: None (last visited: August 2011)
Capacity: Plenty of street parking along Swanton Blvd
Latitude: 36.949764 Longitude: -122.055775