Santa Cruz has plenty of parks, beaches, and historical locations to keep the outdoor enthusiast entertained, even the ones who’ve said they’ve seen it all. You may even already have a favorite riding trail you found years ago. However, if you haven’t visited any of the following locations perfect for mountain biking or a leisurely ride, you may be missing out.
Let’s take a look at some of the favorite bike riding locations in Santa Cruz.
Wilder Ranch State Park
This state park covers an impressive 7,000 acres and features over 35 miles of biking trails. There are trails for both beginner and advanced mountain biking, so this is a park that can grow as you learn more and more about the sport. You will experience everything from the beaches and cliffs that make Santa Cruz a beautiful place to ride, along with meadows and forests. You can see every bit of the natural surroundings that Santa Cruz has to offer in this one location with over a dozen trails to experience. If you are looking for a place that won’t get boring after a while, this is it.
Contact Info:
1788 Coast Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-9703
DeLaveaga Park
If you plan on bringing a dog along on your mountain biking adventures, this is one of the best parks in Santa Cruz. As long as your furry companion is on a leash, they are more than welcome to accompany you on the miles of trails here. Why not ride by the creek and soak your feet in cool water while Fido splashes around a bit. There are four entrances to the trail system: near the restrooms at the lower park facility where there is ample parking, on Branciforte Drive with limited parking available, or on either Park Way or Brookwood Drive where you need to park on-street in a residential neighborhood.
Contact Info:
850 Branciforte Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
(831) 420-5270
Harvey West Park
This park, at just 50-acres, still offers an impressive amount of amenities. If you feel like cooling off after your bike ride, head to the pools for a quick dip. But the mountain biking trails take the cake. There may not be many of them, in fact there’s only one, but it will allow you to bike at your own pace, taking in the scenery and the friendly people enjoying the park along with you. There is a trail entrance in the Friendship Garden as well as at Wagner Grove.
Contact Info:
326 Evergreen Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 420-5270
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk
If you had more of a leisurely bike ride in mind instead of traversing the trails at Wilder Ranch State Park or De Laveaga Park, you might want to head to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The Boardwalk offers a relaxing ride with the smell of salt water on the air… or is it the smell of salt water taffy being made at the amusement park? The amusement park at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of the two remaining amusement park piers on the West Coast. Take in a bit of fun while cruising along the shops along the beach.
Contact Info:
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-5590
With so much to take in from the seat of your favorite mountain bike, why not give one of these Santa Cruz biking locations a try. You might get a chance to see a side of Santa Cruz you never knew existed. Plus, you can enjoy the fresh sea breezes that will get your blood pumping for more time on your bike. Experience all that Santa Cruz has to offer.