Where to See Redwoods in Santa Cruz
While the West Coast is known for its spectacular, sunny beaches and beautiful mountains, Santa Cruz, California, is also conveniently located amongst one of the most majestic ecosystems on the planet: the redwood forests.
The primary species found in these forests is the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), renowned for its immense height, ancient age, and vital ecological role.
These old-growth coast redwood groves are not only a natural wonder but also play a crucial part in local conservation efforts and attract visitors from around the world.
These ancient, towering trees are a must-see among the many amazing things to do in Santa Cruz. Visiting them while staying at your beachside vacation rental is a great way to connect with the outdoors.
Luckily, seeing the Santa Cruz redwoods is an easy task because there are several excellent state parks full of hiking trails that will bring you into the thick of them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the best places to experience these thousand-year-old gentle giants.
1. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Driving distance from Santa Cruz: 6 miles
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is at the top of the list for anyone in Santa Cruz County looking to see the redwoods.
Located just six miles from Santa Cruz, just off Highway 9, this park offers visitors a glimpse into an ancient forest that has been standing for over a thousand years.
Henry Cowell State Park is home to some of the tallest and oldest redwoods in the world, including a tree that towers over 285 feet and is 16 feet wide. The park’s oldest trees are historically significant, having survived for 1,400 to 1,800 years.
Visiting Henry Cowell State Park offers a unique opportunity to witness these ancient giants. One of the best ways to experience them is to walk through the old-growth redwood forest along the easy scenic trails.
- Redwood Grove Trail: The 0.8-mile Redwood Grove Loop is accessible from a parking lot trailhead near the main entrance and parking area next to the visitor center. The trail meanders through a cathedral-like canopy of redwoods, with shafts of light filtering through the treetops and the sweet scent of pine and damp earth in the air.
- Eagle Creek Trail: The 3.7-mile Eagle Creek Trail is considered moderately challenging and will take you through a 1.5-hour out-and-back journey to an observation deck with stunning views.
If you aren’t a hiker, this park is one of the best options for mountain biking through the redwoods, with a few trails set aside for this purpose. Bicycles are permitted only on designated fire roads and are not allowed on most trails, so follow posted signs and park regulations.
This is one of many pet-friendly places around Santa Cruz, but dogs are only allowed in designated areas, such as picnic spots and campgrounds. They must be kept on a leash at all times, and they’re not permitted on the Redwood Grove Loop Trail.
With its convenient location, accessible trails, campground, and giant redwoods, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to see the Santa Cruz redwoods without having to venture too far from the beach.
Visiting the Redwoods with Kids
Exploring the redwood forests with kids is a magical experience that combines fun, learning, and a sense of wonder. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, families will find a variety of easy and accessible trails.
Guided hikes and nature walks are often available, providing hands-on opportunities for children to learn about the unique plants, animals, and history of the redwoods. The Fall Creek Unit is another family favorite, with gentle bike trails and scenic spots perfect for a picnic or a nature scavenger hunt.
Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, where interactive exhibits and educational programs help kids discover the secrets of the redwood forest and its fascinating wildlife.
Whether you’re walking, biking, or simply playing among the trees, visiting the redwoods is an unforgettable adventure for the whole family.
2. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Driving distance from Santa Cruz: 23 miles
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a true gem and makes a great day trip from Santa Cruz.
Located just 23 miles from Santa Cruz, Big Basin Redwoods is the oldest state park in California and home to some of the biggest and oldest redwood trees in the world, with some estimated to be 1,000 to 2,500 years old.
Sadly, the 2020 Lightning Complex Fires ravaged large sections of the forest. After a period of complete closure, Big Basin State Park reopened so that visitors could once again explore its majestic redwoods.
Currently, the park is open for day use only, with designated day use areas, limited facilities, and some restrictions for day visitors. Overnight camping is not available at this time.
Some of the ancient California redwoods in Big Basin are actually old-growth coast redwood trees, which have been around for almost 2000 years, making them even older than the Roman Empire.
These coast redwoods are ecologically significant, supporting unique habitats and playing a vital role in conservation. Some of these giant old-growth redwoods stand over 300 feet tall and measure over 18 feet across.
The best place to see redwoods in Big Basin Redwoods State Park is along the park’s hiking trails.
- Redwoods Loop Trail: The Redwoods Loop Trail is a 1-mile loop that will take you past some of the tallest trees in the park. The main parking area for day-use visitors is located near the trailhead. Right along the Redwoods Loop Trail, you’ll encounter the park’s largest redwood tree: The Mother of the Forest.
- Skyline to the Sea Meteor and Loop Trail: The Skyline to the Sea Meteor and Loop Trail is 4.7 miles and will take you past some of the biggest redwoods in the park without the crowds of the Redwoods Loop Trail. Access to this trail is also from the main parking area.
In addition to the massive redwoods, the park also features a variety of wildlife and beautiful natural landscapes, including waterfalls, creeks, and lush greenery. Keep your eyes peeled for western gray squirrels, bobcats, and some picture-worthy banana slugs.
3. Wilder Ranch State Park
Driving distance from Santa Cruz: 4 miles
Wilder Ranch State Park is another great place to see the giant redwood trees without having to venture too far from the coast.
While Wilder Ranch State Park is better known for its historic ranch buildings and coastal trails, it also offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the majesty of the redwoods, including groves of coast redwood trees.
The park’s 5.1-mile Enchanted Loop Trail takes hikers through a shaded redwood forest that starkly contrasts the bright, sunny beaches nearby in a beautiful way.
While the redwoods at Wilder Ranch State Park may not be as grand as those found in other nearby parks, they are nevertheless impressive, and the hikes in Wilder Ranch really showcase the diversity of the Santa Cruz landscapes.
4. Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Driving distance from Santa Cruz: 9 miles
Nestled in the Aptos Hills, just 18 miles round-trip from Santa Cruz, the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is one of the best places to experience the magic of the redwoods in the area.
The entire park spans an impressive 10,000 acres, and over half of the forest consists of redwood trees. However, due to the logging craze in the 1800s, most of the old-growth forest has been chopped down.
Today, the Forest of Nisene Marks is primarily a second-growth redwood forest, with lush second and third-growth redwood forests dominating the landscape.
However, the old-growth redwoods aren’t all gone from this forest. Next to the Pourroy Picnic Area, a sliver of old-growth coast redwood trees remains. You can also see the roots of the Advocate Tree, which once stood over 250 feet tall and measured 45 feet in circumference before it was toppled over in a 2017 storm.
Some of the best redwood hikes in the Forest of Nisene Marks are:
- Old-Growth Loop: The Old-Growth Loop is an easy, beautiful, 1.3-mile trail that will take you past some of the last remaining old-growth coast redwoods in the forest. While the trail is open all year, the creeks may become impassable after heavy rains.
- Aptos Rancho Trail: The Aptos Rancho Trail is a moderate, 3.7-mile out-and-back trail that takes you through the newer redwood forests.
5. Butano State Park
Driving distance from Santa Cruz: 27 miles
Tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you’ll find one of the least visited parks in the area: Butano State Park. With so few visitors, Butano State Park offers visitors a tranquil and secluded experience among the towering redwood trees.
The park’s main attraction is its stunning redwood forest, with mostly second-growth redwoods and a few remaining beautiful old-growth redwoods. A few notable hikes will give you a great up-close and personal experience with these majestic wonders.
- Mill Ox Trail: The best hike in Butano State Park to see the redwoods is the Mill Ox Trail. This easy, 0.9-mile trail takes hikers on a scenic journey through the heart of the redwoods and meanders past several babbling creeks.
- Jackson Flats Trail to Butano Fire Road Loop: For those looking for a longer hike, it offers a challenging yet rewarding 6.4-mile trek through the redwoods, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains along the way.
With fewer crowds than other nearby parks, Butano State Park offers a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with the ancient redwood forest in a quiet and peaceful setting.
6. Portola Redwoods State Park
Driving distance from Santa Cruz: 42 miles
If you want to see the Santa Cruz redwoods, don’t miss out on one of the region’s best-kept secrets: Portola Redwoods State Park.
Although this California state park is a bit farther away from Santa Cruz, the 42-mile drive is well worth exploring the redwoods with practically nobody else around.
Portola Redwoods State Park is home to an extensive network of hiking trails that wind through the redwood forest. There are also some impressively large trees in Portola Redwoods. The park’s oldest redwoods are estimated to be over 1,200 years old and reach up to 300 feet in height.
Like the other options on this list, there are a few hikes worth getting your steps in for the day while you take in the surrounding nature.
The Old Tree Trail is one of the best hikes in Portola Redwoods State Park for seeing the Santa Cruz redwoods. This is an easy 1.2-mile hike with 245 feet of elevation gain, and it takes you right past one of the impressive trees in the park: Old Tree, which towers over 300 feet tall and is around 1200 years old.
If you want to avoid the crowds, Portola Redwoods State Park is right up there with Butano State Park as one of the best places to see the Santa Cruz redwoods in solitude.
7. DeLaveaga Park
Driving Distance From Santa Cruz: 2 miles
Although the state parks surrounding Santa Cruz are well worth a visit, if you’re just looking to get your quick fix on some super tall timber, look no further than DeLaveaga Park. It lies on the outskirts of the city of Santa Cruz.
From most destinations, this park is only a 5-10 minute drive, and while it will not have the lengthy hikes and the impressive groves that bigger national parks can sustain, you will still find plenty of redwoods.
The best way to admire the redwoods is to take the 1.5-mile, dog-friendly Upper DeLaveaga Loop.
8. UCSC Campus
Driving Distance from Santa Cruz: 5 miles
UCSC is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty in and around campus. It should therefore come as no surprise that there are a few small groves of redwoods tucked amongst the campus grounds.
The most notable trail is the Spring Trail to the Lime Kilns at Pogonip Open Space.
Although the groves here aren’t as dramatic and thickly forested as others on this list, a nature escape is a nature escape. Sometimes you just need to touch some grass and stand beneath some giants, and you’re sure to have that experience when you roam around the USCS campus.
Redwood Conservation
The redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains are not only a natural wonder but also a vital part of the region’s ecosystem, making conservation efforts essential.
Organizations like the Mountain Parks Foundation and the Sempervirens Fund play a crucial role in protecting these ancient trees and supporting ongoing research, restoration, and education initiatives.
By supporting these organizations—whether through donations, volunteering, or simply practicing responsible recreation—visitors help ensure that the redwoods, their wildlife, and the unique beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains will thrive for years to come.
The Redwoods Await You in Santa Cruz
From the ancient towering redwoods of Big Basin to the dense grottoes of new-growth redwoods in the Forest of Nisene Marks, there are so many amazing places to see redwood trees without having to venture far from your Santa Cruz beach house rental.
No matter which redwood forest you decide to visit, you’re sure to have an amazing time and be left contemplating your next visit to the redwood forest.