Go Wilder

Bike ride in Santa Cruz and Wilder Ranch State Park

07.06.2017

Hot summer day? Ride on! Beat the South Bay heat and get some beautiful scenery on this beginner-friendly 10-mile (round-trip) seaside ride in Santa Cruz. You’ll roll from West Cliff Drive to Wilder Ranch State Park. Start at Bay Street and West Cliff to get the full ocean vista, and pedal along the sidewalk or bike lane, absorbing the sea breeze as you make your way to Natural Bridges State Beach, where the road ends.

Head up Swanton Boulevard and in a few short turns you’ll be at Mission and Shaffer, where a flat paved bike path parallels Highway 1. Rolling farmland and Pacific views take up most of the scenery, brightened by sporadic wildflowers. In just over a mile the trail dips into Wilder Ranch State Park. Hop off for a minute and walk past the garden, saying hello to the chickens and goats and horses. Cottages and farmhouse frame the setting.

Heading back, take a detour on Mission to Swift and Ingalls: Here you can stop at the contemporary Kelly’s French Bakery for a roasted eggplant sandwich, a breaded chicken panini, and macarons in almost any flavor imaginable. There's an outdoor patio, too. Roll call!

Street parking is available on the side streets by Bay and West Cliff (Lighthouse Ave. and Cowell St.). Follow West Cliff Dr. all the way to Swanton Blvd., and turn right to begin your ascent. Turn left on Delaware, right on Natural Bridges Dr., left on Mission, and cross Shaffer to get on the bike path. To stop at Kelly’s on your way back, continue along Mission instead of turning right on Natural Bridges Dr. Turn right on Swift and left at Ingalls. After you’ve had your lunch, you can continue heading down Swift to connect back to West Cliff. No dogs at Wilder Ranch State Park.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Purely Purisima

    Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Ballona Beach Hopper

    This easygoing bike escape is proof that you don't have to drive for hours to feel the vast benefits of nature. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is part of the “Park to Playa Regional Trail,” a 13-mile network connecting parks and open spaces from Baldwin Hills to the Pacific Ocean.

    View

  2. Lookout Ahead!

    A 3.7-mile loop hike to Boucher Hill Fire Lookout in Palomar Mountain State Park reminds us just how stunningly beautiful are the mountains of this remote, lightly visited portion of northern San Diego County.

    View

  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  4. Strawberry Peak Lookout Hike

    Strawberry Sunday

    The 2.5-mile (round-trip) lollipop loop climb to the Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout near the town of Lake Arrowhead dishes up some delicious views.

    View