Take a Ride on the Wilder Side

Mountain Bike Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz

For those who demand diverse scenery on their mountain bike ride—old-growth redwood groves, coast-side cliffs and sandy coves, rolling and terraced cliffs—one park has it all! Wilder Ranch State Park on the coast west of Santa Cruz is accessible and filled with beginner-friendly and expert options for trails. Rent a bike and purchase a map at Another Bike Shop. Then head west on Mission Street (behind the bike shop) until the road becomes a bike path. You’ll glide past bucolic rolling coastal farmland, straight into Wilder Ranch.

Beginners and bikers looking for a relaxing cruise along the shore should head south, where the trail dead-ends into a stop sign, and ride along Old Cove Landing Trail (3 miles out-and-back). Warm inland air mingles with the briny chill of the coastal breeze for a nice ride along the shoreline’s marine terraces and fern grottos. Lucky folks just might catch sight of dolphins, seals, and migrating whales swimming offshore below flocks of brown pelicans. Experienced bikers looking for a strenuous trek should steer towards Engelsmans Loop Trail and explore the park’s expansive system of mountain biking trails on a challenging 10-mile route that takes about 2.5 hours to complete.

Climb uphill on Engelsmans Loop for a mile through oak woodlands and coastal prairie, then stop and enjoy the view of the ocean behind you before turning onto Wild Boar Trail. After about a half mile, you’ll take a left at Old Cabin Trail, which has you bobbing and weaving through the cooling shade of coastal redwoods and the dry heat and knobcone pines of the inland grasslands. Stay left at Eucalyptus Loop, continuing through lush groves of manzanitas and redwoods, to Twin Oaks Trail. Veer left here and continue onto Wilder Ridge Loop to head downhill, back to where you began.

Another Bike Shop, 2361 Mission St., Santa Cruz, (831) 427-2232, has an incredibly knowledgeable staff and some of the best gear around, so have them deck you out with the right bike for your ride, and buy a map of the park while you’re there. $40/day for mountain bikes, $80/day for full suspension.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View