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San Vicente Redwoods Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 47 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Cruz, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from San Vicente Redwoods Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
New nature area featuring trails through redwood forest that's recovering from wildfires.
What runners say about San Vicente Redwoods Trailhead
“This is arguably the cleanest well kept hiking trails, parking lot, and restrooms I have ever seen in California.”
“A beautiful, new place to hike in the SC mountains!”
The terrain is so different from any other trails around here. It has a great view of the ocean. Well-built trails and friendly stewards. Note that you need to register to use this park. It's owned by land trust organizations, not the state or county.
Absolutely a hidden treasure! This is arguably the cleanest well kept hiking trails, parking lot, and restrooms I have ever seen in California. All trails are clearly marked and have different levels of difficult (moderate being the most difficult currently). My friend and I opted to do the .
Come and see nature recovering from the Santa Cruz mountain fires. This new park gives access to a small redwood grove that it's recovering nicely. This is an excellent place for wildflowers (seasonally). Registration requires to hike here.
It's newly opened and very beautiful. You get to choose from various loops with the longest being about 4 miles. I was surprised at the variety here, it's huge oaks up at the top, and then very rugged granite ravines as you go down.
Trail conditions & character
“A beautiful, new place to hike in the SC mountains!”
“This is arguably the cleanest well kept hiking trails, parking lot, and restrooms I have ever seen in California.”
“This is arguably the cleanest well kept hiking trails, parking lot, and restrooms I have ever seen in California.”
Plan your run at San Vicente Redwoods Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitelandtrustsantacruz.org
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Santa Cruz
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Fall Creek Unit | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
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Bear Mountain
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Castle Rock State Park
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Skypark
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