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Santa Cruz Rincon Trail Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Cruz, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Santa Cruz Rincon Trail 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.

ShadedTrailhead parking

What runners say about Santa Cruz Rincon Trail Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (32 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🌳 shaded & cool 5 mentions

“The first small beach has many stones in the water, the water is shallow, and the beach is shady.”

Santa Cruz Rincon Trail Trailhead, everyone can come here to play,catch crayfish and fish, and it feels more ideal than Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Don’t forget to buy fishing license ~ Parking lot: more than 35 cars will be available to park here without parking fee Bathroom: No Signal: There is no signal, if…

★★★★★ — Angel , Jul 2022

Kinda Hidden gem. Great trail among redwoods leading to swimming holes along the Lorenzo River. Follow the trail down to the curve at the bottom. There you can go left towards the popular (crowded) swimming areas or go right and follow less traveled trail to less crowded swimming holes.

★★★★★ — Waleed , Jun 2022

Good spot to park, no fee, but don't expect to access many state park trails without wading across the river!

★★★★★ — Laura , May 2017

Peace and calm in mind from this hectic world. Adventurous trail, less crowded and bit steepy. Mesmerizing views!!

★★★★☆ — Jagadeesh , May 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 32 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 5 mentions

“The first small beach has many stones in the water, the water is shallow, and the beach is shady.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Santa Cruz Rincon Trail Trailhead, everyone can come here to play,catch crayfish and fish, and it feels more ideal than Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Santa Cruz Rincon Trail Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Where to find Santa Cruz Rincon Trail Trailhead

Santa Cruz, California

Get directions

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.

U-Conn Trail Head

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under a mile away

Garden of Eden - Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

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ScenicDog-friendly

Picturesque wilderness area featuring a riverside loop trail & a natural swimming hole.

under a mile away

Powder Mill Trail

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ScenicDog-friendly

Kid- and dog-friendly area with trails for hiking.

1.1 miles away

Pogonip Open Space

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Santa Cruz, CA

4 miLoopScenic

Scenic open space offering a hiking & biking trail network amid redwood & oak forests & slopes.

1.2 miles away

Cable Car Beach

4.8 ★★★★★ 32 reviews

Santa Cruz, CA

Scenic

1.3 miles away

Spring Trail Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 90 reviews

Santa Cruz, CA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Popular outdoor area dotted with redwood trees, featuring numerous walking paths and a koi pond.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Santa Cruz, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.