Hikes Archives

Spring is the best time to explore wildflower trails in the San Lorenzo Valley and nearby hills, where redwood shade, sunny ridges, and serpentine soils create very different bloom patterns. The strongest bets are Big Basin, Fall Creek, San Vicente Redwoods, and a few Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains preserves that usually show a good mix of native flowers… Read More

Hikes Photography

Watching Spring Unfold at Quail Hollow Ranch Park | Photography

March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 slvpost.com

Enjoying watching spring unfold in the Santa Cruz Mountains on an inspiring hike at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park in Felton. Pacific Hound’s-Tongue, Bush monkey-flower, Brittleleaf manzanita This 300-acre historic horse ranch and nature preserve is a gem of the Santa Cruz County parks system. The park is home to 15 unique habitats — ranging from a pond and riparian… Read More

Big Basin Redwoods State Park trail update

Hikes Outdoors Parks Recreation

Trails Update from Big Basin

November 21, 2025November 26, 2025 slvpost.com

This fall, Big Basin Redwoods State Parks staff have made progress rebuilding key trail connections in the Park Core. Another 1.2-mile stretch of the Skyline to the Sea Trail officially reopened — reconnecting the Redwood Loop Trail to Middle Ridge Road and linking back up with Sunset Trail. More good news: by the end of the year, the team expects… Read More

footbridge at big basin redwoods state park

Hikes Local News Parks

Big Basin Improves Accessibility

June 30, 2025July 7, 2025 slvpost.com

Newly restored footbridge on the Redwood Loop Trail connecting to the Hihn Hammond Trail (Photo by Julie Horner) Crews at Big Basin Redwoods State Park have built a new ADA-compliant bridge along the Skyline to Sea Trail. The project is part of reconnecting Big Basin Redwoods State Park to Castle Rock State Park and the regional trail network from the… Read More

Hikes Outdoors Photography Recreation

Lupine and Wild Iris at Quail Hollow Ranch

April 22, 2025April 27, 2025 slvpost.com

Lupin near the Discovery Loop at Quail Hollow Ranch Park in Felton, and the wild Iris are having a field day! Photos by Julie Horner If You Go Quail Hollow Ranch County ParkPark informationScenic nature preserve on 300 acres with a visitors center. Enjoy organized walk and educational programs.Public restroom · Picnic tables Address: 800 Quail Hollow Rd, Felton, CA… Read More

Hikes Outdoors Photography Recreation

Redwood Trail Hike at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 Julie Horner

Out and about in the early spring air! Contiguous days of delightfully warm weather under blue skies has been inspiration to hit local trails. Monday’s hike at Big Basin Redwoods State Park included a spin around the Redwood Trail near the welcome area and parking lot then a loop: Up the Dool Trail to Sunset Trail, down Gazos Road, and… Read More

bonny doon ecological reserve moon rocks

Bonny Doon Hikes Outdoors Recreation

A Visit to Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Julie Horner Taking advantage of the early spring warmth among the protected Santa Cruz Sandhills at Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve, I strode out onto the moderately sloped 2.3-mile Silver Leaf Loop, which follows the Reserve perimeter through chaparral, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer. The loop takes about an hour to walk, or you can take a shortcut on the… Read More

San Vicente Redwoods Santa Cruz Mountains

Hikes Local News Outdoors Recreation

San Vicente Redwoods Preserve to Open

December 3, 2022December 5, 2023 Julie Hornerbonny doon, hiking, outdoors, recreation, Santa Cruz Mountains0 comment

By Julie Horner Outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore fresh territory can look forward to setting boots down on 7.3 miles of ecologically integrated trail in the 8,852-acre San Vicente Redwoods Preserve starting on December 3, 2022. This new multi-use trail system traversing sensitive coastal redwood habitat supports hikers, walkers, bicyclists, and equestrians. San Vicente Redwoods Preserve spans the seaward side… Read More

Redmaid wildflowers Glenwood Preserve Scotts Valley

Attractions Hikes

An Insider’s Guide to Spring Wildflowers

May 10, 2021June 7, 2021 slvpost.com0 comment

By Pamela Morgan Bonny Doon Preserve I’ve long enjoyed a weekly jaunt to Bonny Doon Preserve on Martin Road, which has always been my secret wildflower haven. I started hiking there after the 2007 fire and have witnessed the rebirth of many native plants. This season, following the CZU fire, as much destruction has been done by bulldozers as by… Read More

Category: Hikes

April in Bloom: The Best Wildflower Trails in and Around the San Lorenzo Valley