Discover 30 parks for picnicking within driving distance of Santa Cruz
"Santa Cruz is a vibrant coastal city known for its boardwalk, surf culture, and lively downtown. Locals and tourists enjoy easy access to Lighthouse Field SB for beach outings and scenic walks."
A picturesque coastal park in Santa Cruz featuring a historic lighthouse and oceanfront recreation.
"Santa Cruz is a vibrant coastal city known for its boardwalk, surf culture, and scenic beaches—making it a convenient base for day trips to Natural Bridges State Beach."
A scenic beach park famous for its natural rock bridge and monarch butterfly preserve.
"Santa Cruz residents enjoy quick beach access, making Twin Lakes a favorite for family outings and water activities."
A popular sandy beach in Santa Cruz offering swimming, picnicking, and beautiful bay views.
"Santa Cruz is a vibrant coastal city known for its beaches, boardwalk, and surf culture. Residents and visitors enjoy quick access to Wilder Ranch for hiking, biking, and exploring California’s coastal history."
Historic ranchlands and coastal bluffs with miles of trails near Santa Cruz.
"Santa Cruz residents enjoy quick access to New Brighton’s beaches and camping, making it a popular spot for day trips and weekend getaways."
A scenic blufftop park with sandy beaches, camping, and ocean views near Capitola.
"Santa Cruz residents enjoy quick access to Seacliff’s sandy beaches and unique attractions, making it a popular spot for day trips and family outings."
Seacliff State Beach is a popular coastal park featuring sandy beaches, a historic ship, and family-friendly amenities.
"Santa Cruz visitors enjoy quick access to the park's redwoods and hiking trails, making it a popular day-trip destination for nature lovers and families."
A tranquil redwood forest park with hiking, biking, and rich natural history.
"Santa Cruz residents visit for a quieter beach experience and to enjoy surf fishing or picnicking away from the city’s busier waterfront."
A tranquil beach park on Monterey Bay known for fishing, picnicking, and scenic views.
"Santa Cruz residents and tourists enjoy easy access to the park, combining beach visits with a journey into California’s Rancho past."
Historic adobe site showcasing California’s Mexican Rancho heritage.
"Santa Cruz is known for its vibrant boardwalk, surf culture, and coastal attractions. Visitors often come for a day at the beach or to camp by the ocean."
A scenic beach park with dunes, camping, and ocean views on Monterey Bay.
"Santa Cruz locals and visitors love Big Basin for its proximity and the chance to explore ancient forests, hike scenic trails, and experience peaceful wilderness."
California’s oldest state park, famous for its towering redwoods and scenic beauty.
"Santa Cruz visitors enjoy the park’s mountain scenery and trails, just a short drive from the coast."
Castle Rock State Park offers scenic hiking, rock climbing, and panoramic views in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
"Santa Cruz locals enjoy quick access to Año Nuevo’s scenic trails and elephant seal tours, making it a popular day trip for families and nature lovers."
Año Nuevo State Park is famous for its elephant seal rookery and coastal landscapes.
"Santa Cruz locals appreciate Bean Hollow's unique pebble beaches and quiet atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing coastal outing."
A picturesque coastal park with tide pools, pebble beaches, and ocean vistas.
"Santa Cruz locals and tourists alike come for the stunning coastal scenery, tidepools, and peaceful picnic spots near the lighthouse."
Historic lighthouse park with ocean views and maritime exhibits.
"Santa Cruz locals enjoy visiting Butano State Park for its serene trails and opportunities to explore less-crowded redwood forests close to home."
A peaceful redwood forest park with hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
"Santa Cruz is famous for its boardwalk, surf culture, and redwood forests. Visitors often travel south to Moss Landing State Beach for wildlife viewing and quieter beaches."
A coastal park with sandy beaches, dunes, and abundant wildlife viewing near Monterey Bay.
"Santa Cruz locals and tourists enjoy exploring the dunes and bird habitats, making it a favorite for day trips and nature outings."
A serene beach park known for dunes, birdwatching, and fishing along Monterey Bay.
"Santa Cruz visitors come for a change of scenery, exploring new beaches and the unique marsh habitats at Pescadero."
A scenic beach with sandy shores, tide pools, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
"Santa Cruz visitors appreciate the park’s cool forest environment and hiking opportunities, just a short drive from the coast."
A serene redwood forest park with hiking, camping, and creekside beauty.
"Santa Cruz is a lively beach town with a famous boardwalk and surfing culture. Its residents and visitors often travel to Marina State Beach for quieter beaches and unique dune landscapes."
A scenic coastal park known for sandy dunes, ocean views, and hang gliding.
"Santa Cruz residents enjoy the park’s unique blend of history and scenic Central Coast landscapes."
A historic park showcasing 19th-century California life and architecture.
"Santa Cruz is famous for its boardwalk and surf culture. Visitors from Santa Cruz enjoy day trips to Monterey State Beach for its calm waters and scenic beauty."
A scenic beach park on Monterey Bay, ideal for recreation and relaxation.
"Santa Cruz is a vibrant beach town with a famous boardwalk and surfing culture. Nature lovers from Santa Cruz visit Point Lobos for hiking and wildlife viewing."
A spectacular coastal reserve famous for scenic beauty, wildlife, and hiking.
"Santa Cruz visitors often travel to Monterey for its renowned historic sites, scenic waterfront, and cultural events, offering a change of pace from their own vibrant beach town."
A collection of historic adobes and gardens in downtown Monterey highlighting California’s early history.
"Santa Cruz visitors often explore San Gregorio for a change of scenery and to experience the unique bluffs and lagoon."
A picturesque coastal park with sandy beaches, bluffs, and a creekside lagoon.
"Known for its beaches and boardwalk, Santa Cruz residents often visit Point Sur for a day trip to enjoy historic tours and ocean vistas."
Historic lighthouse park with coastal views and guided tours.
By Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain
"Santa Cruz is a lively beach town known for its boardwalk and surf culture. Its proximity to Big Sur makes Andrew Molera State Park a popular destination for hiking and nature getaways."
A scenic Big Sur park featuring coastal trails, beaches, and redwood groves.
"Santa Cruz is famous for its boardwalk, surf culture, and redwood forests, attracting visitors who want to experience both coastal and forested landscapes."
A redwood-filled park along the Big Sur River with hiking, camping, and stunning scenery.
"Santa Cruz is a vibrant beach city with a lively boardwalk and surf culture, attracting visitors who wish to explore the natural beauty of the Central Coast."
A stunning Big Sur park known for McWay Falls and coastal redwoods.
