Gravel Routes in Santa Cruz, California

Finals Loop

Gravel route on Bay St, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California

Western Santa Cruz City & Country Parks Tour

Gravel route on Prospect Heights, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California

"Park at the dog park at the end of Pacheco Ave and head east on Old Vinyard Trail (gravel) to Brockwood Drive (old paved & gravel road) past the archery range, up a steep climb to the Delaveage Frisbee Golf course. From there head north (right) 50 yards and veer left onto Upper Park Rd to the Top of the World Lookout. Descend on La Corona Trail to Enchanted Trail trailhead and head south (left) onto Branciforte Drive until Grant Street, turn right toward Ocean Street. Cross Ocean Street and take Felker St until it dead ends at the Santa Cruz Riverwalk bridge. Cross bridge and take a right on the Riverwalk until it dead ends at Hwy 9. Cross Hwy 9 at Golf Club Dr and ride to the entrace of Pogonip Park. Take Emma McCarey trail (singletrack) to U-Conn Trail (sigletrack) to Chinquapin Rd (gravel) 2 miles, past The Painted Barrels, to Empire Grade Rd. Cross Empire Grade Rd into Wilder Ranch. There are many gravel and sigletrack options to descend down to Hwy 1 so pick your poison. Once your reach Hwy 1 take the underpass to Wilder Ranch State Park to the Coastal Trail loop and return to Wilder Ranch State Park. Take the Bike path south back toward Santa Cruz. At the end of the bike path cross Shaffer Rf onto Mission St and take a right at Natural Bridges Dr at the Santa Cruz Bicycle Headquarters. Ride thru Natural Bridges State Park on the Monarch Trail and stop to look for nesting/mating Monarch butterflies during the fall migraion season. At the end of the trail take West Cliff Drive along the ocean and cut thru Light House Field singletrack and gravel back to West Cliff Drive, past the warf, along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and cross the bridge over San Lorenzo River. Turn right on East Cliff Dr, long Seabright Beach to the Natural History Museum, all the way to the Santa Cruz Harbour. Turn left at the Harbour on Mariner Park Way until it dead ends at Arana Gultch Trail. Take one of the various single track options to the north end of Arana Gultch Open Space Park to Mentel Ave north to Soquel Ave. Turn left at Soquel Ave to Morrissey Blvd and turn right. Cross Hwy 1 on overpass to Pacheco Ave back to the Pacheco Dog Park where you started the ride."

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Dirt route from East Rd to Smith Grade, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California

"Mostly hard packed dirt for the first half, then single-track for the second half. Slightly technical descent due to roots and washout mud ruts. Perfectly fine on 35mm Schwalbe G-One Speed gravel slicks (no knobbies needed)."

Wilder Ranch Bluff and Rail

Gravel route from Coast Rd to Scaroni Rd, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California

"This parallels Hiway 1 but puts you right on the edge of the ocean bluffs. On one side of you is ocean, the other is fields of artichokes, sprouts, and other ag products. Several coves are accessible. It also puts you along the railoroad tracks. All dirt and gravel. While you are in Wilder proper there are often lots of people on the weekend."