IITBHF San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail (STS) runs from the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains down 35 winding miles of trail to Waddell Beach on the Pacific. It passes through high chaparral, dense stands of tall redwood and coastal scrub.

Recommended Trip

We will be doing either the first 5-8 miles or the last 5-8 miles depending on the weather. If it gets too hot the last leg is pleasant, it takes us to Wadell beach. 5-10 miles down to the ocean, passing through the coastal redwood stands of Big Basin, a stretch of second-growth alder, and coastal scrub. This one is more like a brisk walk and is all downhill.

If it is not too hot, the first 5-8 miles is more like a good hike and is what we intend to do. From the southwest corner of the intersection of Skyline Blvd. (California 35) and California 9, the trail begins with a series of short connecting routes. We will take Saratoga Gap Trail to Travertine Spring Trail. Turn left. Take Travertine to Saratoga Toll Road. Turn left again. Continue to Beekuis Road Trail. Follow Beekhuis to Skyline-to-the Sea Trail proper. Continue down Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.

Getting There

We will park right at the trailhead at Castle rock. Its a scenic (depending on the weather) viewpoint on CA-35 (also called Skyline Blvd ) and CA-9 .

A word of caution.

On your way to the parking spot, you will see vehicles parked 2.5 miles south down Skyline Blvd. at Castle Rock State Park. That is not where we want to park. People only park there as overnight parking is not permitted up ahead where we plan on parking.


Public Transit

Santa Cruz's Metro bus line has a bus that leaves Waddell Beach twice a day, seven days a week. Call Metro at (831) 425-8600 for details. From Santa Cruz, Greyhound (800-231-2222), Amtrak (800-USA-Rail), and Highway 17 bus line (contact Metro, above) all offer bus service to the Bay Area.

For More Information

Castle Rock State Park

California Dept. of Parks and Recreation

15000 Skyline Blvd.

Los Gatos, CA 95030

(408) 867-2952

 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

California Dept. of Parks and Recreation

21600 Big Basin Way

Boulder Creek, CA 95006

(831) 338-8861

If you get lost call Parag 510-418 2912.

  IITBHF San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail (STS) runs from the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains down 35 winding miles of trail to Waddell Beach on the Pacific. It passes through high chaparral, dense stands of tall redwood and coastal scrub.

Recommended Trip

We will be doing either the first 5-8 miles or the last 5-8 miles depending on the weather. If it gets too hot the last leg is pleasant, it takes us to Wadell beach. 5-10 miles down to the ocean, passing through the coastal redwood stands of Big Basin, a stretch of second-growth alder, and coastal scrub. This one is more like a brisk walk and is all downhill.

If it is not too hot, the first 5-8 miles is more like a good hike and is what we intend to do. From the southwest corner of the intersection of Skyline Blvd. (California 35) and California 9, the trail begins with a series of short connecting routes. We will take Saratoga Gap Trail to Travertine Spring Trail. Turn left. Take Travertine to Saratoga Toll Road. Turn left again. Continue to Beekuis Road Trail. Follow Beekhuis to Skyline-to-the Sea Trail proper. Continue down Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.

Getting There

We will park right at the trailhead at Castle rock. Its a scenic (depending on the weather) viewpoint on CA-35 (also called Skyline Blvd ) and CA-9 .

A word of caution.

On your way to the parking spot, you will see vehicles parked 2.5 miles south down Skyline Blvd. at Castle Rock State Park. That is not where we want to park. People only park there as overnight parking is not permitted up ahead where we plan on parking.


Public Transit

Santa Cruz's Metro bus line has a bus that leaves Waddell Beach twice a day, seven days a week. Call Metro at (831) 425-8600 for details. From Santa Cruz, Greyhound (800-231-2222), Amtrak (800-USA-Rail), and Highway 17 bus line (contact Metro, above) all offer bus service to the Bay Area.

For More Information

Castle Rock State Park

California Dept. of Parks and Recreation

15000 Skyline Blvd.

Los Gatos, CA 95030

(408) 867-2952

 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

California Dept. of Parks and Recreation

21600 Big Basin Way

Boulder Creek, CA 95006

(831) 338-8861

If you get lost call Parag 510-418 2912.