Wilder Ranch Day Use Parking — Attraction in Santa Cruz

Came down from the Bay Area to hike to the Fern Grotto. Beautiful hike though be careful of the ample poison oak. Being aState park the hiking trails are well developed and easy to follow. Lots of bird life and sea lions with great ocean views. Flush toilets at day use lot. $10 day use fee, some limited parking on Hwy 1 for free. Lots of mountain bikers at the lot so must also be a great place to ride. No dogs or drones allowed in State Parks. Just minutes to downtown Santa Cruz for great eats...

Beautiful coastal trail, several secretive pocket beaches to explore, & the unique mini-ecosystem at Fern Grotto is a NorCal superstar!! Very exposed trail throughout, so be sun-smart, but all relatively level & easy. Also excellent for jogging—in fact, we were there during the Triathlon competition, which was running on the same trail we were walking! Also colony of charismatic harbor seals suntanning on...

Many people park on Hwy 1 to avoid a park entry fee. Not too clever if a burglar chooses your car! The parking lot is spacious, with quick access to the easy but visually splendid bluffs hike...with beach options! Likewise, access to the uphill trails of Wilder is safe with an underpass to avoid traffic...and then get ready to grin! There are picnic tables, water, and a modern, clean restroom facility...