Watsonville, California
One of the top outdoor activities in Watsonville, California is hiking the Mount Madonna County Park trail. This moderate difficulty trail offers a scenic view of the redwood forest and sweeping vistas of the Santa Clara Valley. If you're lucky, you might spot deer, wild turkeys, or even the rare white fallow deer. Another must-visit is the Pajaro Valley Historical Association, where you can take a leisurely walk through history. For those who prefer water activities, Watsonville Slough is perfect for kayaking and bird watching. For a unique outdoor adventure, visit Gizdich Ranch for a fun day of apple picking. The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Watsonville surely offer something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Watsonville
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Livermore, California
Del Valle Regional Park
4.0Looking for a quick summer escape filled with stand up paddling, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and picnics? Look no further than Del Valle Regional Park. Consistently considered one of the best campgrounds in the Bay Area, the centerpiece of Del Valle is a 5-mile long lake that allows swimming, fish...Read more -
Half Moon Bay, California
Watch the Sunset at Martin's Beach
4.5Martin's Beach is a beach about 7 miles south of Half Moon Bay. It features a large, very cool looking rock formation right off the coast. This beach is accessible via Martin's Beach Road, which is a small turn off on your right when southbound on Highway 1, though sometimes the road is only open...Read more -
Redwood City, California
Hike the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Loop
3.75.5 mi / 1000 ft gainGetting there: exit Highway 280 at Edgewood Road, travel .75 miles east, turn left on Crestview Drive, then immediately left again on Edmonds Road.Once parked, there are several different path options through the park. All of them connect in a large loop, and return to the parking lot. The Cordil...Read more -
Livermore, California
Hike the East Shore Trail Loop
3.7 mi / 1040 ft gainThis hike is best done during the spring, fall, or winter when moderate temperatures make the hike more comfortable. Be warned that this hike has a large elevation change despite being less than 4 miles. Starting at the Arroyo Road Staging Area, take the East Shore Trail east, heading towards a s...Read more -
Redwood City, California
Hike Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP
4.67 miThere are two places to park for this specific loop- the main parking area on Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) and a smaller parking lot on the western end of the park. I would recommend parking at whichever is closest. Find directions to both on Openspace.org. From the main parking lot, the trail ...Read more -
Redwood City, California
Mountain Bike at Purisima Creek
This beautiful mountain bike ride can be started at the Purisima Creek Road Trailhead or on Skyline Boulevard. There are many trails in the Purisisma Creek Redwoods, but Whittemore Gulch is by far the most beautiful and fun single track to descend on. If you are starting from Skyline Boulevard, i...Read more -
Redwood City, California
Hike Whittemore Gulch at Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP
4.09.3 mi / 2109 ft gainThis trail starts out going downhill towards the ocean for the first half, which makes for a tough end to the hike as you trek back up the ridge. However, there are nice ocean and hilltop views that are worth the climb. On this trail, you'll pass 60+ banana slugs if conditions are right. They ar...Read more -
Sunol, California
Hike the Pleasanton Ridge Trail
4.36.4 mi / 1443 ft gainPleasanton Ridge Trail is a 6.4 mile loop. The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. From the ridge your viewpoints will include Mount Diablo and the San Francisco Bay. This hike from the Foothills Staging Area is an excellent introduction ...Read more -
Greenfield, California
Adventure at Arroyo Seco
4.6This off-the-beaten-trail adventure has a little bit of everything for everyone, and is as challenging as you make it. Many just make it about a mile down to the river for a leisurely day of relaxing, swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying a few cold beverages. Others embark on a 7+ mile adventure up...Read more -
Half Moon Bay, California
Purisima Creek Trail and Craig Britton Trail Loop
4.06.95 mi / 1411 ft gainThis hike is perfect for any time of year, always staying cool because it is near the coast, and there are multiple creeks that flow year-round. Even on foggy days, the fog condenses on trees to make it seem like it is "raining." Be warned that this hike has a lot of elevation change and is stre...Read more
