San Vicente Redwoods, Protected redwood forest in Santa Cruz County, US
San Vicente Redwoods is a protected forest spanning over 8,500 acres in Santa Cruz County, with eight creeks running through dense stands of ancient coast redwoods. A network of trails winds through the property, which includes recovering areas where the land is slowly returning to its natural state.
Mining and logging activities in the 1800s and 1900s heavily altered the landscape, removing much of the original forest. Conservation organizations acquired the land in 2011 with the goal of restoring the ecosystem to what it was before industrial use.
Native peoples used this land for thousands of years, and their connection to the forest remains part of its identity. Today, visitors learn how the place balances human use with the needs of wildlife and forest ecosystems.
The forest is open to hikers on a network of trails suitable for different fitness levels and interests. Prepare for uneven ground, wet areas during rainy seasons, and changeable weather typical of coastal mountain forests.
This land forms a critical wildlife corridor linking 27,000 acres of protected forest from mountain ridge to coast. The connection allows endangered species like marbled murrelets to move between habitats and maintain populations across a larger area.
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