Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail

The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail is a hiking route stretching roughly 30 kilometers from the Santa Cruz Mountains ridge down to the Pacific Ocean, passing through redwood forests and coastal ecosystems. The path connects different landscapes through multiple access points.

The trail was created in the 1970s by conservation organizations and state authorities to connect the mountains with the coast. This partnership was essential in establishing the long-distance route that exists today.

The trail passes through old redwood groves and shows how the Santa Cruz Mountains transformed from logging operations to protected forest. Visitors encounter traces of this industrial past scattered through pristine woodland today.

This route requires careful planning for multi-day hikes with overnight stays at designated camps. Visitors should expect changing weather conditions and check multiple access points before setting out.

The path descends from over 2,600 feet elevation straight down to the ocean, allowing hikers to experience mountain forest and ocean air in a single journey. This dramatic elevation change reveals different plants and animals depending on the season.