Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Pogonip

    4.0 (44 reviews)

    Pogonip Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Pogonip

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Brian L.

    Very easy hike just off of UCSC. Sad to see trash on the trails. The koi fish were very cool to see

    Leila V.

    Pogonip was worth the trip. We entered from the UCSC trailhead parked up above at the university parking and walked along the road to enter the trail. It was easy hiking and absolutely beautiful. The koi fish were the bonus for sure! Everyone we encountered on the trail was kind and considerate.

    Sonya E.

    A very kind local resident of Santa Cruz recommended Pogonip to us and we are so happy that he did! It's a really great spot for a hike and provides just the right amount of dosage for a nature buzz. This gem is clean, trails are well marked, largely shaded, and lots of other hikers are on the go. Definitely kid friendly and all pets are welcomed. Low activity on bugs and other critters. Really cool stops to sight see. P.S. look for the hidden Koi Fish pond! Truly, a nice great after you get about 3 miles in.

    Sunil R.

    Came here for a hike yesterday based on the ratings and regretted it. Parking was a challenge but that's fine. The issue was we found needles, bottles, and a lot of other junk on the trails. Well, the issue mainly the needles...imagine a dog or a child picking that up. The location is great but please be cautious.

    Erich L.

    Nice place for a walk or a light hike in Santa Cruz. It's free and there are a few places to enter. I went up spring street and parked in the neighborhood. There's a nice trail that is wide and good for walking dogs or running too. Lots of nice redwood trees and when it's clear you can see the bay. There are no bathrooms.

    Koi pond in the middle of the woods!
    Holly H.

    What an awesome place to hike!! I came here last week with the bf hoping for an adventure. Considering it was our first time at Pogonip, we did brief research on what to expect. To start, parking is very limited but our mid week visit provided plenty of parking (but there are other sites you can park at and walk into Pogonip). We anticipated on finding the rock labyrinth, koi pond and lime kilns. And it's a good idea to keep a map on hand! I would recommend once you enter at Golf Club Drive gate, continue to walk up that road. We initially walked to the right but encountered a small homeless encampment and a few transients walking around. But beyond that, just hike around and enjoy the surroundings!! We hiked about 7 miles. We encountered the club house which was in The Lost Boys film (OMG! so cool), the historical lime kiln, a rock garden (that was unexpected and spooky at first; think Blair Witch), koi pond, rock labyrinth and a beautiful view of the boardwalk and coast! At this point of the hike, a map came in handy because we didn't want to back track to the car. So we found a trail that looped us back to the main road. Overall, Pogonip has great trails and history. I will definitely be hiking here again!

    Hiked all trails 10/2/16
    Ann L.

    I finally checked out Pogonip (POGOnip) after seeing on IG that there is a koi pond in the park. That is so cool! We parked FREE at Harvey West Park because they have flushed toilets there and it's easy to walk into Pogonip from there. We did the Lookout Trail and didn't look behind us until we got to the end of the trail, oops. But we did turn around and could see a far away view of the Pacific Ocean. Then we did the Spring Trail to Fern Trail, then we did the Lime Kiln Trail to see the Limekilns (I think this was on Spring Box Trail actually) and the strange rock arts. Koi Pond is on Spring Box Trail/Lime Kiln Trail - it's a bit off the trail, you'll see a creek just follow it down. It's a small, square box with koi in the pond. I can't believe they can survive there. We walked up to the gate into Henry Cowell Redwoods SP, then down Fern Trail. Some website said there's heroin dealers on Fern Trail and trails North but we didn't see any. We saw the Ranger Station (think abandoned), the Clubhouse is a old, closed and fenced off building, behind it is a sign to read more about it. Someone told me it was in the movie "The Lost Boys" aka Grandpa's House. We did the Nature Loop trail - it's nothing special. On the way back to Harvey West Park I saw a guy with a box of marijuana (I think) he might be a seller, not sure. Scary stuff! Then back to car. I think we did about 8 miles. Took us from 9:25am - 3:30pm. Close to Costco and Downtown Santa Cruz so you can get food and drinks afterwards.

    Michael H.

    This is probably one of the best places close to town to get away. Pogonip has a long history. Once was a ranch then a country club, now its a city park. The trails are well maintained and east flow to follow. if you go in the early morning or evening you will surely see wildlife like Bobcats, Coyote, ground varments and even a nesting Bald Eagle. This park is totally free but you have to get creative with parking. Park on Hwy 9 and walk in or Uber from downtown. The park is the home to one of the best routes into the Santa Cruz mountains on a mountain bike. The Emma McCary Trail, its a multi-purpose trail but don't hike it, It gets heavy bike traffic. Again, parking is bad, ride your bike on the levee from ample parking and beer downtown. All year is great to ride except on heavy rainy days.

    This  forest is awesome I love walking this trail when my bike tires pop LOL
    Dennis S.

    The pogonip forest is amazing. A true treasure, I love the fact that Mother Nature provides this amazing forest.

    snagged from their website
    Leslie R.

    One of the five entrances to the Pogonip system of trails is right around the corner from my office, so lunchtime here on a nice day the trails fill with my coworkers out getting their jog on. For a while I came here about twice a week (current winter weather = increased laziness), and even though there aren't enough different combinations of trails to totally mix it up, I was still loving every minute in this gorgeous spot. I mean, do views of Monterey Bay and perfectly tranquil paths through redwood groves ever get old? There are about eight miles of trails, most of the giant redwood/ shaded ferns variety, but a couple of the loops take you out to wide open fields. Spring Trail is particularly flat and wide, making it a perfect place to get off the treadmill and do some real running, while the Pogonip Nature Loop gives you all that is perfect about Santa Cruz in a neat little hike you can crank out on a lunch break.

    View from the clearing
    Venus F.

    A nice local hiking spot! It's a fairly large park right by downtown Santa Cruz and UCSC that opens up to a hill where you can overlook most of Santa Cruz (all the way to the ocean!) There are some sketchier, dilapidated trails (don't take the Lower Meadow Trail, esp. at night). The Clubhouse sounds nice but is just a half broken down building now. But the Pogonip Creek Nature Loop is very beautiful and more of an easy stroll than a strenuous hike. The Prairie Trail part of the hike is really nice! It goes through an open meadow/prairie where you can get a good view of downtown and the ocean. The park is also dog friendly! But please, pick up after your pup...

    Jenalle S.

    BEAUTIFUL hike!!! First time here and really enjoyed the adventure. Different trails/ distances to choose from. At the start you will find a billboard with a huge map, and little map vouchers of what you could expect in a nature atmosphere. Good for kids, adults, and pets. (We took our 6 month pup with us). There are so many things that attracted our attention. To begin with there were so many little hidden gems along the way, from little creeks, a little pond area with fishies, and a neat hidden (not through trail) that is filled with rocks stacked on top of each other with notes in between. I can't recall the names of the trails that connect to it. I did not do the 5th star due to parking.... we parked in front of a bus station company and walked through the path to reach the beginning of the trails. When we reached the start, we saw about 5 cars parked there. Isn't a huge deal, but for those who like parking on site, recommended to get there earlier. We arrived at about 12:30pm. Nonetheless, beautiful scenery, filled with all the pretty greens, open reserve area to allow your dog to enjoy his or her surroundings also. Loved it! Will be back soon. :)

    Enjoying the trail

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D.wight L.
    663
    1769
    6452

    8 months ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    I love this park! There are plenty of trails and they are well maintained. Dog friendly - I saw several people with their dogs

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian L.
    100
    58
    79

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ramy H.
    216
    248
    1737

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 16
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sunil R.
    1126
    10330
    35671

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Holly H.
    29
    334
    22

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Janet L.
    6
    147
    53

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rebecca M.
    133
    82
    63

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Doug V.
    0
    168
    170

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Troy D.
    87
    10
    13

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim G.
    0
    31
    10

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Max L.
    2
    11
    1

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T T.
    254
    382
    27

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Pogonip

    Review Highlights - Pogonip

    My favorite is the Spring Trail, which goes from the end of Spring Street all the way up to Highway 9 along a mostly level wide fire road.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 1,832 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Wilder Ranch State Park - Wild radish

    Wilder Ranch State Park

    4.6(302 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    What a delightful State Park with medium and short trails that are coastal. We went at the end of…read morethe day, so we couldn't hike very far-- thus, we plan on returning another day when we could arrive earlier with the right gear (snacks, water, sunscreen, hat, camera, etc) because there is SO MUCH to see here! The trails aren't super long to get to cool sites, like seal pups and fern caves, and you get to gaze at beautiful wildflowers and bushes along the way, like giant calla lilies and blackberries. There were also many frogs croaking and birds singing while we were hiking, which created such unexpected symphonies. It also wasn't very crowded. We saw a few groups of casual hikers and a few joggers. There was some construction in areas close to the parking lot that was unsightly and a parking fee, but other than that, everything was just lovely. I can't wait to return to Wilder Ranch for a deeper exploration! [TIP: If you're a serious hiker who's looking for an all day trip, this isn't the location for you. Wilder Ranch is on the easy to medium hike level with trails that are fairly short, like 2.5 miles for one of the popular beach loops. You can, of course, make it a longer hike but exploring multiple trails or crossing the freeway to the other trails, but it is not the kind of location you can get lost. It's perfect for families and people who have a couple hours to spare.]

    Great for hiking. Provided some great scenic views. Got some great photos and felt the ocean mist…read moreright at the edge of some cliffs. After parking you made about a mile walk to where the cliffs overlook the ocean. There is no beach access at this location. Parking with access was $10. Good price for the experience for my family of 3. After the 3 hour drive from Sacramento this visit was the perfect way to stretch our legs and also get some much needed steps in.

    Photos
    Wilder Ranch State Park - Fern Grotto

    Fern Grotto

    Wilder Ranch State Park - Pic with the fam

    Pic with the fam

    Wilder Ranch State Park - Inside the main house

    See all

    Inside the main house

    Garden Of Eden - Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Garden of Eden

    Garden Of Eden - Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

    2.7(88 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    This is a beautiful nature walk with a relaxing swim hole to swim in. It does get crazy crowded and…read moreparking is limited, so plan ahead for that. There is no bathrooms, cell service, or trash cans, so keep that in mind when coming.

    I spent a Saturday afternoon hiking at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, getting lost in the forest…read moreamong the massive towering trees, and running along the dirt-covered train tracks. Don't worry, I wasn't being chased by a train, I purposely came there to run (note, there are "no trespassing" signs, so you venture along the train tracks at your own risk). Following the tracks, you'll see below, parallel to it, the river that turns into the Garden of Eden lagoon. Peaceful, isolated, with no other visitors in sight while I was there this past weekend, the whole area was pristine and picturesque (no pesky college kids or trash laying around as other reviewers have described... but maybe that's cuz it's October). Just a flowing river forming tiny waterfalls over the giant rocks in the water. A hidden oasis and sandy shore in the middle of the forest! There's a bit of climbing needed to get to and from the swimming hole, but it's not too steep and totally worth the trek. The best place to park is Henry Cowell "Ox Parking Lot" off Highway 9 (it looks like a turnout area along the highway and can easily be missed). Don't google map "Garden of Eden", it will lead to the middle of the forest, and there is no vehicle access. The Garden of Eden is gorgeous, and feels like stepping inside a Thomas Kinkade painting. Will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Garden Of Eden - Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - This guy didn't make it to the Garden of Eden

    This guy didn't make it to the Garden of Eden

    Garden Of Eden - Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Trail

    Trail

    Garden Of Eden - Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Train tracks

    See all

    Train tracks

    West Cliff Drive - 8/23 Bronze statue

    West Cliff Drive

    4.8(172 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    This was a quick and easy way to take in the scenic coastline of Santa Cruz. You can walk, jog, or…read morebike the path that is about 3 miles long. I was running short on time so drove it, but was meticulous in stopping at each parking spot and taking in the sights. I started at Natural Bridges and went from there. I did the whole thing by car in about 30 minutes. There are small lots 10 cars or so along the way and I had no issues finding a spot at each one. Some of it has street parking as well. The coast curves delightfully and there are benches to sit and relax and at some places you can walk down to the beach itself or just sit on the rocks. Other places have steep drops and that's what makes it great! You'll also see surfers along the way.

    West Cliff Drive is a scenic route starting downtown at the pier that winds along the rugged…read morecoastline northward to the Natural Bridges Park. This beautiful path is approximately 3 miles long which can be enjoyed by walking, biking or a slow ride in one's vehicle. A good portion of the route is wheelchair accessible. It is a great route to enjoy the sights and sounds of the abundant marine life including seals and dolphins, the waters of the Pacific ocean and Monterey Bay, fantastic views of the rugged coastline, and the waters full of surfers at iconic Steamer Lane. There are a few parking spots along the way. The parking lot at the north end of West Cliff Drive can fill up quickly.

    Photos
    West Cliff Drive - Pier with multiple shops and parking. They also had a few EV chargers

    Pier with multiple shops and parking. They also had a few EV chargers

    West Cliff Drive - 8/23 Lighthouse Point with crashing waves

    8/23 Lighthouse Point with crashing waves

    West Cliff Drive

    See all

    Pogonip - parks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...