Santa Cruz County, located on the central coast of California, is known for its stunning coastline, redwood forests, and vibrant communities. The county features a diverse landscape, including sandy beaches, rugged coastline, fertile agricultural valleys, and dense redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. As of 2020, the population was 270,861. The county seat is Santa Cruz.

Fall Creek Unit is a redwood forest with a fern-lined river canyon and remnants of a successful lime-processing industry. Fall Creek is open for day use only, and includes almost twenty miles of connecting trails. Parking and trailheads are marked on Felton Empire Road off Highway 9.

Experience the California Redwoods aboard the trains at Roaring Camp in Santa Cruz County. It takes folks through the redwoods, everyday! Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.

Loch Lomond Recreation Area offers boat rentals, picnicking, fishing, hiking, natural resources interpretive programming.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park is a 300-acre County Park hosting a visitor center (open Wed-Sun, 9AM-4PM). It is home to 15 habitats and 4.5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. The park is open for hiking and picnicking 7 days a week from dawn until dusk.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a variety of forested areas. The Zayante Indians once lived in the area, where they found a land with plentiful natural resources.