Where to run in Santa Cruz, CA?

Triathlon Forum
1

I just moved to the Santa Cruz area (Capitola actually) and don’t know where to run. I could just head out the door and see where my feet take me but that would be a little too random.

So, do you know any great trails or loops in the area?

2

Running along West Cliff Street is great. Paved path Parallels the ocean from SC Boardwalk until Natural Bridges SP (part of the Sentinel Triathlon).

There’s an awesome trail loop just south of UCSC. I forget the name of the trail, but should be easy to locate. Just right before the entrance of the university on Bay Street.

Of course, you can run the beach at Seacliff State park. Sandman triathlon starts at the Cement Boat and runs north on the beach.

http://www.mbosc.org/ has some good trail maps they use for mountain biking.

Oh, i forgot http://www.pacifictrailruns.com/

What did you move to Capitola for?

Chris

3

What did you move to Capitola for?

Mostly to be near the beach. Capitola has great vibe. Being a vacation spot, people come here to enjoy themselves and that makes for a great place to live. I’m actually moving back to Capitola after having been away for a couple of years. What’s sad is that when I lived here last, I never took advantage of the what the place has to offer in terms of sport/recreation/training. Now I have a 2nd chance.

4

All I can say is that I’m jealous. I actually live in the Central Valley but head over to Gilroy alot to visit my sis. I love to hang out at the Capitola Beach and hit downtown Santa Cruz. There’s a coffee shop at the end of the street where this guy has been playing the blues for years.

Most of my tris are in this area, Monterey Bay Challenge, Sandman, Sentinel. All great. Kayaking down in Monterey is nice, too.

Enjoy being back.

Chris

5

cvillatri’ s loop south of ucsc is in Pogonip. You can run there from parking at the bottom ucsc parking lot (that would get you to the upper part of Pogonip) or you can find the entrance on Golf drive, off River Street (Pogonip lower entrance).

Much closer to you, I would recommend Nisene Marks in Aptos.

6

I second Nisene Marks in Aptos…