Most people come to La Selva Beach for the sand, but the hills right behind it are just as worth exploring — and far less crowded than the beach on a warm weekend.
The Forest of Nisene Marks, about fifteen minutes away in Aptos, is the one we recommend most. It’s nearly ten thousand acres of second-growth redwood along a quiet creek, with trails ranging from a flat, stroller-friendly walk near the entrance to a longer climb up to the epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Go on a weekday morning if you want the canyon to yourself.
Closer to home, the bluff trail above Manresa State Beach is an easy twenty-minute walk with some of the best whale-watching sightlines on this stretch of coast during winter and spring migration. It’s flat, dog-friendly, and a good option on a morning when the fog hasn’t burned off the sand yet.
For something longer, Wilder Ranch State Park north of Santa Cruz has coastal bluff trails with tide pools and old ranch buildings worth exploring — plan on half a day if you want to do it properly.
Whatever you pick, mornings are cooler and clearer than afternoons on this coast, especially in summer when the marine layer burns off late. Pack layers regardless of what the forecast says.
The house has a stocked beach closet if the trail leaves you wanting the sand afterward — boards, wetsuits, and chairs are all included. Check availability and we’ll point you to the trailhead that fits your week best.
