Best Kept Secrets of Santa Cruz County

Ideas for Outings from Santa Cruz County's Independent Innkeepers

 

 

 

Loch Lomond Reservoir

AWESOME IN EVERY ASPECT!  Paradise for paddlers, fishing, bird watching and hiking. Loch Lomond Reservoir is rated one of the top five lakes in  the Bay Area. Located near Ben Lomond in a Redwood canyon and framed by Coastal Redwoods, Loch Lomond provides good fishing for bass and trout. Exceptional bird watching, it is a habitat for osprey and grebes. Paddleboats, rowboats and boats with  electric motors can be rented by the hour. Facilities include restrooms, picnic areas, miles of hiking trails, snack bar and marina. Open daily from March 1st until Labor Day and then weekends only until Oct.10th.  

Suggested by
Fairview Manor B&B
 

 

 

 

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Redwoods and Ocean Views.

One of the largest state parks in Central California, The Forest of Nisene Marks has few facilities, but it is this very lack of development that makes it attractive to anyone looking for a quiet walk in the woods. Once the site of logging operations until the 1920s, visitors can still find evidence of logging operations, mill sites and trestles in the park. 

With over 30 miles of trails, hiking, jogging and biking are some of the activities to be enjoyed here. Picnic tables and barbecue pits are available. A trail camp is located six miles from the nearest parking lot.

Address:  Aptos Creek Road     Operating Hours:  Sunrise to Sunset       

831-763-7062            Aptos, CA

Suggested by

Sand Rock Farm B&B

 

 

 

 

 

Elkhorn Slough

Just 20 minutes south of Flora Vista Inn, near the harbor at Moss Landing, is one of the premier bird watching sites in the western United States. Elkhorn Slough, a meandering belt of tide flats, tidal creeks, and marshes, flows nearly seven and a half miles inland from Monterey Bay . Its 7000 acres of protected lands, the second-largest remaining salt marsh in California, supports more than 100 species of fish and more than 340 species of birds and includes five threatened or endangered species.

While it offers a wide range of fishing spots, equestrian trails, camping facilities and picnic grounds, our favorite way to see Elkhorn Slough is by kayak or canoe. Fortunately, the kayak rental shares the parking lot with one of our favorite restaurants.
From our table at Sea Harvest we watched other Elkhorn visitors coming and going on their adventure up the slough. After lunch we roamed the antique and art shops making up most of the once prominent whaling center of Moss Landing.
  
If YOU GO: - The Reserve and Visitor Center are open Wednesday - Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Volunteer interpretive guides lead nature walks every Saturday and Sunday, leaving at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. There is a special Early Bird walk the first Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. http://www.elkhornslough.org

Suggested by

Flora Vista Inn

   

Corralitos, California

Corralitos is an area located in southern  Santa Cruz County  between Aptos,  Watsonville  and the  Santa Cruz Mountains . Mention “Corralitos” to anybody from the area and the automatic response is “..Market”. That'd be the Corralitos Market & Sausage Company located at the intersections of  Hames Road  and  Corralitos Road .

That's a good place to start your exploration of the area. Get a sandwich for today, some sausage to take home and see what's going on at any of the Corralitos Wine Trail member wineries. It might be Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association Passport Weekend but even if not, they're looking forward to your visit. It's a great way to fill an afternoon.

Suggested by

Freedom Rose House B&B

 

 

 

 

Pacific Cookie Company Outlet

Everyone loves gourmet cookies and everyone loves a great deal. The Pacific cookie company outlet in the old Sash Mill complex on Potrero St. in Santa Cruz gives you both. Part of the fun is picking out cookies fresh from the ovens and watching bakers fill orders being prepared for shipping all over the world.

The check out line is strictly the honor system. Pick your cookies out and leave the right amount in the iron lock box. Just the perfect stop before heading to the beach.

Suggested by

The Adobe on Green Street B&B