Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail

The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail is a 29-mile point-to-point route in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco, descending from the crest of the range at Castle Rock State Park to Waddell Beach on the Pacific Coast. The trail connects Castle Rock State Park near Saratoga at the northern terminus to Big Basin Redwoods State Park and the coastline at Waddell Beach. A shorter starting option begins at the Saratoga Gap parking area on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) for hikers bypassing the Castle Rock approach.

The route descends approximately 3,500 feet over its 29-mile length, passing through mixed conifer forest, old-growth coast redwood groves, and riparian canyons before reaching Waddell Creek and the ocean. Several stream crossings in the upper section can run knee-deep in winter. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, through which most of the southern portion passes, suffered catastrophic wildfire damage in the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire; trail closures and reroutes remain in effect as of 2026, and conditions should be verified with California State Parks before departing.

Access to the northern trailhead requires a vehicle at Castle Rock State Park, where a parking fee applies, or transit to Saratoga Gap. The southern terminus at Waddell Beach is reached via Highway 1 approximately 17 miles north of Santa Cruz. Shuttle services are available, or hikers can stage vehicles at both ends.

Three trail camps — Waterman Gap, Twin Redwoods, and Camp Herbert — provide overnight facilities with bear boxes, pit toilets, and creek water sources (treatment required). Camping reservations are managed through the California State Parks reservation system. Day hikers can tackle individual sections as out-and-back excursions from multiple trailheads along the route.