This place has lots of cool things. A historical farm with restored buildings (the first to have electricity thanks to the pelton water wheel), an old adobe hut, farm animals, many times with living history demonstrations where you can learn about the past, as well as beautiful grounds that are great for picnics (an ancient cypress tree you need to climb) and bike rides/hikes to the near ocean cliffs and secluded beaches. You can ride all the way to four mile beach on these cliffs too, with breath taking views but relatively flat and easy to ride, as long as there is no wind!!
Love the Ranch, lots to do and see any time of year, but fabulous in October when they have a Harvest Fair that include an apple tasting and sooo many heritage apples, most of which I'd never heard of, and from which I know which I want to plant in my own yard. Give me "Liberty" or give me.. well, I love Mutsu too, and Winter Gravenstein, and well, you need to pick your own.. and grow baby grow. Love it.
Hi, I absoultely love this place!! This is an amazing place to go for a hike!! One of my favorites!! Bring some water, and a camera cool pics of the view from the top!! It's like being on top of the world!! I promise you'll love it!!
This is a nice little green patch that used to be a family ranch. Luckily, some very generous people have donated this site to be used for the public's enjoyment! Thank you whomever you are! We did find the trail signs a bit confusing/lacking but to be honest we had parked out on the road and walked in so we didn't talk to the lady in the parking lot. However, our friends that met us there did park inside of the ranch and they didn't know more than we did, so I'm not sure if it makes a difference. We ended up on a few dead end trails, when we headed along the coast. However, if you follow the road inside the park to the barn and head behind it, there are several loop trails that go up the hills and lead you to wonderful panoramic ocean views. Getting lost around the ranch didn't bother us, it was beautiful! Plus you can't really get too lost, you can see the ocean so its easy to find your way back to the road!
This is a must do ! Whether you're a novice hiker or an extreme one - this place is to fall in love with ! We have always come towards the end of the day - around 3pm to avoid the major crowds or the parking dilemma. If you go early pay park inside the grounds but its limited. If you find an open spot along the hiway- park and be careful. Coming after the crowd leaves give you time to stroll, hike and admire every step you take. The coastal bluffs are so amazing and on a beautiful winter day the sunset is amazing with the light swirls from the sunset. Stop and look down the edges and you'll see the rock where all the sea birds hangout and then move on to see all the seals hangout. If you're not afraid of the dark after the sunset its just quiet and beautiful along the trail back to the parking lot. It's a marine reserve which means its protected - no fishing, explore the park and just leave your footprints behind!
We never fail to return from a visit to Wilder Ranch without feeling more peaceful and connected. Walking out to the cliffs or exploring the barns, small museum and gift shop transports us to a different world and time. Be sure to support your local parks and drive in to the park (not on the highway). It's a small price to pay for what you get in return.
Loved this place. We visited for the Fall Festival and walked the trails all over. Beautiful views and very nice trails with cleared pathways. We saw lots of birds, which is why we went. Good photo opportunities, too.
Wilder ranch is a very secluded, quite beach (at least it was the time's I went). It has stunning views and amazing landscape. My son, my wife and I enjoyed our day at the beach very much, not often you get a whole beach to yourself.
Oh, this is one of those places that I am happy the State of CA made into a State Park. Mountain bike & hiking trails everywhere, from along the coastline looking right down on the rugged coves, to high up into the hills above the coast! Just beautiful!
This is a fantastic way to experience life in old historical SantaCruz at Wilder Ranch 's open houses that bring the past alive.Great hiking paths and biking paths for the whole family