San Lorenzo Riverwalk 2016-02-05

There is a four mile trail running on either side of San Lorenzo river before it empties into Monterey Bay right by Santa Cruz boardwalk. The trail can be accessed from several points. We had parked in Dakota Ave (between Ocean St and Soquel Ave) in Santa Cruz. Street side parking is metered, do carry some quarters with you.

Apollo and I started our walk heading north from San Lorenzo park. Do keep in mind that dogs are not allowed inside this park as well as in the "disc golf course" on the other side of the trail. In this direction, the trail goes until Hwy 1, going by an underpass at Water St.

Crossing the river by a foot bridge, we turned south at Hwy 1, walking by the west side of the river. In this stretch, the river is actually more like a creek and didn't have much water in it. For fitness enthusiasts, there is an outdoor exercise area here.

The nicely paved blacktop trail continues all the way to Santa Cruz boardwalk crossing Water St, Soquel Ave, Laurel St and Riverside St before ending in a small beach. After crossing Soquel Ave, the river suddenly widens and is flush with water all the way. I suspect it is sea water making inroads at high tide.

The walk is unmistakably a classic Santa Cruz experience. I met several folks along the way, some smoking not necessarily cigarettes, others drinking what I can only hope was beer, still others passed out at the underpasses... All this at around 9 am! We also got to see a pair of Pelagic Cormorants grooming themselves near the Riverside St underpass.

We crossed the river yet again to the east side at the boardwalk, this time by a bridge that is alongside a rail road. The beach may be small, but it certainly had character with the boardwalk, railroad bridge and homes right by the cliff overlooking the ocean.

For a brief while, the east side trail shares the sidewalk on E Cliff Dr. Otherwise, the scenery is much the same as you cross Riverside St, Laurel St and Soquel Ave to reach San Lorenzo Park by Dakota St. 

All in all, this is an easy and enjoyable 4.2 mile loop set on the levees of San Lorenzo river. As you walk this trail, you will have opportunities to slip out of the trail to enjoy a coffee or beer or lunch in the liberal city of Santa Cruz.

More pictures from our walk.
#Hiking #HikingWithDogs #SanLorenzoRiverWalk #SantaCruzRiverWalk