FEATURE ARTICLE

 
WILDER RANCH STATE RESERVE
By Gene Raffanti

 
About Wilder Ranch

  PHOTO BY GENE RAFFANTI
Wilder Ranch is located about 4 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1 and is a State Reserve (and State Park). Wilder Beach was designated a reserve to protect the nesting sites of the Snowy Plover. On the beach side of Highway 1 you will see a sign for parking. You may park in the lot for a small fee, however, many people park on Highway One and walk or ride bikes into the reserve. We recommend paying the fee for the additional security, plus it helps support our State Parks system.

PHOTO BY STAN DELK  

Wilder is a fun family hike not only because of the beautiful ocean views but also because this area was a working ranch for over 100 years and the Victorian style ranch house, barns, and other outbuildings have been preserved for the education and enjoyment of visitors. Kids enjoy walking around the ranch feeding and petting many of the animals. There is a visitor center where local animal life is displayed, points of interest are highlighted, and books of local interest are offered for sale.

The Hike

Old landing Cove Trail (2 miles round trip) to Fern Grotto Beach

The trail leads beachward from the parking lot along an old unpaved farm road. Follow the bluff to Wilder Beach and then turn south to Fern Grotto Beach. This beach is so named because of the ferns growing on the moist beach cliffs walls and in the caves. Its a good place to stop and rest and also an excellent picnic site. This beach was used many years ago for loading lumber onto schooners that anchored off shore on calm days. The lumber was used in most part for building the city of San Francisco.