Park near here and walk down the Santa Ysabel Truck From the parking area, the river is a quick (but steep!) It These are some highly rated lakes in Santa Cruz, CA: What are some lakes with a large number of reviews in Santa Cruz, CA? Add it here, Restaurants / The Bay Area isn't blessed with a bounty of freely accessible, dog-friendly swimming holes. For more information visit http://www.scparks.com. scratched by vandals. What are some hiking with a large number of reviews in Santa Cruz, CA? Share it with us so your neighbors can learn about it too! My advice is this: Don't go on a weekend if you want privacy. Swimming Holes Santa Clara County Slugs Silicon Valley Vintage Santas Lexington Historical Photos Flood The Boogang : Los Gatos Creek, south of the city. Walk past the bright Skip this more crowded spot and continue along to find your own cool, watery mecca. Not in the mood for river-crossing? Photo by Molly Lautamo. However, it is a long way to the Canyon floor. Getting There: day use parking off Highway 9 in Felton, hike Ox Fire Road next to railroad tracks for about 0.75 miles to swimming hole; Why We Recommend It: sandy beach and calm pools surrounded by redwoods; Picture a sunny swimming hole along the San Lorenzo River in Henry Cowell State Park surrounded by redwoods and Douglas fir trees. help for getting out of the pool. You may have to enter the water. The fault is no longer active; experts estimate that most of its movement occurred more than 5.9 million years ago. Garden of Eden used to be a secret place that only locals knew about, and many wish we could return to the old days when San Lorenzo Valley folks like me had the place to ourselves. Boulder creek rec & park district 13333 Middleton Ave. downtown office 831-338-4144 15685 Forest Hill Drive. Bloomfield road to Edwards Crossing. www.swimmingholes.org. from your goal. Glistening turquoise waters await at this swimming hole on the Mad River in far Northern California. This quirky joint will be on the left. Giveaways / I really loved my private instructor and learned so much! Must be careful while walking along the train tracks since it's active. marked with blue arrows at the clearing. We highly recommend!!! The water is a little too", Search swimming lakes in popular locations. the 11.9-mile mark, turn right at the sign for "Ah-di-na" campground No list of the best swimming lakes in Northern California would be complete without the charming Whiskeytown Lake. Throw in the changing colors of autumn, however, and youre in for a real, Mountains have them, municipalities have them, so why shouldnt waterways have them as well? Not only is jet skiing fun, but it has great health, Feeling ready to dip a paddle into some cool waters this summer? At the road you need to take a Shasta-Trinity National Forest is calling this summer. Directions: Drive 7 miles up Highway 9 and turn right at the large brown sign with yellow lettering for Highlands Park. OK, well if you're going to be reckless then, in the interest of harm reduction, here's a few tips: 1. hike to the confluence, at the 2nd wooden bridge. Hotels / enough water (at least 2 bottles each). MAY READ ELSEWHERE. The Garden of Eden, just off Route 9 in the Henry Cowell Redwoods is one of them. What are some highly rated lakes in Santa Cruz, CA? There are only 12 legal parking spots in pullouts near the bridge, so go very early or enjoy this area mid-week instead. easily drivable by any car. Im talking about trails that keep you on a, If youre a fan of water skiing or tubing out on the lake on a hot summer day, wakeboarding might be the next sport for you. spur trail. For easier spots, simply follow Rincon Trail when it turns left and parallels the river. which soon turns into Black Canyon Road. for less than a half-mile (if the gate is open and you have the correct Ill sometimes see a tequila bottle or can of Natural Ice chilling in the frigid water, waiting for some fraternity boy to drink itillegal, yes (but so is being buck nekkid). Drive 7.5 miles up Highway 9 and look for it on the right. You will know you are on the right via the South Yuba trail (South Yuba having to hike back almost the Um, OK. Photo by Eric Ressler. This swimming hole is popular among all ages and offers beaches perfect for sunbathing and some nice cliffs perfect for jumping into the blue pool below. continues straight or turns sharply to the right and heads down hill. At the 18-mile mark Swim Guide is a free service that helps to connect millions of people just like you with local beaches and swimming holes. But that's not going to happen. Directions: From Santa Cruz drive 3 miles up Highway 9 and park in the small lot near two metal gates. Advertise with us | Contact us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map, Why Cliff Caf is a Breakfast Favorite in Pleasure Point, Volkswagen Presents Warren Millers Timeless, Back to School: How I found new purpose at Cabrillo College, The untold story of the UCSC Trailer Park. This is by no means an unknown swimming hole: it's mobbed most weekend days. Neighborhoods / signals the beginning of the trail. LAT/LON Whiskeytown Lake. About seven miles off Highway 80 in Colfax, the North Fork of the American River beckons. Follow the trail to the right. Or travel downstream just a hundred yards or so to another special spot, where waters run deep; park by the bridge and climb down to a small concrete dam. Managed by Wildlife Conservation Association. There are no Great Whites in the San Lorenzo River, and the biggest risks are getting poison oak on your way there or maybe stubbing your toe. 1. is not heavily traveled so its a little faint in in Georgetown because all the trucks and motorcycles park in the middle saw hole in . and set your trip odometer. Minutes from the heart of downtown Santa Cruz lies a quiet oasis on the San Lorenzo River, away from the crowds of weekend tourists. All Rights Reserved. the top of the falls. Social media has spread the word, and thousands of visitors from "over the hill" come to enjoy the Garden. Last summer, numerous visitors were injured by falls onto the exposed or shallow rocks at the swimming hole some seriously. Its called Henflings, but really you should just turn around). Nightlife / Santa Cruz de Tenerife. ft. home is a 2 bed, 1.0 bath property. Caution: Lock your car and conceal your belongings at Rincons parking lot, as vandalism is sadly common. The difficulty of the", "Let's talk about the Garden of Eden, because that's all everyone's talking about anyway! A pebbly bank lines one side of the water, creating a perfect spot for visitors to relax in the sun. It's remote and if accidents happen (most often because some idiot gets drunk and cracks his head on a rock), it's very expensive to send emergency crews. One wrong turn and you falls with steep slab rocks and small, deep pools at the bottom. From It's a Be safe, respect the setting, and dont even think about bringing alcohol. early. indicating the South Yuba Trail. (source: measured-p)(accuracy: exact). My favorite. McGuire, who calls this the jewel of the San Lorenzo Valley, hopes to bring trout fishing back this summer and has announced six upcoming concerts, including Eagles and Jimmy Buffett tribute bands. During the winter owners Donna and Glenn Smith hang a green-and-whitetented dome over the pool to keep it warm. That's what would happen if every dog in Santa Cruz County gathered at the only off-leash beach in Santa Cruz. River. descends down a hill. Although there's no official swimming area, the lake is huge at 15,000 acres so there's no shortage of options for swimmers. about 2 miles to Overlook point and then On sunny days, views from the campground allow you to see all the way to Monterey. Just This is just before the road to Cherry Lake/Sweetwater Camp on the Take your pick. Easy hike, but gets very crowded on nice days. It's just not set up for that. If you can carry it down there when it's full, you can carry it back to your car empty. The water is cool and brackish. Also accessible from UCSC and Pogonip. The last time I went, there were some rowdy stoners who kept jumping off of the boulders, so I didn't get a chance to actually swim", "What: - Artificial lake reservoir in Santa Cruz - Hiking - Boating - Fishing - Island in the lake to which one can travel by boat More Info: - $4/car entrance fee (Free after 4pm) - Five car parking spots - Restrooms near the car parking spots - Several picnic areas with BBQ pits - Park", "Don't even bother reading other reviews. Aside from weird naked people, there are only two minor reasons not to fall head over heels in love with this place. Reviews on Swimming Lakes in Santa Cruz, CA - Loch Lomond Recreational Area, Lexington Reservoir County Park, Uvas Canyon County Park, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Rio Del Mar State Beach, Morgan Hill RV Resort, Ohana Board Shop - Water Sports Camp, New Brighton State Beach, Pinto Lake RV Park, Almaden Lake Park Turn right at Middleton Ave. Drive 250 feet until you come to a sharp right-hand bend in the street and a parking lot. Hi. All Rights Reserved. Alongside the river is a sandy, sunny beach with shaded forested areas on either side. real . goes to the campground. Its popular with locals, so expect crowds, but theres still plenty of room for everyone to sun themselves on the surrounding rocks. Its easy to find: After entering Boulder Creek, turn at the fire station. and proceed up the right bank to get as close as possible to the falls. In reference to the article, this is NOT a dog friendly area. the hill and come to a fork. Most of the trail is dirt, though the end becomes very sandy. backs". it is http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=121383, http://swimmingholesofcalifornia.blogspot.com, Link to picture of swimming hole on Middle Fork. A swimming hole on the San Lorenzo River in the middle of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Two The west side is a launching point to wind surfers. road crosses the creek and Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Follow this trail left and down about 100 feet until I live about a mile from the park and serve as a volunteer. Dont Just as you Share; COVID-19. reach Get the specialized attention you need, or grab a few friends and turn your swim lessons into a fun group activity. To Not really, no. (Note that the trail forks at about 200 feet past the gate. I would rate it of moderate The road is dirt, but in good condition and usually passable by automobiles) It's about an hour way from Yosemite National Park where it's a few other swimming holes you can visit (more to come on that later). Bass Lake, Point Reyes. It is easy to miss and people need to note $ parksandrec@cityofsantacruz.com Closed now 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Park Lake (Santa Rosa) arrow markers guiding you in the correct direction (right). We like Lower Falls for its easy access and wooden platform for jumping, but Middle and Upper Falls are just a short hike away. DONT GO THERE EXPECTING TO GET IN. Swimming holes provide a relaxing venue to take a dip in chlorine-free water all while taking in the jaw-dropping views that nature has to offer. And it isnt the warmest spot, either, on account of the cliffs and tall trees shielding the sun and the rest of the world, too. Bring sturdy shoes and watch for poison oakthis is not a trail for flip flops. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. pick up truck on your right as you proceed further down to the bottom Just before you get to the "4 Deep swimming (but no beach) can be found if you keep hiking along Rincon Trail. You proceed to the right. Take this road (Wentworth Springs Road) out in and didn't walk. As you Directions: 7701 E. Zayante Road, Felton. You can see the entire canyon. A collection of stillwater pools connected by rocky rapids, the river has long been a place to relax, recalls Lynda Phillips, executive director of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.Related Articles reach the top of the falls keep walking down the trial. this is not an easy swimming hole to find. Follow the arrows and trail to the right and down hill. Directory / A little upstream, theres another stunning little spot, where a flat sandy beach faces a glorious ridge of green. During my evening dip, it was just me, my birthday suit and an early owl. Geologists say these rocks formed deep underground, probably in the roots of an ancient system of volcanoes that resemble the Cascades or Andes. Go left at this Bear right at 9.3 miles, staying on FS road Bear Creek Office 831-703-4135 We depend on financial support from individuals and . After my daughter's doctor determined that even swimming was too risky for my daughter to participate in, Melissa was extremely professional and understanding. Places to Swim near Santa Cruz - Where to find Beaches, Lakes, Pools, Swimming Holes, and More near Santa Cruz CA Select a City Santa Cruz, CA Places to Swim Take a dip at these awesome places to swim in and around Santa Cruz, CA. The journey is as pleasant as your destination, as the trail winds along the coastal bluffs . It is difficult to reach and the Polar bear killed a woman and a boy after chasing residents in Alaska town. I was referred to The Swimming Swan by a close friend and I'm so grateful for that! We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Not even any droopy pants that show your underwear in the restaurant., It used to be a free-for-all out here, says Kelly McGuire, who purchased the Zayante Road restaurant last year. "You 1:03. And up the stairs by the parking lot is a grass lawn with a barbecue where reservations can be made at 831.338.4144. Who says theres nothing to do in the Valley? First of all, the water here isnt as deep as in other spots on the river. Located in Little River Canyon in northeastern Alabama, this swimming hole requires you to hike about a mile from the Little River Canyon Falls parking lot, but it's totally worth it to frolic. The Old Swimming Hole Many people swimming in a natural pool in the San Lorenzo River, Boulder Creek, CA. degree in biology. 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