The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
State Park · Aptos, California
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park lies in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Aptos, a short drive inland from the beaches of Monterey Bay. It is a large second-growth redwood forest: the area was heavily logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the trees, ferns and creeks have grown back into a dense, quiet canopy with old stumps still scattered among the new trunks. The epicentre of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake was inside the park, and a trail and marker lead to the spot (confirm the route and the sign). Aptos Creek Road is a long dirt road that walkers and cyclists share, and much of the park feels closed to cars (confirm which gates and sections are open). Banana slugs, ticks, poison oak and muddy winter trails come with the place. It suits hikers and mountain bikers who want a wilderness feel near the coast, and it disappoints anyone hoping for ocean views, a visitor centre or a short paved stroll.
Aptos Creek Rd, Aptos, California, 95003, United States
California State Parks has generally listed Nisene Marks as open daily from about sunrise to sunset, with the entrance road gated outside those hours - confirm the posted times, because the gate is locked on a schedule and a car left inside can be stuck overnight. A day-use fee is usually collected at the entrance kiosk or by a self-pay station, and staffing is limited, so do not count on a ranger being present. Parts of the park can close after winter storms, slides or fire danger, and the dirt road can be muddy or impassable to ordinary cars in wet weather. Cell service is poor, so check the park's current alerts before you drive up, and plan to be back at your car well before dusk.
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