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United States

California

Santa Cruz County

Sand Point Beach Overlook – Needle Rock loop from Wilder Dairy Cultural Preserve

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

California

Santa Cruz County

Sand Point Beach Overlook – Needle Rock loop from Wilder Dairy Cultural Preserve

Moderate

4.6

(7019)

19,480

hikers

Sand Point Beach Overlook – Needle Rock loop from Wilder Dairy Cultural Preserve

02:16

8.72km

60m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 20, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Wilder Ranch State Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

329 m

Wilder Ranch

Highlight • Historical Site

Historic ranch, now a state preserve with demonstrations of old farming techniques and miles of trails popular with hikers and bikers in the hills and along the dramatic coastline. Restrooms and drinking water available here.

Tip by

1.05 km

Railroad gravel road and Old Cove Landing Trail

Highlight • Trail

An alternative to the busy Hwy 1 is to stay along the abandoned railway line. It is fairly decent smooth at the beginning, but then gets a bit courser gravel further west. But if it should get too rough there are several short bailout connections back to the highway.

Tip by

1.93 km

Sand Point Beach Overlook

Highlight • Beach

Sandy beach cove protected by tall cliffs

Tip by

2.17 km

Needle Rock, Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve

Highlight • Natural Monument

Needle Rock lies within the Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve, a protected area that conserves and restore wildlife and habitats in the ocean. Nearby are also great surfing spots. So why don't you make a break and enjoy the fantastic view of the ocean, the rock and the surfers.

Tip by

2.25 km

Needle Rock

Highlight • Natural Monument

This cool rock spire eroded out of the coastal bluffs by the Pacific Ocean waves is best visible along the Ohlone Bluffs Trail in Wilder Ranch State Park. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=549
The Marine Reserve is adjacent to the Park, essentially protecting the waters beyond the beach line.

Tip by

2.61 km

Ohlone Bluff Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Ohlone Bluff trail is the path that follows the beautiful wild coast south of Wilder Ranch State Park.

Agriculture is a pleasant surprise along this coastal path.

Tip by

2.94 km

Strawberry Beach

Highlight • Beach

Strawberry Beach is just off the side of the Ohlone Bluff Trail and usually offers a lot of solitude. This is a great spot to take in the views of the ocean. Just be careful getting down to the edge of the water!

Tip by

3.90 km

Ohlone Bluff Trail 🌊 Wilder Ranch SP

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Sweet hard-packed dirt trail meandering atop coastal cliffs with terrific beach and Pacific Ocean views. Some of the State Park land is still leased to farmers, so depending on the season there are Brussels sprouts, pumpkins and other produce available 🍈

Tip by

8.72 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.98 km

1.08 km

600 m

Surfaces

7.16 km

898 m

469 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Thursday 9 July

22°C

11°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Sand Point Beach Overlook – Needle Rock loop from Wilder Dairy Cultural Preserve

Wilder Ranch

Railroad gravel road and Old Cove Landing Trail

Sand Point Beach Overlook

Needle Rock, Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve

Needle Rock

Ohlone Bluff Trail

Strawberry Beach

Ohlone Bluff Trail 🌊 Wilder Ranch SP

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