Community Corner
Patch Picks: Great Picnic Spots
Here are five places to spread your blanket or tablecloth and enjoy a leisurely picnic!
Patch Picks is a weekly feature highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more.
You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date-night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.
Picnic Spots: The sun’s shining; flowers are blooming; the grass is green. It’s time for a picnic! Whether your picnic basket is full of gourmet goodies or old-fashioned favorites, you’ll enjoy a relaxing day at one these five great Santa Cruz spots.
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Harvey West Park is a locals’ favorite. There’s plenty of room for the kids to run around, play ball and have fun on the playground equipment. The 50-acre park has hiking trails and picnic areas with barbecue pits. The park is also equipped with a restroom, drinking fountain and telephone. For large gatherings, such as family reunions, you can reserve the park’s clubhouse.
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This is a great neighborhood park located above the Yacht Harbor. There’s a large grassy field, part of which is designated for off-leash play with your pooch. Kids will love the playground, and everyone can get in a game of volleyball on the sand court. There are several picnic areas with barbecues. After your meal, take a stroll around the Yacht Harbor to take in the ocean ambience: sun, salty air, boats, seagulls and pelicans.
On the other side of Santa Cruz, Garfield Park has a lot to offer picnickers. You can work up an appetite on the basketball court. The kids will have a blast on the playground. Or bring a football or soccer ball and get a game going on the grassy field. After that, head back to the picnic table and barbecue up something tasty!
Santa Cruzans know that the beach is one of the best spots for a picnic, and Seabright Beach is a good choice. With the long stretch of sand between the Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, there’s plenty of space to spread your blankets, walk along the shoreline or toss around a Frisbee or football. Dogs are permitted as long as they’re leashed. If you’re staying for the sunset or beyond, the beach has fire rings.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Sun too hot? Head up to the cool, beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Take a hike on the 15 miles of trails and view the amazing redwoods, some as old as 1800 years! A picnic area is situated next to the San Lorenzo River, and the park has restrooms, a bookstore and a visitor center. They also offer guided tours and family programs.
