Oddball Day Trip in Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Mountains is not the direction most people think of while visiting this eccentric coastal town in California. Visitors flock to its famous Boardwalk to chill on the beach, soaking in the scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes it is forgotten that Santa Cruz also borders Big Basin and Henry Cowell Redwood State Parks. Two of the largest in the state! And, of course, the Pogonip Open Space where our Sunday trip started.

Pogonip Open Space

Our neighbor and former long-time Santa Cruz resident recommended checking out the old lime kilns and the rock garden in Pogonip. Now we understand why. 

After chatting with a couple of students from the University of California, Santa Cruz (Pogonip borders the UCSC campus), we were informed of a place to park close to the Rincon Trail Head near McLaughlin Drive. Almost immediately, we felt as though time was standing still.

The towering redwoods, fern-covered hillsides, and remnants of pathways, once used for timber and lime-mining from days long lost. The only sound to be heard was the tranquil sound of singing birds and the wind blowing through the branches above. 

About a five-minute walk down the trail, we ran into ruins of old lime kilns. This largest kiln site is maintained for viewing with an informative placard displayed in front of it. Keep an eye out for the scattered ruins of kilns hidden beneath ferns, moss, and ivy all along the trail.

You’ll notice a marker of the Lime Kiln Trail right after the kiln site and the start of a path going above it. The location of a Fairy Rock Garden! It’s not the official name, but it was the first thing that popped into our heads.

Stepping farther into the natural alcove in the hillside, we both gasped at the sight of hundreds of vertically stacked rocks.

Some had small hand-written notes, prayers, and wishes tucked in between the stones. Trying not to disturb any of them, we carefully navigated around the narrow pathways to a vacant spot to build our stack to mark our visit. 

Turning back, we waved hello to a woman with her grandkid who showed us a turnout to the Koi Pond, just a few feet away at the beginning of the Spring Box Trail.

In the small opening, shadowed by a giant redwood tree (one of the four oldest in Pogonip, spared from being cut to lumber), we heard the bubbling brook. Following it for a few steps, we discovered the serene Koi Pond with quite a few fishes swimming around.

Rumor has it: the Pogonip Koi Pond started with Santa Cruz residents bringing their koi and goldfish to it, who strive there. We aren’t sure if it’s true, but this spot is perfect for a meditation session or just relaxing on a bench near it. 

TIPS FROM THE LOCALS: There is no onsite parking, be sure to check the parking suggestions here. There are also no amenities in Pogonip. So, use the restroom before you leave, bring enough water, and watch for wildlife.

Here is a good Pogonip Trails map. You might want to keep it handy. 

Lunch

After our drive to Santa Cruz and a hike in Pogonip, we were hungry for some quick-n-easy lunch before continuing our adventures in Santa Cruz Mountains. The downtown is just a ten-minute car ride away. A traveler will find a variety of restaurants and cafes there, for every taste preference and budget.

Sometimes we plan to visit a particular restaurant while traveling and sometimes not. This time our lack of planning worked for us!

Beach Hut Deli

Our first time in Beach Hut Deli, a franchise chain rooted in a small town in Northern California (locations in California, Oregon, and Nevada), was a blast. Chill vibe of a hut on the beach with surfboards for the tables, a good selection of beer on tap, and mouthwatering sandwiches. This brand-new Santa Cruz location is owned by a lovely couple, with a friendly staff upfront and some excellent cooks in the back. 

We went for two hot sandwiches: The Sunburn (chicken) and Malibu (chopped pastrami), YUMMY!!!. Beach Hut Deli has a lovely outdoor patio as well, but we were under time constraints to get to the Mystery Spot for the tour. So we scarfed down our gourmet sandwiches in the car and headed for the hills.

The Mystery Spot

This whole day trip started with the idea of going back to the Mystery Spot since we haven’t been there in several years. It’s always fun to play tourist at home, and if you are in the Santa Cruz area – don’t miss the Mystery Spot. One of our oddball, wildly entertaining local attractions since 1939 is definitely worth visiting!

The first thing you’ll probably notice upon arrival is that your cell phone loses service. There is a peculiar quietness, eerie stillness in the air, and all you hear are other visitors clambering about. Birds and even planes avoid flying over the area due to magnetic disturbances.

Welcome to Santa Cruz’s famous anomaly zone, where compasses go crazy, trees grow at weird angles, and a dilapidated cabin in the woods defies the laws of physics! 

Your guide begins the tour with some fascinating history of the origins of this spot and friendly banter with the guests, followed by some mind-boggling demonstrations of optical illusions. A short climb up the path and you arrive at the cabin. 

Here is where things get weird! Right from the start, you feel off-balance and get the sensation of being pulled downward and sideways.

After a few more demonstrations, you enter the cabin to explore and experiment on your own. This is an attraction you must experience in person! The tickets are $8.00. Parking is $5.00 per car. The Mystery Spot is open every day of the week, check their website for advance reservations.

Bigfoot Discovery Museum

The Mystery Spot may be one of Santa Cruz’s most puzzling secrets, but legend has it, stranger and even more mysterious things lurk beneath the canopy of redwoods. Though considered a myth, the Pacific Bigfoot roams the Santa Cruz mountains and surrounding areas, with over 150 recorded sightings. Some even say they’ve been spotted right here, in these forests, where we just were…! 

These elusive creatures are known around the world, not just in the Santa Cruz Mountains and up the coast. Native American Tribes call it Sasquatch, Nepal and other countries in Asia have their Yeti, while Indonesian legends speak of Orang Pendek, and Australia has the Yowie. So, Santa Cruz doesn’t claim this Bigfoot myth as their own, but it sure adds to the city’s unique vibe.

Just a few miles off Hwy 17, traveling north on Hwy 9, there is the cozy mountain town of Felton. In a small unassuming house along the side of the road is the Bigfoot Discovery Museum. Skeptically approaching the front door, we had no idea what to expect. Once inside, we were instantly engulfed in Bigfoot memorabilia, TV’s playing videos, glass cases filled with figurines and photos, and walls covered in newspaper clippings and books. 

And to the back of the museum is where we found the owner Michael Rugg, captivating visitors with his stories. Michael, a local Stanford grad, has been displaying his collection since the early 2000s and has a vast knowledge of the Bigfoot phenomenon. You can’t miss him: he kind of looks like George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones author).

We gazed about the Big Foot Discovery Museum and closely examined the display cases for about half an hour. It was a lot of fun, surprisingly educational, and a great addition to our outing in the Santa Cruz Mountains! 

We are already planning another weekend hiking in Santa Cruz Mountains! Hope you’ll get to hit these trails soon too!

For more local adventures in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out our posts about Fun Things to Do on Pacific Coast Highway near SF Bay Area, Baylands Nature Preserve: Outdoor Adventures in San Francisco Bay Area, and Alum Rock Park: Outdoor Adventures in San Francisco Bay Area

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