Santa Cruz County Cycling - Rail Trail

 

The Santa Cruz Coastal Rail Trail is a massive 32-mile multi-use path project currently being built in stages along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line corridor. Stretching from Davenport to Watsonville. As of early 2026, we explored the segment between Davenport and Wilder Ranch.

North Coast (Davenport to Wilder Ranch)

  • Status: Under Construction, can't go further north beyond Scaroni Rd.

  • Details: This 7.5-mile stretch (Segment 5) began construction in mid-2024. . It includes paved paths, new parking lots, and restrooms near Davenport and Panther/Yellowbank Beach. Most of this section is expected to be completed by late 2026.

Four Mile Beach

Farmland

Farmer's Market in Sanat Cruz

Our Bikes



Santa Cruz Westside & Boardwalk

  • Segment 7 (Natural Bridges to California St): Completed. This 2.1-mile section is fully open and heavily used by locals for commuting and recreation.

  • San Lorenzo River Trestle: Completed.    The cantilevered pedestrian/bike bridge next to the rail trestle opened in 2019, providing a critical link between the Boardwalk and the Seabright neighborhood.

Mid-County (Live Oak, Capitola, & Aptos)

  • Segments 8 & 9 (Boardwalk to 17th Ave): Construction on these segments is ongoing/imminent, with completion targets ranging through 2025–2026.

  • Segments 10 & 11 (17th Ave to State Park Dr): These segments received record-breaking grant funding ($67.6M) and are currently in the final design and right-of-way phases. Construction is slated to begin in 2027.

  • Segment 12 (Aptos Village): Pending final funding, construction could begin as early as late 2026.

Watsonville

  • Segment 18: Completed. The first phase (Ohlone Parkway to Walker St) is finished, connecting downtown Watsonville to the wetland trail network.

The "Rail & Trail" Debate

The project remains a point of local discussion regarding whether the corridor should feature both a train and a trail or just a trail.

  • Current Direction: The county is moving forward with the "Ultimate Trail Configuration," which preserves the rail tracks for future zero-emission passenger rail service while building the trail alongside them.

  • Future Rail: The Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) project is currently in the conceptual design phase, aiming to eventually connect Santa Cruz to the state rail network at Pajaro.

Although the Westside Segment (Natural Bridges to near the Boardwalk) is the best finished section to experience the "rail-trail" feel, it is kind of short. The North Coast Segment offers a flat, paved, and car-free route for a good exercise and view.

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