Last Tuesday was a short work day so instead of waiting three hours for the next bus I decided to ride along the newly paved bicycle path that starts in Davenport and goes south 11 miles/17.6 km to Santa Cruz. It runs alongside an old unused railroad track and sits between Highway 1 and the coast. I rode the path once before on an overcast day but the bright sunshine made this ride more enjoyable.
point of my ride. The gray tower in the background is the site
of an old cement plant.
The pavement doesn’t quite reach Davenport yet so I had to bike along Hwy 1 for about a couple hundred yards until I came to a turnout that had a short trail that led to the beginning of the pavement. Once on the asphalt my journey began. Most of the land on the coast is on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean but there are also lots of coves and inlets with hidden beaches and narrow, out flowing streams.
One of the best features of this section of the coast is how uncrowded it is. Most of the beach goers go to Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, and other more populated parts of the county which leaves this area more open. Plus the waves are usually flat here so surfers tend to avoid it.
The new path is mostly done but there is still work to be done.
But at least most of the path is ridable so that bicyclists and and pedestrians can enjoy the coast.
water is apparent in this picture.
Santa Cruz.
distance before reaching Santa Cruz.
After 45 minutes of riding and taking pictures I reached Wilder Ranch at the very west end of Santa Cruz, and after 10 to 15 minutes I made it back into the city. Living and working near so much natural beauty is a blessing for which I’m very grateful. I’ve been planning to leave here for the North Bay Area (though that won’t be happening for a while), but as long as I’m in the Santa Cruz area I’m going to savor every moment while I’m here.
©2026 Robert Kirkendall
Robert Kirkendall 
Beautiful part of the coast to Bicycle.
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