Santa Cruzans can look forward to a key payoff in a long game of investment as the newest section of the rail trail rolls out soon. Here’s some nearby fun.
By Ben Lilly
Editor’s note: Exciting progress is ahead for the Rail Trail in Santa Cruz County! By Spring 2025, the Westside to Wharf segment will open, followed by the North Coast trail from Santa Cruz to Davenport in 2026. Construction for the Boardwalk to Live Oak segment and the Live Oak to Aptos stretch will begin in 2026, with the Aptos Village Loop starting in 2026/2027. The future of Rail & Trail is looking bright!
January 21, 2025—Maybe you haven’t noticed the changes yet: a new swath of paved trail veering into Neary Lagoon Park; some colorful paint and bollards along the Beach Street roundabout. But for walkers, joggers and cyclists, discovering there’s a new shortcut coming to town linking the Westside to the Wharf will be like finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning.
Welcome to Section 7, Phase 2 of the Santa Cruz County Coastal Rail Trail. To recap: Santa Cruz voters determined to put money aside to start buying the land for this project way back in 1990. The Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission purchased the Santa Cruz Branch Line from the Union Pacific Railway in 2012, and a large section of the trail, from Natural Bridges to Bay Street, opened in 2020.
The Rail Trail initiative was always unique in that it didn’t just envision replacing rail infrastructure – its dream was to create a path alongside reborn train tracks that will host a passenger train line linking Watsonville to Santa Cruz. In 2022, Santa Cruz voters roundly rejected a ballot initiative which would have excised all mention of a working train from the Rail Trail project plans. While train service will take around 10 years to get up and running, construction of the trail sections has picked up speed, with environmental review & planning completed in 2024 for 2026 construction of sections stretching from the Wharf all the way through Capitola to Rio del Mar in Aptos.
There’s plenty to celebrate about the new section opening soon. Kids will be able to use the trail to bike and walk safely from the West Side to the Boardwalk and Downtown. And from a new bocce ball court suspended above the waves to the 100-year old iconic Giant Dipper, there’s plenty going on to remind us that the Santa Cruz Wharf isn’t just for tourists. Here’s our guide to our favorite iconic destinations that you’ll be able to roll up to via the Rail Trail.
Neary Lagoon Park
What’s new: You can stay on your bike and skirt the edge of the reedy, mangrove-like woods that crouch in the lagoon, spotting some of the many birds perched in the thickets. What’s not new is the network of boardwalks that meander through the lagoon; they are still closed to bikes.
What we love: Water, water everywhere… there’s no other place in often-dry Santa Cruz quite like this pocket ecosystem.
Did you know? That there’s a quirky little miniature of the West Cliff Lighthouse along the park’s Chestnut Street exit?
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
What we love: For such a gorgeous set of maps, models and exhibits, you can’t beat the price (always free).
Did you know? That the Exploration Center was built to stringent environmental-friendly design requirements, from making sure 20 percent of all building materials came from Santa Cruz County to including the shady overhanging roof that cools the building naturally?
Las Palmas Taco Bar
What’s new: Nothing. The recipes haven’t changed in decades… just how we like it.
What we love: The #18 pork chile verde with eggs combo.
Did you know? Las Palmas’ first incarnation, opened in 1955, was located on the Old Alameda in San Jose. It wasn’t in 1975 that the Mendez family made the move over the hill, bringing their tacos and chile relleno burritos with them… and we’re glad they did.
Jack O’Neill’s Restaurant & Lounge at the Dream Inn
What’s new: O’Neill’s hosts live music most weekend nights–check out the online schedule!
What we love: The food is elegant and the view cannot be beat.
Did you know? That Jack O’Neill, founder of the O’Neill’s surf brand, invented the neoprene wetsuit while living in Santa Cruz? Of course you did. If not, the SCPD is already on their way to take away your local card, ya kook.
Stagnaro’s on the Wharf
What’s New: Stagnaro’s now features a bocce ball court. Yes, out on the wharf. Control your strength, lest the pellino end up in Davy Jones’ locker.
What we love: the fact that this iconic restaurant still has a fish market where you can purchase today’s local catch for tonight’s fish tacos on the grill.
Did you know? That in order to open Stagnaro’s in 1937, Giovanni Stagnaro took a loan from his mother? Mamma mia.
The Boardwalk’s Giant Dipper
What’s New & Old: The Giant Dipper roller coaster turned 100 last May!
What we love: What’s not to love about the West Coast’s oldest wooden roller coaster?
Did you know? That the Giant Dipper remained fully intact during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake? Not even San Francisco’s Bay Bridge can say as much. Remember that if you ever have doubts about the safety of a 100-year-old amusement park ride!
Pedal on over to the Friends of the Rail & Trail website for more information.
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