The weather was perfect for my De Anza/Foothill College fieldtrip to Castle Rock State Park, in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Spectacular views in all directions, rock outcroppings ideal for climbing, shallow caves, wildflowers, and groves of oak, madrone, and Douglas fir make Castle Rock one of my favorite parks. It is also one of the Bay Area's most popular rock climbing destinations because its sandstone formations offer challenging overhangs and an impressive posture on the crest of the range.
An ideal loop begins at the parking lot on Skyline Boulevard. You can avoid paying the $8.00 parking fee by parking along Skyline instead of entering the parking lot. Combine the Ridge Trail with the Saratoga Gap Trail and then take the side trail up to Castle Rock itself, and then a short downhill to the parking lot. Don't miss Goat Rock, which is only accessible with technical rock climbing equipment on the downhill side, but is a fairly easy and safe ascent on the uphill side.
Because the trails on this route are rocky and uneven, sturdy footwear and a hiking stick are recommended.
TO GET THERE... take Skyline Boulevard about 2.5 miles south from its intersection with Highway 9 (Saratoga Gap).
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