This is one of my favorite locations in Santa Cruz! It’s part of the San Lorenzo River, and it is absolutely beautiful. You can drive into Santa Cruz and then take highway 9 to get to the location. If you want to avoid the actual Garden of Eden, where a lot of people congregate, you can find other spots among the river. We found a spot to go down to the river that was a little more secluded. We usually find a spot to park on the side of Highway 9, and we hike down onto the railroad tracks. Once you are on the railroad tracks you can walk towards Garden of Eden; eventually you will find spots that lead you down to the river. Most areas you can tell people have gone down before, because there are clear dirt paths leading down to the water. If you are not comfortable veering off the beaten path, just follow the railroad tracks until you see the sign for Garden of Eden. Honestly anywhere next to the river is a perfect place to hangout with friends and escape reality. The trails are not that hard either if you would like to bring your furry pal with you on your adventure. Let me know how this experience was for you by commenting below!
