About Quail Hollow Ranch

Directions & Map

 

Nestled deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains is this 300-acre historic horse ranch and nature preserve, home to 15 habitats and 4.5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. In the center of this tear-drop shaped valley one will find the ranch complex consisting of the visitor center with natural and cultural history dispalys housed in a historic ranch house, picnic areas, horse barns, lawn area, orchard, and parking lot, with basic amenities including bathrooms and drinking fountain.

Free walks, classes, and workshops about the natural and cultural history of the park are offered on some Sundays and occasional Friday evenings. In addition educational birthday parties, science enrichment programs, field trips, and a summer day camp are offered for a fee. The site can be rented on Saturdays for special events like weddings and horses are boarded on site using self-serve capacities with a monthly lease.  There is no fee for parking, hiking, or visiting the park.

Hours

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park is open daily from dawn to sunset. The visitor center is open, with masks required.  It's normally open Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and closed when the site is rented for a special event or when staff is out on trails or running errands.

Park Rules

  • Please remain on established trails. Sandy soils are easily eroded and sensitive species are easily trampled.
  • No dogs or other pets, motorized vehicles, or bikes on trails. Dogs marking the trails disrupt wildlife activity, and wheeled vehicles accelerate erosion on the many sandy trails.
  • Dogs are allowed in the area of the visitor center and driveway, on a leash. Keeping dogs on a leash prevents them from harassing wildlife and horses.
  • Fishing is not allowed. This protects the riparian habitat.
  • Collecting plants, animals, or minerals is prohibited. Leaving this material where you found it, will give others a chance to discover it too and will add to the health of the ecosystems.
  • Take only photos and leave only footprints. Your light touch on the land will keep it healthy so that others can enjoy it for generations to come.

 

Directions to Quail Hollow

From Santa Cruz: Take Graham Hill Road toward Felton. After passing over the railroad tracks by Roaring Camp, make a right onto E. Zayante Raod. Go approximately 2 miles and make a left onto Quail Hollow Road. Travel approximately ½ mile until the park entrance appears on the right.

From Felton: The park can be accessed 2 ways. Follow Graham Hill Road toward Santa Cruz to E. Zayante Road. Make a left and continue approximately 2 miles before making a left onto Quail Hollow Road. The park entrance will be about ½ mile up Quail Hollow Road on the right hand side.

OR

Take highway 9 toward Ben Lomond. Approximately 1.8 miles from the main light in Felton turn right at the light on Glen Arbor Road. Follow the road about ½ mile until the road makes a “Y” (just past a stop sign). Stay to the right – the Loch Lomond sign will point the way. From the “Y” travel approximately 1.3 miles on Quail Hollow Road. The park entrance will be on the left.

From Boulder Creek or Ben Lomond: Take highway 9 to Ben Lomond. At the stoplight, turn left onto Glen Arbor Road. Go approximately 1 mile and turn left twice to get onto Quail Hollow Road. (Follow the Loch Lomond signs.) Go approximately 1.3 miles and turn left at the Quail Hollow Ranch park entrance.

From Scotts Valley: Take Mt. Hermon Road until it dead-ends on Graham Hill Road. Turn left on Graham Hill toward Santa Cruz. At the first light, which is E. Zayante Road, turn left. Go approximately 2 miles and make a left onto Quail Hollow Road. Travel approximately ½ mile. The park entrance is on the right.

Quail Hollow Ranch Trail Map

 

 

Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services
979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
General Information (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Phone: (831) 454-7901PRCweb@santacruzcountyca.gov