From the Mountains to the Sea M any state parks in Santa Cruz County feature unbroken trails which begin in redwood-covered mountains and end on the rugged, windswept beaches of the Pacific Coast. The vast preserves of open spaces in Santa Cruz County are a tribute to conservation efforts that began over a century ago. Today, Santa Cruz County has an extraordinary number of state parks - 14 in all - and each offers a unique experience for visitors. natural beauty thrives in STaTE PaRKS 52 Look for paths that wind along majestic old-growth redwoods, graceful waterfalls and gorgeous vistas on the Skyline to the Sea Trail through Big Basin redWoods 2014 official santa cruz county traveler's guide state park. The unusual sandstone outcroppings at Castle roCk state park, are perfect for rock climbing. The wheelchair and stroller-accessible Redwood Grove Trail at henry CoWell redWoods state park circles around the park's oldest and largest trees. See the 100-year old avocado tree which stands just outside the last remaining original building of the santa Cruz Mission. Built in 1791, it was the 12th Franciscan mission in California. The majestic sandstone arch is rising from the sea at natural Bridges state park. The remnants of an old sawmill, and the epicenter of the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake lies in the dense redwoods of Aptos' forest of nisene Marks state park. Mountainous sand dunes up to 200 feet high have built up in front of a coastal bluff at sunset and palM state BeaChes.