scenic drive / nature in June

Question

Hello!

I'll be in Santa Clara in mid-June for a concert that's on Friday and Sunday. So I have all day Saturday to kill. My preference is for nature, and I'm crowd-averse.

Can you please help me identify quiet natural settings? I see hills / nature spots that are labeled "redwood..." - it might be nice to walk through some redwoods - or are there good quiet beaches in the area? I get up early and will have a car. Google says it's about 3hr 15 min driving, which I assume will be closer to 4 hours, but that's totally fine with me.

Here's the route I've laid out as a possibility - it looks like I might need to pack a picnic. Please let me know what I should change:

1) Santa Clara hotel to San Gregorio, walk on the beach

2) San Gregorio to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, hike Fall Creek to Lime Kilns Trail

3) Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to Loch Lomond Recreation Area, rent a boat and poke around on the lake

4) Loch Lomond Recreation Area to Santa Clara hotel

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Your planned day trip from Santa Clara in mid-June looks like a lovely mix of coastal and forest scenery. The route you’ve outlined is feasible for a full day, but here’s some guidance to help optimize it and ensure a more peaceful experience, given your preference for quiet nature spots.

1) Santa Clara to San Gregorio Beach

San Gregorio is a small, often quiet beach on the San Mateo coast. Early morning is ideal to avoid crowds and enjoy peaceful ocean views. Packing a picnic is a good idea, as there are no large concessions nearby. The beach has a mix of sand and small cliffs, and tide pools can be explored at low tide.

2) San Gregorio to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

This is about a 1.5–2 hour drive, so you’ll want to start mid-morning. The Fall Creek to Lime Kilns Trail is a moderate hike and less crowded than the main Redwood Grove trails, offering a serene forest walk among towering redwoods. Remember that June mornings can be cool in the forest, so layers are useful.

3) Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to Loch Lomond Recreation Area

Driving to Loch Lomond is about 45–50 minutes. Loch Lomond is a smaller, quieter lake compared to other Bay Area recreation spots. Renting a small boat or paddle boat allows you to enjoy water views and peaceful surroundings. Mid-afternoon is usually less busy than weekends’ mornings, making your timing reasonable.

4) Loch Lomond back to Santa Clara

The drive is about 1 hour 15 minutes. Depending on timing and energy, you could also consider a brief stop in downtown Santa Cruz or a scenic overlook on the drive back, but your current plan keeps the day manageable.

Additional tips:

Start early to maximize quiet times at each location, especially the beach and redwoods.
Check trail and boat rental hours in advance; some facilities may have limited summer hours.
Consider swapping the order if you prefer to do the hike first and enjoy a relaxing beach picnic in the afternoon, as coastal temperatures rise and crowds can increase later in the day.
Pack water, snacks, and layers, as microclimates can vary significantly between coast, forest, and lake.

Optional alternative spots if you want to tweak your itinerary for more solitude:

Big Basin Redwoods State Park: larger redwood groves, less trafficked early in the day.
Pomponio State Beach: smaller, quieter alternative to San Gregorio for a peaceful beach walk.
Sanborn County Park: less known, scenic redwood hiking near Saratoga, convenient if you want to minimize long drives.

Overall, your planned route is solid for a full day of nature immersion. With an early start and mindful timing, you should be able to enjoy quiet beaches, majestic redwoods, and a serene lake experience all in one day.

scenic drive / nature in June

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