If you want to go

What: Wilder Ranch State Park, named after historic dairy ranch, 7,000 acres, spans from coastal headlands to foothills. Location: A short distance west of Santa Cruz city limits. Cost: $10 for access, parking. Dogs: No dogs permitted in park. Facilities: Restrooms, picnic sites, interpretive center and park store Contacts: Wilder Ranch State Park, (831) 423-9703, www.parks.ca.gov; Wilder Ranch Interpretive Center, (831) 426-0505; Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, www.thatsmypark.org. Guided hike: A guided nature hike is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday to explore the plants, wildlife and geology at Wilder Ranch State Park near Santa Cruz. The route is 6 miles, includes a few steep stretches. Meeting at the Wilder Ranch Interpretive Center. Bring trail snack, water. Information: (831) 425-5849. HOW TO GET THERE GPS: 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz

From San Francisco:

Take I-280 South to Daly City and the exit for Highway 1/Pacifica on right. Bear right at that exit and drive 20 miles south, through Pacifica, past Devil’s Slide and into Half Moon Bay. Continue south on Highway 1 and (set your odometer when you pass Poplar Street) and drive 44 miles to Coast Road (signed for Wilder Ranch State Park). Turn right and drive a half-mile to parking. Note: When driving south on Highway 1, if you reach Western Drive, you have gone 1.8 miles too far south.

From the Peninsula/East Bay:

Take U.S. 101 south to the exit for Highway 85 South. Take that exit and drive south on 85 for 11 miles to Exit 11A for Highway 17 South/Santa Cruz. Take that exit and merge onto Highway 17 South and drive 22 miles to Santa Cruz and continue 1.2 miles to Highway 1 North. Bear right on Highway 1 North and drive 3.8 miles (1.8 miles past the stoplight at Western Drive) to Coast Road. Turn left and go a half-mile to parking.

Distance (fastest routes):

45 miles from Half Moon Bay, 45 miles from Palo Alto, 73 miles from downtown San Francisco, 80 miles from Walnut Creek, 85 miles from Sausalito, 150 miles from Sacramento.