산타크루즈 산맥‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪20‬개의 천연기념물

This is a coastal redwood, not a Sequoia redwood which is a different species found inland.

A fun, pretty place to stop while riding Cañada road. I has water and an air pump and bathrooms. Take a photo with friends.

The hike from Razorback Ridge trailhead to the Windyhill summit is mostly through shaded sections. Sections of it kept cool from the fog rolling in from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The final section, Anniversary Trail is out in the open but has nice views of the bay.

Also known as "fairy rings", Cathedral trees are found in a circle where they sprouted from the roots of their parent tree. Over time the Redwoods grow to incredible heights which invokes a sense of another type of Cathedral.

San Andreas Lake is a hidden gem tucked into the hills of San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco. Originally a natural sag pond formed by the San Andreas Fault, it was transformed into a reservoir in the late 1800s and now serves as a vital water source for the region. The lake is off-limits for swimming or boating, but you can enjoy its peaceful beauty from the San Andreas Trail or the popular Sawyer Camp Trail, which runs along its eastern edge. It's a serene spot where you can walk or bike with sweeping views of the water and surrounding hills, all while standing right on one of the world’s most famous fault lines. Despite its proximity to urban life, San Andreas Lake offers a quiet, scenic escape steeped in natural and historical significance.

You're not hallucinating: This monument was deliberately built in the style of ancient Greek and Roman architecture, to commemorate the Great Depression-era Hetchy Hetchy Project that brought water down from the mountains to the Bay Area. The frieze says, “I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people.”

Black Mountain, situated on Monte Bello Ridge, is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers. With an elevation of 2,812 feet, it's easy to understand why. From the summit, the views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Silicon Valley are breathtaking.

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