Escape the Heat with These Shaded Bay Area Hikes

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As temperatures rise, outdoor enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area are seeking refuge in the shade. Experts recommend heading to the Santa Cruz Mountains, where dense redwood and oak forests provide a cool respite, as well as sticking close to the coast for ocean breezes. Trails like Memorial Park's Mt. Ellen, Sam McDonald Park's Heritage Grove, and Quarry Park in El Granada offer ample tree cover and scenic views to beat the heat.

Why it matters

With a heat wave forecast for the Bay Area, hikers are looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors without getting roasted. These shaded hikes offer a solution, allowing people to exercise and explore nature while staying cool and comfortable.

The details

The Santa Cruz Mountains are a prime destination for heat-seeking hikers, with parks like Huddart, Memorial, and Sam McDonald offering dense redwood and oak forests that create a cool, shaded environment. Trails like the Mt. Ellen hike in Memorial Park and the Heritage Grove Trail in Sam McDonald Park feature old-growth redwoods that block the sun. Along the coast, spots like Quarry Park in El Granada and trails around Santa Cruz, such as Wilder Ranch's Old Cove Landing, provide eucalyptus groves and lower elevations to escape the heat.

• A heat wave is forecast for the Bay Area this weekend.

What they’re saying

What’s next

As the heat wave continues, hikers should check park conditions and trail closures before heading out, and be prepared with plenty of water and sun protection.