Remember I talked about some of the things I look for when moving to a new place? So far, I am having a great time trying to find them! One of the main things I have worked on from my list is places to run.
I have gone for several different runs near my new house. I am still exploring, but I have found a few nearby which are worth mentioning.
Run 1: West Cliff Drive: This is a great path on the cliff side of the ocean. It's paved and runs from the Boardwalk to Natural Bridges State Park, which is about 4 miles one way. I have run this section several times. The only downfall for this one is that if you run it on Saturday any time after 9, it is pretty busy. However, I normally run this one on the weekdays, earlier in the morning.
Run 2: For my longer run, I ran along West Cliff, but added a few extra miles. I ran the bike path on Highway 1, as well as running the final loop through Wilder Ranch State Park (where I saw the snake eating the mouse!) The Highway portion is a few miles on a paved path and then the WRSP section is about a 2 mile loop along a dirt trail, which is partially along the cliffs and partially a bit more inland.
Run 3: I went on a nice 17 mile run a couple of Sundays ago along the East Cliff Drive, which is a road which goes near the ocean most of the time. It veers off a little, but tends to have a good view of the waves and the beach and the cliffs most of the time.
Run 4: Pogonip and UCSC. This one is uphill, on trails most of the way. It goes through the Pogonip, and if you want, you can continue to Henry Cowell Redwood State Park and/or Wilder Ranch State Park.
I am still having fun exploring, and think my next one will be through Pogonip and then around to Wilder Ranch and back home. Or maybe I will run farther along East Cliff. Who knows? It's fun trying new routes and seeing new scenery each day!
Do you prefer the mountains or the coast? Do you like the river, the ocean or lakes better? Do you like to explore new places or once you find a good spot, you stick with it?
I have gone for several different runs near my new house. I am still exploring, but I have found a few nearby which are worth mentioning.
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| Star = My House, 1 = West Cliff, 2 = Wilder Ranch, 3 = East Cliff, 4 = Pogonip |
Run 1: West Cliff Drive: This is a great path on the cliff side of the ocean. It's paved and runs from the Boardwalk to Natural Bridges State Park, which is about 4 miles one way. I have run this section several times. The only downfall for this one is that if you run it on Saturday any time after 9, it is pretty busy. However, I normally run this one on the weekdays, earlier in the morning.
Run 2: For my longer run, I ran along West Cliff, but added a few extra miles. I ran the bike path on Highway 1, as well as running the final loop through Wilder Ranch State Park (where I saw the snake eating the mouse!) The Highway portion is a few miles on a paved path and then the WRSP section is about a 2 mile loop along a dirt trail, which is partially along the cliffs and partially a bit more inland.
Run 3: I went on a nice 17 mile run a couple of Sundays ago along the East Cliff Drive, which is a road which goes near the ocean most of the time. It veers off a little, but tends to have a good view of the waves and the beach and the cliffs most of the time.
Run 4: Pogonip and UCSC. This one is uphill, on trails most of the way. It goes through the Pogonip, and if you want, you can continue to Henry Cowell Redwood State Park and/or Wilder Ranch State Park.
I am still having fun exploring, and think my next one will be through Pogonip and then around to Wilder Ranch and back home. Or maybe I will run farther along East Cliff. Who knows? It's fun trying new routes and seeing new scenery each day!
Do you prefer the mountains or the coast? Do you like the river, the ocean or lakes better? Do you like to explore new places or once you find a good spot, you stick with it?
Wow, you are so lucky that you can run in so many beautiful places! I tend to run the same paths over and over again, mostly because I go for convenience, and I feel I am running the best paths the Mpls/St. Paul area has to offer!
ReplyDeleteTough call on the mountains v. coast. I love them both, but if I had to choose, I'd say mountains. I like lakes best because that is what I grew up around! I used to run the same paths over and over and over, but now that I've joined my running club, I run in so many different areas!
So many beautiful scenes for your runs!!! How blessed you are to be there!! I would say I prefer coast however I have never lived near the mountains so I really have a very small frame of reference. Everywhere I have lived, even abroad, have been on the coast! Everyone's running pictures from the mountains look amazing though!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that these are your running options! I usually run on the streets (blah) but there are also parks nearby where I can run on the trails. I don't have an oceanside view though!
ReplyDeleteWow, those are wonderful places to explore and run! My routes are quite boring compared to that but I always love exploring new areas too!
ReplyDeleteI envy your scenery! I was spoiled when I lived in Cali. Depending on the direction you travel I could be on a coast or in the mountains. Love them both!
ReplyDeleteYou have so many beautiful options. I think I'd mix things up like you've been doing. I hope you're getting settled in to your new routine.
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome running spots!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to have so many beautiful places to run right now! I enjoy exploring new areas, but, when pressed for time, usually stick to my more well-known routes. (I am good at getting lost.) I'm looking forward to exploring new routes once we get moved up to Anchorage.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love to find new places to run, it makes it more interesting. I love all bodies of water, but prefer to swim in the lakes since they are warmer than the ocean over here:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! That's such a gorgeous area, and I'm getting tired of my usual routes-- but for the summer, I'm sticking to the shady ones, which limits it a lot. I'd take any of it- mountains, lakes, I'm not too picky. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Kyria! If I had that out my back door, I'd probably have figured out a way to run through my pregnancy, let alone the two years since then!
ReplyDeletesuch beautiful places to run, I want to move :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! How could you NOT want to get out an explore surroundings like that??
ReplyDelete