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At Wilder Ranch State Park, you can take a relaxing stroll with your kids along the secluded, breathtaking cliffs of the Old Cove Landing trail. When you think it can’t get any better, you will find Fern Grotto beach. Ditch the stroller and take the slippery trail down to the cove where your kids can play in the sand. In spring, the wildflowers along the cliffs are unbelievable. Once you go past Fern Grotto beach, it's a little confusing how you loop back to parking lot. When you see some farm buildings just keep on going. Eventually the trail will run alongside a field and you will be able to see the parking lot. This state park is a magical place. On the other side of the park (across Hwy 1) there are enough trails to hike and bike for days.
Alert: The Old Cove Landing Trail is fairly wide and the dangerous ocean cliffs do have ropes - but if your young kids are not contained in a jogging stroller, you need to keep them within arm's reach at all times.
Bathrooms
Yes, at the large trailhead parking lot. Rating: Nice!
Playground
No (but there is a beach!)
Kid transportation
Jogging Stroller or child carrier. Kids can walk, but I'd be very wary of young children near cliffs.
Bikes are allowed, but not recommended for young kids.
Suggested Route
Park near the Visitor Center. Take the Old Cove Landing Trail (essentially a loop). Go clockwise. When you see the sign, ditch the stroller and hike down to Fern Grotto Beach. Continue to follow the Old Cove Landing Trail past a couple of farm buildings, and down a road back to the parking lot. (Loop is ~2 miles)
Difficulty
Easy
Parking Situation
Abundant. Guessing it could be crowded on summer weekends.
Entrance Fee
$10
Bonus
Fern Grotto Beach. Ditch the stroller and hike down. It's worth it!
Official Park Website
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=549 Trail map: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/549/files/WilderRanchSPWebLayout2017.pdf
Date Updated
December 2017
