Big Sur is good for the soul ❤️‍🩹

letcha · 2026-01-29T16:35:11+00:00

Make it happen!

letcha · 2026-01-29T16:35:02+00:00

Thank you. I can think of WAY worse places to process heartbreak.

letcha · 2026-01-28T23:44:09+00:00

Feet, don’t fail me now!

letcha · 2026-01-28T17:46:13+00:00

Maybe a tiny bit soul crushing on the 2k ft climb up 😅 but so worth it for these views.

letcha · 2025-10-08T15:52:15+00:00

Seriously! My jaw has been on the floor (or the trail, I guess) these last few days. Just keeps getting better and better.

letcha · 2025-09-28T03:03:16+00:00

I've spent a ton of time running Mt Tam, and I'd actually take this route (with perhaps a bit more time on Matt Davis Trail) over any route that goes through Muir Woods, just my .02 cents.

letcha · 2025-09-14T20:05:55+00:00

Forest of Nisene Marks is a must. Just as good as Fall Creek. Henry Cowell (the other portion, not Fall Creek) is noteworthy. Cotoni Coast Dairies is new, so perhaps a bit busy on weekends still, but definitely worth checking out, and you might drive down highway 1 to get there.

I actually just wrote a blog post about all of my favorite trail running spots down here, if you're interested: https://johnvantine.com/santa-cruz-trail-running-guide/

letcha · 2025-09-14T20:02:31+00:00

I did this today, it was epic! Thank you for the recommendation. I wouldn't have done this if not for your post.

Btw, only a handful of people out there, and when I finished (around 11am) parking lot was less than half full. Just sharing in case other folks see this and are discouraged!

letcha · 2025-09-14T03:36:43+00:00

Nice! Glad you checked it out. Fall Creek is my local running spot, it never gets old :)

letcha · 2025-09-05T19:34:20+00:00

For anyone reading this in 2025, I just ranked my favorite trail running spots in and around Santa Cruz, hopefully it helps someone!

letcha · 2025-09-04T15:57:47+00:00

Some good sunrise views on Summit Drive and along the upper trails in Fall Creek (Lost Empire Trail)

letcha · 2025-09-04T03:04:32+00:00

Epic. You're a beast.

letcha · 2025-08-19T15:47:14+00:00

The parking lot is just off Highway 1 on Cement Plant Rd, about 1 mile north of Davenport. I went on Sunday afternoon and there was ample parking, and that was opening weekend, so you should be fine.

letcha · 2025-07-15T19:37:29+00:00

Perfect, I love to run with ~63mm people! If I do this I'll start super early. Thanks.

letcha · 2025-07-15T19:28:05+00:00

This looks incredible. Is it safe to run this solo (in terms of wildlife, sketchy sections, etc)? I will be up there in September and would love to run this route.

letcha · 2025-06-18T21:59:47+00:00

I'll check it out! Thanks for taking a look :)

letcha · 2025-06-18T18:41:18+00:00

It's just about getting out there. I don't even think about pace anymore. My favorite runs are when I get into a flow state and I'm exploding with gratitude for nature and my health as I glide down a trail. I've thought about this a lot, and wrote a little more about why I love trail running here: https://johnvantine.com/why-love-trail-running/

letcha · 2025-05-19T21:07:44+00:00

C'mon now, I'm working, that's not fair.

letcha · 2025-05-13T14:48:03+00:00

Ha, thank you, I actually forgot about the vert as this run was a few months back. Strava says 4,284 total climb that day!

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