The Full Guide
UC Santa Cruz
The Pitch
UC Santa Cruz campus, nestled into redwood forest above Santa Cruz. Mid-century architecture set into hillside woodlands. Mix of formal college spots and trailside groves.
Layout
Where we shoot, on a map
Tap to zoom
You may see a few photos from nearby locations here. Many shoots span multiple spots in the same session.
Ready when you are
UC Santa Cruz
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From the photographer
by Chris Schmauch, owner of GoodEye Photography
UC Santa Cruz campus, nestled into redwood forest above Santa Cruz.
UC Santa Cruz campus, nestled into redwood forest above Santa Cruz. Mid-century architecture set into hillside woodlands. Mix of formal college spots and trailside groves.
What to expect
The lay of the land
Footwear
Flats, boots, or anything stable. Trail surfaces vary, roots cross paths, and a dim canopy means seeing the ground matters. Save the heels for indoor portrait portions.
Best Time of Day
Midday filtered light is the secret here. The heavy canopy lifts dim shadows; harsh sun barely reaches the ground. Late afternoon and overcast days look equally lovely.
Best Season
Spring through fall. The filtered light is consistent year-round; heavy winter rains may close trails or muddy footing — we'll work around those.
Weather
Cool and damp under the canopy year-round; temperatures stay moderate even on hot days. Light rain often improves the look — saturates the moss and bark.
Privacy
Quieter than most beaches. Off-peak weekdays effectively private. The trees create natural visual privacy even when others are nearby.
Drive times
Getting here
Downtown Santa Cruz10 min
Capitola15 min
Aptos20 min
San Jose45 min
San Francisco1 hr 30 min
Approximate, off-peak driving.
Worth knowing
A few things about UC Santa Cruz
Trailhead parking — may require a state-park day-use fee.
Canopy filters most of the sunset; aim for the meadow openings or top-of-canopy backlight an hour before sunset.
Cool and damp under the canopy year-round; bring an extra layer even on warm days.