Just north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1, a cluster of restored ranch buildings sits near the coast.
History
The Portolà expedition camped at Majors Creek, now the park's northern boundary, on Oct. 18, 1769, according to Wikipedia. Part of an adobe built by rancho grantee José Bolcoff survives. Dairyman Delos D. Wilder and L.K. Baldwin acquired part of the old rancho in 1871 and split it into separate ranches in 1885. Wilder's 1897 Victorian home still stands. The Wilder family ran the dairy until 1969, and the state acquired the land in 1974. The adjacent Gray Whale Ranch was added in 1996.
Visiting
State Parks says the park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, and vehicle day use is $10. There are no campgrounds. Dogs are not allowed. Many trails are open to bikes and horses. State Parks says the park store is closed until further notice due to flooding. Trail crews are working on the Ohlone Bluff Trail this month, so expect closures.
This week
The park's calendar lists a guided birding walk on Oct. 30, and a guided coastal walk and a ranch history tour on Oct. 31.