De Laveaga Park
Rate this placeNearby: John Franks Park Eastside Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
De Laveaga Park is a popular destination located in Santa Cruz, California.
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Summary
The park offers a tranquil escape from the city with its lush forests, pristine beaches, and stunning views of the Monterey Bay.
There are many reasons to visit De Laveaga Park, including its excellent hiking and mountain biking trails. Visitors can also enjoy a round of disc golf at the park's acclaimed course or spend time on the beach.
One of the most popular attractions in De Laveaga Park is the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. This hands-on museum offers visitors a chance to interact with marine life, learn about ocean conservation, and explore the unique ecosystems of the Monterey Bay.
Another point of interest in the park is the De Laveaga Golf Course. This 18-hole course offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding hills. Visitors can also take advantage of the driving range and practice facilities.
Interesting facts about De Laveaga Park include the fact that it was once owned by a wealthy landowner named Josefa Laveaga. The park's stunning views were used as a filming location for the television show "Big Little Lies."
The best time of year to visit De Laveaga Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, visitors should be prepared for crowds as the park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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