Parks Manager

National parks near Santa Cruz County, California

The closest national park to Santa Cruz County, California is Pinnacles National Park — about 54.7 mi (88 km) away, or roughly 1 hr 45 min of driving.

1 park is close enough to do as a day trip: Pinnacles.

National parks near Santa Cruz County

Parks ranked by distance from Santa Cruz County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Pinnacles National Park54.7 mi (88 km)1 hr 45 minDoable as a day trip
Yosemite National Park145 mi (233 km)3 hr 53 minBest as a weekend
Kings Canyon National Park181 mi (291 km)4 hr 44 minBest as a weekend
Sequoia National Park187 mi (301 km)4 hr 53 minBest as a weekend
Lassen Volcanic National Park245 mi (394 km)6 hr 14 minWorth a longer road trip
Channel Islands National Park249 mi (400 km)6 hr 20 minWorth a longer road trip
Death Valley National Park288 mi (463 km)7 hr 16 minWorth a longer road trip
Redwood National Park319 mi (513 km)8 hrWorth a longer road trip
Joshua Tree National Park405 mi (651 km)10 hr 2 minWorth a longer road trip
Crater Lake National Park412 mi (663 km)10 hr 12 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Santa Cruz County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Santa Cruz County?

Pinnacles National Park, about 54.7 mi (88 km) away and roughly 1 hr 45 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Santa Cruz County in a day?

Pinnacles National Park — all within about three hours' drive.