<P> The Santa Cruz Mountains are home to an abundance of parks and protected open spaces, notable among them is California's oldest state park: Big Basin Redwoods State Park . Other state parks include Castle Rock State Park, Portola Redwoods State Park, Butano State Park, The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, McNee Ranch State Park and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park with its famous Redwood Grove walking trail . Additional land is protected by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), the Sempervirens Fund and local county parks districts . Hiking, horse - riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and backpacking are popular activities . There are two long - distance trails in the range: the Skyline - to - the - Sea Trail, which winds 38 miles (58 km) from Castle Rock State Park through Big Basin to the Pacific Ocean, and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which, while still disjointed, here roughly parallels Skyline Boulevard along the spine of the range . There also exist several backcountry campsites in many of the state parks that enable long distance multi-day outings . Castle Rock State Park has open rock faces suitable for rock climbing and bouldering . </P> <P> The previous historic Old Almaden Winery was located on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains . It was the first commercial winery in California, planting high quality European (French) varietal vines . </P> <P> Film director Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma had their primary residence near Scotts Valley, the Cornwall Ranch, purchased in September 1940 . </P> <P> In 1965, science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein constructed a home in Bonny Doon, and lived there until shortly before his death in 1988 . </P>

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