Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Soquel Demonstration State Forest in Los Gatos

4.8 (127) 29400 Highland Way, Los Gatos, CA 95033, United States

Categories

Nature preserve
Park
State park
Tourist attraction

Location on the map

Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-475-8643
Site: https://fire.ca.gov/What-We-...

Opening hours

Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.8

127 Reviews for Soquel Demonstration State Forest 2024:

Review №1

2024-01-04 01:41:08

Great mushroom Hunting and foraging experience!We took a guided tour for the mushroom hunting and had a great time here.The terrain is very uneven so be careful if you step outside off the trails and into the forest.Remember the directions towards the trail, offline maps and a compass app is a must. once you are inside the forest, all directions look the same.Remember to pack a rainproof jacket and some water and survival supplies just in case.Although the experience was fun, the guided tours can get expensive so Im not sure if wed do a guided tour again. These are public lands (passing one private property in between) so you can forage with hobbyists and other enthusiasts.Always triple check a mushroom before consuming.

Review №2

2023-12-10 05:48:03

MTB mecca. Give back and join Santa Cruz Trail Stewardship for Dig Days to build and maintain the trails. Work hard, play harder.

Review №3

2021-12-03 03:08:09

An incredible place for mountain biking. Wouldnt recommend for hiking. There is a lot of uphill climbing to reach the ridge for the downhill flow trails, but the climb is totally worth it. Expect to spend 2+ hours for a single loop and bike 8+ miles. Definitely a place to go ride if visiting the Santa Cruz area to mountain bike.

Review №4

2023-12-12 15:25:15

MTB pilgrimage destination. Flow trail is world renowned and Braille and Sawpit trails provide the tech and gnar you desire.

Review №5

2020-05-11 03:31:11

People come the world over to try their skill - and luck - on the likes of Braille and Flow. If you can gut the climbs, youll love the downhill.If you skip the mountain bike, Soquel is also beautiful on foot, as well as dog friendly! Bring Fido and a picnic and youll be rewarded with beautiful oak groves, redwoods, and distant ocean views. Most hiking takes place on forest access or fire road, but is still beautiful. Just down hike on Braille or Flow, these are made for mountain bikes and may be dangerous on foot.

Review №6

2019-03-17 16:04:14

The road leading into the forest is pretty beat up so you should be careful. There is a couple of sections where the street has washed out. That said the flow trail is one of the best trail rides Ive ever done. Its broken down into sections so you can break it up if you want. The real fun is bombing it from top to bottom. Its a huge flow trail where you arev winding interested in between huge trees the whole way. Its amazing. Braille is much more technical but still super fun. The climbs are pretty hard so you should have a but if physical endurance before you hit this place otherwise youre gonna struggle but the climbs are well worth it so dont let that deter you from making the trip. Down the hill a little ways there is a store where you can get drinks and snacks. Overall to was easily one of the best mountain biking experiences Ive ever had. This trail system should be on every riders bucket list.

Review №7

2017-12-08 23:08:41

Must see trail system about 45 minutes outside of Santa Cruz. Unique forest of Red Woods. Flow trail is one of the most memorable mountain bike trails I have ever done!

Review №8

2024-05-12 05:26:47

Beautiful place nice trail 👍🏼

Review №9

2020-07-29 20:48:19

Great trails, a lot of them in the shade of the trees....some great mountain biking

Review №10

2017-11-23 21:55:10

Soquel Demonstration Forest, aka Demo, is a jewel of the Santa Cruz Mountain mountain biking scene. The trails in this forest have been saved from being turned into boring gravel fire-roads by tons of work from local volunteers, bike shops, and interested companies. Warning: This is not a place for beginners -- many people do get into trouble here. The climbs can be long and hot, and the trails have been overused and can be very rough. There is no water available.

Review №11

2018-11-06 14:06:22

I love Mountain biking here. The Flow trail is a must ride. I travel from Utah just to ride this trail. I wish the road to the trail parking were better. My truck was a little wide at spots. Will be here again someday.

Review №12

2017-07-20 15:22:48

Flow all day long!Demo Forest is up in the hills out on Summit road not far from Los Gatos and packed full of flow trails and never ending climbs. Most of the place is dual track fire roads which you will use to get around, but then cut through the center of all of that is 3 miles of sponsored flow trails. You can loop the flow and climb back up easily as long as your legs hold up. Just save a little bit for the climb out. There are a few older flow trails and some fun single track along the top too, put it all together for a long day of riding!

Review №13

2020-01-05 18:06:54

Went biking on the flow trail. Didnt explore outside of that area, but it is a great shaded place to bike. The flow trail is awesome and the inclines are not too aggressive. It is now my new favorite biking trail.

Review №14

2023-12-01 18:35:25

Really awesome! Trails are so mint after the repairs. MTB Santa Cruz mountains sanctuary!

Review №15

2022-09-03 00:48:00

Awesome place to ride bikes. Conditions werent too bad for such a dry time of year. Beautiful views on the drive in and during the ride. I come often, and I dont plan to stop!

Review №16

2019-02-24 07:52:47

O M G... The best bike park... If you know other better please tell me.

Review №17

2017-11-08 06:18:00

Flow and Braille trails are amazing. Really fun trails. Flow is more of a bike park style trail with big berms and rollers that you can catch air on if going fast enough. Braille has lots of natural log drops and roots with steeper pitches to descend. Both are tons of fun on a good trail mountain bike. Full suspension rigs with 5 to 6 inches of travel are recommended.

Review №18

2019-09-02 15:01:05

Its one of the best places to ride bikes

Review №19

2022-05-22 23:00:20

RAD trails! Heck of a climb but so worth it. Braille is pretty gnarly so some skills is definitely required. It has options for gnarlier jump lines, or lightly easier lines. Flow is an all around blast. Love this place

Review №20

2024-01-21 05:54:06

Best MTB in the Bay Area, hands down.

Review №21

2019-05-15 03:02:48

One of the best places to go for a bike ride. There are few trails to choose from but they are some of the best in the state. Always amazingly maintained by the local bike shops. Made for most riders - from newbies to advanced. Lots of climbing thought and E-bikes re not allowed.

Review №22

2018-04-18 07:53:54

This is a great place to go mountain biking. Its also good to to check the maps and know where to go before you head off into the forest as some trails arent designed for uphills and you wont have as much fun fighting gravity going the less optimal route. Parking can be found right outside the park entrance/bridge or go ahead and cross that bridge and use caution to head up pot hole cover hill to a large dirt lot.

Review №23

2020-07-11 19:35:18

Demo has the best biking trail in the Bay Area hands down.The ascent is 5 miles. The descent about another 5 and 3.25 miles to get back to the parking lot. But its worth it.Flow trail is very the best. I consider this trails intermediate. And you better bring your A game. Also, bring lots of water or a source of hydration.

Review №24

2020-02-04 01:31:16

Definitely the best mountain biking forest in the Santa Cruz mountains. Electric bikes are not allowed. And I think this is the reason for some negative reviews. If youre looking for a good place to use an electric bike check out Claro county Park.Recently the mountain bikers of Santa Cruz organization just secured funding for 5 years of trail maintenance in this location. A huge victory for all cyclists and forest users. Consider supporting them via a financial donation or through volunteering at a dig day.

Review №25

2021-06-25 23:14:22

There a great MTB trails and hiking here. Use trailforks as a reference to eliminate extra riding and save your legs for the downhill. Its a bit of a hump to get out here but worth it! A little more signage would really help

Review №26

2017-08-21 16:10:39

This place is only for mountain biking and nothing more. If you come there for just hiking, you will feel in danger coming from all these mountain bikers riding at a high speed. The road is dirty. All other trails around, for some reason, are not allowed to enter (I guess private property). We have waisted lots of time by going there

Review №27

2018-07-29 20:20:09

Expect fast mountain bikes. Do not go there for a hike. The landscape is not worth it, people go there for the exceptionnal downhill Flow trail. As a mountain biker living in the bay or visiting, this trail is simply a must.

Review №28

2020-12-17 20:27:02

The best trails in the area but the fact they started giving tickets for E-bikes is a bummer. I have asthma and this is the only place I need an e-bike to climb in and out, so unfortunately I will probably never ride out to Sawpit which is sad since I live so close to demo.

Review №29

2018-12-06 02:01:33

What else can I say the place rocks!! But you probably should not go here...you will probably hate it. JP!!

Review №30

2018-06-26 01:38:54

So good. Mountain bike was my thing. Met some random guys. Rode bikes.. So good.

Review №31

2016-04-04 03:55:56

One of the beat places in the bay area to mountain bike. This park is NOT for new or novice riders IMO, you should have solid fundamental mtb skills.From the parking lot, head up highland to the buzzard lagoon fireroad to the top. The ridge trail has sign in front, you can take this to the other trails. If you continue on the fireroad, youll head down to Aptos and you probably do not want to so that...The trails: Braille is the steepest and is filled with jumps and small drops, there are other easier lines to take.Flow: 3.5 miles and about 90% of it is downhill. Fast and flowy with berms, jumps which you can just roll over if you scrub speed.Corral: Fireroad with single tracks to the sides with jumps an features.Sawpit: Singlettack with a rock garden, there is a go around to the left.A good full suspension bike is what would suggest, but a hard tail is doable, just be prepared for a really bumpy ride.The road, highland way is pretty beat up so take your time getting there. On a hot day, you can stop by one of the flowing streams (right hand side) on the way out to dunk you head in.The Summit store is a good place to eat post ride, has a deli, made to order sandwiches and general grocery items...(beer!)

Review №32

2017-10-11 21:19:16

One of the best mountain biking trails in all of the Mid-Penn. Pretty darn good for running and hiking as well. There are great places to photograph in the software canopied light of the temperate rain forest.

Review №33

2019-09-11 18:30:52

Have ridden here many times, last winter was the best! Now the trails are trashed from lack of maintenance now! I volunteer ten days a year on Northern California trails, but won’t be doing so here now that signs have been posted NO E-Bikes! You guys are kidding yourselves if you think E-Bikes are to blame for the damage!

Review №34

2018-05-06 18:27:11

My favorite place to ride my mountain bike. Trails are excellent. Have enough varieties for a whole day ride. Best combo are Flow and Braille trails.

Review №35

2017-07-04 17:21:59

Great place to really ride and challenge yourself. It can be a grind in the heat but well worth it nonetheless... The flow trail is a blast! Will be back again soon

Review №36

2022-03-02 06:10:25

I really love travelling and this place amazed me so much because of its natural beauty and of the various tourist spots I was able to see. I really recommend you guys visiting here because the place is a 10/10.

Review №37

2022-05-30 18:54:03

Amazing bike trails. Best flow trail maybe in the world... well at least in the bay area for sure.

Review №38

2020-01-30 17:54:44

Gorgeous and the one of funniest places to ride MTBs

Review №39

2019-05-09 17:46:48

Very clean forest work lots of people enjoying the beautiful trees and trails. Recommend mountain biking here, but hikers need to choose trails wisely.

Review №40

2021-08-04 23:20:38

Flow Trail and Braille Trail are so good. Do both! Also the trail on the way to Saw Pit is fun with many optional features.

Review №41

2019-04-21 13:10:26

One of THE best mountai bike trails Ive ever been on. The dirty was sticky. I averaged 30 mph on the DH and could not break traction. Unreal. Be ready to climb but it is worth is. Climb about 3.5 miles in then after Flow Trail about 3.5 miles to parking lot. Total ride was 14.7 miles.

Review №42

2020-05-15 23:29:39

Some of the best riding Santa Cruz has to offer and if you end up breaking something and having to hike yourself out the firefighters are a super nice group of guys.

Review №43

2020-09-21 16:44:42

Super friendly folks for the most part. Only the smallest smattering of locals trying to PR on a mid-morning weekend hour.(On my locals, I only set my hopes up for kook free runs on weekday early hours.... Just sayin.)

Review №44

2019-09-09 02:16:09

Flow trail is a blast obviously its a must ride

Review №45

2019-06-08 19:50:38

You got to like hills. Big ups and downs here. Challenge yourself and do the whole perimeter of the park. Flow trail is awesome but its all good.

Review №46

2019-09-22 22:42:11

The trails were great. Would recommend for beginner and advanced mountain bikers alike.

Review №47

2018-12-19 18:46:19

Great trail ride on flow trail 🙌🏽

Review №48

2016-06-07 06:14:39

Great MTB trail. Nice scenic drive up to the trail head. MTB trail is shaded by the tall Red Woods.

Review №49

2016-06-26 05:57:58

One of my favorite places to ride.The flow trail is just so epic, miles of whoooooo and HAHAHAHAHH! and smiles.

Review №50

2023-12-03 02:03:51

Lots of demonstration tutoring here. I got one did the larps tutorial

Review №51

2017-06-19 02:02:52

Most trails are being fixed here. Its kind of far away beautiful place for mountain biking, running and hiking

Review №52

2017-06-07 12:27:29

Great MTB trails, lots of climbing, but flow trial is amazing fun!

Review №53

2023-08-27 22:23:03

Love this place. Wish is was open to ride again.

Review №54

2021-12-08 02:16:23

Bay Area mtb mecca. For out of towners, for sure a must ride area. One of many in this area.

Review №55

2017-12-11 04:05:05

The Flow Trail lives up to the hype.

Review №56

2018-08-24 06:53:14

I stop here every time I’m in the Bay Area for mountain biking flow trail is awesome

Review №57

2022-05-15 19:13:07

A magical place to ride, hike, or just visit. Enjoy!

Review №58

2019-05-01 15:35:02

Best of the Bay for Mountain Biking

Review №59

2017-11-27 02:54:54

Great trail network. The flow is one of my all time favorite legal trails.

Review №60

2016-04-04 21:05:29

The best MTB destination in the area. World-class flow trail.

Review №61

2019-05-05 20:52:29

Best mountain biking in the area! Flow trail is an absolute must.

Review №62

2018-12-21 22:23:09

Great place for mountain biking. Climb in and out are long - be prepared.

Review №63

2020-12-14 23:38:49

It was an awesome place great experience bike riding in that area

Review №64

2018-12-15 23:07:14

Such an amazing sightseeing! Fun bike trail... 👍😎

Review №65

2020-08-23 04:15:25

Great mountain biking spot. Leg burner on the way out after some sick single track.

Review №66

2020-05-25 17:20:48

Great for MTB, hike at your own risk

Review №67

2019-08-14 14:41:36

Ridge and Flow trails live up to their reputation. So much fun!

Review №68

2018-05-12 22:51:52

Such a peaceful place - but be prepared for lots of mountain bikers

Review №69

2021-07-16 23:08:08

Great place to ride. No e bikes!

Review №70

2019-09-27 22:14:58

I probably end up here every week. If you like to ride a bike, you will like it here.

Review №71

2018-10-22 16:52:54

Incredible biking and hiking.

Review №72

2019-12-22 04:01:33

Amazing forest and incredible trails. Very week designed!!

Review №73

2018-03-16 16:44:27

Epic mountain bike park. Dont bring your Walmart bike though, you might die.

Review №74

2022-01-29 17:45:47

Beautiful ride north of Soquel thanks to Butler motorcycle map!

Review №75

2022-01-14 18:23:20

Awesome mountain bike trail 🚵‍♂️

Review №76

2020-05-26 19:56:38

Flow trail is super overrated. Not worth the drive from the peninsula.

Review №77

2019-05-23 22:58:24

Epic mountain biking and hit up the Cyclepath Outfitters shuttle from Aptos.

Review №78

2018-02-19 00:22:36

Great MTB spot, pretty popular though....

Review №79

2018-05-09 00:45:56

Dont go... its awful. Trails arent flowy at all. Its a trick.

Review №80

2018-02-03 02:35:29

Great trails and a awesome flow trail.

Review №81

2022-08-18 20:57:59

Best riding around imo

Review №82

2018-05-31 02:28:11

Great trails for mountain biking.

Review №83

2017-07-10 23:53:39

Great cross country and Enduro mtb destination

Review №84

2021-10-16 13:37:34

Is the best place for Mtb i love it

Review №85

2020-06-20 18:17:53

Worst place for hiking/riding...there are better places off highway 9.

Review №86

2018-11-10 21:50:10

Quite smokey cause of the fire, but great trail

Review №87

2016-10-16 01:04:11

\m/ no word can express. You better try it and feel the adrenaline rush...

Review №88

2021-02-13 21:34:02

Great Park olways lots of fun.

Review №89

2018-07-17 04:24:48

Amazing, fun trails to ride.

Review №90

2018-07-26 05:23:48

Easy to get lost. but who would complain? its beautiful.

Review №91

2018-05-24 15:17:23

Mountain biking sucks, dont try it.

Review №92

2019-05-07 23:13:49

Flow trail is Fuego

Review №93

2017-01-08 19:40:19

Place is terrible. Dont go. Stay at China Camp.

Review №94

2022-12-29 15:28:48

Great nature drive.

Review №95

2019-11-17 06:00:02

Amazing Mountainbike Trails!

Review №96

2020-10-10 23:26:10

One of the most beautiful places in cali

Review №97

2017-07-27 23:35:58

Awesome place to ride!

Review №98

2020-06-29 05:14:55

Amazing flow trails 🤘

Review №99

2019-03-30 03:21:40

Spectacular views. Absolutely breathtaking

Review №100

2019-05-18 18:59:47

The best for mountain bikers!

Review №101

2019-11-18 00:41:01

I grew up on Comstock Mill Rd !!

Review №102

2019-05-21 14:22:41

My favorite spot to play in the woods.

Review №103

2019-05-06 03:10:46

Very good tracks here 👌

Review №104

2018-06-16 19:35:35

Best flow trail in US

Review №105

2020-03-28 14:45:17

Amazing BUT WATCH OUT FOR TICKS!!!

Review №106

2017-12-10 23:56:38

Great place to ride!!!

Review №107

2022-01-22 18:06:04

Amazing riding!

Review №108

2019-06-29 03:29:04

Flow is good flow fun

Review №109

2015-05-09 19:44:12

Epic mountain bike rides

Review №110

2019-06-12 20:10:51

Quiet and lovely. Delve.

Review №111

2018-07-25 05:26:42

Excellent riding.

Review №112

2018-11-17 02:04:31

That a hell yeah from me, dawg.

Review №113

2019-10-26 21:52:05

Fast fun trails

Review №114

2017-06-21 20:18:55

Very peaceful.

Review №115

2019-06-06 04:38:07

Send it

Review №116

2019-10-06 02:13:57

Poyfect

Review №117

2019-03-25 22:29:19

Best day ever

Review №118

2018-01-24 04:41:10

Best

Review №119

2018-08-10 22:09:29

Water

Review №120

2023-05-08 22:36:00

Beautiful forest

Review №121

2019-08-15 19:36:35

Crazy

Review №122

2019-10-05 21:16:22

Tuff ride at the end

Review №123

2018-02-01 17:52:15

Great park

Review №124

2017-12-30 03:15:01

Great area

Review №125

2018-06-27 19:46:35

Beautiful forest with good trails for biking and hiking.There is no rubbish lying around anywhere and there are parking spaces right down by the forest.

Review №126

2020-10-10 19:46:19

The most pleasant thing to share with her. Nature breathing fresh air

Review №127

2019-04-15 12:47:25

You flow