Photo: btwashburn · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Heads up: Weekends near the water fill first. Book the campsite before the gear.
Quick facts
- Type
- River
- State
- California
- Length
- About 15.2 miles
- Boat ramps
- None listed
- Campgrounds
- 11
- Fish species
- None recorded
Get on the water
Ramps & rentals
Bring the boat on wheels
Rent a campervan and paddle from shore, or gear up for a day at the water.
Affiliate linksWhere to stay
Camp near the water
Private sites nearby
Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.
Affiliate linkCabins and hotels near Soquel Creek
Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.
Affiliate linkOff the water
Nearby trails
Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.
Before you launch
Gas, bait & supplies nearby
Gas and fuel docks
- Valero0.1 miDirections
- Chevron0.2 miDirections
- Quik Stop0.3 miDirections
- SafewayDiesel0.3 miDirections
Bait and tackle
- Santa Cruz Waves1.0 miDirections
- REI 1662 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz · Mo-Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 10:00-18:001.3 miCallDirections
- The Gypsy Fish CompanyBait 316 Main Street, Santa Cruz · Mo-Fr 09:00-17:003.7 miCallDirections
- Santa Cruz Gear Exchange 1306 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz · We-Su 10:00-18:003.7 miCallDirections
Groceries and ice
- Casalegno'sIce0.2 miDirections
- Chevron0.2 miDirections
- Nob Hill FoodsIce 809 Bay Avenue, Capitola · Mo-Sa 06:00-23:00, Su 06:00-22:000.3 miCallDirections
- SafewayIce 2720 41st Avenue, Soquel · 24/70.3 miCallDirections
RV dump and fresh water
- RV dump stationDump station1.1 miDirections
- Porter Sesnon Water Filling StationFresh water5.9 miDirections
Ranger stations
- Sanborn County Park 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga13.3 miDirections
- Castle Rock Ranger Kiosk14.4 miDirections
- Visitor Center17.6 miDirections
- Portola State Park Office and Visitors Center20.3 miDirections
Hospitals and urgent care
- Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center 2900 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz · 24/71.0 miCallDirections
- Sutter Health 2907 Chanticleer Avenue1.1 miDirections
- Commercial Crossing Center 2850 Commercial Crossing, Santa Cruz · Mo-Fr 08:00-17:001.3 miCallDirections
- Dominican HospitalEmergency 1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz · 24/71.4 miCallDirections
Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.
Trip planner
Build your weekend
Packing list
Don't forget
Good to know
Soquel Creek FAQ
Where can I camp near Soquel Creek?
Campgrounds near the water include Central City RVs, Meadow RVs, South Terrace Tents, Eucalyptus Grove & Southview Tents, Shady Grove Private Tenting. When public sites are full, private sites nearby are listed on Hipcamp.
Is there gas near Soquel Creek?
The closest listed fuel is Valero, about 0.1 miles from the water.
Where can I buy bait near Soquel Creek?
Bait and tackle nearby: Santa Cruz Waves (1.0 mi), REI (1.3 mi), The Gypsy Fish Company (3.7 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.
Keep exploring
Nearby water
Sources: USGS 3DHP and National Atlas (rivers via Esri Living Atlas), Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.