Garden of Eden (San Lorenzo River)
UnverifiedBeginner (0-30 ft)37.02986, -122.05765
Confirmed by 0 jumpers
A deep blue pool on the San Lorenzo River in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, reached by a mile-and-a-half round trip down Ox Fire Road from Highway 9. Santa Cruz's swimming hole, with a rocky hillside that people jump from 10 feet. The higher rocks have killed people.
Jumps at this location
Low rocks
10 ft
Beginner (0-30 ft)
Warnings
State Parks prohibits diving here: the pool is not deep enough to cover the large sharp rocks on the bottom, and a 23-year-old died jumping from the 40-foot rocks. Stick to the low takeoffs and check the landing.
Access
Pullout on Highway 9 about 0.75 mile south of the Henry Cowell main entrance (Felton); walk down Ox Fire Road to the railroad tracks and down to the river. Free; no dogs, alcohol, or glass.
Best conditions
July through September.