Beautiful Places in the Bay Area

Neary Lagoon is a little park near downtown Santa Cruz with a lot of birds. The park was founded for the ducks and, of course, human bird watchers. The terrain ranges from grassland (all native) to shallow water, to a copse of trees.

At Neary Lagoon, you do not leave the trail. Not just because that would disturb the native flora and fauna, but because it just wouldn't be as fun as walking on the wooden bridge that snakes through the park. It arches over the tall grass, floats on the water, and leads you to a beautiful little glen on the other side of the lagoon.

Despite the small area, this park has maintained a sense of calm and distance from the city with a screen of trees and twisting trail that manages to make the park seem larger. I think the design borrows a lot from ancient Chinese gardens, because it reminds me of what I've read about them and the Japanese gardens in San Jose.

Because the park is out of the way and behind new condos, few people visit the park. It's a great place to go for a quiet stroll. I hope we construct more parks like this! I would like one closer to home.

To get to Neary Lagoon, take Laurel Street. If you are coming from Mission towards downtown, take a right by the railroad tracks and follow the street until it dead ends. (I found it just by curiosity. I drove down that street to see where it went, then I was glad I did!)

last updated October 23, 1999