Lately, Otis and I have been hiking further afield and spending lots of time in Santa Cruz County. Only about an hour south of San Francisco—if you plan ahead to avoid rush hour or holiday traffic—this area is rich with outdoor dog adventures, including the Forest of the Nicene Marks and Rio del Mar Beach.
Our favorite local hike is the six-mile loop at the Land of the Medicine Buddha in Soquel, just south of the City of Santa Cruz. Otis turned 14 this month, having survived cancer treatments and becoming deaf, but she still enthusiastically hikes this loop with me and Jim, with a few rest stops to contemplate the beauty of this forest and rest our aching paws.
Hidden in the hills of Soquel, the Land of Medicine Buddha is a magical place where California redwoods and Tibetan traditions come together in perfect harmony. Spread across 108 acres, these gorgeous trails traverse the Santa Cruz Mountains, winding along quiet streams and through second-growth redwood forests.
On the six-mile loop, you’ll encounter many sacred Buddhist sites including a gompa (meditation hall), three large prayer wheels, the Wish-Fulfilling Temple, and the stunning new Stupa, a replica of the holy Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya, India. If you walk loop clockwise (recommended), you’ll be rewarded at the end with the Eight Verses Pilgrimage Trail; each verse and bench includes commentary by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Dogs (and all sentient beings) are welcome at the Land of the Medicine Buddha. The monks request that you keep your dog leashed to protect the local wildlife. And bring your supply of poop bags to help clear the delicate forest floor of the sort of offerings your companion animal produces.
The link above will guide you to Prescott Road, a winding one-lane road that leads to the Medicine Buddha retreat and the hiking trails. Please turn on your headlights on Prescott Road and drive slowly! Parking is limited, so especially on weekends and holidays, arrive early. There are a few parking places at the end of Prescott Road, before crossing the bridge over Bates Creek.
Turn left after the bridge and if possible, do a U-turn and park along the road heading back down the hill. Just beyond that and to the right, the official parking lot has only 45 spaces, often reserved for overnight guests and those attending classes and retreats.
The six-mile loop begins down the hill and to the south of the parking lot. If Bates Creeks is running to your left, you are at the right place. After that, the trail is well-marked. As noted above, you’ll pass along the Eight Verses trail near the end of the six miles, then back down a steep paved road to the Buddhist center and your car.
IMPORTANT: Please donate generously at the collection boxes in this area or via this link. The Land of the Medicine Buddha is a treasure that subsists primarily on donations. If you have no cash, scan the QR code and donate via PayPal or credit card.