Much of the upper reaches of this watershed are quite beautiful in their natural forest setting, while the lower reach is accessible to the large population of Santa Cruz.
 In 1987 the city of Santa Cruz retained ROMA, a San Francisco design firm, to develop a design concept plan for incorporating the natural elements of the river into the urban design fabric of the city.
 The plan led to creation of pedestrian walkways, picnic areas and view opportunities along the lower populated stretch of the river.
 The plan called for creation of a continuous forest to be established on the upper banks of Valley Oak, Buckeye, Willow and other trees with seasonal foliage.

One notably scenic reach between the Riverside Avenue and Broadway bridges may be the most visually prominent and attractive parts of the river.
 Here the river bends skirting the base of Beach Hill, a historic neighborhood and noteworthy topographic element of the city of Santa Cruz.
 This reach is visible from many parts of the city and gives a sense of steepness and enclosure within the channel.
 The west bank had been the site of a wooden boardwalk, now washed away by erosion.
Much of the upper reaches of this watershed are quite beautiful in their natural forest setting, while the lower reach is accessible to the large population of Santa Cruz.  In 1987 the city of Santa Cruz retained ROMA, a San Francisco design firm, to develop a design concept plan for incorporating the natural elements of the river into the urban design fabric of the city.  The plan led to creation of pedestrian walkways, picnic areas and view opportunities along the lower populated stretch of the river.  The plan called for creation of a continuous forest to be established on the upper banks of Valley Oak, Buckeye, Willow and other trees with seasonal foliage.
One notably scenic reach between the Riverside Avenue and Broadway bridges may be the most visually prominent and attractive parts of the river.  Here the river bends skirting the base of Beach Hill, a historic neighborhood and noteworthy topographic element of the city of Santa Cruz.  This reach is visible from many parts of the city and gives a sense of steepness and enclosure within the channel.  The west bank had been the site of a wooden boardwalk, now washed away by erosion.
San Lorenzo River