Arana Gulch is a creek valley and open landscape on Santa Cruz’s southeastern edge, where Arana Creek flows from the Santa Cruz Mountains to Monterey Bay. Named for José Arana, who came to Alta California in 1834 and later settled nearby, the creek also once marked a local dividing line in the area’s early settlement geography. Much of the present open space was formerly agricultural land associated with the Hagemann farm and later dairy use. Today it is part of Santa Cruz’s greenbelt, with meadow, oak woodland, and riparian habitat, plus trails opened in 2015 for walking and cycling. The gulch also supports important wildlife and endangered plant habitat.