Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve, which includes Waddell Marsh, is located at the mouth of Waddell Creek, a coastal freshwater marsh that is one of the rarest habitats on the Central Coast of California. This habitat shelters many rare and endangered species such as the California red-legged frog, Western pond turtle, tidewater goby, Black Rail, San Francisco garter snake, coho and steelhead salmon. Working with experts from other areas, the Waddell Creek Association hopes to educate the public about wetlands, their value and necessity.
The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail threads its way through Big Basin Redwoods State Park along Waddell Creek to the ocean at Waddell Beach, a freshwater marsh adjacent called Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve.
The preserve is located in northern Santa Cruz County just one mile south of the San Mateo County line. It is named after Theodore J. Hoover, dean of engineering at Stanford University, and brother of President Hoover, whose family purchased Rancho del Oso in 1914.