Insect and Spider Identification: Help me ID a spider from the Santa Cruz mountains?, 0 by erika_blair

erika_blair wrote:
Hi all!

I am very new to identifying spiders - previously I've been too wimpy to get close enough. However I saw this beautiful spider on a hike in the Santa Cruz mountains of California, and I would really like to know what species it is, or at least what family.

Can any of you spider experts help me out? I've trying googling extensively on my own and haven't been able to find a match.

I would really appreciate it!
Erika

Photo credz go to Taylor Jones, of Golden Hour Images. Please don't repost outside of this site without his permission.