Located south of San Francisco and just north of Monterrey is Santa Cruz. The beach and ocean are a big part of the Santa Cruz lifestyle, and the area is well known for sailing, swimming, surfing, and paddling.
Santa Cruz was once the location of an American Indian settlement and one of the earliest settlements of the Spanish during the exploration of Alta California. Santa Cruz gained popularity in the late 19th century because of its beaches and coastal redwood forests.
Things to do in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
If this is your first visit to Santa Cruz, the Beach Boardwalk is where you want to be. The boardwalk is home to the Giant Dipper, one of the oldest roller coasters in the U.S. It also boasts a Carousel, and the Sky Glider, where passengers can soak up the panoramic vistas of the coastline, the ocean, and the park. More about the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive is a scenic 2.75-mile paved walking and biking path that stretches from Natural Bridges State Beach to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. The most scenic coastline walk in the city passes a lighthouse, the famous Steamer Lane surf break, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and numerous sandy beaches and coves in the area.
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
The Municipal Wharf is one of the area’s most popular attractions, the sea lions. No matter what time of year, the sea lions can be seen here lounging on the rafters beneath the warm, hanging out on the platforms alongside it, and splashing about in the ocean with their playful antics.
Santa Cruz Beaches
Main Beach & Cowell Beach are north and south of the Municipal Wharf and the most popular places to soak up some California sun. Santa Cruz’s main beach backs up to the boardwalk and is the larger of the two. Cowell Beach was a great place to learn to surf and is generally less crowded than the main beach. Both beaches have plenty of nearby free parking.
Santa Cruz County Mystery Spot
Mystery Spot has been enchanting and mystifying visitors since 1940. Located in the Redwoods, three miles from downtown Santa Cruz, is where the laws of gravity don’t seem to apply. You’ll see things like water that appears to be flowing upward and balls that roll uphill. Santa Cruz Mystery Spot 465 Mystery Spot Road Santa Cruz, CA 95065.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Nestled in stunning Santa Cruz, California, this 65-acre California state park was named for the naturally occurring mudstone bridges that line the Pacific Ocean. Wave erosion carved these mudstone bridges after a combination of silt, clay, and diatoms was solidified into a mixture of stone that created three arches on the beach.
Nearby Santa Cruz Attractions
New Brighton State Beach
New Brighton State Beach is a 93-acre park with close to one mile of shoreline, a group picnic area, and a campground on the bluffs overlooking the beach with campsites and parking spots for day use. The visitor center at New Brighton Beach contains exhibits exploring the history of migrations into the Pacific Northwest by the various peoples who have made their homes.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Escape the crowds at Sequoia National Park and Redwood National Park and enjoy Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park’s lush greenery and open trails. Bring your family and spend the night as you camp under the stars at this famous California state park. You can even bring your RV in and spend several days there.
Roaring Camp Railroad
Roaring Camps Railway is a beautiful day trip the whole family will enjoy, from grandparents to little ones. If you are in the Santa Cruz Area, put this special train on your to-do list. The Roaring Camp’s steam engine collection is among America’s oldest and most accurately preserved regularly scheduled passenger service trains.
Big Basin Redwood State Park
The park offers a unique experience with every changing season, from poppies and wild orchids in the foggy spring to intense green canopies in the winter that provides a shady retreat from the warmer inland temperatures during the summer—more about
Santa Cruz Events
Woodies on the Wharf
A hit with car enthusiasts is the Annual Woodies on the Wharf. This gathering at the Wharf is the perfect setting for celebrating the surf spirit and classic surf wagons. Around 200 pre-1950s “Woodies” lined the pier. Music, T-shirts, memorabilia, and prize drawings will add to the fun.
Santa Cruz, California’s atmosphere is peaceful, free-spirited, and relaxed. You can easily spend a day exploring this classic California beach town. There is so much to see and do you might want to stay for a day or two.
Santa Cruz rocks I would give my left pinky toe to be there now
Don’t forget about all the awesome murals in Santa Cruz! santacruzmurals.com
Thanks for the information.