Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Roller coasters, amusement rides, arcade games fast food and a hundred-year-old Merry-Go-Round on the only remaining beachfront boardwalk on the west coast. Address: Beach Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Tel: 831 423 5590
Mystery Spot: This mysterious place draws visitors from the world over to experience its gravity-defying characteristics. Address: 465 Mystery Spot Road off Branciforte Dr. Santa Cruz, CA 95065. Tel: 831-423-8897
Roaring Camp: See California’s towering redwood forests from two historic railroads from the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad steam train up a narrow-gauge track through the Big Trees to Bear Mountain or by Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railroad beach trains down the scenic San Lorenzo River to the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz. Directions: From Scotts Valley take Mt. Hermon road to Graham Hill road and turn left. From Santa Cruz take Graham Hill road to the entrance. State Beaches & Parks
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park: Thirty miles of trails in this second growth forest perfect for hiking, mountain biking, or a leisurely stroll. Directions: State Park Drive exit from Hwy 1. Go north to Soquel Drive. Turn right. Go east one mile to Aptos Creek Road. Turn left (N) on Aptos Creek Road to park entrance. Tel: 831-763-7063
Seacliff State Beach & Visitor Center – Rio Del Mar Beach: At the end of the fishing pier, the USS Palo Alto, a cement ship built during World War I, has been a popular attraction for visitors since it was put in place in 1929. Directions: From Hwy 1 take the State Park Drive exit south toward the Monterey Bay to the entrance. 201 State Park Drive Aptos, CA 95003. Tel: 831-685-6442
New Brighton State Beach & Pacific Migrations Visitor Center: This 93-acre park along the beautiful coast of Santa Cruz offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. Its family-oriented campground sits on towering bluffs high above the Pacific Ocean. Directions: New Brighton/Park Avenue exit off Hwy 1, turn right at bottom of ramp, and left at first stop sign. Follow the road to park gate. Tel: 831-464-5620 or 831-685-6444.
Capitola Beach: Enjoy the beach located beside Capitola Village and its famous Esplanade lined with shops and restaurants. Address: Capitola, CA 95010. Tel: 831-475-6522 Capitola Soquel Chamber of Commerce
Twin Lakes State Beach: Adjacent to Santa Cruz harbor, it has beach volley ball as well as nearby shops and fine restaurants. Address: East Cliff Drive at 7th Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Tel: 831-429-2850
Santa Cruz Main Beach & Cowell's Beach: Play Volleyball, learn to surf, or just chill out and work on your tan. Address: Along Beach St. west from San Lorenzo River Santa Cruz, CA.
Natural Bridges State Park: A refuge for Monarch Butterflies in winter, beach, sandy cove, tide pools, nature trail through the Butterfly Preserve, several hiking trails, and a bicycle trail around the park. Address: 2531 West Cliff Drive near Swanton Blvd. Santa Cruz, CA. Tel: 831-423-4609
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: The Redwood Grove’s self-guided nature path has large, old-growth redwoods along with the tallest tree standing 285 feet tall and 16 feet wide. The oldest trees are about 1400 to 1800 years old. Directions: From Scotts Valley take Mt. Hermon road to Graham Hill road and turn right. From Santa Cruz take Graham Hill road. At Hwy 9 intersection in Felton, CA turn left. Park is .5 miles on the left. Tel: 831-335-0782.
Wilder Ranch State Park: The Park is 7,000 acres, with 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails winding through coastal terraces and valleys. The grounds include Victorian homes, barns, shops, gardens, and a historic adobe. Directions: From Santa Cruz, go north on Hwy 1 about two miles past Western Drive and turn left. Tel: 831-423-9703 or 831-426-0505
Exhibits and Museums
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History: The Ohlone native peoples, Geology, Wildlife & Habitats of the Santa Cruz Region and the Marine Life of the Monterey Bay. Address: 1305 East Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Tel: 831-420-6115
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum: For over a hundred years, Santa Cruz has been a surfing center. This museum tells the story of surfing using photographs, surfboards and other memorabilia. Address: West Cliff Drive at Lighthouse Point Santa Cruz, CA. Tel: 831-420-6289
Seymour Marine Discovery Center: A working marine laboratory with exhibits, aquarium, touch tanks, Ocean Discovery Shop, and unsurpassed vistas of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Hold a sea star — marvel at the world's largest whale skeleton. Address: 100 Shaffer Rd Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Tel: 831-459-3800
Museum of Art & History @ McPherson Center: Local art and history exhibits. Address: 705 Front Street Santa Cruz, CA. Tel: 831-429-1964
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park: The lovely, single-story adobe has been restored to its original appearance. Misión la Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz was the 12th mission built in California. It was completed during the 1790s. Damaged by several earthquakes, much of it collapsed in 1857. Address: School Street Santa Cruz, CA. Tel: 831-425-5849
UCSC Arboretum: Occupying about 100 acres in the southwest corner of the UC Santa Cruz campus, the Arboretum at UC Santa Cruz is an unsurpassed garden with flowering plants from around the world. Address: 1156 High Street Santa Cruz, CA 95064. Tel: 831.427.2998
Golf Courses
Pasatiempo Golf Club: This delightful 18-hole golf course overlooks scenic Monterey Bay providing both beauty and challenge to both amateur and pro golfers. Address: 18 Clubhouse Rd. Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Tel: 831-459-9155
DeLaveaga Golf Course: Owned and operated by the City of Santa Cruz, it offers championship caliber golf with spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and consistently ranks as one of the top public facilities in Northern California. Address: 401 Upper Park Rd. Santa Cruz, CA 95065. Tel: 831-423-1600
Seascape Golf Club: Located on the coastal highlands of Monterey Built in 1926 as Rio Del Mar Country Club. Seascape's classic design features manicured fairways and well positioned bunkers that guard small tricky greens. Directions: From Highway 1 take the Rio Del Mar Exit, Turn south onto Rio Del Mar. When the road forks stay to the left onto Clubhouse Drive until the sign for Seascape Golf Club on the right hand side. Address: 610 Clubhouse Drive Aptos, CA 95003. Tel: 831-688-3213.
Outdoor Activities
West Cliff Drive: A scenic drive, walk or bicycle ride between the Santa Cruz Wharf and Natural Bridges State Park. Address: West Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Santa Cruz Lighthouse & Park: This historic lighthouse, rebuilt in the 1960s, is a front row seat on Monterey Bay and seeing the local surfing culture. Address: Lighthouse Point West Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Tel: 831-420-6289
Shopping and Eating
Santa Cruz Wharf: Great views of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains, Beach Boardwalk, surfers, sea lions and harbor seals, with great seafood restaurants, nightlife, and stores featuring everything from souvenirs to fresh fish, to fudge, to bikinis. Address: Beach Street Santa Cruz, CA
Pacific Garden Mall: Downtown Santa Cruz has great shopping, outdoor dining, with coffeehouses and cafes in a cheerful and attractive setting. Address: Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz, CA.
Capitola Village by the sea: A charming location, Capitola Village lies between two cliffs in a valley spanned by a railroad bridge. The Esplanade is a wonderful stroll in the village along a row of restaurants, historic homes and small shops to the wharf embracing vistas of Monterey Bay and the beach. Directions: From Highway 1 take the Bay/Porter exit and drive south on Bay to the village or take the summer shuttle. Tel: 831-475-6522 Capitola Soquel Chamber of Commerce
Aptos Village: Historic Aptos Village is the gateway to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and the scene of the world’s shortest parade held on the 4th of July and the site of the historic Bayview Hotel. Originally a Spanish Land grant, in 1872 Claus Spreckels, the sugar millionaire, began developing the area. Directions: From Hwy 1 take the State Park Drive exit north to Soquel Drive, turn right and Aptos Village is one mile east.
The Aquarium
Our Neighbor to the South – The Monterey Bay Aquarium After you’ve marveled at the wonders of Santa Cruz County, visit Monterey and its world famous Aquarium. Marvelous exhibits abound showing the world’s oceans each with its unique aquatic life. The Monterey Aquarium is also a research center dedicated to education and conservation. Directions: The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located in Monterey at the west end of historic Cannery Row less than an hour from Santa Cruz. Tel: General Information 831-648-4800
