Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California is the quintessential beach community. The beach isn't only an attraction, it is reflection of the lifestyle of the people who reside in these environs. Santa Cruz is also home to the last seaside amusement park on the West Coast. Kayaking, mountain biking, cycling, hiking, golfing, sailing, camping, horseback riding, and windsurfing are just some of the activities you can enjoy while in Santa Cruz.The centerpiece of town is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This is the west coast's answer to Coney Island. The boardwalk features a full-blown amusement park full of rides, eateries, eclectic gift shops, and arcades. Kids will race towards the Giant Dipper, one of the best roller coasters in the nation. Built in 1924, this wooden relic creaks along and then rushes through twists and turns that brush out over the Pacific. A modern counterpart to the Dipper, the Hurricane is the Boardwalk's high tech monster of a ride.
Santa Cruz is also a great place to take advantage of the Pacific sun. The most popular beach in the area is Santa Cruz Beach, just in front of the Boardwalk. The white sand appeals to locals and visitors alike, and the beach is jam packed during summer. Surfers, or those who want a bit more privacy, should head east to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River and visit Cowell Beach. The monarch butterfly can be found at Natural Bridges State Beach, just southwest of town. Sunset Beach, in Watsonville, offers 3-1/2 miles of beach and great spots for camping and a spontaneous beach picnic. Seacliff State Beach, in Aptos, is a great for sunbathing and watching pelicans dive for prey.
For a glimpse of California's first State Park, head north about 25 miles to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. For a quick trip and a gorgeous view, head out on the Redwood Trail and see the park's strand of virgin redwoods. More adventurous hikers will want to tackle the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, an overnight excursion that follows the park to the Pacific.
If you want to venture along the coast, Santa Cruz is a great starting point for a day-trip in any direction. Head north, about an hour and a half, to the bustling hub of San Francisco. See historic Haight-Ashbury, the bohemian neighborhood where the 1960s peace movement began. Or aim your compass south and land in the ultra-affluent Monterey peninsula. See Carmel and take the 17-mile drive around Pebble Beach. Both directions are filled with some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable.
Santa Cruz is a town filled with nostalgia and memory. Victorian homes, built before the turn of the century, stand out on the tree lined streets. All roads lead to the Boardwalk and the beach. Fog is no deterrent against the desire of a beachcomber. The sand is always there, calling residents and visitors alike to partake in its story. And the ocean, with no memory, rolls patiently in and creeps back out again, knowing that it too will soon share in the fun.
