Santa Cruz or Surf City, is a frolicking, fun beach town on
the sunny side of the beautiful Monterey Bay, 74 miles south of San
Francisco.
According to Frommer's Irreverent Guide to San Francisco, "Last stop, Surf City. The
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is as close as you can get to a surfin' safari
without climbing on board..." We disagree and think Surf City should be your
first stop when visiting the Bay Area. Recently ranked as the only USA
surfing spot to catch a wave in the world list of Top 10 best surfing
places, it's wave action is radical, but not everyone surfs in Santa Cruz,
and there really is so much more to explore for non-surfers especially.
Tucked away in time, an old fashioned boardwalk with amusement
rides on the sand, beaches where students from the University of Santa Cruz
can bring their books to read and surfers who range from original long
boarders to the new wave, all share a common bond. Though recognized as a
surfing capital, Santa Cruz holds a special place in the hearts of all who
visit―energized in a
land touched by the golden sun, those passing through passionately state
that it feels
like home.
From an impromptu bongo
percussion band playing near a tree by Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (where
crowds instantaneously congregate to watch and listen) to the famed,
100-year old Santa Cruz Board Walk with its original roller coaster, seaside
food stands and even a beach train that runs from the mountains to the sea
during the summer months, can life be any more charmed than the paradise
found in this authentic beach community?
Santa Cruz is a bit different from the rest of the California
beach cities. Embracing not only the eclectic 100-year old American surfing
culture with its surf museum, surf legends such as the O'Neills, surfing
spots such as Steamer Lane and Surf City Coffee, Santa Cruz ranks as one of
the top destinations for those who seek "authentic beach". The Santa Cruz
beach board walk is the best example of early 20th century California
history. While nearly every burgeoning beach community had a beachside
amusement or pleasure pier and carnival atmosphere during that era, the only
remnants of the age are found in
San Diego's Belmont
Park, Santa Monica's refurbished
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, and Santa Cruz Board Walk.
We've visited all of them and can tell you that there's only one that
retains the flavor, allowing you to actually step back in time to imagine
what life would have been like in the early 1900's. That place is Santa
Cruz. This Bay Area city stands proud with its dedication to preserving and
promoting California history. Europeans and world travelers love to soak up
the vibe in the authentic places California boasts. Gold Country and Santa
Cruz are among their favorites in this regard. And, as the quaint beach
communities quickly are torn down and replaced with Mediterranean-style
stucco buildings, Californians are also discovering the few authentic
destinations they can share with their families, such as Santa Cruz.
Gotta surf? Summers
are ideal for learning to surf, kayak or take a fishing boat excursion in
Santa Cruz. All along the beaches you'll see boys and girls, women and
men surfers walking with their surfboards and hopping into the water to
catch a wave. Summer beach kiosks or rental stands offer surfboards,
body boards and wetsuit rentals in Santa Cruz and Capitola, two favorites
for trying your hand at this water sport where seasoned surfers often report
seeing dolphins and migratory whales pass by.
Set along the treasured
Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary (the largest such sanctuary in the USA),
guests to Santa Cruz can't help but fall in love with the stunning
surroundings. A closeness with nature is evident as you make your way to
Santa Cruz from other tourist destinations such as Carmel-by-the-Sea,
Monterey and San Francisco. The city is framed by and surrounded with
redwood forests where vacationers on holiday can enjoy hikes, bicycling and
train rides through the woods. To quench the traveler's number one thirst
and sport, guests can dine on gourmet vegetarian foods, sip the
locally-grown boutique wines, and stroll through villages with shopping
areas in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Aptos. The many recreational activities, business and
educational opportunities and perfect climate help produce a higher than
average number of independent thinkers, artists and creative types who
prefer less convention in their diets.
Founded on a hope and a prayer, Santa Cruz or
"holy cross" got its name from Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola in
1769 as he stood on a beautiful hillside and likely was inspired by what he
saw. Over 20 years later, Mission Santa Cruz was established by Father
Fermin de Lasuen as the 12th in a chain of 21 missions. When California
shook off Mexican rule and came into its own as a state, logging, lime
processing, agriculture and commercial fishing industries prospered during
late 1800's. Santa Cruz incorporated in 1866, and became known for its mild
climate, scenic beauty and 300 days of sunshine per year. Tourism grew and
has continued to help the economy prosper for more than 100 years.
The growing interest in surfing as a sport
has helped a place where surfing looms large in the minds of locals such as
the O'Neills who are famous not only for their surfing skills but also for
creating products such as boards and wet suits used by surfers throughout
the world. A beautiful statue dedicated to all surfers stands tall on a hill
above the bay, not far from Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Housed in the Mark
Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, the museum traces over 100 years of surfing
history as it relates to Santa Cruz. Visitors to the museum will enjoy a
spectacular view of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay while overlooking
Steamer Lane, an internationally known surfing site.
Museum displays include surf boards ranging
from redwood "planks" to modern high-tech designs, early wet suits,
photographs showing Santa Cruz surfers and wave riding from the 1930s
through today, videos illustrating surfing's ever-changing styles,
and a gift shop with books, T-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, and more. Phone:
831-420-6289
The crown jewel of this
stunning surfer's haven and land of endless waves is Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
It turned 100 years old in 2007 and continues to delight children and
families with as much joy as it did when it first opened in 1906. During the
days of the Coney Island craze in which electricity had recently been
introduced into homes and entertaining uses were immediately employed for
this product (such as carnival and amusement rides), the West Coast
experienced its own amusement boom. Cities along the California coast
enjoyed thrills and fun from the San Diego border to Santa Cruz, with rides,
theme parks and amusements that looked somewhat similar to the last
remaining boardwalk amusement in San Cruz that you can see today. If it
weren't so much fun, you could take the kids out of school for a vacation
and call your journey to Santa Cruz BoardWalk educational. Be sure to point
out the historic interest to your family for learning experiences. During
the summer months you can hop on the Beach Train that makes a round trip
journey into the forested hills and redwood parks next to the beach. Then
come back to the BoardWalk to see and experience more
than 30 rides, four arcades with both vintage machines and hundreds of
modern video games, a game deck, 26 games of skill, 30 food vendors, an
electronic shooting gallery, indoor miniature golf and over 15 gift shops
with everything from beachwear to sunglasses and jewelry. The Cocoanut Grove
complex hosts a variety of events: trade shows, conferences, dances,
parties, conventions, banquets and wedding receptions. Santa Cruz Beach
Boardwalk. The Cocoanut Grove is located at 400 Beach Street in Santa Cruz.
Take Highway 1 or 17 to Santa Cruz and follow the signs to the beach.
831-423-2053.
The Riverwalk at the Santa Cruz Beach
Boardwalk with six new rides, including Cave Train 2000. This redesigned and
remodeled Boardwalk plaza brings plenty of new fun and thrills to the
historic amusement park. New rides include the Jumpin' Star, Pepsi Convoy
truck course, Tornado thrill ride, Sea Serpent roller coaster, Space Race
bumper cars and Cave Train 2000. Cave Train 2000 is a new version of an old
favorite. Originally opened in 1961, the Cave Train has long been one of the
park's most popular family rides. On hiatus for the past three years for
refurbishment, Cave Train 2000 features many of the original ride's elements
plus technology of the new millennium. Info: 831-426-7433.Web Site:
beachboardwalk.com
Santa Cruz Visitors Center. California's
Central Coast is home to a new visitor information center that is easily
accessible to tourists traveling along the California coast. Located in
Santa Cruz at 1211 Ocean Street, the Center meets a hub where traffic spills
from Highways 1 and 17. International and domestic travelers will enjoy a
variety of services including free regional and statewide tourism materials;
maps; restroom facilities; and a knowledgeable staff ready to answer
questions and make suggestions as visitors plan their stay on California's
Central Coast. Public contact: Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors
Council, 1211 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; 831-425-1234 or
800-833-3494.
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In the eclectic county of Santa Cruz, most things come with a twist—and
romance is no exception. Natural treasures are complemented by a broad range
of cultural and dining riches that promise plenty of romantic opportunities
for the springtime traveler, when coastal wildflowers are in bloom and a
kiss of newness hangs in the air.
From walks at Watsonville's Sunset Beach to sunsets under the nook of the
cypress tree at the end of Almar Street at West Cliff Drive, some declare
these treasures to provide the most romantic experiences anywhere on earth.
Top places to experience magic in Santa Cruz include: Ocean views from
Crow's Nest restaurant, wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains and sunsets
at Manressa Beach, La Selva Beach, Lighthouse Field off West Cliff Drive,
Moore Creek Preserve on the North Coast near Davenport, Opal Cliff Drive in
Capitola, Santa Cruz Wharf and more! www.santacruz.org
Airports Distance Driving Time
San Jose International 35
miles 45 Minutes
San Francisco International
62 miles 90 Minutes
Oakland International 60 miles
90 Minutes
Monterey Peninsula Airport
43 miles 40 Minutes
Watsonville Municipal Airport
14 miles 20 Minutes
Highway Access Five
State Highways: 1, 9, 17, 129 & 152 (Providing access to U.S. 101)
Where to Stay: We used to stay
many years ago at the Casablanca hotel near the wharf. On a recent visit, it
just didn't impress me much, however. Now, I particularly like
Chaminade.
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Parks and Parkland - 42,334
acres owned and maintained by the State of California in coastal and mountain
areas. County provides an additional 850 acres of parkland, numerous
city parks. Miles of challenging trails for equestrian and mountain
biking uses.
Beaches - 29 miles of coastline,
free access to all public beaches - Gateway to the Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary, world-class surf breaks. Additional Small
Craft Harbor, two municipal wharfs, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and five
golf courses.
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