Santa Cruz, CA Summary

photo by gusto

Jagged mountains and steep, winding roads tend to keep the masses away from this fascinating beach town on northern Monterey Bay. Located 76 miles southeast of San Francisco via scenic US-1 or quicker US-101, Santa Cruz (population approximately 51,400) offers 29 miles of public beaches, and includes the villages of Capitola, Soquel, and Aptos. The Santa Cruz Mountains rise quickly from the coast, providing natural shelter from the cooler San Francisco area.

Father Junipero Serra built the Mission of the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz Mission) here in 1791. Later, in 1797, Spanish colonists founded a village nearby and named it Branciforte. However, the village lacked financial support and was eventually overtaken by the mission.

Santa Cruz has a reputation as a center for counterculture, and a drive through the area is like a visit to the 1960s. Tie-dyes and dreadlocks are sported by even the newly wealthy young people who commute from here to Silicon Valley.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California’s only remaining seaside boardwalk and amusement park, and its Louff carousel and Giant Dipper roller coaster, which was built in 1924, have attracted crowds since the early twentieth century. Neptune’s Kingdom, with a two-story miniature golf course, and the Casino Fun Center are also at the boardwalk.

At Lighthouse Point on West Cliff Drive, the Mark Abbot Memorial Lighthouse contains a surfing museum. The lighthouse overlooks Steamer Lane, the area’s best spot for surfing, and the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf—which is good for fishing, dining, shopping, or listening to sea lions yelp and bark—is just up the beach.The Natural Bridges State Beach, at the end of West Cliff Drive, has tide pools and hiking.

Near Felton, about 6 miles north, the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad takes passengers up and down steep grades through giant redwood groves on authentic nineteenth-century steam locomotives. At Aptos, about 6 miles east, is the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, the epicenter of the 1989 earthquake.

On Branciforte Road, the Mystery Spot is an area discovered in 1939 where laws of gravity are defied; trees grow sideways and balls roll uphill. Wineries are tucked away in the mountains, and most have signs welcoming visitors. Several wine-tasting rooms are located downtown as well. The heart of downtown is along Pacific Avenue. The Pacific Garden Mall is a popular area for shopping and dining out, and many lodging options are available.

Santa Cruz is serviced by train and bus and San Jose, which is about 50 miles north, has an international airport.