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Situated on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a popular tourist destination, owing to its beaches, surf culture, and historic landmarks. Santa Cruz was founded by the Spanish in 1791, when Fermín de Lasuén established Mission Santa Cruz.
The ultra-mellow beach town of Santa Cruz along Highway One has a decided split personality, and both sides are cool. First, there’s family fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a yesteryear-style esplanade lined with arcade games, corn dogs, a wooden roller coaster, and a historic carousel.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz, California: See Tripadvisor's 69,968 traveler reviews and photos of Santa Cruz tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. We have reviews of the best places to see in Santa Cruz. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
Home to the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined downtown area, and the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, which stretches out a half-mile into the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Other highlights include UC Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and nearby redwood forests.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been an Americana classic like few others for over a century. Now as in 1907 when the amusement park first opened, the…
- Seymour Marine Discovery Center. This educational center is part of UCSC’s Long Marine Laboratory. Interactive natural-science exhibits include tidal touch pools and aquariums, while…
- University of California, Santa Cruz. Check it: the school mascot is a banana slug! Established in 1965 in the hills above town, UCSC is known for its creative, liberal bent.
- Mystery Spot. A kitschy, old-fashioned tourist trap, Santa Cruz's Mystery Spot has scarcely changed since it opened in 1940. On a steeply sloping hillside, compasses…
Visit Santa Cruz County - Find your flow and follow it to Santa Cruz! Come enjoy our Santa Cruz beaches, redwood forests, cuisine, recreation, wine history and culture, and great lodging and dining options. From the ocean to the forest, there is always something.
Jan 16, 2024 · With its surf culture, artsy vibe, and youthful university atmosphere, there really is no city quite like Santa Cruz. This is the place where surfing was first introduced to the mainland in 1880. Surfers from around the world still flock here to ride the giant waves at the city’s world-famous break, Steamer Lane.
