Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 13

Our beaches are just the beginning
grove inside the park.

Nearby, Natural Bridges State Beach is an ideal place for tidepool

exploration. Bring your binoculars for seasonal visits to Natural Bridges State Park, California’s only state park butterfly preserve. Each fall marks the return of thousands of monarch butterflies that spend their winters in a protected Between Natural Bridges State Beach and the Santa Cruz Wharf, a two and a half mile scenic path overlooking the bay skirts along West Cliff Drive. The path is popular for jogs, bike rides and romantic strolls. Along the route, you’ll find the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum housed inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. And be sure not to miss the surfer statue, dedicated to surfers everywhere. Just off the point from the lighthouse, fearless surfers ride the waves at Santa Cruz’ legendary surf spot, Steamer Lane. Nearby, novice surfers test their mettle at Cowell Beach. Down from the point, the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf stretches out a half-mile into the waters of the Monterey Bay. Lining the wharf are familyowned fish markets, seafood restaurants, a wine tasting room with a lounge and gift boutiques. Hop aboard a boat for a sightseeing excursion around the bay, or watch sea lions lazing in the sun at the end of the wharf. The wharf is home to a number of events throughout the year including Woodies on the Wharf and the Aloha Races and Polynesian Festival. Set along Santa Cruz’ Main Beach, adjacent to the wharf, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is alive with year-round excitement. Already Northern California’s favorite amusement park, the legendary Boardwalk was named “Best Seaside Amusement Park,” in the world by amusement industry experts. The Giant Dipper, the park’s centerpiece, is a vintage wooden roller coaster that has thrilled visitors for over 85 years. Seventy-three hand-carved horses prance proudly to the music from two beautiful antiques, the park’s original 342-pipe Ruth band organ and a showy Wurlitzer 165 band organ, at the famous Looff Carousel, built in 1911. All this excitement sits on the edge of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of 14 federally protected National Marine Sanctuaries in the country. The sanctuary is a huge source of pride for Santa Cruz County residents. Chartered sailing and whale watching tours from Santa Cruz Harbor allow you to catch sight of abundant marine life. Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard rentals are also available at the harbor. Each December, the harbor waters are illuminated with festive watercraft during the Lighted Boat Parade, a wonderful way to usher in the holidays, Santa Cruz style. Public art also adorns the harbor, including a human sundial and an artistic rendition of a “shipwreck.” Santa Cruz’ standing as the mainland’s birthplace of surfing, combined with its natural beauty, arts, energetic nightlife, and magnificent beaches have lured visitors throughout the years. Discover for yourself the diversity of this wondrous beach town.

“you can watch surfers shred waves, ride a seaside rollercoaster on the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk and hear a street musician sing Pink Floyd’s goodbye Cruel World.”
neW york TiMeS, January 2, 2011
Photo: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Photo: Paul Schraub

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Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012