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exploring santa cruz cou
In the place nicknamed “Surf City,” you’ll definitely want to dip into the Santa Cruz surf scene. Cowell Beach next to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and Capitola Beach are two of the best places to learn to surf. Surf instructors provide wetsuits and surfboards and get you up on the waves. Once you’re ready, grab your big stick and head to one of Santa Cruz County’s mellow beaches. If you’re not ready to hang ten but want to capture the surfing spirit, stop by Lighthouse Point and watch surfers glide over the waves. The Point overlooks Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz’ legendary surfing spot. Another great surf spot is Pleasure Point, where experienced wave riders challenge themselves at “The Hook.” But a surfboard isn’t the only way to enjoy the waves. Skim boards, paddle boards and body boards are available for rent at most surf shops. Surf kayaking and paddle boarding are sports gaining in popularity. Kiteboarding combines windsurfing and wakeboarding with kites. Waddell Beach, north of Santa Cruz, is a popular spot for this adrenaline-packed sport. Or opt for a mellow paddle around the Park in Ben Lomond, and the Tim Brauch Memorial Skate Park at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Santa Cruz County is also a veritable mecca for bicyclists. Winding single tracks through shaded redwoods and climbing roads with stunning vistas of the Monterey Bay provide a full range of trails for all skill levels. Cyclists flock to Big Basin, Nisene Marks, Henry Cowell, and Wilder Ranch State Parks for epic cycling opportunities for both athletes and novice riders. Bonny Doon Road north of Santa Cruz and Soquel’s Demonstration Forest are also hot spots for passionate bikers. Families will enjoy scenic, mellow rides along East Cliff and West Cliff Drives in Santa Cruz. And the trails at U.C. Santa Cruz are popular with all riders and skill levels. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton features a few options for nature outings other than aboard vintage steam locomotives. Cyclists can ride the steam train up Bear Mountain and then coast the downhill trail past auburn redwood trees. Or, choose to view the historic redwood forest at heights nearing 150 feet from a series of linking cables and platforms on a zipline guided canopy tour. Visitors to state parks can explore the hundreds of miles of hiking trails along coastal terraces, mountain meadows and majestic redwood groves. One popular path is the Skyline to the Sea Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The 30-mile trail threads its way along

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Monterey Bay in a kayak. Skateboarding has been part of local culture for nearly half a century. Visiting skaters can grind at four area skateboard parks: the Ken Wormhoudt Skate Park at Mike Fox Park in Santa Cruz, Ramsay Park in Watsonville, the Jim Keefe Skate Park at Highlands County

Let’s go surfing!

2 0 1 2 O f f i c i a l S a n ta c r u z c O u n t y t r av e l e r ’ S G u i d e



Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012

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

Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012
Contents
Welcome to Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz
Your Wildlife Watching Destination
Field to Table
Locally Made
From the Mountains to the Sea
Culture and Creativity
2012 Events Calendar
Maps
A Wine Lover’s Paradise
Monterey Bay
Galleries and Museums
Exploring Santa Cruz County’s Great Outdoors
Capitola and Soquel
Pajaro Valley and Watsonville
San Lorenzo Valley
Scotts Valley
Pleasure Point
Aptos
Davenport
Restaurant Guide
Lodging Guide
Visitor Activities
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Intro
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Cover2
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 1
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 2
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 3
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 4
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 5
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 6
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Contents
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 8
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Welcome to Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 10
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 11
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 13
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 14
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 15
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 16
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Your Wildlife Watching Destination
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 18
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Field to Table
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 20
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Locally Made
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - From the Mountains to the Sea
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 23
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 24
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Culture and Creativity
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 26
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 2012 Events Calendar
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 28
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 29
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 30
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 31
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Maps
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 33
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 36
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 37
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 38
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - A Wine Lover’s Paradise
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Monterey Bay
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 41
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Galleries and Museums
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 43
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Exploring Santa Cruz County’s Great Outdoors
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 45
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 46
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Capitola and Soquel
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 48
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 49
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 50
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Pajaro Valley and Watsonville
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 52
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - San Lorenzo Valley
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 54
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Scotts Valley
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 56
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Pleasure Point
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 58
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Aptos
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Davenport
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 61
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Restaurant Guide
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 63
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 64
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 65
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Lodging Guide
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 67
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 68
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 69
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 70
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Visitor Activities
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 72
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 73
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 74
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 75
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 76
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Cover3
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - Cover4
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