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Santa Cruz County | A Coastal Wonderland on California’s Central Coast
Santa Cruz County, located on California’s gorgeous central coast, is well-known for its stunning coastal cliffs, redwood trees, and relaxed environment. Santa Cruz County, known for its bohemian culture, world-class surfing destinations, and lovely seaside communities, combines natural beauty with cultural richness. The county is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, with everything from gorgeous beaches and ancient woods to thriving arts scenes and historical sites.
Cities in Santa Cruz County
Counties of Central Coast
Main Attractions in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, one of Santa Cruz County’s most well-known attractions, is California’s oldest surviving amusement park, providing a nostalgic experience with rides, games, and classic seaside fun. The Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, erected in 1924, is a historic landmark and a popular attraction among visitors. The Boardwalk is located along the magnificent shoreline, making it ideal for families and thrill seekers to enjoy carnival rides, arcade games, and seaside eating.
Natural Bridges State Beach
This stunning state beach is noted for its unique rock feature, a natural bridge formed by the ocean waves. Natural Bridges State Beach transforms into a haven for migrating monarch butterflies in the fall, making it one of the best spots in California to see this natural phenomenon. The beach also has tide pools, picnic spaces, and breathtaking coastline vistas, making it a favorite location for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is home to towering coastal redwoods, some of which are more than 1,500 years old. The park’s hiking and walking routes wind through beautiful woodlands, with the Redwood Grove Loop Trail being one of the most popular. Visitors can gaze at the gigantic trees, some of which stand over 270 feet tall, and visit the surrounding Fall Creek Unit, which includes more trails and historical sites.
Mystery Spot
The Mystery Spot, a unique and enigmatic attraction just outside of Santa Cruz, is a gravitational anomaly that appears to defy physical rules. Visitors are perplexed as they see slanted buildings, unusual angles, and optical illusions that make gravity behave differently in this small space. The Mystery Spot is a delightful, family-friendly attraction that has captivated visitors for decades.
Capitola Village
Capitola is a lovely seaside village with colorful, Mediterranean-style villas along the beach and a laid-back, small-town atmosphere. Capitola Village provides boutique shops, art galleries, and seaside eateries, making it ideal for a relaxing day by the sea. The sandy beach is ideal for swimming, and visitors can attend annual festivities like the Capitola Art & Wine Festival and Begonia Festival.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Big Basin Redwoods, California’s oldest state park, is located just north of Santa Cruz and includes ancient redwoods, magnificent waterfalls, and more than 80 miles of trails. The Berry Creek Falls path, the park’s most popular path, leads hikers through thick forest and past several scenic waterfalls. The park’s redwoods, some over 1,000 years old, are stunning and provide a calm getaway into nature.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch, a historic ranch turned state park, provides scenic coastal views, craggy cliffs, and paths that snake through meadows and along the shore. The park also preserves 19th-century ranch buildings, providing visitors an insight into the area’s agricultural history. Wilder Ranch is perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the neighboring coastal hills.
Roaring Camp Railroads
Located in Felton, this historic railroad offers magnificent train rides through the Santa Cruz Mountains’ towering redwoods. The Redwood woodland Steam Train transports you back in time as an authentic 19th-century steam locomotive chugs through the beautiful woodland. Visitors can also take the Santa Cruz Beach Train, which runs from the redwoods to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and provides a fun and scenic experience for the entire family.
Seacliff State Beach
Seacliff State Beach, known for its distinctive concrete ship, the SS Palo Alto, which sits at the end of a pier, is a favorite destination for both beachgoers and photographers. The beach has picnic spaces, camping, and fishing options, as well as calm seas that are suitable for swimming. The nearby Seacliff Village has restaurants and cafes with spectacular ocean views.
Famous Cities in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, the county seat, is known for its bohemian atmosphere, world-class surfing, and vibrant arts scene. It’s a place where culture and nature coexist, with attractions including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Natural Bridges State Beach, and the dynamic downtown district, which is home to independent stores, cafes, and street performers. Surfing is important to the city’s identity, and surf breaks like Steamer Lane attract surfers from all over the world. Santa Cruz is also home to the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), which is located on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Capitola
Capitola, one of the West Coast’s oldest beach resorts, is well-known for its colorful coastal villas and relaxed environment. Capitola’s downtown, known as Capitola Village, features beachside dining, boutique shopping, and annual events that draw visitors from all around. Capitola Beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and paddleboarding, while Capitola Wharf provides fishing opportunities and spectacular views of Monterey Bay.
Watsonville
Watsonville, located in the rich Pajaro Valley, is well-known for its agricultural legacy, especially its strawberry and apple plantations. The town is ethnically diversified, with a significant Latino presence seen in its vibrant community festivals, such as the Watsonville Strawberry Festival. Watsonville’s adjacent sloughs and wetlands, such as the Elkhorn Slough, are a refuge for birdwatchers and nature lovers, with opportunities to see a diverse range of animals.
Scotts Valley
Scotts Valley, a small, family-oriented hamlet in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is conveniently placed between both the coast and the redwood forests. The community is noted for its outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and camping in adjacent areas like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Scotts Valley has a thriving tech culture, and its proximity to Silicon Valley makes it a popular commuting community.
Aptos
Aptos, located between the ocean and the redwoods, is a tranquil town recognized for its natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere. Aptos is home to Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar Beach, both of which have large expanses of sand and beautiful coastal vistas. Aptos is also the entryway to The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, which offers miles of hiking and mountain bike paths through thick redwood trees.
