Contact: Christina Glynn, Communications Director/Film Commissioner
Phone: 831-429-7281, ext. 112, email: cglynn@santacruz.org
June 2, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – This summer, Santa Cruz County continues its reign as the Central Coast’s favorite vacation destination by announcing new fun new activities just in time for summer. Listed below are just a few of the newest things to do that make planning a trip to Santa Cruz County more appealing than ever:
The wine scene in Santa Cruz County is as inspired as its cuisine. And so, it’s no surprise that three previously-undiscovered area wine regions offer a variety of tasting opportunities. An idyllic region in South County, the Corralitos Wine Trail features four family-owned wineries, surrounded by redwood trees and apple orchards. And on the west side of Santa Cruz, a spirited courtyard is a local favorite where wineries, shops and restaurants can be found. Always brimming with something new to see or taste, this lively spot is home to Bonny Doon Vineyards and a number of tasting rooms that make up Surf City Vintners. And finally, the five wineries on the Summit-to-Sea Wine Trail offer world-class wines and exhilarating views, all within easy reach of one another.
Heading north, in Capitola Village, the tradition of free Wednesday Night Twilight Concerts continues in Esplanade Park, adjacent to the beach. An array of musical styles from jazz, western, Latin, swing, orchestra and rock and roll will perform at this family-friendly venue from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
And speaking of the beach, at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk free summertime concerts are all the rage, on Friday nights June 18 through September 3, 2010. Bands from the ‘80s and ‘90s perform two free concerts at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. And Brazilian acrobats Circo Brazil will perform two free shows a day on the beach bandstand every Sunday through Thursday from July 11 – August 19. From Brazilian martial arts to soccer stunts and amazing acrobatics, the dynamic thirty-minute show is geared towards families.
For visitors wanting to soak in the beauty of a scenic drive and stay “green”, Santa Cruz County now has a way to see the sights and be eco-friendly too. Cruz Carz are GPS-enabled, scooter cars available for rent which offer a fun way to explore the Santa Cruz beaches, beauty and history. These 100cc-powered two-seat scooters get more than 60 mpg on average. Each vehicle is equipped with a built-in GPS tour, narrating points of interest as the car nears. Tour options include one-hour coastal journeys to the West Cliff area and on to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, or an Historic tour through Downtown Santa Cruz past the Mission. The two-hour tour takes visitors to Capitola along the beach routes and back.
A new Haunted Castle ride graces the landscape of the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Opening on Memorial Day Weekend, the 10,000 square-foot attraction features a unique design twist: riders will board the ride at Boardwalk level then spiral down backwards into the haunted basement. Riders then glide through dimly lit rooms filled with spooky special effects. The location of the new Haunted Castle has been home to a number of “dark” rides over the years, starting with “Dante’s Inferno” in 1935.
The Museum of Art and History at the McPherson Center (MAH) will showcase a museum-wide exhibition that highlights Surf City Santa Cruz through art, artifacts, photography, surf technology, and commercial aspects of surfing beginning in spring 2010. Surf City Santa Cruz: A Wave of Inspiration opened March 27, 2010 and continues through July 25, 2010. The exhibit will illustrate the many ways local surf culture has impacted not only Santa Cruz but also the international surf community. The MAH’s Solari Gallery will house artwork from more than ten of the best artists who surf in Santa Cruz County, many represented by national galleries. Surf City Santa Cruz also includes a dynamic display of surfboard designs and cutting edge technology, Jack and Robert O’Neill’s “it’s always summer on the inside” wetsuit technology, graphic design and commercial art, photography and other artwork utilizing a variety of media including ceramic, mosaic, installation, painting and sculpture.
For a complete listing of summertime events, including over 120 free events in Santa Cruz County annually as well as a list of the Top 12 Free Things to See and Do this spring and summer, visit www.santacruzcounty.travel or call 800-833-3494.
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