VISIT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
FIND YOUR AWE.
From a hotel on the beach, to a quaint inn or bed and breakfast, to a vacation rental for the family or a rustic campground, you can rest easy in Santa Cruz County. Opt-in for a hip boutique property or a classic resort with a view. And donโt forget your dog: many properties are pet-friendly!
Santa Cruz County
Destinations
70 miles south of San Francisco, 35 miles north of Monterey, and unabashedly left of center, youโll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns, organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. Itโs impossible to pick one place to visit in Santa Cruz County. Take a quick cruz of them all!
Picture Yourself Here
Get inspired and start planning your next visit to Santa Cruz County. #VisitSantaCruz
Which postcard do you want to step into right now?
1. Watch the sunset from the sand at Seabright Beach. ๐
All videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer #august
2. Spend a sunny day at the beach, shopping, and at seaside restaurants in the @capitolavillage. โ๏ธ
3. Have some โme timeโ watching the waves roll in off West Cliff Drive. โ๏ธ
4. Watch the boats go by at @santacruzharbor and have dinner at a nearby restaurant. โต๏ธ
5. Get adventurous at Castle Rock State Park and rappel some boulders. ๐งโโ๏ธ
6. Head down to the sand at an Aptos beach where you can literally walk miles on the coast. ๐ฃ
7. Never lose sight of the ocean on a coastal path. ๐
8. Visit Rio Del Mar and enjoy the shorebirds and coastal town. ๐ฆ
9. Spend some time in the @capitolavillage and see why the colorful beach town is a photographerโs dream. ๐ธ
10. Trek to mountaintops and epic vistas at one of our local state parks: Castle Rock, Henry Cowell, Big Basin, and Nisene Marks are all great spots for hikes with a view. ๐ฅพ
A sneak peek at just a *few* things weโre looking forward toโฆ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ท๐
๐ The best weather tends to be fall (although this summer has been amazing!)
๐ Apple picking at Gizdich Ranch, @ldvorchard, @clearvieworchards, and @liveearthfarm (usually starts in September)
๐ฆ Monarch butterflies return in October!
๐ฒ Hiking a great all year long but fall brings some extra magic with changing leaves.
๐ท Wine tasting is so beautiful in the fall! Check out the Corralitos Wine Trail for a collection of wineries in south county or summit vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
๐
Sunset season is on in fall! And winter brings even more drama.
Thereโs a bunch more but weโll try and stick to the present a little longer. โ๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #fall #sneakpeek #santacruzcounty
29 coastal miles means thereโs always a mellow spot to land.
Starting from the south of Santa Cruz County, weโve got peaceful Pajaro Dunes. ๐พ Moving a bit north, thereโs the expansive sunset view from the cliffs at Seascape. ๐
Inching a few miles north, we have Pleasure Point and those dreamy clouds. โ
๏ธ And finally, at nearly the top of county we have the pebble sand shores of Greyhound Rock Beach. ๐
Whatโs your favorite beach for a slow summer day?
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc + @visitsantacruz
#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer
And it feels so good. ๐๐๐ฉต
๐ Santa Cruz, California
Clips ๐น | @dgsc + @visitsantacruz
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #blue #pacificocean
Hello, Augustโฆ please be good to us. ๐งก
August is peak summer in Santa Cruz County. The weatherโs great, the oceanโs at its warmest, nature shows off, and although some classic summer events are winding down, fall festivals quickly take their place on the calendar.
What are you excited for this August in Santa Cruz County? Here are some of our picks:
๐ผ U-Pick Dahlias with @beeline_blooms
๐ Chance of seeing ๐ bioluminescence
๐ฅ Free Outdoor Movies: @beachboardwalk (last one August 7); Capitola Village (August 28 & September 4); Seabright (August 6 & 13)
๐ท Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival, August 15 & 16
๐ผ Cabrillo Festival is Contemporary Music @cabrillofestival
๐ญ @santacruzshakes performances amongst the redwoods
๐๏ธ Beach days and sunsets over the Pacific
๐ฒ Hikes under the redwoods to beat the heat
Whatโd we miss?
Video ๐น | @dgsc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #august #santacruzcounty #summer
Oh, Davenportโฆ ๐ Have you been? If so, you due for another visit?
Pro Tip: Stop at @whalecitybakery for a great breakfast and quick bites. ๐ฅ Have a locally sourced lunch (or dinner) and drinks at @roadhousedavenport. ๐น And stop by @swantonberryfarm for strawberry delights, pies and more. ๐ฅง
Video Clips ๐น | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #davenport #santacruzcounty #santacruz #davenportca
Tell your dog I said hi. ๐
Photos ๐ท | @desireexc + @dgsc + @thecuratedfeast + @beningramphoto
#visitsantacruz #dogsofinstagram #santacruz #itsbeach #tellyourdogisaidhi
Itโs that time again! The Watsonville Strawberry is back August 1 & 2!
This free, family-friendly festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, kidsโ activities, local artisans, business and specialty vendors, and a mouthwatering variety of food. Strawberry lovers can look forward to creative berry-infused treats like pizza, tacos, churros, popcorn, shortcake, beer, and more! Be sure to catch crowd favorites like the Pie-Eating Contest and Berry Best Dressed Contest.
Open 11:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday and
11:00am to 7:00pm on Sunday.
๐ Historic Downtown Watsonville
Main Street and E. Beach Street, Watsonville
Clips ๐น | @watsonvillestrawberryfestival + @visitsantacruz
#visitsantacruz #watsonville #watsonvillestrawberryfestival #santacruz #santacruzcounty
PAJARO DUNES: an absolute treasure in Watsonville in Santa Cruzโs south county. Miles of sand to walk and explore, gorgeous yellow blooms happening right now, and sunsets that are unforgettable.
Have you been here? ๐๐ผ๐
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #watsonville #pajarodunes #pajarodunesbeach
What Santa Cruz County postcard do you want to step into right now?
Video Postcards ๐น | @dgsc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #postcards #visitcalifornia
Setting out for a sail at the @santacruzharbor with @chardonnaysailing. โต๏ธ
Hanging out in the colorful beach town of @capitolavillage.๐ชป
Hiking to Goat Rock for the best views of the Santa Cruz Mountains at Castle Rock State Park. ๐ฅพ
Savoring an epic sunset at the expansive beaches of South County. ๐
Bopping to the seaside tunes at one of the Capitola Twilight Concerts in the @capitolavillage. These are free and are happening every Wednesday through August 19, from 6pm – 8pm. ๐ท
Throwing the ball for the pooch at Its Beach. ๐
Catching a colorful sunset on West Cliff Drive. ๐
Relaxing on the grass at Lighthouse Field, knowing the ocean is just steps away. ๐ช
Santa Cruz is callingโฆ ๐
Want the details on some of these spots?
โต๏ธ @santacruzwharf
โ
๏ธ Pleasure Point
๐ชจ Davenport Cliffs
๐ฅช @javajunctionbeach at Harbor Beach
๐น poolside cocktails at @labahiahotelandspa
๐ถ Kayaking with @venturequestkayaks
๐ธ Beachside blooms at New Brighton State Beach
๐ฅคMilkshake from @thepennyicecreamery in Aptos
๐ฆญ Sea Lions at the Santa Cruz Wharf
๐ก Sea Swings & Dream Wheel at @beachboardwalk
๐ฅ Salad from @sudasc
๐ Waves from Aptos
Find Your Awe.ยฎ๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer #visitcalifornia
Some things are better at a slower pace. ๐พ๐๐ฆ๐ธ๏ธ๐ฆ๐ Nature is one of them. The longer you linger, the more you see. The more you notice. The more you fall in love with Santa Cruz County. Agree?
Find Your Awe.ยฎ๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #findyourawe #slowdown
For those of us who never want to lose sight of the ocean… ๐๐ Ocean lovers, this is a safe space. ๐ซถ๐ฝ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #oceanlover #beachdays #summer
Add @santacruzshakes to your Santa Cruz summer bucket list!
The summer/fall season has begun and this yearโs 2026 productions include:
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Fences by August Wilson
Private Lives by Noรซl Coward
The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (December)
Come early and enjoy the full outdoor theatre experience. โLine 38โ is Santa Cruz Shakespeareโs food and drink offering at the Grove, featuring an elevated menu using fresh local ingredients for you and your guests! ๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ง Come enjoy a variety of tasty bites and classic favorites. ๐ฅจ๐ฟ Sip on your favorite glass of local wine or a refreshing specialty cocktail. โLine 38โ opens 2 hours before evening performances and 1 hour before matinees.
You can also bring your own picnic basket, wine (we see you, @birichino_official!) & beer, and see the wonderful views from the picnic bluff dining area while you enjoy a relaxed pre-show dinner.
Now is the perfect time to experience @santacruzshakes! See their website for performances, dates & times, and to purchase your tickets! ๐๏ธ santacruzshakespeare.org
Photos ๐ท | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative
#santacruzshakespeare #santacruz #santacruzshakes #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty
Feels like Christmas in July. ๐ฅ Did you catch tonightโs sky show? ๐
These fiery sunsets are more typical for a Santa Cruz winter, but weโll gladly enjoy them in the middle of summer, thank you very much.
Photos ๐ธ | @dgsc
#santacruz #laselvabeach #sunset #summer #visitsantacruz
Here for the forest fog dramaโฆ๐ค Did you know that our coastal redwoods get up to 40% of their water from fog? ๐ซ๏ธ๐ฒ
Whereโs your go-to park or trail for a hike through these towering trees?
Recommended spots for lots of redwoods: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, The Forest of Nisene Marks, and Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Other parks with redwood trails: Other parks with redwood groves include Wilder Ranch State Park, Loch Lomond, Pogonip, Castle Rock State Park, San Vicente Redwoods, Glenwood Open Space Preserve and Byrne-Milliron Forest.
Videos ๐น | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #felton #redwoods #fog
Is Santa Cruz County your summer escape?
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #summer #santacruzcounty #summervibes
Forever love struck. ๐ซถ๐ฝ
With 29 miles of coastline, Santa Cruz County has a lot to love. ๐ Whatโs your favorite spot along its scenic ocean side?
Video Clips ๐น | @dgsc
Summer = ocean, forest, good food ๐
Agree?
A few location features in this reel:
โต๏ธ Twin Lakes State Beach/Harbor Beach
๐ฆค Capitola Village
๐ฅ @sudasc
๐ฒ Fall Creek
๐ New Brighton State Beach
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer visitcalifornia
Happy 4th of July from Santa Cruz County! ๐บ๐ธ
Check our bio link for last minute parade plans and 4th celebrations happening around the county!
Photo ๐ท | @beningramphoto
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #happy4th #4thofjuly #santacruzcounty
Hopefully this is what your weekend looks like! ๐ค๐ฝ
What are your 4th of July weekend plans? ๐๐บ๐ธ
๐ Seabright State Beach
Video ๐น | @desireexc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #4thofjuly #happy4th #beachday
70 MILLION rides and counting! How many times have you ridden the Giant Dipper at the @beachboardwalk? Tell us below!
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #beachboardwalk #giantdipper #rollercoaster
A snapshot of what Julyโs like from here! โ๏ธ๐บ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ดโต๏ธ๐ข๐๏ธ
#july #santacruz #visitsantacruz #capitola #hellojuly
Zero percent chance weโll make you choose. Always both, and super easy to do when youโre in Santa Cruz County.
Did you know that Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and @roaringcamp ๐ in Felton are just about 8 miles from the beach and @beachboardwalk ๐ข in Santa Cruz?
Or in Aptos, you can hike the redwoods of Nisene Marks ๐ฒ and be at Seacliff State Beach ๐๏ธ in less than two miles?
No need to pick a side. You can easily do both in a single day in Santa Cruz.
Video clips ๐น | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #beach #mountains #visitcalifornia
