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 don’t 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, you’ll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns, organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. It’s 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
Here for the forest fog drama…🤌 Did you know that our coastal redwoods get up to 40% of their water from fog? 🌫️🌲
Where’s 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 📹 | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #felton #redwoods #fog
Is Santa Cruz County your summer escape?
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #summer #santacruzcounty #summervibes
Forever love struck. 🫶🏽
With 29 miles of coastline, Santa Cruz County has a lot to love. 🌊 What’s your favorite spot along its scenic ocean side?
Video Clips 📹 | @dgsc
Summer = ocean, forest, good food 🔁
Agree?
A few location features in this reel:
⛵️ Twin Lakes State Beach/Harbor Beach
🦤 Capitola Village
🥗 @sudasc
🌲 Fall Creek
🌕 New Brighton State Beach
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer visitcalifornia
Happy 4th of July from Santa Cruz County! 🇺🇸
Check our bio link for last minute parade plans and 4th celebrations happening around the county!
Photo 📷 | @beningramphoto
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #happy4th #4thofjuly #santacruzcounty
Hopefully this is what your weekend looks like! 🤞🏽
What are your 4th of July weekend plans? 🌊🇺🇸
📍 Seabright State Beach
Video 📹 | @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 🎥 | @dgsc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #beachboardwalk #giantdipper #rollercoaster
A snapshot of what July’s like from here! ☀️🇺🇸🍦🌭🌴⛵️🎢🏖️
#july #santacruz #visitsantacruz #capitola #hellojuly
Zero percent chance we’ll make you choose. Always both, and super easy to do when you’re in Santa Cruz County.
Did you know that Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and @roaringcamp 🚂 in Felton are just about 8 miles from the beach and @beachboardwalk 🎢 in Santa Cruz?
Or in Aptos, you can hike the redwoods of Nisene Marks 🌲 and be at Seacliff State Beach 🏖️ 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 📹 | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #beach #mountains #visitcalifornia
Everything tastes better by the ocean. What seaside foods are you craving this summer in Santa Cruz? 🍦🍬🌯🍔🧋
Thanks @beachboardwalk, @santacruzwharf, @capitolavillage, and @thepointmarket for some great bites! 🌊
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #summer #santacruzcounty #summerinsantacruz
Nisene = nice scene. 🌿😍🌲
Have you hiked The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park located in Aptos? The dense second- and third-growth redwood forest has 30 scenic hiking trails. And a huge bonus, it’s just about a mile and a half from the ocean and is steps from @theaptosvillage where you can grab everything you need to fuel your pre- and post-hiking adventures! ☕️🥐🥪🥗🍕🍨
Photos 📷 | @desireexc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #aptos #nisenemarks #santacruzcounty
The evolution of a Seabright sunset. What’s your favorite slide?
Videos | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #seabright #santacruzbeaches #santacruzharbor
It’s an art… Take your time and enjoy the moment. ✨
Agree?
Video clips 📹 | dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitcalifornia
We like to keep summer poppy. 🩷🩵💙💜💚💛🧡
Art, murals, bright bites, and those summer beach hues make Santa Cruz County a kaleidoscope of color this time of year.
Here’s to brightening your summer with some time in Santa Cruz! 🌈
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #summerinsantacruz #summer #colorpop
Santa Cruz summer classic: @mariniscandies on the @santacruzwharf. What do you get at Marini’s? 🍬🍭🍨🍫
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #mariniscandies #santacruzwharf
Forever our favorite hour in Santa Cruz County. ✨
Have you seen golden hour from here? 📍
Videos 🎥 | @dgsc + @impactcreative
When waves are the only thing you need. 🌊
Video Clips | @dgsc
When it comes to events, we’ve got some real winners this week! Here are just a few of the top events happening around the county this week – and be sure to check our story for more info!
WEEKEND OF JUNE 11-13, 2026
1. World Cup Festivities ⚽️
Thursday, June 11 various times and locations
World Cup officially kicks off this Thursday, and Santa Cruz County is the premiere location to experience World Cup activities outside of the stadium itself!
📍 Various locations throughout the County of Santa Cruz
2. @beachboardwalk: Free Lost Boys Movie on the Beach 🏖️
Friday, June 12 from 9pm to 11pm
Watch the cult classic in the location it was filmed! Please see our Events Page for actor meetups and events before and after the movie. Stop by the visitor center at 705 Front Street for a map to Lost Boys filming locations.
📍 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
3. Westside Farmers Market Pop-Up Breakfast 🥞
Saturday, June 13 from 9:30am to 12pm
Chef Diego Felix once again heads up this breakfast served within the farmers’ market. Sourced with local ingredients and local talent. Expect a mix of South American flavor and a whole lot of fun!
📍 100 Western Drive, Santa Cruz
4. Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show 🚘
Saturday, June 13 from 8:30am to 5pm
Watch these classic beauties cruise the coastline from Santa Cruz to Capitola starting at 8:30am. Enjoy a day filled with awesome cars, great music, charming shops, restaurants, and family fun at the beach in the @capitolavillage!
📍 111 Esplanade, Capitola
5. Seacliff State Beach: Ocean Fest 🌊
Saturday, June 13 from 11am to 4pm
Vendors and info booths, kids’ activities, live music, and local food trucks at beautiful Seacliff State Beach!
📍 State Park Drive, Aptos
Bonus: @seymour_center: New Exhibit Celebrations 🪼
Sat. & Sun., June 13 & 14 from 10am to 4pm
Kid friendly activities, guided tours outside and at the new HQ Exploration Station, story time, playing with kelp, and watching sea creatures get fed!
📍 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz
For more FIFA events, visit kickoffsantacruz.com!
For more events in SCC visit santacruz.org/upcoming-events/
Currently on mountain time… 🌲🪻🌾🌿 Lucky for us, mountain time and pacific time are just about 15 minutes apart. 😉
What’s your favorite spot for some MT?
Featured mountain spots:
Quail Hollow Ranch 🌳
Glenwood Preserve 🪷
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 🌲
Santa Cruz County = time well spent. 👊
More life in the form of beach days, redwood hikes, memorable farm-to-table dinners, seaside treats, and bonfires by the shore. 🙏
Davenport will get you every time… Have you been? 🌊🪨🌾
Video Clips | @dgsc
When the sea dogs 🦭 talk to the land dogs 🐕.
Cover Photo | @desireexc
Pretty convinced the ocean can help with this. 🌊😌
June is World Ocean Month and we’re extremely grateful for this slice of California coast with a front row seat to the Pacific! 🩵
Harbor hangs = immediately added to the summer cart. 🛒
Pro tip: come to the @santacruzharbor on Wednesdays and watch the weekly sunset sailboat races. ⛵️ Eat and enjoy drinks at @crowsnestsantacruz, @johnnysharborside, or @cafe.el.palomar. 🍹
And if you’re around in the morning for breakfast, brunch or lunch, dip over to @aldosharborrestaurantsc!
Videos 🎥 | @dgsc
