Capitola Village Palm Trees

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 for a hip boutique property or a classic resort with a view. And donโ€™t forget your dog: many properties are pet-friendly!

Destinations

70 miles south of San Francisco, 35 miles north of Monterey, and unabashedly left of center, youโ€™ll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. Itโ€™s impossible to pick one place to visit in Santa Cruz County. Take a quick cruz of them all!

Get inspired and start planning your next visit to Santa Cruz County.  #VisitSantaCruz

More than a top-ranked California golf course! โ›ณ๏ธ DeLaveaga is one-stop hub for fun! Day date, family outing, time with friends, or even a solo mission, here are a few things DeLa has to offer:

๐Ÿง‡๐Ÿฅ—๐ŸŒฎ @thegrilleatdelaveaga has an incredible chef whoโ€™s creating an innovative and FRESH menu - like farmerโ€™s market fresh, own DeLa garden fresh, and fresh ideas. 

๐Ÿน๐Ÿบ๐Ÿฅ‚ @thegrilleatdelaveaga also has a full bar and theyโ€™re known for their great cocktails, local wine, and beers!

๐ŸŒ๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธโ›ณ๏ธ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ No experience required: hit a bucket of balls at the two story driving range! No clubs? The staff can hook you up with a couple to get acquainted with your new favorite pastime! And of course, give the 18-hole course a go! Grab a golf cart (worth it already) and enjoy this picturesque course. You canโ€™t beat the setting! 

๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿฅพ๐ŸŒฟ Take a hike! Thereโ€™s trails up and around this gorgeous hilltop setting. Roam through redwoods, get to โ€œTop of the Worldโ€ bench for optimal vistas, and work up an appetite for some bites and drinks at The Grille.

โญ•๏ธโ›“๏ธโ€๐Ÿ’ฅโ›ณ๏ธ Try your hand at some disc golf! DeLa also happens to be home to a world-renowned 27-hole disc golf course. Known for its technical difficulty and epic views, DeLaveagaโ€™s disc golf course attracts pros and casual players alike.

๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ… Views on views on views. Not only is DeLaveaga have a ton of fun, it also has epic views all around. Wildlife, ocean and forest views, and gorgeous sunsets are all the norm here. 

๐ŸŽญ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿงบ Come summer, Santa Cruz Shakespeare (@santacruzshakes) performs at the Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park. Pack a picnic, or have some pre-show drinks and bar bites at The Grille. This summertime tradition is unforgettable. 

Add DeLaveaga to your Santa Cruz Bucket List and tell us about your day at this hub for outdoor fun!

#delaveaga #thegrilleatdelaveaga #delaveagagolfcourse #discgolf #golfing #golf #santacruzbucketlist #santacruz #visitsantacruz
Have you been here? Egrets are flying, turtles are swimming, and the water lilies are blooming! Oh, and yes, the wildflowers are still popping! Consider this your sign to hike at Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley. 

Know before you go:
The Eastside trails are managed by @landtrustscc and offer four-plus miles of rolling hills, sweeping views, a variety of treed areas, wildflower fields, plus this picturesque pond. No dogs or bikes are allowed on Eastside. Please stay on designated trails and leave wildlife and cattle alone (yes, thereโ€™s roaming cattle too! ๐Ÿ„) And as always, pack your trash and help keep this beautiful preserve clean and pristine! 

As of May 8, 2025, poppies, lupine and other wildflowers are in bloom, along with the water lilies. Itโ€™s a great time to go explore Scotts Valley! 

#scottsvalley #glenwoodpreserve #glenwoodopenspacepreserve #glenwooodtrails #pond #santacruzcounty #santacruz #visitsantacruz #hiking #bayareahikes #bayareahiking
More of this in May, please. ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒŠโ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿฆญ๐ŸŒ…๐Ÿป

Agree? 

Top Locations Featured in this Reel:
๐Ÿ“ Panther Beach / Davenport ๐Ÿฅพ 
๐Ÿ“ Quail Hollow ๐Ÿฆ 
๐Ÿ“ Shadowbrook / @shadowbrook_restaurant 
๐Ÿ“ Capitol Village / @capitolavillage ๐Ÿฉต 
๐Ÿ“ Natural Bridges State Beach ๐ŸŒ… 
๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park ๐Ÿฆญ 
๐Ÿ“ Beer Mule / @thebeermule ๐Ÿบ 
๐Ÿ“ Santa Mariaโ€™s Beach ๐ŸŒŠ 

#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruxcounty #may #spring #vacations #nature #santacruzbucketlist
@kinderwood_farms has entered the chatโ€ฆ 

Want to experience the magic of the homesteading lifestyle? Check out the many offerings from the sweet folks at Kinderwood Farms in Aptos! Have some playtime with the animals ๐Ÿ, book a Field to Table Cheese Making ๐Ÿง€ or Sourdough Bread Making ๐Ÿฅ– workshop, or attend goat yoga at @beerthirtysantacruz! ๐Ÿง˜โ€โ™‚๏ธ This place is a little slice of farm life heaven! Check the @kinderwood_farms website for details, offerings, and to book!

#kinderwoodfarms #goats #babyanimals #hiddengem #homesteading #farmlife #santacruz #santacruzcounty #aptos #visitsantacruz
If nature brings you peace, weโ€™ve got a spot for you. ๐Ÿซถ 

Discover peace in Santa Cruz County at:
๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park ๐ŸŒพ
๐Ÿ“ Bonny Doon Beach and Davenport Bluffs ๐ŸŒŠ 
๐Ÿ“ Natural Bridges State Park ๐ŸฆŒ 
๐Ÿ“ Glenwood Open Space Preserve ๐Ÿ„ 
๐Ÿ“ La Selva Beach ๐ŸŒธ 
๐Ÿ“ Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell ๐ŸŒฒ 
๐Ÿ“ Loch Lomond ๐Ÿ›ถ 

Where do you find your peace in nature? 

Great video clips by @dgsc, @impactcreative, and @beningramvisuals! ๐Ÿ‘ 

#santacruz #visitsantacruz #peaceful #peace #nature #santacruzcounty #getoutside #felton #laselva #davenport #scottsvalley
Oh the wonders of the redwood forests! ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿ„โ€๐ŸŸซ๐Ÿ„๐ŸŒฟ

Interested in all things mushroom? Check our blog (๐Ÿ”— in bio) and story for Your Guide to the Mushroom World of Santa Cruz County! Thereโ€™s loads of information about one of Santa Cruzโ€™s cherished wonders - the mushroom! The blog includes info on:

๐Ÿฅพ Fungi-forward hikes!
๐Ÿฅ˜ Restaurants who spotlight mushroom dishes.
๐Ÿ„ Mushroom & Fungi Events (like the upcoming Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival hosted by @farwestfungi and @roaringcamp on May 3-4)
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Mushroom goods and places to shop for fungi fun - like @friendsofscstateparks and @santacruzfarmersmkts. 

Cheers to finding awe all around us - from high up in the redwood canopy, to down on the forest floor. 

Mushroom Blog ๐Ÿ’ป | @shbynation 
Video Clips ๐Ÿ“น | @dgsc + @visitsantacruz 

#mushrooms #redwoods #santacruzcounty #santacruzmountains #santacruz #visitsantacruz #mushroomforaging #mushroomhunting #mushroom #fungiphotography #mushroomfestival
One taste and youโ€™ll fall in love with @bittersweetbistro! Located in Aptos, this restaurant has been a local favorite for over three decades. See some highlights below and be sure to add Bittersweet Bistro to your must-try list for an unforgettable meal! 

Special Highlights:
โ–ช๏ธDog-friendly + gorgeous spacious patio! Thereโ€™s lots of foliage, koi fish and fountains, and they even have dog bones and a dog menu for your pup! ๐Ÿถ 
โ–ช๏ธFrom Asparagus Fries to an incredible Pear Salad, delicious Truffle Gnocchi to fresh caught Halibut en Papillote, and fan-favorite Shrimp Dynamite to Fillet Mignon, the appetizer, happy hour, and dinner menus are bursting with fresh flavors! 
โ–ช๏ธDessert Martinisโ€ฆ Oh, wowโ€ฆ these are next level for dessert/martini fans! With creations like Strawberry-Rhubarb Dreamsicle, Tiramisu, Cookies-N-Cream, Affogato Martini, Cafรฉ Chocomil Martini (made with tequila and Mexican chocolate) and many more, youโ€™ll definitely find a few new favorites! And fun fact: many of these dessert martinis feature house-made vanilla cream. ๐Ÿธ 
โ–ช๏ธDesserts ๐Ÿ’ฏ: Bittersweet has a long-standing reputation for some of the BEST desserts in the county and itโ€™s with good reason. House-made everything, deliciousness galore, and the presentation is perfection. The Banana Bread Pudding (and the house-made chocolate Jack Danielโ€™s ice cream) is incredible - plus, it has a super fun presentation! ๐Ÿ’ The Lemon Napoleon and Brownie Sundae are as tasty as they are gorgeous, and a true must-try is the Cookies and Cream Ricotta Cheesecake - cheesecake lovers will really appreciate this one. ๐Ÿฐ 

Bittersweetโ€™s dedication to freshness, and attention to detail and deliciousness is seen in every dish and every cocktail. Cheers to this Aptos gem! 

Bittersweet Bistro 
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos
Open: Tuesday - Sunday, 3pm-9pm

#aptos #bittersweetbistro #desserts #dessertmartini #patiodining #aptosrestaurant #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz
To visit Davenport is to love Davenportโ€ฆ Tell us your favorite memory on this little slice of California Coast. ๐Ÿฉต

Yet to discover this gorgeous stretch of Santa Cruz County? Tag a friend you want to explore with! ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ„๐ŸŒผ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿฅง๐Ÿฆ€๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿฅพ

Video ๐Ÿ“น | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram 

#davenport #californiacoast #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #coast #centralcoasting #pieceofpeace
Here are 3๏ธโƒฃ must-visit spots PLUS 3๏ธโƒฃ must-try items you donโ€™t want to miss on East Lake in Watsonville! 

1. @strawberrypatch_cafe has a delicious breakfast burrito made with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, avocado, mushrooms, caramelized onions, organic spinach - and in this one - bacon! Theyโ€™ve got an incredible matcha, boba tea, coffee, and smoothie menu too. There are so many breakfast and lunch options but it was love at first bite with this Patch Burrito. 
๐Ÿ“ 734 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville

2. @ozzyspizzeriawatsonville is killing it with those pies! The Date with a Hot Pig has cayenne and candied Corralitos bacon, dates, olive oil and shaved garlic and itโ€™s an easy 10/10. Ozzyโ€™s Mama is another pizzeria favorite with house made Italian sausage, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan. Itโ€™s finished with burrata, habanero jelly and orange zest - this pie is bursting with flavor! There are so many more creative and classic pizzas we canโ€™t wait to try at Ozzyโ€™s!
๐Ÿ“ 1036 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville

3. @fruitionbrewing is serving incredible beers (and wowing with their sour menu too!) but their kitchen menu takes this brewery to the next level. Try their Deluxe Grilled Cheese with jack & cheddar and garlic aioli jalapeรฑo jam on rosemary sourdough and tell us itโ€™s not the best grilled cheese you ever hadโ€ฆ weโ€™ll wait. ๐Ÿ˜Š 
๐Ÿ“ 918 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville 

Have you tried any of these Watsonville spots? If not, itโ€™s time for a visit! 

#watsonville #eastlakewatsonville #goodeats #fruition #strawberrypatchcafe #ozzyspizzeria #visitwatsonville #santacruzcounty #santacruz #visitsantacruz
Boardwalk Spring Break Mode: โœ… 
The sun is shining, the rides are twirling and swirling, the cones are dipped, and the @beachboardwalk is in full spring break mode! Whoโ€™s ready for a ride? ๐ŸŽข๐ŸŽ ๐ŸŽก

#springbreak #santacruz #beachboardwalk #santacruzbeachboardwalk #visitsantacruz #boardwalk #giantdipper
Send this to your patio dining pals! โ˜€๏ธ Anyone else excited about dining al fresco this spring? Whatโ€™s your go-to restaurant with a great patio in Santa Cruz County?

๐Ÿ“ @homesoquel 
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿณ @chef_briske 
๐Ÿด @danieljwestfitness @doublemeatplease @thecuratedfeast @abimustapha @beningramvisuals @shnooz @k_weezie @marcustrawick_ 
๐Ÿ“น @impactcreative 

#spring #patiodining #alfresco #santacruz #soquel #visitsantacruz #homesoquel
Facts: Hikes + Bites > Hikes + No Bites. Here are a few of our favorite sweet and savory bites in the San Lorenzo Valley - perfect for that post-morning hike! Where do you love to eat before or after a hike in the redwoods? 

๐ŸŒฒ Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell
๐Ÿ‹ The Grove Bakeryโ€™s Lemon Loaf (@thegrovefelton)
๐Ÿฅฏ House-made bagel sandos from Coffee Nine (@coffee_nine_) 
๐Ÿคค Bomboloni aka, Italian donuts from La Placa Family Bakery - pro tip: the Bombolini are available around noon!

Be sure to explore the forest of the valley - and donโ€™t miss out on their tasty bites too!

#sanlorenzovalley #felton #benlomond #santacruz #visitsantacruz #fallcreek #hiking #hike
Spring country roads that lead to: ๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŽ‹๐Ÿท๐Ÿฅง๐Ÿป 

Stop 1: @bamboogiantnurseryandgardens - come for a tranquil walk through bamboo groves. A great spot for a picnic! ๐Ÿงบ 
๐Ÿ“ 5601 Freedom Blvd, Aptos
๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ Open Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-3pm

Stop 2: Corralitos Wine Trail wineries and vineyards - @alfarofamilyvineyards, @elvaquerowinery, @lesterestatewines, @nicholson.vineyards, @storrswine, and @windy_oaks_estate are all part of this idyllic countryside wine experience. ๐Ÿ‡ (locations and wine tasting hours vary)

Stop 3: @corralitosbrewery - stop by for handcrafted ales and lagers plus, delicious rotating food pop-ups and warm local vibes. ๐Ÿบ 
๐Ÿ“ 2536 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville 
๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ Tap Room is Open: Thursday-Friday: 5pm-8pm; Saturday - Sunday: 2pm-8pm)

Stop 4: Gizdich Ranch - itโ€™s always time for pie at Gizdich! Stop by year-round for fresh pies, deli items and picnic lunches to enjoy on the farm. And with seasonal u-picks of apples, strawberries, olallie berries and boysenberries, Gizdich should be on your radar throughout the seasons. ๐ŸŽ 
๐Ÿ“ 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville
๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ Open everyday: 9am-5pm

From Aptos to Corralitos to Watsonville, the southern part of Santa Cruz County has all kinds of hidden treasures! Here are just a few on the countryside of town - what are your favorite spots? 

Photos ๐Ÿ“ท | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative, @jennday77 and @dgsc 

#corralitos #aptos #watsonville #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz
Weโ€™ve got 3 new spots youโ€™ve gotta add to your weekend eats!

1. @thechocolatestudiosantacruz: serving @mutarichocolate delights, delicious baked goods from @daniobakeshop, and starting this weekend, wine, beer and charcuterie! Thereโ€™s lots on the horizon for this spot and you wonโ€™t want to miss a bite!
912 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz 

2. @tortillashack1: fresh tortillas that you can watch being made! Plus, a great variety of fresh ingredients for your favorite mex-style creations. The salsas and fresh tortillas are major highlights! Great for a weekend on the go. 
1505 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz 

3. @greenpapayathaiaptos: in the mood for some great Thai food? This can be your new go-to spot! The green curry paired with the Thai iced tea was perfection to cool down the curryโ€™s kick! And the fresh spring rolls and peanut sauce? ๐Ÿ’ฏ 
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos

Have you tried any of these new spots? What are you adding to your list for new eateries to visit?

#santacruz #aptos #newrestaurants #downtownsantacruz #aptos #visitsantacruz
Itโ€™s so unpredictable! ๐Ÿ˜๐ŸŒŠ 

#surfing #visitsantacruz #santacruz #visitcalifornia #traffic
Never ever underestimate the power of time in the forest. We ๐Ÿ’š our redwoods and Fall Creek is a magical spot to unplug and connect with nature. ๐ŸŒฒ 

Here are a few spots we love for time in the forest:

1. Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Great for little or big hikers! Travel along the creek, see historical lime kilns, or opt for some steep uphill climbs! This video is all from Fall Creek. No dogs allowed. ๐Ÿฅพ 

2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Lots of options here! Strenuous treks or easy strolls, Henry Cowell is a must-hike state park with old-growth redwoods. The Old Growth Loop Trail is stroller and wheel chair accessible and is a perfect near-mile loop to see the towering redwoods. Some dog trails and equestrian trails are also at this park! ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿด 

3. The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park: Located in Aptos, Nisene is a hiker and mountain biker paradise! Another spot with lots of options including an 8ish mile hike to Maple Falls - a 30ft waterfall. ๐Ÿ’ฆ 

4. Big Basin Redwoods State Park: Visit Big Basin in Boulder Creek and witness the resilience of the coastal redwoods. Surviving the 2020 CZU Fires, the park is almost 5 years into its recovery and the towering redwoods continue to grow, heal, and flourish. ๐ŸŒฑ 

Whatโ€™s your favorite forest escape to connect with nature? ๐ŸŒฒ 

Videos and Photos ๐Ÿ“ท | @dgsc 

#forest #hikesantacruz #santacruzhikes #hikinginsantacruz #fallcreek #henrycowell #bigbasin #nisenemarks #santacruzcounty #felton #visitsantacruz #santacruz #hiking
Flowers by the ocean are always a quick mood booster! Whereโ€™s your favorite spot on the California Coast to take in the ๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒธ views? 

Here are a few spots featured here from Santa Cruz County:
๐Ÿ“ Main Beach / Boardwalk
๐Ÿ“ Mitchellโ€™s Cove Beach
๐Ÿ“ Pleasure Point 
๐Ÿ“ Capitola Village
๐Ÿ“ West Cliff Drive
๐Ÿ“ La Selva Beach 
๐Ÿ“ Coast Dairies
๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park

Shoutout to the talented photographers: @dgsc, @beningramvisuals, @thecuratedfeast, and @thegarrickramirez! ๐Ÿ‘ 

#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #pleasurepoint #westcliff #capitola #davenport #wilderranch #coastdairies #laselvabeach #beachboardwalk
What do you love about the @santacruzwharf? Thereโ€™s plenty of great food ๐Ÿค and treats ๐Ÿฌ, endless sea lion entertainment ๐Ÿฆญ, loads of fun shops ๐Ÿ›๏ธ, and of course, the best sunset ๐ŸŒ… spot around! 

More daylight = more time enjoying the Santa Cruz Wharf! ๐Ÿซถ 

#santacruzwharf #santacruz #wharf #maincharacterenergy #visitsantacruz
Peaceful moments in nature are everywhere here. How many of these peaceful spots have you explored in Santa Cruz County? 

๐Ÿ“ Glenwood Preserve ๐Ÿ„ 
๐Ÿ“ Pajaro Dunes ๐ŸŒŠ 
๐Ÿ“ Natural Bridges State Park ๐Ÿฆข
๐Ÿ“ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park ๐Ÿ 
๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park ๐Ÿฆฆ 
๐Ÿ“ Quail Hollow Ranch ๐ŸฆŒ 

#nature #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #peaceful #peacefulmoments #getoutside
How many of these 7 hot spots have your tried in Santa Cruz County? Tell us in the comments! And if you havenโ€™t tried all 7, check them out below and plan a visit soon! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿฝ 

๐Ÿน@ibizasantacruz: 1541 Pacific Avenue B, Santa Cruz
๐ŸŒฎ @tacos_alfuego831: 45 Aviation Way, Watsonville
๐Ÿฅ— @thegrovefelton: 6249 CA-9, Felton
๐Ÿณ @avenuecafe__: 427 Capitola Ave, Capitola
๐ŸŒฏ @busybeescafecatering: 1200 41st Ave, Capitola
๐Ÿ• @venus_pie_trap: 113 Esplanade, Aptos
๐Ÿฅ @adorablefrenchbakery: 4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley

#santacruz #santacruzfood #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty
Santa Cruz essential vitaminsโ€ฆโ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ Whoโ€™s ready for springโ€™s daily dose? โœ‹๐Ÿฝ

#spring #sunshine #santacruzcounty #santacruz #visitsantacruz #vitaminsea