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
PAJARO DUNES: an absolute treasure in Watsonville in Santa Cruz’s south county. Miles of sand to walk and explore, gorgeous yellow blooms happening right now, and sunsets that are unforgettable.
Have you been here? 🌊🌼🌅
Videos 🎥 | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #watsonville #pajarodunes #pajarodunesbeach
What Santa Cruz County postcard do you want to step into right now?
Video Postcards 📹 | @dgsc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #postcards #visitcalifornia
Setting out for a sail at the @santacruzharbor with @chardonnaysailing. ⛵️
Hanging out in the colorful beach town of @capitolavillage.🪻
Hiking to Goat Rock for the best views of the Santa Cruz Mountains at Castle Rock State Park. 🥾
Savoring an epic sunset at the expansive beaches of South County. 🌅
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. 🎷
Throwing the ball for the pooch at Its Beach. 🐕
Catching a colorful sunset on West Cliff Drive. 😍
Relaxing on the grass at Lighthouse Field, knowing the ocean is just steps away. 🪁
Santa Cruz is calling… 📞
Want the details on some of these spots?
⛵️ @santacruzwharf
⛅️ Pleasure Point
🪨 Davenport Cliffs
🥪 @javajunctionbeach at Harbor Beach
🍹 poolside cocktails at @labahiahotelandspa
🛶 Kayaking with @venturequestkayaks
🌸 Beachside blooms at New Brighton State Beach
🥤Milkshake from @thepennyicecreamery in Aptos
🦭 Sea Lions at the Santa Cruz Wharf
🎡 Sea Swings & Dream Wheel at @beachboardwalk
🥗 Salad from @sudasc
🌊 Waves from Aptos
Find Your Awe.®️
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer #visitcalifornia
Some things are better at a slower pace. 🌾🌊🦀🕸️🦆🌙 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.®️
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #findyourawe #slowdown
For those of us who never want to lose sight of the ocean… 🌊👀 Ocean lovers, this is a safe space. 🫶🏽
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #oceanlover #beachdays #summer
Add @santacruzshakes to your Santa Cruz summer bucket list!
The summer/fall season has begun and this year’s 2026 productions include:
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Fences by August Wilson
Private Lives by Noël 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. “Line 38” is Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s food and drink offering at the Grove, featuring an elevated menu using fresh local ingredients for you and your guests! 🫒🍓🫐🧀 Come enjoy a variety of tasty bites and classic favorites. 🥨🍿 Sip on your favorite glass of local wine or a refreshing specialty cocktail. “Line 38” 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! 🎟️ santacruzshakespeare.org
Photos 📷 | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative
#santacruzshakespeare #santacruz #santacruzshakes #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty
Feels like Christmas in July. 🔥 Did you catch tonight’s sky show? 🌅
These fiery sunsets are more typical for a Santa Cruz winter, but we’ll gladly enjoy them in the middle of summer, thank you very much.
Photos 📸 | @dgsc
#santacruz #laselvabeach #sunset #summer #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
