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
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
Everything tastes better by the ocean. What seaside foods are you craving this summer in Santa Cruz? ๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐๐ง
Thanks @beachboardwalk, @santacruzwharf, @capitolavillage, and @thepointmarket for some great bites! ๐
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #summer #santacruzcounty #summerinsantacruz
Nisene = nice scene. ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ
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, itโs 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! โ๏ธ๐ฅ๐ฅช๐ฅ๐๐จ
Photos ๐ท | @desireexc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #aptos #nisenemarks #santacruzcounty
The evolution of a Seabright sunset. Whatโs your favorite slide?
Videos | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #seabright #santacruzbeaches #santacruzharbor
Itโs an artโฆ Take your time and enjoy the moment. โจ
Agree?
Video clips ๐น | dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitcalifornia
We like to keep summer poppy. ๐ฉท๐ฉต๐๐๐๐๐งก
Art, murals, bright bites, and those summer beach hues make Santa Cruz County a kaleidoscope of color this time of year.
Hereโs to brightening your summer with some time in Santa Cruz! ๐
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #summerinsantacruz #summer #colorpop
Santa Cruz summer classic: @mariniscandies on the @santacruzwharf. What do you get at Mariniโs? ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #mariniscandies #santacruzwharf
Forever our favorite hour in Santa Cruz County. โจ
Have you seen golden hour from here? ๐
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc + @impactcreative
When waves are the only thing you need. ๐
Video Clips | @dgsc
When it comes to events, weโve 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 โฝ๏ธ โจThursday, June 11 various times and locationsโจWorld Cup officially kicks off this Thursday, and Santa Cruz County is the premiere location to experience World Cup activities outside of the stadium itself!โจ๐ Various locations throughout the County of Santa Cruz
2. @beachboardwalk: Free Lost Boys Movie on the Beach ๐๏ธ โจFriday, June 12 from 9pm to 11pmโจWatch 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.โจ๐ 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
3. Westside Farmers Market Pop-Up Breakfast ๐ฅ โจSaturday, June 13 from 9:30am to 12pmโจChef Diego Felix once again heads up this breakfast served within the farmersโ market. Sourced with local ingredients and local talent. Expect a mix of South American flavor and a whole lot of fun!โจ๐ 100 Western Drive, Santa Cruz
4. Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show ๐ โจSaturday, June 13 from 8:30am to 5pmโจWatch 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!โจ๐ 111 Esplanade, Capitola
5. Seacliff State Beach: Ocean Fest ๐ โจSaturday, June 13 from 11am to 4pmโจVendors and info booths, kidsโ activities, live music, and local food trucks at beautiful Seacliff State Beach!
๐ State Park Drive, Aptos
Bonus: @seymour_center: New Exhibit Celebrations ๐ชผ โจSat. & Sun., June 13 & 14 from 10am to 4pmโจKid friendly activities, guided tours outside and at the new HQ Exploration Station, story time, playing with kelp, and watching sea creatures get fed!โจ๐ 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 timeโฆ ๐ฒ๐ชป๐พ๐ฟ Lucky for us, mountain time and pacific time are just about 15 minutes apart. ๐
Whatโs your favorite spot for some MT?
Featured mountain spots:
Quail Hollow Ranch ๐ณ
Glenwood Preserve ๐ชท
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park ๐ฒ
Santa Cruz County = time well spent. ๐
More life in the form of beach days, redwood hikes, memorable farm-to-table dinners, seaside treats, and bonfires by the shore. ๐
Davenport will get you every timeโฆ Have you been? ๐๐ชจ๐พ
Video Clips | @dgsc
When the sea dogs ๐ฆญ talk to the land dogs ๐.
Cover Photo | @desireexc
Pretty convinced the ocean can help with this. ๐๐
June is World Ocean Month and weโre extremely grateful for this slice of California coast with a front row seat to the Pacific! ๐ฉต
Harbor hangs = immediately added to the summer cart. ๐
Pro tip: come to the @santacruzharbor on Wednesdays and watch the weekly sunset sailboat races. โต๏ธ Eat and enjoy drinks at @crowsnestsantacruz, @johnnysharborside, or @cafe.el.palomar. ๐น
And if youโre around in the morning for breakfast, brunch or lunch, dip over to @aldosharborrestaurantsc!
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc
Summer โ๏ธ dining >>>> From tucked away garden patios like @chocolatetherestaurant to beachside bites in the @capitolavillage, everything tastes better outside.
Whatโs your go-to for al fresco dining and bites?
Featured spots and bites:
1. @chocolatetherestaurant in @downtownsantacruz ๐
2. @aldosharborrestaurantsc ๐น
3. @labahiahotelandspa ๐ฅ
4. @leftcoastsausageworx in @capitolavillage ๐ญ
5. @santacruzcoffee ๐ง
6. @troutfarminn ๐ฎ
7. @thepointmarket ๐ฏ
8. @11thhourcoffee ๐ฅ
9. @indiagourmet1 in @abbottsquaremarket ๐ฎ๐ณ
10. @palmettosuperfoods ๐
11. @honeyluxcoffee ๐ฅ
12. @capitola.boba.tea in @capitolavillage ๐ง
13. @mariniscandies on the @santacruzwharf ๐ฌ
14. @eastsideeaterysc ๐น
15. @gabrielita_tamaleria in @downtownsantacruz ๐ซ
16. @bittersweetbistro ๐ฅ
Sometimes, itโs that simple. ๐ซฐ
๐ Davenport, Santa Cruz County
๐น @dgsc
