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
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
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
