Flowers by the ocean are always a quick mood booster! Where’s your favorite spot on the California Coast to take in the 🌼🌊🌸 views?

Here are a few spots featured here from Santa Cruz County:
📍 Main Beach / Boardwalk
📍 Mitchell’s Cove Beach
📍 Pleasure Point
📍 Capitola Village
📍 West Cliff Drive
📍 La Selva Beach
📍 Coast Dairies
📍 Wilder Ranch State Park

Shoutout to the talented photographers: @dgsc, @beningramvisuals, @thecuratedfeast, and @thegarrickramirez! 👏

#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #pleasurepoint #westcliff #capitola #davenport #wilderranch #coastdairies #laselvabeach #beachboardwalk

What do you love about the @santacruzwharf? There’s plenty of great food 🍤 and treats 🍬, endless sea lion entertainment 🦭, loads of fun shops 🛍️, and of course, the best sunset 🌅 spot around!

More daylight = more time enjoying the Santa Cruz Wharf! 🫶

#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?

📍 Glenwood Preserve 🐄
📍 Pajaro Dunes 🌊
📍 Natural Bridges State Park 🦢
📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 🐝
📍 Wilder Ranch State Park 🦦
📍 Quail Hollow Ranch 🦌

#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 haven’t tried all 7, check them out below and plan a visit soon! 🙌🏽

🍹@ibizasantacruz: 1541 Pacific Avenue B, Santa Cruz
🌮 @tacos_alfuego831: 45 Aviation Way, Watsonville
🥗 @thegrovefelton: 6249 CA-9, Felton
🍳 @avenuecafe__: 427 Capitola Ave, Capitola
🌯 @busybeescafecatering: 1200 41st Ave, Capitola
🍕 @venus_pie_trap: 113 Esplanade, Aptos
🥐 @adorablefrenchbakery: 4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley

#santacruz #santacruzfood #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty

Santa Cruz essential vitamins…☀️🌊 Who’s ready for spring’s daily dose? ✋🏽

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

What’s your favorite California drive? Highway 1 might be our vote… agree? 🌊🚙

Video 📹 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram

#highway1 #californiacoast #californialove #californiaroadtrip #visitsantacruz #davenport #santacruz

Spring is around the corner and not only does that bring coastal wildflowers, perfect hiking conditions, and great weather for dining al fresco, it also means more daylight to explore the beauty of Santa Cruz!

Love spring in Santa Cruz County? Tell us what you love below! 🌸☀️🌊🌿🍹

#santacruz #santacruzcounty #spring #springvacation #springbreak #springflowers #california

A quick ode to our furry besties! Beaches to redwoods, bakeries to farms, we’re pretty sure your dog will love Santa Cruz County!

Happy #NationalLoveYourPetDay!

#santacruz #visitsantacruz

The Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off is coming to the Santa Cruz @beachboardwalk this weekend, February 22nd & 23rd!

Take part as amateur and professional chefs prepare their best clam chowder recipes along the Boardwalk.

Purchase a Tasting Kit to sample the clammy concoctions. Tasting Kits are $15 and include 6 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot. Boardwalk admission is free!

Pre-purchase your tasting kits & merchandise! (supplies are limited)

#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #beachboardwalk #santacruzbeachboardwalk #clamchowder #clamchowdercookoff

Easy 10/10 morning in the Santa Cruz Mountains! Fuel up at @coffee_nine_ with their incredibly delicious house-made bagels. 🥯 Meat lovers must try The Porky, stacked with egg, bacon, and sausage. Definitely add the Honey Pot to your foodie bucket list; it offers a bold mix of egg, bacon, pickled onions, honey Dijon, and arugula. Pair your bagel with their expertly brewed coffee, and you’ve got the perfect start to a day in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
📍 Coffee Nine, 9505 CA-9, Ben Lomond

Next up, a hike at one of the many trails! Big Basin, Henry Cowell, or the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell are all great options. 🥾 For a peaceful creek-side trek, try the Fall Creek Unit’s Lime Kiln Trail shown here.
📍 Fall Creek Unit, 1101 Felton Empire Road, Felton

Have fun exploring the tucked away treasures of the Santa Cruz Mountains!

Check our story for more top bagels spots by @santacruzbucketlist!

#santacruzmountains #benlomond #felton #santacruz #visitsantacruz #sanlorenzovalley

Patiently waiting for the longer days of spring… 📆

More sun, more color, and those longer days… we can’t wait for spring in Santa Cruz County! How about you?

Videos 📷 | @dgsc

#visitsantacruz #laselvabeach #santacruz #santacruzcounty #sunset #santacruzsunset

A little design inspo from the tide pools… TEXTURE!

The tide pools always inspire wonder and awe. Patience is key as you watch the tiny creatures curiously curate their little water abodes. Always watch your step, have a hands off approach, and be inspired by the little wonders of the deep. 🌊✨

Photos 📷 | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative

#santacruz #tidepooling #tidepools #tides #starfish #seastar #visitsantacruz

Peaceful POV found on the Santa Cruz County coast. 🫶

Content 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram

#santacruz #davenport #santacruzcalifornia #visitsantacruz

Have you walked West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz? This 2+ mile coastal path is the perfect spot to take in the beauty of the Monterey Bay.

Here are a few fun landmarks you’ll want to see:
1. The Surfer Statue: Take a pic of this iconic statue; 547 West Cliff Drive 🏄‍♂️
2. Steamer Lane: Watch surfers at this world-class surf break; 700 West Cliff Drive 🌊
3. Surfing Museum: Located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, 701 West Cliff Drive 🏄‍♀️
4. Lighthouse Field State Beach/aka Its Beach: Watch happy dogs live their best life on the beach; 740 West Cliff Drive 🐶
5. Beach Houses: Swoon over the gorgeous beach houses along the coastal drive 🏠🌴
6. Wildlife: Keep your eyes on the ocean and you just might see dolphins, otters, seals, and whales 🐬🦦🦭🐋
7. Mitchell’s Cove: At low tide, head down the stairs and go to the right for some fun low tide explorations; Near West Cliff Drive x Almar Avenue 🦀
8. Blow Hole: At high tide or during big surf, the “Blow Hole” near Chico Avenue is a sight to see with water shooting up into the sky; West Cliff Drive x Chico Avenue 💦
9. Natural Bridges State Beach: This iconic beach has tide pooling, monarch butterflies in the winter, picnic areas, and more; 2531 West Cliff Drive 🏖️
10. Need some fuel along the way? @shrinecoffee and @steamerlanesupply are great spots to visit; Shrine Coffee: 544 West Cliff Drive; Steamer Lane Supply: 644-670 West Cliff Drive ☕️

Happy coastal exploring! 🫶

Photos 📷 | @dgsc

#westcliffdrive #westcliff #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcalifornia #california #montereybay

We’ve got the 🌧️, just waiting on that 🌈!

Rain isn’t so bad in Santa Cruz County when you realize it means: rainbows 🌈, wildflowers 🌸, banana slugs 🍌🐌, newts 🦎, waterfalls 💦, happy forests 🌲, and cozy meals 🥘!

Agree?

Video + Cover Photo | @dgsc

@dollyparton original quote: “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put your with the rain.” ☔️

#santacruz #visitsantacruz #rainyday #rain #rainbow #surf

We’ve got some low tides coming!

Saturday, February 8 @ 2:06pm (-0.9 ft)
Sunday, February 9 @ 2:52pm (-1.1 ft)
Monday, February 10 @ 3:32pm (-1.1 ft)
Tuesday, February 11 @ 4:08pm (-0.9 ft)

Please explore responsibly. Leave creatures alone, watch your step, and leave no trace. Check out bio 🔗 or story for more info including top tide pool spots.

Photo + Video 📷 | @beningram / @hellobeningram

Location 📍| Pleasure Point

#santacruz #lowtide #tidepooling #tidepools #pleasurepoint #visitsantacruz

Clam chowder with a bread bowl or nah? Get ready for some great chowders at the annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off at the @beachboardwalk, February 22-23! Tasting Kits are $15 and include 6 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot! Admission is free and 100% of Tasting Kit sales benefit @santacruzparksrec!

Want more chowder? Check out @stagnarobrothers, @jackoneillrestaurant, @rivafishhouse, and @firefishsantacruz for some great clam chowders in Santa Cruz! But that’s just the beginning! More spots we love are @woodiessantacruz, @idealbarsantacruz, @johnnysharborside, @crowsnestsantacruz, @eastsideeaterysc, and @baylivingculinary.

Check our bio 🔗 and story for details on these top spots for amazing clam chowder!

Where do you go for your favorite cup or bowl? 🥣🥖

Cover Photo 📷 | @jennday77
Blog 💻 | @tarafatemiwalker

#clamchowdercookoff #clamchowder #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruzwharf #bestclamchowder #clamchowdercookoff #beachboardwalk

Yellow sunrise on West Cliff + egg sando at @mad_yolks + banana slug forest hike at Henry Cowell = perfect chill Santa Cruz morning. 🌅🍳🍌🐌

One of our favorite things about our area is that you can be on the coast enjoying the ocean breeze, and in less than 20 minutes, hiking through the redwoods.

Here’s one way to do it:

📍 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz ➡️
📍 Mad Yolks, 1411 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz ➡️
📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton

Cover Photo 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram

#santacruz #goodmorning #morningideas #sunrise #westcliffdrive #westcliff #redwoods #henrycowellredwoodsstatepark #henrycowell #travelideas #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz

Romantic Restaurants: How many have you tried on this list?

Looking for a romantic spot for your next date night in Santa Cruz County – or just for some really, really good food? Check out a few faves:

📍 Gabriella Café / @gabriellacafe_santacruz
910 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz

📍 Cavalletta / @cavalletta.restaurant
9067 Soquel Drive, Aptos

📍 Shadowbrook Restaurant / @shadowbrook_restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola

📍 Avanti Restaurant / @avanti.santacruz / @avanti_santacruz
1917 Mission Street, Santa Cruz

📍 HOME Soquel / @homesoquel
3101 N Main Street, Soquel

📍 Trestles Restaurant / @trestles_capitola
316 Capitola Avenue, Capitola

📍 Lago di Como / @lago_di_como_ristorante
21490 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

Want even more top-notch romantic restaurants? Check our bio 🔗 or story for Your Guide to Romantic Restaurants in Santa Cruz County!

#romanticrestaurants #datenight #romanticdinner #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #valentinesday #dateideas

Is that too much to ask? 😉 How do you like this weekend combo:

Morning Hike 🥾: Wilder Ranch’s Old Cove Loop is a real treat. Seals 🦭, ocean views 🌊, and Fern Grotto Beach 🌿 are just a few of the treasures along the coastal path.

Pastries 🥐: this is @adorablefrenchbakery in Scotts Valley but others to love are @manresabread, @companionbakeshop, @whalecitybakery, @thegrovefelton, @butterybakery, @gaylesbakery, and @emozionipasticceria to name a few!

Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures in Santa Cruz Exhibit 🎡: This fun exhibit is now open at the @santacruzmah! Stop in and see the quirky art with lots of @beachboardwalk and Santa Cruz County features.

Clam Chowder 🥣: Cozy up this weekend with a bowl of clam chowder! The Santa Cruz Wharf has great chowders at @stagnarobrothers, @rivafishhouse, @firefishgrill, @woodiessantacruz, plus nearby at @jackoneillrestaurant and @idealbarsantacruz. Check our blog 🔗 in our bio for a whole list of spots for great clam chowder!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Cover Photo 📷 | @dgsc

#santacruz #weekend #happyweekend #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #tgif #weekendplans

Have you hiked Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley? If not, save and add to your hiking list!

More info:
Situated in Scotts Valley, the West and East sides of the Glenwood Preserve unveil over seven miles of trails. Managed by the @landtrustscc, the 170-acre property brims with diverse habitats such as redwood groves, lush wetlands, and evergreen forests.
The Eastside trails (seen in this video) offer four-plus miles of rolling hills, sweeping views, a variety of treed areas, wildflower fields, plus a picturesque fishing pond. Due to the presence of cattle brought in to graze—making land more conducive to the preserve’s endangered species—dogs and bikes are not allowed on Eastside trails.
The Westside trails are organized into five loops that span a collective three miles, and can accommodate hikers, bikers, and dogs on leash.

Enjoy! And check our story for more on this magical place!

📍 Glenwood Open Space Preserve, 3 Mountain Valley Road, Scotts Valley

Video + Photo 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram

#scottsvalley #glenwoodopenspacepreserve #glenwood #hike #hiking #hikersparadise #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty

It’s National Bagel Day. You know what to do. Favorite bagel in Santa Cruz County —> go! 🥯

Need 🥯 inspo? Check our story for our list of the top bagel spots in the county. 🫶

Two spots featured here 📍 | @bagelcafewatsonville + House of Bagels in Scotts Valley

#nationalbagelday #bagels #bagel #santacruz #watsonville #scottsvalley #visitsantacruz #happynationalbagelday