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 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
Anyone else absolutely SHOCKED every single year at how pretty spring is in Santa Cruz County? Never. Gets. Old. 🌸🌊🌼
Video 📹 | @dgsc
Photos 📷 | @desireexc
#spring #santacruz #visitsantacruz #davenport #california
3 food truck recs from 3 of our FAVORITE foodies: @santacruzbucketlist, @doublemeatplease, and @eatwithtanika! We asked the experts and they delivered with some amazing food truck bites you don’t want to miss! What have you tried and what are you adding to your list?
Stop 1, recommended by @santacruzbucketlist: the fish tacos and shrimp tacos from @tacoselchuy! Fresh, delicious and highly recommend ordering their chips and guac too – might be the best guacamole around! 🌮
📍 Swift Street Courtyard, 402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz
Stop 2, recommended by @doublemeatplease: crunch wrap with flamin’ Cheeto dust and the barria pizza from @chubby_tacos! If you want big bold flavors and food that’s fun, you’ve gotta add this county spot to your list. 🤤
📍 1960 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville
Stop 3, recommended by @eatwithtanika: flautas from @s.c._eatery are off the charts! Crispy, 100% gluten-free, and seed-oil-free, these flautas are an easy new favorite. Pro tip: get a sample of sauces with your order to see what ones you love! 🥑
📍 Locations vary, check their Instagram for location announcements
Ready to try some new food truck bites? Tell us below! And big thanks to our local foodie influencers for putting in the work to find the best bites around the county. 🫡
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzfood #foodtrucks #santacruzfoodie
Spring has sprung on the coast of Santa Cruz County. 🌸🌾🌼 Want to see our top picks for wildflowers this season? Check our bio 🔗 and story!
Video Clips 📹 | @dgsc
#spring #californiacoast #visitsantacruz #santacruz #wildflowers
Can we get an amen? Capitola is the springiest little beach town on the California coast! The @capitolavillage is always a kaleidoscope of color with its palette of pastel buildings and vibrant murals, but come spring, the coastal blooms burst with even more springtime hues! 🌸🪻🌊🌼🌺
Be sure to visit Capitola this spring for a pop of color and a total mood boost!
Video 📹 | @dgsc
#capitola #santacruz #visitsantacruz #spring #californiacoast
Bringing that spring energy! ✨🌊☀️🌲🎢 What are looking forward to this season in Santa Cruz County? Beach days, seaside strolls, banana slug hikes, Giant Dipper rides with a side of cotton candy? Tell us below!
And shoutout to our locals featured! Can you spot anyone you recognize? 👀
Video Production 🎥 | @impactcreative
#visitsantacruz #findyourawe #santacruz #santacruzcounty #spring
NOW OPEN! Loch Lomond Recreation Area is now open for the season! Hiking, boating, or fishing, this peaceful reservoir is a great destination in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 🌲 🎣 🛶 Check below for operating hours:
March: 7 AM – 7 PM (Friday – Monday)
April: 7 AM – 7:30 PM (Thursday – Tuesday)
May: 7 AM – 8 PM (Thursday – Tuesday)
June: 7 AM – 8:30 PM (Thursday – Tuesday)
July: 7 AM – 8:30 PM (Thursday – Tuesday)
August – Labor Day: 7 AM – 8 PM (Thursday – Tuesday)
Labor Day – Second Weekend of October: 7 AM – 6 PM (Saturday and Sunday Only)
FAQs for visiting:
▪️Loch Lomond is seasonal: Operating from March through mid-October; see above for exact days and times.
▪️Vehicle Fee $10, Season Pass $100.
▪️Arrive early to snag one of the limited parking spaces closest to the lake.
▪️NO swimming or contact with water is allowed.
▪️There are 12 miles of hiking trails to explore around the loch.
▪️Rent an electric motorboat or a rowboat from the Park Store, or call ahead to reserve your boat: 831-335-7424
▪️Fishing is welcome, and licenses can be obtained from the Park Store.
▪️Picnicking is available at many parts of the park. Bring your own charcoal if you plan to BBQ.
▪️Free boat tours of Loch Lomond on the Newell Jewell are offered during the second weekend of each month, Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM-noon. Tours can accommodate 25 people, and you can sign up at the Park Store. First come, first served.
▪️Loch Lomond Recreation Area is dog-friendly, so bring your pup along! Leashes are required, and make sure they stay on trail and out of the water! And of course, clean up after your pooch.
▪️Check out the “Loch Walks” that are hosted by a variety of ornithologists, botanists, and more. Discover dates and more information here.
▪️Please respect this natural space and keep it natural for years to come. Pack your trash, carpool, and leave it better than you found it.
▪️The road up is narrow and through neighborhoods. Please respect the residents and drive with caution.
Video 🎥 | @dgsc
#lochlomondrecreationarea #lochlomond #santacruz #santacruzmountains #visitsantacruz
February, you’ve been the sweetest. 💜
What’s your favorite season in Santa Cruz? February “winter” sure made an impression on us this year! 😍
Photos 📸 | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative
#february #winter #santacruz #visitsantacruz #postcards
Feels like spring! 🌊🌼 Who’s ready for spring in Santa Cruz? ☀️🏖️🎢🎠
Video with @impactcreative
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #davenport #spring #california
First lupine found and the hills popping with green… wildflower season is loading, friends.
Here’s a peek at the east side trails of Glenwood Preserve in Scotts Valley right now.
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #scottsvalley #glenwoodpreserve #springloading
Santa Cruz 👀… What’s your favorite scene? 🌊🌲🌅
Video Clips 📹 | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #californiacoast coast
No Sunday scaries here! Where would you spend the day if you could pick between:
A. Hiking in the redwood forest, finding mushrooms and banana slugs. 🌲🍄🟫
B. Playing around at the Boardwalk riding the Giant Dipper and eating taffy. 🎢🍬
C. Perching on the edge of the earth and discovering secluded beaches in north county. 🌊🐚
D. Gliding on the water on a kayak, watching the wildlife and seeing the coast from a new perspective. 🛶🐋
Photos 📸 | @desireexc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #sundayscaries #sunday #santacruzcounty
The Davenport Coast is a magical part of Santa Cruz. 🌊🪨🐚
Have you explored here?
#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #davenport #visitcalifornia #californiacoast
Sometimes the little things are the best things. 🫶
Take in the moment. Notice the light through the trees. Feel the rhythm of the waves. Marvel at the creatures. Find Your Awe in Santa Cruz County.
Video Clips 📹 | @dgsc + @visitsantacruz
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #findyourawe #littlethings
A little 🌧️ now to bring on the spring 🌸🪻🌼! Where’s your favorite spot to see spring blooms in Santa Cruz County?
Check our story for a Guide to Wildflowers in our area!
📍 Places featured in this reel:
1. Wilder Ranch State Park
2. Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell
3. La Selva Beach
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #wildflowers #spring #wildflowers
A moment worth memorializing. 🌈
Along with our coastline, the Santa Cruz Mountains are such a treasure in our county. 🌲⛰️ Enjoy this view from the San Lorenzo Valley area during a break in the storm. 🌧️
Video 📹 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzmountains #rainbow #sanlorenzovalley
That look though. 😍
#santacruz #santacruzwharf #valentine #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty
In case you’re missing Santa Cruz, this one’s for you.
This morning’s 🌅 from West Cliff Drive.
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #winter #sunrise #westcliff
How many have you tried? 🐟🌮 Check our bio link for a list of the Best Fish Tacos in Santa Cruz County! Did your fave make the list?
Here are just 4 out of the 8 spots we have featured in the blog!
1. @michesandceviches: 743 41st Avenue, Santa Cruz
2. @tacoselchuy: 402 Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz (food truck)
3. @ranch_milk: 1 S Green Valley Road, Freedom
4. @tacos_alfuego831: 45 Aviation Way, Watsonville
Who else do you think should make the list?
Blog 💻 | @santacruzbucketlist
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #fishtacos #santacruzcounty #santacruzfood
Might as well make some of them Santa Cruz… 🌊
Video Clips 🎥 | @dgsc
#santacruz #santacruzwaves #waves #visitsantacruz #santacruzbeach
Immediate thoughts when rain’s in the forecast = it’s time to go for a hike!🌲🥾💧
Check our story and bio 🔗 for the best hikes for waterfalls and stream-side trails!
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruzmountains #hiking
See anything you wouldn’t expect on a hike in the forest? Some places just begged to be explored… you can say that about our trails! What’s your favorite hike in Santa Cruz County? 🌲🥾🌿🍄🟫
📍 Pogonip Open Space
Photos 📷 | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #hiking #hike #pogonip
💌 There’s just something about that fog through the forest… agree? 🌫️🌲
Drone videos 📹 | @dgsc
#redwoods #fog #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzmountains
Get ready for some great chowders at the annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off at the Santa Cruz @beachboardwalk, February 21 & 22! Tasting Kits are $18 and include 6 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot! Admission is free and 100% of tasting kit sales benefit @santacruzparksrec!
Cook-Off Schedule:
Saturday, February 21, 2026 • AMATEUR TEAMS
10am: Tasting Kits go on sale
10am-11am: Preparation period (no heat)
11am-1pm: Cooking period
1pm: Public tasting begins
4pm: Amateur Division winners announced at the Pirate Ship Stage
Sunday, February 22, 2026 • PROFESSIONAL TEAMS
10am: Tasting Kits go on sale
10am-11am: Preparation period (no heat)
11am-1pm: Cooking period
1pm: Public tasting begins
4pm: Professional Division winners announced at the Pirate Ship Stage
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? 🥣🥖
#clamchowdercookoff #clamchowder #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty
Always trying to help us out…
🌯 from @catcloudcoffee on Swift Street
🌊 from West Cliff Drive
#goodmorning #santacruz #visitsantacruz #seagull #breakfastburrito
