It’s a gorgeous day, and you want to enjoy the outdoors, but the Bloody Mary you had at brunch has you shying away from an uphill trek to the local mountaintop. We feel you. Thankfully, there are plenty of scenic-and flat-promenades where you can gather the friends, pups, and kids, and bask in the dazzling, local scenery without breaking a sweat.
Thanks to an enviable setting between redwood-filled mountains and the wondrous Monterey Bay, one of the most rewarding activities in Santa Cruz County is simply strolling its scenic landscape. Whether you’re seeking a post-brunch dawdle or pre-sunset stride, you’ll discover many pleasing pathways throughout the region-nearly all stroller and wheelchair accessible. So ditch the car, lace up the tennies, and walk, don’t run to the following picturesque spots!
California King Tides are a hit in Santa Cruz County, and this season, you have even more opportunities to enjoy these impressive tides! We saw the official King Tide dates on December 4 and 5 and January 1, 2, and 3, 2022, but we have some additional extreme low tide dates for you to explore
Combine a warm climate with limitless scenery and a bounty of artisan breads, cheeses, and wine, and you have the recipe for a perfect picnic. With 29 miles of beaches, Santa Cruz has no shortage of scenic locales to spread out on your favorite picnic blanket. But for added comfort and larger gatherings, you’ll want picturesque spots with designated picnic areas equipped with tables and possibly BBQ grills. Here, we’ve listed a few of our favorites and organized them by setting so you can plan your dream picnic!
The quaint seaside village of Capitola began as a humble tent camp along the shore of the Monterey Bay. Camp Capitola, as it was known, welcomed its first guests in 1874 making it the first beach resort in California. A few years later, it premiered a magnificent wood-frame Victorian hotel — Hotel Capitola — that