The year is coming to a close and we’re taking a look back at the best of 2021 on the Visit Santa Cruz County social pages! Sure, the trials and ups and downs of 2020 didn’t magically go away in 2021, but we had some extraordinary moments where nature reminded us that beauty is abundant
A nostalgic look back at the West Coast’s oldest amusement park Since its opening in 1907 as the “Coney Island of the West,” the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been the backdrop for scores of noteworthy cultural events through the years, from Duke Kahanamoku’s historic 1913 surfing exhibit to the Miss California pageant to major
Though we’re never quite ready to bid adieu to summer, we’re always eager to welcome fall. The magical season sees life’s pace begin to slow, the air turn crisp, and sunlight bathe everything in golden hues. We love scouring pumpkin patches for the perfect jack-o-lantern, and watching masked, pint-sized ghouls wander streets with trick-or-treat bags held wide open. A noticeable uptick in baked goods doesn’t hurt either. Below we share some ideas for how to celebrate autumn in Santa Cruz County with plenty of frights, food, and fall color to last the season.
When most folks think of Santa Cruz County, they imagine its iconic beaches and breathtaking coastline, but the small, forested communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains are just as dreamy as its ocean views. Known as San Lorenzo Valley (SLV), the area is comprised of the towns of Felton, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, and Boulder Creek
Ocean waves? Check. Hikes with stunning vistas? Yup. Forest tours 150 feet up in the trees? We’ve got that too. From biking the newly opened coastal trail to ziplining through the redwoods, Santa Cruz is a place where both adrenaline junkies and those looking for the town’s laid-back vibe can play. All that’s required is