Hidden amidst the lush redwood forests in the San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains, the glistening lake draws visitors with scenery, serenity, and activities such as boating, picnicking, and hiking.
Whether you’re a dyed-in-the-flannel-wool outdoorsy type or won’t bed down without a mattress, there’s a campsite that’s right for you.
Did you know that Santa Cruz County has over fourteen state parks? Day hikes are the best way to explore them as you can travel through scenery ranging from towering
Santa Cruz County is home to rugged coastline, majestic redwoods, scenic trails, and secret beaches making it the premier destination for your next hiking adventure! Join us as we go
Family-owned Freeline Surf Shop, which includes surf-related goods for sale and for rent, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019.
As you have probably heard, surfing is now California’s official state sport! And to celebrate this momentous event, California has declared September 20th ‘California Surfing Day!’ Whether you’re riding the waves or just watching from the cliffs, Santa Cruz is the place to be for #CaliforniaSurfingDay in Santa Cruz!
By Garrick Ramirez
With over 1,000 slips granting immediate access to Monterey Bay, the Santa Cruz Harbor is a boater’s paradise. Plus, it offers boatloads of fun for landlubbers, too! In addition to a marina full of magnificent vessels, you’ll find waterfront eateries, sandy beaches, and boundless land and sea recreation. Set sail for the Santa Cruz Harbor, and discover a variety of seaside activities that are sure to float your boat.
By Molly Ressler
One of the best things about yoga is that you can strike a pose almost anywhere. All you need is a flat space to roll out your mat and before you know it, you’re breathing deep through your third round of sun salutations. If you’re looking to stretch out while breathing in the salty ocean breeze or fresh mountain air, Santa Cruz County has plenty of Namaste-worthy open-air ‘studios’ for you to choose from. Find the perfect place to roll out your mat under the redwoods, overlooking the Pacific, or poolside with hotel luxuries at your fingertips. (Added perk, the Santa Cruz County dress code encourages spending the rest of the day in your active wear.)
By Molly Ressler
When you think of backpacking in California, the Santa Cruz Mountains isn’t usually the first place that comes to mind. There’s a healing serenity, however, found beneath the towering coastal redwoods that protectively enfold our sunny stretch of well-loved coastline. A quick day trip from the metropolitan hustle of the Bay Area, the Santa Cruz Mountains are an accessible, much-needed antidote to the frenzy of modern life.
Henry Cowell is one of my favorite parks in Santa Cruz County. You get the quintessential redwood experience but you also get sunny sandhill ridges, grasslands (often roamed by deer),
It’s a family affair at DeLaveaga Golf Course. Though owned by the City of Santa Cruz, the 18-hole municipal course has been under the care of the Loustalot family since
With a show-stopping landscape and temperate climate, Santa Cruz is a bike riding nirvana. The county is laced with trails that lead alongside bay waters, through idyllic farmland, and into