Santa Cruz is known for its phenomenal wildlife viewing opportunities. Year round whale watching, birding, otters and elephant seals, and seasonal monarch butterflies have put Santa Cruz County on the map for many nature enthusiasts! But in December and January there seems to be a crescendo of wildlife that make Santa Cruz a wintertime must-see!
California King Tides are coming back to Santa Cruz County, and this season, you have even more opportunities to enjoy these impressive tides! We saw the impressive King Tides on December 4 and 5 of this year, but still have the January 1, 2, and 3, 2022 dates on the horizon! These naturally occurring and
In Santa Cruz, we like to celebrate all creatures great and small, especially those of the migrating variety. On one end, we are captivated by the sight of a whale surfacing from the depths of the sea and, on the other, we delight in the spellbinding magic of a fluttering monarch butterfly. Every fall and
As part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, sea life is abundant in and around Santa Cruz County. Throughout the year it is possible to see sightings of common porpoises, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and the ever-present sea otters. Seen from the deck of a sailboat, in the seat of a kayak, on
The annual California King Tides are coming to Santa Cruz County November 15-16, 2020; December 13-15, 2020; and January 11-12, 2021! These naturally occurring extreme high and low tides create quite a buzz on the coast, but the low tides in particular pose prime conditions for unforgettable tide pooling experiences, miles of beach walking, and