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
California King Tides are coming back to Santa Cruz County, and this season, you have even more opportunities to enjoy these impressive tides! The dates for King Tides are: November 15-16, 2020; December 13-15, 2020; and January 11-12, 2021! These naturally occurring and predictable events are when the highest and lowest tides hit our shores
The winter season marks the start of the best wildlife watching on the California coast and Santa Cruz County is no exception! Migrating whales, wintering monarchs, active elephant seals, and birding galore, make December and January the perfect time for a wildlife adventure. And to top it off, there are some amazing hotel deals that will make your winter getaway even better!
By Garrick Ramirez
Not all of Santa Cruz’s colorful characters are found at the Boardwalk. Explore Santa Cruz County shores, and you’ll delight in rocky tide pools teeming with unique sea creatures that wouldn’t be out of place in a Dr. Suess book.
By Molly Ressler
You haven’t fully experienced Santa Cruz County until you’ve hiked through a redwood forest still dripping from a hard rain. The canyons are filled with the sound of rushing water. Wrens flit between the lichen-draped brush of the understory, and the silvery warble of a Swainson’s thrush filters down from the latticework of branches spiraling hundreds of feet above your head. As a hiker, however, the most fascinating part of a rain-soaked coastal redwood forest is right beneath your feet. When the ground is well saturated, you don’t have to look hard to spot Santa Cruz’s favorite slimy gastropod, the banana slug. In fact, after a particularly hard rain, you may have to watch your step.