International VISITORS
Rustic forests, pristine California coastline, agricultural fields carpeted in green, and public art displays crafted by a passionate creative community: these are the ways in which Santa Cruz County tells its story to visitors. Heritage old growth redwood trees are nourished by restorative marine fog absorbed through its pine needles. Marine mammals, fish and invertebrates thrive in Monterey Bayâs nutrient-rich waters, once critical to survival for the native Ohlone people.
The regionâs 29 miles of coastline and acres of redwood forests are testimony to its enduring heritage of preservation and conservation, ripe for exploration and experiences.
A rich history of surfing â Californiaâs official sport â began in 1885, when three Hawaiian princes tested the swells adjacent to what is now Main Beach on boards crafted from redwood trees, and surfing was born on the mainland. Only two decades later, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk welcomed visitors as âthe Coney Island of the West Coastâ with two national historic landmarks guests still enjoy today.
Things to do seem endless here: discover a forested trail through a lush riparian corridor under a canopy of redwood trees; take a breezy sail on the majestic Monterey Bay; or experience the rush of a 17-mile mountain bike ride on a downhill single track.
If farm to table is your thing, youâll feel right at home The roots of the organic farming movement are literally in the soil at the Center for Agroecology at U.C. Santa Cruz, where researchers found gentler, alternative ways to grow and harvest fresh produce in concert with natural elements. Weekly farmerâs markets showcase local produce, which are sourced by chefs around the county.
These natural surroundings provide inspiration to an eclectic array of consciously creative artists, modern but mindful. An abundance of live music, theater and fine arts accompany local festivals, celebrations and performances – all inspired by the county’s continuous, artistic energy.
Santa Cruz County cordially invites you to explore the region with the fervor, passion, and open-mindedness that defines the destination. Welcome!
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Travel to Santa Cruz County by car from San Francisco via scenic Highway 17 or iconic Highway 1 along the coastline, which will take approximately 90 minutes and is approximately 60 miles/96 km south. Driving from southern California, Santa Cruz County is approximately 349 miles/562 km north of Los Angeles and 30 minutes north of Monterey.
Santa Cruz County
Destinations
70 miles south of San Francisco, 35 miles north of Monterey, and unabashedly left of center, youâll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. Itâs impossible to pick one place to visit in Santa Cruz County. Take a quick cruz of them all!
Picture Yourself Here
Get inspired and start planning your next visit to Santa Cruz County. #VisitSantaCruz
Santa Cruz Mood đ Guide: sea, salty air, redwoods, good food & drinks, walks & lunch with ocean views, winter sunsets đ. #winterbluesđ
What are you adding to the list?
Here are the spots featured:
1. Pleasure Point đ
2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park đ˛
3. Margarita from Low Tide at the brand new luxury hotel in Santa Cruz, @labahiahotelandspa đš
4. @pacificcookiecompanysantacruz đŞ
5. West Cliff Drive over Cowells đââď¸
6. @zeldasonthebeach in @capitolavillage đď¸
7. Beer Can Beach in Aptos đ
#winterinsantacruz #winter #santacruz #visitsantacruz
See you soon? #wintermagic is real in Santa Cruz County. Whereâs your favorite spot to catch a winter sunset? đĽđ
đŹ
Videos đĽ | @dgsc
#winteriscoming #wintersunset #santacruz #capitola #sunset #sunsets #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz
Consider yourself busy January 1 -3 for the next King Tides! Hereâs a peek at yesterdayâs King Tides from Pleasure Point. December wonât quit with the beauty! đ
Want to learn more about King Tides? Check our bio đ and start planning your stay in Santa Cruz County this winter!
#kingtides #lowtides #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #december
Weâre already experiencing some of the best of winter in Santa Cruz County and itâs still fall! Low tides, crazy sunsets, big waves, waterfall hikes, and quiet moments on the coast. Cheers to another great season ahead!
Videos đĽ | @dgsc, @beningramvisuals
#winterinsantacruz#winterloading #winter #santacruzwinter #visitsantacruz #sunsets #waves #december
Itâs very importantâŚ
Winter means:
đŚ King Tides (December 4-6 and January 1-3)
đ
The best sunsets! From đĽ to đŹ
đŚ Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges and Lighthouse Field
đ˛ Amazing hiking conditions! Mushrooms, banana slugs, waterfalls⌠itâs all there!
đ Plus, loads of holiday magic! The Lighted Boat Parade on the 6th, Winter Wonderland at the Boardwalk, the Holiday Lights Train, and tons more! Check our bio đ for Holiday Events.
What do you love about winter in Santa Cruz County?
Video đš | @dgsc
Photos đˇ | @thecuratedfeast, @dgsc, @beningramvisuals
#winterinsantacruz #winter #santacruz #visitsantacruz #winter #wintermagic #sunsetseason #wintertravel
Decemberâs color palette đ¨ might be our favorite. Which pic is your fave?
Photos đˇ | @beningramvisuals / @thecuratedfeast / @dgsc
#decmeber #sunsets #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #cottoncandysky #sunset #sunsetseason
Happy Thanksgiving from Santa Cruz County! đŤś
#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #happythanksgiving #thanksgiving #santacruz
Shop small this holiday season & support local businesses like these! Santa Cruz County is bursting with unique boutiques, creative curators and artists, and one of a kind products and designs. Where are you shopping this season? Tell us below!
Shoutout to a few of the amazing shops featured: @botanicandluxe, @artisansscruz, @pacifictradingco, @sockshopandshoeco, @bookshopsc, @zinniasgiftboutique, @shophomework, @lumengallery_capitola, @clementine_andco, @katalinasbythesea, @annieglass & more!
#shopsmall #smallbusinesssaturday #holidayshopping #visitsantacruz #supportlocal #santacruzcounty #choosesantacruz
Whether itâs little legs or full bellies, sometimes you just need a mellow hike. And with family time upon us, opt outside and get some fresh air in Santa Cruz County! Here are 6 hikes that are sure to please:
đ EAST GLENWOOD â RED LOOP: Glenwood Preserve
đ OLD COVE LANDING TRAIL: Wilder Ranch State Park
đ˛ REDWOOD GROVE LOOP TRAIL: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
đ SPRING BOX TRAIL: Pogonip
đżTHE RIVER TRAIL: Fall Creek Unit
đĽžBYRNE & LEONARD BARTLE TRAILS: Byrne-Milliron
Check our story now with a link to our blog that shares more on these locations including what parents will love, and what kids will love, about these hikes! Happy trails!
Video đš | @dgsc
#hikes #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #thanksgivinghike #familyhike #familytime #optoutside #fallcreek
Sunsets this time of year >>>>> đ
Have you caught one yet? đ
Video đš | @beningramvisuals | @hellobeningram
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzsunset #lighthousefieldstatebeach #lighthousefield #itsbeach #westcliff #westcliffdrive
Starfish, nudibranch, anemone, octopus – the gangâs all here! There is something so magical about the King Tides of late fall/winter in Santa Cruz County! Mark your calendar, the next King Tide dates are December 4-6, and January 1-3. đ
The extreme low tides expose tide pools rarely seen and allow for miles of beach walking and extended exploration. PLEASE remember to watch your step, leave the creatures alone, and be ocean safe! Check the @visitsantacruz story and bio link for more on King Tides, where to go, and how to enjoy them responsibly! đđđ
Weâll list the low tides below – but remember, extreme lows and highs can happen on the surrounding couple of days as well.
Low Tide Dates & Times:
December 4: Low tide @ 4:04pm; -1.6
December 5: Low tide @ 4:54pm; -1.8
December 6: Low tide @ 5:45pm; -1.7
January 1: Low tide @ 3:08pm; -1.5
January 2: Low tide @ 3:55pm; -1.7
January 3: Low tide @ 4:41pm; -1.7
Photos đˇ | @thecuratedfeast, Liz Birnbaum
#santacruz #kingtides #tidepools #tidepooling #californiakingtides #starfish #seastar #visitsantacruz #lowtide #kingtides #pleasurepoint
How it started vs how it ended. đ Drop a comment if you love this time of year in Santa Cruz too! đŤś
Photos đˇ | @dgsc | Nov 18
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #morninight #redwoods #sunset #pleasurepoint #fall #winter #sunset
We know, you havenât had your turkey or tofurkey yet, but itâs already time to start planning your holidays in Santa Cruz County! From the Lighted Boat Parade to the @beachboardwalkâs Winter Wonderland, and @roaringcamp Holiday Lights Train to Holiday Markets, Santa Cruz County is decking the halls for the season!
Check our bio đ and story for some of the top ways to celebrate the holidays in Santa Cruz County!
And donât forget to #shopsmall this season in Santa Cruz County! đđ
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #happyholidays #christmas #merrychristmas #holidays
Itâs tasty. đ Whatâs your favorite perch for good views?
This location is Goat Rock at Castle Rock State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Itâs an incredible overlook that spans forests, mountains, and views of the Pacific on a clear day.
Videos đĽ | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #castlerock #santacruzmountains #santacruz #tastyview #tastylittleview #hikes
Whatâs your favorite fall view so far? đŚđ
đ˛đđŚ
We 𫶠fall in Santa Cruz County! What do you love?
Photos đˇ | @desireexc
#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #fall #fallinsantacruz #monarchbutterflies #sunsets #redwoods #davenport #seals
Happy place? đ˛ Itâs definitely one of ours. Fall is a great time to get on the trails: crisp mornings, fall foliage, waterfalls and streams flowing, and the forest pops with saturated colors.
Whatâs your favorite fall hike in Santa Cruz County?
đ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Old Growth Redwood Trail
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #felton #henrycowell #henrycowellredwoodsstatepark #santacruzcounty #hike #fallhike #hiking fallinsantacruz
How well do you know Santa Cruz County? Comment your best guesses on the 5 locations in this post and weâll reveal the correct answers tomorrow! đ˛đžđŚđŚđ
These dreamy shots are brought to you by @desireexc. đŤś
#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #trivia
Welcome back, monarchs! The monarch butterflies are already here at Natural Bridges State Beach, and numbers are expected to grow! Peak viewing is typically late-November to early-December, so start planning your visit to see these delegate creatures flutter on the coast of Santa Cruz.
Have you seen the monarchs at Natural Bridges before?
For more info on visiting the monarchs, check our story! đŚ
Video đš | @impactcreative
Photo đ¸ | @jennday77
#monarchs #monarchbutterflies #monarchbutterfly #santacruz #naturalbridgesstatebeach #naturalbridgestatepark #naturalbridges #monarchgrove
Have you tried any of these? Here are 3 must-try spots in Capitola!
1. Boba Bay đ§- their boba is top-notch! The classic milk teas and fruit teas were an easy 10/10. Pictured here is the Tiger Milk Tea and the Strawberry Milk Tea with added boba. đŻ
đ @capitola.boba.tea, 110 Capitola Ave #3
2. LG Meats đĽŞđ¨ – meat is their specialty and this Pistol Pete order showed they know EXACTLY what theyâre doing! Slow smoked pulled pork, bacon, avocado, and more, this sandwich was a beautiful, delicious mess! Highly recommend trying this or another tasty sandwich on their menu! đ
đ @lgmeatscapitola, 200 Monterey Ave #1
3. Mijoâs Taqueria đŽđŻ – you canât go wrong with an order at Mijoâs! The fast, friendly, and affordable eats are perfect for on-the-go beachside eats. Many of their street tacos are 2 for $5! Everything is fresh, tasty, and the perfect pop of flavor (and color!) to your Capitola adventures. đ
@mijostaqueria, 200 Monterey Ave #2
This is just the beginning of the delicious finds in @capitolavillage. What are you going to try next?
#capitola #capitolavillage #beachsideeats #beach #beachday #capitolavacation #visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty
King Tides are almost here! Donât miss the lowest (and highest) tides of the season: November 5-7, December 4-6, and January 1-3!
Weâll list the low tides below – but remember, extreme lows and highs can happen on the surrounding couple of days as well!
The extreme low tides expose tide pools rarely seen and allow for miles of beach walking and extended exploration. PLEASE remember to watch your step, leave the creatures alone, and be ocean safe! Check the @visitsantacruz story and bio link for more on King Tides, where to go, and how to enjoy them responsibly! đđđŚ
Low Tide Dates & Times:
November 5: Low tide @ 4:11pm; -1.1
November 6: Low tide @ 5:02pm; -1.3
November 7: Low tide @ 5:56pm; -1.3
December 4: Low tide @ 4:04pm; -1.6
December 5: Low tide @ 4:54pm; -1.8
December 6: Low tide @ 5:45pm; -1.7
January 1: Low tide @ 3:08pm; -1.5
January 2: Low tide @ 3:55pm; -1.7
January 3: Low tide @ 4:41pm; -1.7
Cover Photo đˇ | @thecuratedfeast, Liz Birnbaum
#santacruz #kingtides #tidepools #tidepooling #californiakingtides #starfish #seastar #visitsantacruz #lowtide #kingtides #pleasurepoint
We like simple pleasures. Like watching the sunset over the Pacific. 𫶠Santa Cruz County.
Video đš | @dgsc
đ Seascape Beach in Aptos
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcalifornia #santacruzcounty #aptos #seascape #seascapebeach
The streams are flowing, the leaves are falling, and the forest is calling. Whoâs in? đ¤
This autumn hike is brought to you by yesterdayâs stroll at the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. To get these views yourself, park in the lot off Felton Empire Road, take the Bennett Creek Trail âĄď¸ Fall Creek Trail (keep left at fork) âĄď¸ South Fork Trail. Thatâs your route for all this fall beauty. đđ˛đż
Please note, no dogs, no bikes, and as always, pack your trash.
#fallhikes #autumnhikes #hiking #fallcreek #henrycowell #santacruzcounty #felton #visitsantacruz #santacruz
Cheers to a weekend full of pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, and loads of Halloween & October fun! See what events are happening today – Halloween on our blog! See đ in our story and in our bio!
Here are just a few of the events you want on your radar this weekend:
Roaring Camp Railroads: Thomas and Percyâs Halloween Partyâ¨October 25 â 26, 2025â¨
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharfâ¨October 19 â 31, 2025â¨
Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center: Nightmare Before The Nutcrackerâ¨October 23-25, 2025; Various Timesâ¨
Skypark: Halloween Food Trucksâ¨October 24, 2025; 4:30pm â 7:30pmâ¨
Chaminade Resort & Spa: Vampire Ballâ¨October 24, 2025â¨
County Sheriffâs Office: Trunk or Treatâ¨October 24, 2025; 5pm â 8pmâ¨
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Offâ¨October 25, 2025â¨
West Cliff Drive: Day of the Dead Outdoor Marketâ¨October 25, 2025; 10:00am â 5:00pmâ¨
Santa Cruz Harbor: Trick-Or-Treatâ¨October 25, 2025; 4:00pm â 7:00pmâ¨
Natural History Museum: Macabre Halloween Partyâ¨October 25, 2025; 6pm â 9pmâ¨
Witches Ball at the Brookdale Lodgeâ¨October 25, 2025â¨
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Trick-Or-Treatingâ¨October 26, 2025; 12:00pm â 7:00pmâ¨
Santa Cruz MAH: Dia De Los Muertosâ¨October 26, 2025; 1pm â 4pmâ¨
Downtown Watsonville: Candy Crawlâ¨October 26, 2025; 2pm â 6pm
Check our blog for details on these events and more!
Photo đˇ | @desireexc
#pumpkinpatches #halloween #santacruz #santacruzcounty #davenport
âThe sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.â â Jacques Cousteau
Today marks National Marine Sanctuary Day which celebrates the sanctuariesâ role in conserving marine ecosystems and cultural heritage, as well as promoting public access, recreation, education, and stewardship.
Here in Santa Cruz County, we want to shine a spotlight on our treasured Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Our landscape, our livelihoods, and our joy would not be the same without this beloved and beautiful bay.
Learn more about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and how you can enjoy it, protect it, and ignite your sense of wonder by checking our story or visiting: https://www.santacruz.org/blog/beyond-your-wildest-dreams-monterey-bay/
Photo đˇ | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#montereybaynationalmarinesanctuary #montereybay #santacruz #santacruzcounty
