Welcome TO SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Santa Cruz County is known for embracing diversity, in all forms.ย Steeped in progressive roots, this classic laid-back region of California offers rejuvenating travel experiences for visitors from near and far:ย wrapped up in a classic west coast vibe.ย Discover locally-made products at a farmerโs market, sip pinot noir at a boutique winery, mix effortlessly with locals at an outdoor micro-brewery, hike a breezy forested redwood trail at a state park, or find a wide expansive beach for a sunset stroll.ย Be sure to check out the Top Ten Must-See Spots in the region and gain memories along the way.
Getting Here
An easy drive south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz County is accessible by car via Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains, or via Californiaโs scenic Highway 1.
Nearby Airports
The nearest major airports to Santa Cruz County are San Jose Mineta International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Oakland International Airport.
Travel Itineraries
Discover the best of Santa Cruz County with one-day, three-day, and five-day itineraries curated for families, couples, and solo travelers.
Santa Cruz County
Destinations
70 miles south of San Francisco, 35 miles north of Monterey, and unabashedly left of center, youโll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns, organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. Itโs 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
Send this to yourย @santacruzcountyfair buddies! The 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair is happening Wednesday, September 16 – Sunday, September 20! Everything from adorable animals to tasty fair foods, live entertainment to local art, drone shows to Monster Truck shows, carnival games to @jamesdurbinlostboysโฆ there truly is something for everyone! What are you looking forward to seeing (or eating) at the fair this year?โจโจNeed more info? Check below!โจโจโฐ FAIR HOURS:โจโช๏ธWednesday – Friday, Noon to 11:00 PMโจโช๏ธSaturday 10:00 AM to 11:00 PMโจโช๏ธSunday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PMโจโจ๐LOCATION, PARKING & GETTING HEREโจโช๏ธ2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonvilleโจโช๏ธParking is $10 for the main lot โจโช๏ธ5+ people per car PARK FOR FREE!โจโช๏ธ2026 Metro Bus Discount: To get this discount you need to ride the Metro bus. Make sure to get a validation coupon from the bus driver, bring the coupon to any Fair entrance ticket gate to get your discount. $7 discount for adults & $6 discount for youth (6-12 year olds)โจโจ๐๏ธ DAILY ADMISSION โจโช๏ธFair Admission: Adults 13+: $20โจโช๏ธChildren 6 to 12: $10 โจโช๏ธUnder 5: FREEโจโช๏ธSeniors 62 and better: $13โจ
๐ฐ SPECIALS:โจโช๏ธ Free Admission Days: Wednesday, 9/16 – Veterans with ID, Thursday, 9/17 – Kids 12 & under, Every Day of Fair – Active Military (with ID) and Kids age 5 & underโจโช๏ธ 2026 FunFair ADULT Admission Pre-Sale Special: Take advantage of the online-only offer and buy an adult pass and a carnival ride wristband together to save. Ages 13+: $40; Kids 6 to 12: $35โจโช๏ธ AT THE GATE OFFERS: Americaโs 250th Birthday Special Admission deal on opening day, โจThursday, and Friday: early bird savings until 5pm. To celebrate Americaโs 250th Anniversary, they are offering $2.50 per person admission tickets. This offer is ONLY GOOD AT THE GATE ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH -Opening Day. On THURSDAY AND FRIDAY September 17th and 18th, save $4.00 per ticket – ONLY GOOD FOR PURCHASE AT THE GATE from opening until 5:00pm.โจโจSee you at the fair! ๐๏ธ๐ช๐ก๐๐ท๐โจโจ#visitsantacruz #santacruzcountyfairย #santacruzย #watsonville #fair
Can you name all 5 locations? ๐ค Comment your answers below! ๐ฌ
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #wherearewe #santacruzcounty #santacruz #trivia
Itโs a beautiful thing. ๐ค๐ฝ
Clips ๐น | @dgsc + @impactcreative + @visitsantacruz
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #capitola #santacruzcounty #visitcalifornia
Sunset season is upon usโฆ Extra grateful for those pink and orange onesโฆ ๐ฉท๐
๐งก
Video Clips ๐น | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #sunsets #sunset
Monday daydreams: sailing in Santa Cruz. โต๏ธ
Have you sailed in the Monterey Bay yet?
Videos ๐น | @impactcreative
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #sailing #montereybay #summer
Right now in Santa Cruzโฆ ๐๐ฝ School may be back in session but summerโs still GIVING. โ๏ธ๐๐๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzharbor #summer #beachday
Summer forever in the @capitolavillage. โ๏ธ๐ธ๐๐โโ๏ธ
#capitolavillage #capitola #visitsantacruz #santacruz #summerforever
We ๐ซถ๐ฝ our local shops! What stores and artists do you love to support in Santa Cruz County? ๐๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #shoplocal #santacruzcounty #shopsmall
Have you visited Big Basin lately? A few months ago, the park opened the Sequoia Trail which leads to Sempervirens Falls. This is a huge feat for this historic park that was severely burned in the 2020 Lightning Complex Fires.
The 1.3 mile hike to the falls is well groomed and shows the resilience of the redwood forest. You can either do an out and back to the falls (approximately 2.6 miles) or opt for a 4-ish mile loop on the Sequoia Trail.
We look forward to continuing to see this park come to life as the resilient forest heals – and with the hard work of @castateparks, @friendsofscstateparks, @sempervirensfund, @savetheredwoods, @mountainparksfoundation, @santacruztrails, @parkscalifornia, and others who love Big Basin. ๐ฒ
Know Before You Go:
๐
ฟ๏ธ Parking is $10
๐ง Bring water and snacks
๐ Open 8am – sunset
๐ @santacruzmetro offers weekend service seasonally to the park
๐ฎ Pack your trash
๐ฅพ Be prepared with proper attire and layers
๐ฝ Bathroom onsite
โน๏ธ Visit their visitor center for questions about trails and general park info
#bigbasin #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #bouldercreek #santacruz
Whoโs due for a session? ๐๐
Video Clips ๐ฅ | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #oceantherapy #beach #aptos #santacruz
Santa Cruz: a great place to add more life to your days. ๐ซถ
All photos ๐ท | @desireexc
๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ชป๐
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #morelife #visitcalifornia
Which postcard do you want to step into right now?
1. Watch the sunset from the sand at Seabright Beach. ๐
All videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer #august
2. Spend a sunny day at the beach, shopping, and at seaside restaurants in the @capitolavillage. โ๏ธ
3. Have some โme timeโ watching the waves roll in off West Cliff Drive. โ๏ธ
4. Watch the boats go by at @santacruzharbor and have dinner at a nearby restaurant. โต๏ธ
5. Get adventurous at Castle Rock State Park and rappel some boulders. ๐งโโ๏ธ
6. Head down to the sand at an Aptos beach where you can literally walk miles on the coast. ๐ฃ
7. Never lose sight of the ocean on a coastal path. ๐
8. Visit Rio Del Mar and enjoy the shorebirds and coastal town. ๐ฆ
9. Spend some time in the @capitolavillage and see why the colorful beach town is a photographerโs dream. ๐ธ
10. Trek to mountaintops and epic vistas at one of our local state parks: Castle Rock, Henry Cowell, Big Basin, and Nisene Marks are all great spots for hikes with a view. ๐ฅพ
A sneak peek at just a *few* things weโre looking forward toโฆ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ท๐
๐ The best weather tends to be fall (although this summer has been amazing!)
๐ Apple picking at Gizdich Ranch, @ldvorchard, @clearvieworchards, and @liveearthfarm (usually starts in September)
๐ฆ Monarch butterflies return in October!
๐ฒ Hiking a great all year long but fall brings some extra magic with changing leaves.
๐ท Wine tasting is so beautiful in the fall! Check out the Corralitos Wine Trail for a collection of wineries in south county or summit vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
๐
Sunset season is on in fall! And winter brings even more drama.
Thereโs a bunch more but weโll try and stick to the present a little longer. โ๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #fall #sneakpeek #santacruzcounty
29 coastal miles means thereโs always a mellow spot to land.
Starting from the south of Santa Cruz County, weโve got peaceful Pajaro Dunes. ๐พ Moving a bit north, thereโs the expansive sunset view from the cliffs at Seascape. ๐
Inching a few miles north, we have Pleasure Point and those dreamy clouds. โ
๏ธ And finally, at nearly the top of county we have the pebble sand shores of Greyhound Rock Beach. ๐
Whatโs your favorite beach for a slow summer day?
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc + @visitsantacruz
#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer
And it feels so good. ๐๐๐ฉต
๐ Santa Cruz, California
Clips ๐น | @dgsc + @visitsantacruz
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #blue #pacificocean
Hello, Augustโฆ please be good to us. ๐งก
August is peak summer in Santa Cruz County. The weatherโs great, the oceanโs at its warmest, nature shows off, and although some classic summer events are winding down, fall festivals quickly take their place on the calendar.
What are you excited for this August in Santa Cruz County? Here are some of our picks:
๐ผ U-Pick Dahlias with @beeline_blooms
๐ Chance of seeing ๐ bioluminescence
๐ฅ Free Outdoor Movies: @beachboardwalk (last one August 7); Capitola Village (August 28 & September 4); Seabright (August 6 & 13)
๐ท Scotts Valley Art, Wine and Beer Festival, August 15 & 16
๐ผ Cabrillo Festival is Contemporary Music @cabrillofestival
๐ญ @santacruzshakes performances amongst the redwoods
๐๏ธ Beach days and sunsets over the Pacific
๐ฒ Hikes under the redwoods to beat the heat
Whatโd we miss?
Video ๐น | @dgsc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #august #santacruzcounty #summer
Oh, Davenportโฆ ๐ Have you been? If so, you due for another visit?
Pro Tip: Stop at @whalecitybakery for a great breakfast and quick bites. ๐ฅ Have a locally sourced lunch (or dinner) and drinks at @roadhousedavenport. ๐น And stop by @swantonberryfarm for strawberry delights, pies and more. ๐ฅง
Video Clips ๐น | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #davenport #santacruzcounty #santacruz #davenportca
Tell your dog I said hi. ๐
Photos ๐ท | @desireexc + @dgsc + @thecuratedfeast + @beningramphoto
#visitsantacruz #dogsofinstagram #santacruz #itsbeach #tellyourdogisaidhi
Itโs that time again! The Watsonville Strawberry is back August 1 & 2!
This free, family-friendly festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, kidsโ activities, local artisans, business and specialty vendors, and a mouthwatering variety of food. Strawberry lovers can look forward to creative berry-infused treats like pizza, tacos, churros, popcorn, shortcake, beer, and more! Be sure to catch crowd favorites like the Pie-Eating Contest and Berry Best Dressed Contest.
Open 11:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday and
11:00am to 7:00pm on Sunday.
๐ Historic Downtown Watsonville
Main Street and E. Beach Street, Watsonville
Clips ๐น | @watsonvillestrawberryfestival + @visitsantacruz
#visitsantacruz #watsonville #watsonvillestrawberryfestival #santacruz #santacruzcounty
PAJARO DUNES: an absolute treasure in Watsonville in Santa Cruzโs south county. Miles of sand to walk and explore, gorgeous yellow blooms happening right now, and sunsets that are unforgettable.
Have you been here? ๐๐ผ๐
Videos ๐ฅ | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #watsonville #pajarodunes #pajarodunesbeach
What Santa Cruz County postcard do you want to step into right now?
Video Postcards ๐น | @dgsc
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #postcards #visitcalifornia
Setting out for a sail at the @santacruzharbor with @chardonnaysailing. โต๏ธ
Hanging out in the colorful beach town of @capitolavillage.๐ชป
Hiking to Goat Rock for the best views of the Santa Cruz Mountains at Castle Rock State Park. ๐ฅพ
Savoring an epic sunset at the expansive beaches of South County. ๐
Bopping to the seaside tunes at one of the Capitola Twilight Concerts in the @capitolavillage. These are free and are happening every Wednesday through August 19, from 6pm – 8pm. ๐ท
Throwing the ball for the pooch at Its Beach. ๐
Catching a colorful sunset on West Cliff Drive. ๐
Relaxing on the grass at Lighthouse Field, knowing the ocean is just steps away. ๐ช
Santa Cruz is callingโฆ ๐
Want the details on some of these spots?
โต๏ธ @santacruzwharf
โ
๏ธ Pleasure Point
๐ชจ Davenport Cliffs
๐ฅช @javajunctionbeach at Harbor Beach
๐น poolside cocktails at @labahiahotelandspa
๐ถ Kayaking with @venturequestkayaks
๐ธ Beachside blooms at New Brighton State Beach
๐ฅคMilkshake from @thepennyicecreamery in Aptos
๐ฆญ Sea Lions at the Santa Cruz Wharf
๐ก Sea Swings & Dream Wheel at @beachboardwalk
๐ฅ Salad from @sudasc
๐ Waves from Aptos
Find Your Awe.ยฎ๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #summer #visitcalifornia
Some things are better at a slower pace. ๐พ๐๐ฆ๐ธ๏ธ๐ฆ๐ Nature is one of them. The longer you linger, the more you see. The more you notice. The more you fall in love with Santa Cruz County. Agree?
Find Your Awe.ยฎ๏ธ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #findyourawe #slowdown
For those of us who never want to lose sight of the ocean… ๐๐ Ocean lovers, this is a safe space. ๐ซถ๐ฝ
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #oceanlover #beachdays #summer
