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 Bay’s nutrient-rich waters, once critical to survival for the native Ohlone people.
The region’s 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 – California’s official sport – 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 “the Coney Island of the West Coast” 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, you’ll 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 farmer’s 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, you’ll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. It’s 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
Have you hiked Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley? If not, save and add to your hiking list!
More info:
Situated in Scotts Valley, the West and East sides of the Glenwood Preserve unveil over seven miles of trails. Managed by the @landtrustscc, the 170-acre property brims with diverse habitats such as redwood groves, lush wetlands, and evergreen forests.
The Eastside trails (seen in this video) offer four-plus miles of rolling hills, sweeping views, a variety of treed areas, wildflower fields, plus a picturesque fishing pond. Due to the presence of cattle brought in to graze—making land more conducive to the preserve’s endangered species—dogs and bikes are not allowed on Eastside trails.
The Westside trails are organized into five loops that span a collective three miles, and can accommodate hikers, bikers, and dogs on leash.
Enjoy! And check our story for more on this magical place!
📍 Glenwood Open Space Preserve, 3 Mountain Valley Road, Scotts Valley
Video + Photo 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#scottsvalley #glenwoodopenspacepreserve #glenwood #hike #hiking #hikersparadise #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty
It’s National Bagel Day. You know what to do. Favorite bagel in Santa Cruz County —> go! 🥯
Need 🥯 inspo? Check our story for our list of the top bagel spots in the county. 🫶
Two spots featured here 📍 | @bagelcafewatsonville + House of Bagels in Scotts Valley
#nationalbagelday #bagels #bagel #santacruz #watsonville #scottsvalley #visitsantacruz #happynationalbagelday
Further proof that winter sunsets >>>
Photo 📷 | @dgsc
#santacruz #capitola #newbrightonstatebeach #newbrighton #sunset #wintersunset #surfer #visitsantacruz
Slowing down and appreciating all the little things…
Little things like the artist’s brush strokes, a chef’s creative hands, the earth under your feet and in your hands. Find what moves you. Find Your Awe in Santa Cruz County. 🫶
Creators 🤝 | @impactcreative | @thecuratedfeast | @jamiehallmedia | @abimustapha | @homesoquel
#visitsantacruz #findyourawe #slowdown #inthemoment #santacruz #santacruzcounty
Mountain bike rides, hikes through the redwoods, or a little drive on Highway 9, the Santa Cruz Mountains are 🙌😍🫶! Agree?
Content 📹/📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#santacruzmountains #mountainbiking #mtb #bikeride #redwoods #highway9 #getoutside #mountainbikeride #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz
Lattes to breakfast burritos, cocktails to mocktails, dumplings to chicken sandos plus, the best vibes – and all under one roof at 1001 Center Street, #1 in @downtownsantacruz!? Yep, welcome to the community hub known as After Hours.
You need to add After Hours to your must try list asap! Each of the local businesses, @11thhourcoffee, @afterhourssc, @chubbschickensandwiches, and @fullsteamdumpling offers something unique to its visitors from carefully crafted cocktails to the best ramen in town! Check it out soon and click our bio 🔗 for more info!
Hours:
@11thhourcoffee: Open Daily, 7am-7:30pm
@afterhourssc: Tuesday – Saturday, 5pm-9pm
@chubbschickensandwiches: Tuesday – Saturday, 5pm-9pm
@fullsteamdumpling: Wednesday – Saturday, 5pm-9pm
Blog 💻 | @santacruzbucketlist
#afterhours #downtownsantacruz #11thhour #chubbschickensandwiches #fullsteamdumpling #thehub #santacruzbucketlist #vibecheck #eathere #drinkhere #behere
Who are you bringing to Santa Cruz this winter?
Said it before, we’ll say it again, Santa Cruz in the winter is magic. Don’t sleep on this one!
Videos 🎥 | @hellobeningram / @beningramvisuals
#winter #wintermagic #winterinsantacruz #santacruz #westcliffdrive #surfers #surfsantscruz #cowellsbeach #waves #santacruzwaves #wintersurf #visitsantacruz #wintervacay #wintergetaway #wintervacation
Best winter getaway and best place to call home. 🫶
If you live here, you know Santa Cruz County is gorgeous in the winter. For those out of the area looking to escape winter, we’ve got a good one waiting for you right here…
What do you love about winter in Santa Cruz?
Photos 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @thecuratedfeast / @dgsc
#santacruzwinter #wintercolors #favoritecolor #winterinsantacruz #visitsantacruz #visitsantacruzcounty #californiawinter
GIVEAWAY CLOSED: Winners have been randomly selected and contacted!
ORIGINAL POST: It’s about that time – our annual Santa Cruz County Calendar Giveaway is here! We’ve got 50 of these 2025 beauties to give out, so you can swoon over Santa Cruz County all year long!
ENTER: Tag friends you want to travel to Santa Cruz with, tell us your favorite Santa Cruz County spots, or just throw some love in the comments below! Comment as much as you want, but one entry per account.
WINNERS: Winners will be chosen at random on or by January 8th and will be notified in the comments and by direct message. The ONLY information we will need from our winners is their name and mailing address. That’s it! Watch out for imposter accounts!
Ready, set, comment! And a happy 2025 to all our followers!
Special shout out to the talented photographers who contributed to this year’s 2025 calendar! @dgsc, @beningramvisuals, and @thecuratedfeast! You all are the best! 🙌
#visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruz #2025calendar
Goodbye, 2024. You were a beauty. 💕
#newyear #goodbye2024 #hello2025 #happynewyear #yearinreview #thatsawrap #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz
Catching the sunset at “Pearl Hour” at @petescapitola…🦪🥂🍤
Have you stopped into Pete’s Fish House in @capitolavillage? Great dinner menu plus, their version of Happy Hour ~ Pearl Hour ~ has some great apps and drink specials to enjoy with the sunset. 🌅
Pearl Hour is from 4pm-5pm daily. 🍹
Cover Photo 📷 | @jennday77
#calitola #capitolavillage #petesfishhouse #seafood #sunsetview #sunset #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #santacruzbucketlist
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Santa Cruz County!
Photo 📷 | @jennday77
Location 📍 | @beachboardwalk
#merrychristmas #happyholidays #happyhanukkah #happychanukah #christmastree #santacruz #visitsantacruz
Not a bad view for the big guy tonight… 🛷🦌🎅
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Santa Cruz County!
Photo 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#merrychristmas #happyholidays #christmaseve #christmas #santacruz #santaclausiscomingtotown #westcliff #visitsantacruz
Take a break from the holiday hustle at the Monarch Butterfly Grove. 🫶
📍 Natural Bridges State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.
🕰️ Monarchs winter in Santa Cruz until about mid-late January.
🔭 The minimum temperature a monarch needs to fly is 55 degrees. Temperatures below 55 mean you are more likely to see monarch clusters hanging like leaves off the eucalyptus trees, which can also be quite mesmerizing. But please note, when the monarchs are clustered it is easy to pass them up! Make sure you look closely!
🥾 The Monarch Grove Trail located at Natural Bridges is open for self-guided monarch tours during park hours (8am to sunset.) Parking is $10.
Video 📹 | @impactcreative
Cover Photo 📷 | @dgsc
#relaxing #nature #butterflies #monarchs #monarch #monarchbutterflies #fluttering #monarchbutterfly #mesmerizing #relax #santacruz #naturalbridges #naturalbridgesstatebeach #naturalbridgesstatepark #visitsantacruz
A holiday season must = Winter Wonderland at the @beachboardwalk! 🎄🎢🎅🌴🌊
From now through January 5, enjoy all the festive fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Activities Include: Photos with Santa (December 14 -24 at 12pm-2pm and 3pm-5pm); Selection of Boardwalk Rides, Games, and Arcades;
Festive Holiday Decorations and Lights (Including a 3-story tall Christmas tree!); Delicious Boardwalk Treats; Fire Pits & Holiday S’Mores; Holiday Shopping; plus, the @roaringcamp Holiday Lights Train! 🚂
Celebrate the holidays at the Boardwalk this season!
Videos + Cover Photo 📷 | @jennday77
#santacruz #beachboardwalk #santacruzbeachboardwalk #winterwinderland #winter #winterinsantacruz #visitsantacruz #merrychristmas #happyholidays #christmastree #amusementpark #visitcalifornia
Now that the weather has calmed, today is a great day to get out and do some holiday shopping! We have so many great local shops, makers, holiday markets, and artisan pop-ups around the county! Whether you’re still in need of a tree or looking for some gifts, shop local around Santa Cruz County this holiday season!
Do you have a favorite shop, maker, or market you’re hitting up soon? Tell us below!
Photos 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
Location📍| @mountainfeedandfarm
#shoplocal #christmasshopping #christmas #holidayshopping #christmastree #santacruzcounty #benlomond #mountainfeedandfarmsupply #visitsantacruz
Rainy days mean views like this. 🌧️⛅️🌤️ Did you know some of the most dramatic and gorgeous sunsets, clouds, and skylines happen during or after a rain in Santa Cruz?
So, there’s rain in the forecast? We say, bring it. No bad days. 🤝
Photos 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram + @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative
#nobaddays #rainyday #cloudy #rain #rainclouds #winter #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #wintervacation #rainydayvibes
Feels like you’re witnessing the forest breathe… We love the little surprises December hikes bring! 🫶
📍 Redwood Grove Loop Trail at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
#henrycowell #hike #hiking #justbreathe #redwoods #morningsun #morningsunlight #felton #henrycowellredwoodsstatepark #santacruzcounty #santacruz #visitsantacruz
We 🤍 December. Season’s greetings from our little slice of the California coast. 💌
Photos 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#december #seasonsgreatings #santacruz #westcliff #westcliffdrive #wintergetaway #winter #winterinsantacruz #merrychristmas #happyholidays #itsbeach #lighthousefieldstatebeach #steamerlane #sailing
A few moments we’ll treasure from last month’s extreme low tides… 🫶 We have more extreme tides (high and low) from December 13 – 15, 2024!
We’ll list the low tide times below – plus a few extra bonus dates that will also be a great time to explore.
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. 🌊
Low Tide Dates & Times:
December 12 @ 2:21pm (-0.7 ft)
December 13 @ 3:09pm (-1.2 ft)
December 14 @ 3:56pm (-1.5 ft)
December 15 @ 4:43pm (-1.5 ft)
December 16 @ 5:29pm (-1.4 ft)
Photos 📷 | @thecuratedfeast / Liz Birnbaum / @wolfpeachcreative
#santacruz #kingtides #tidepools #tidepooling #californiakingtides #starfish #seastar #visitsantacruz #lowtide #kingtides #naturalbridges #naturalbridgesstatebeach #beach #santacruzbeach #octopus #nudibranch
It’s that time of year! 🎅🏄♂️ We’ve got a ton of fun holiday events you don’t want to miss! Check our bio link and story for some of the best of the season!
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store this month:
🎄 Winter Wonderland at @beachboardwalk: now – January 5
🚂 Holiday Lights Train with @roaringcamp: December 7-8; 14-23
✨ Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds: now – December 23rd
⛵️ Lighted Boat Parade at the @santacruzharbor: December 7th
🩰 The Nutcracker: December 21-22
Plus, holiday parades, winter markets, breakfasts with Santa, reindeer run, toy trains, Christmas carols and concerts, wreath making, tree lightings, tree walks, and so much more! Check our blog for dates, times and details!
What holiday events are you going to this season?
#happyholidays #merrychristmas #december #decemberevents #holidayevents #christmas #christmasiscoming #christmasevents #surfingsanta #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #hohoho
Extremely grateful for this wildly beautiful place we call home. 🫶
Happy Thanksgiving from Santa Cruz County!
Photos 📷 | @dgsc / @beningramvisuals / @thecuratedfeast
#santacruz #santacruzcounty #thanksgiving #happythanksgiving #grateful #visitsantacruz
Fall Creek hikes right now > most. 🌲🌿🍄🟫
📍 Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
🥾 Fall Creek Trail to South Fork Trail to Lime Kilns ruins
Approximate 3 miles out and back from the Fall Creek parking lot, this hike is great for the whole family! Banana slugs, mushrooms, salamanders, newts, little waterfalls, and rushing creeks and streams are all fan favorites on this peaceful hike through the redwoods.
#thankful #santacruz #felton #henrycowell #fallcreek #hike #hiking #visitsantacruz #redwoods #waterfalls #limekilns
Never-ending sunset POVs in Santa Cruz… Do you know this spot?
Photo 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#surfing #surf #santacruz #visitsantacruz #fromthewaves #pacificocean #coastline #beachfront #beachhouse
