Surf’s up! Offering over 46 kilometers of beaches, Santa Cruz County – the birthplace of mainland surfing in the United States – welcomes international visitors to California’s favorite coastal town. Beyond the beach, coastal redwood forests, a legendary 100-year old seaside amusement park, boutique wineries, and some of the most epic surfing await! Visit a boutique winery, hike a breezy trail, take a surfing lesson, or just relax on the beach and soak up the sun. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, who wouldn’t want to feel the warmth of “Surf City”?
Santa Cruz is located approximately 60 miles/96 km south of San Francisco, about a 90-minute drive via scenic Highway 17 or iconic Highway 1 along the coastline. Visitors from southern California will find Santa Cruz County 349 miles/562 km north of Los Angeles and 30 minutes north of Monterey.