Santa Cruz is good to visit year round. The Californian climate means that even in the winter months the temperatures are pleasant (and there are less tourists in town). But we think you’ll enjoy visiting Santa Cruz at any time of year.
Is Santa Cruz a good place to vacation?
Main Beach & Cowell Beach
Besides the boardwalk, the main reason to visit Santa Cruz is the beach. The sunny Mediterranean weather, sandy shores, and safe waters make Santa Cruz one of the best beach destinations in California.
Is Santa Cruz Boardwalk worth visiting?
Santa Cruz, CA The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been a favorite outing for Bay Area families and tourists from all over the world since 1907. California’s oldest amusement park is still going strong today, with carnival rides, arcade games, over-the-top food and an amazing beach to draw in visitors.
How many days should I spend in Santa Cruz?
With so many outdoor activities, excellent restaurants, and unique attractions in Santa Cruz, it can be difficult to decide where to even begin. While you could easily spend a week or more in this hip California town, 3 days in Santa Cruz is enough time to hit the highlights.
Why you should visit Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is the land of surf, mountains, hippy culture, redwood-covered mountains and a laid-back vibe that means you can’t help but relax there. It’s the home of the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and has everything you dream of when picturing a classic California beach town.
What is Santa Cruz known for?
While Santa Cruz is widely known for its spectacular beaches, nice weather, surf culture, and vibrant arts and culture community, the city is also known for many other things. Visitors can participate in an abundance of outdoor activities, including bird-watching, biking, hiking, and rock climbing.
What is Santa Cruz brand known for?
skateboard company
The Santa Cruz Skateboards brand, distributed by NHS, is the oldest continuous skateboard company in the world, founded by Richard Novak, Doug Haut, and Jay Shuirman.
Is Santa Cruz nice?
It’s absolutely beautiful here. The coastline and surrounding redwood forest is breathtaking. The city has a smallish town feel, restaurants and bars are limited but good. Cost of living is very high, but if you want to live in the Bay Area but don’t want to be stuck in traffic then Santa Cruz is ideal.
Do you have to pay to get into Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk?
The Boardwalk is admission-free. If you’d like to take a stroll and enjoy the colorful oceanfront scene, it’s free and open to the public, even when the rides are closed. If you decide to enjoy a ride or two, tickets can be purchased for individual rides or you can purchase a Ride Wristband to ride all day.
How do you get around Santa Cruz?
How to Get Around Santa Cruz
- Public Transportation. Downtown Santa Cruz and the Boardwalk are easily walkable, and everything is within 20 minutes’ walk.
- Taxis. If you are skipping between beaches and resort hotels, taxis can be a useful way to get around, but they aren’t cheap.
- Car.
How do I spend a weekend in Santa Cruz?
What to do in Santa Cruz: Active Adventure and a Side of Chill
- Hike in the Nisene Marks State Park Redwoods.
- Hike in Pogonip Open Space.
- Take Surfing Lessons.
- Get some Thrills on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
- Downtown Shopping Stroll.
- Hang out at Main & Cowell Beaches.
- Watch the Surfers at Mitchell Cove.
How do you spend the day in Santa Cruz?
Fun Things To Do On A Santa Cruz Day Trip, California
- 1.1 Meet the sea lions at Santa Cruz Wharf.
- 1.2 Jump on a vintage ride at the Beach Boardwalk.
- 1.3 Cruise along West Cliff Drive.
- 1.4 Discover the surfing heritage at the Surfing Museum.
- 1.5 Watch local surfers ride the waves.
What should I pack for Santa Cruz?
What to Bring to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Drinks – Waters, juice boxes, sodas, etc. (
- Beach chairs – I prefer the low-to-the-ground beach chairs because I like my legs to be in the sand.
- Beach blankets.
- Towels.
- Beach umbrella.
- Beach hats, sunglasses, and swimsuits.
- Sunscreen.
Is Santa Cruz walkable?
Downtown Santa Cruz
As with most cities, downtown cores are typically the most walkable areas in town. Santa Cruz is no different. With a fantastic Walk Score of 96, downtown Santa Cruz takes the cake for the most walkable neighborhood.
Is Santa Cruz safe to visit?
Santa Cruz is a generally safe place to visit.
What is between Santa Cruz and Monterey?
The top cities between Santa Cruz and Monterey are San Jose, Carmel, Palo Alto, Pacific Grove, and Santa Clara. San Jose is the most popular city on the route — it’s less than an hour from Santa Cruz and 1 hour from Monterey.
Is Santa Cruz expensive?
A vacation to Santa Cruz for one week usually costs around $705 for one person. So, a trip to Santa Cruz for two people costs around $1,409 for one week. A trip for two weeks for two people costs $2,818 in Santa Cruz.
Is Santa Cruz considered the Bay Area?
As early as 1914, one report on the “San Francisco Bay Area” refers to it as an eleven-county region (adding in Santa Cruz and San Joaquin counties). During World War II, planners identified the “San Francisco Bay Area” as a nine-county region and it stuck.
How long is the Santa Cruz Boardwalk?
a mile-long
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a mile-long boardwalk and amusement park just south of central Santa Cruz. Operating for more than a century, the boardwalk boasts a plethora of rides, two of which – the Giant Dipper and the Looff Carousel – are National Historic Landmarks.
What does Santa Cruz mean in English?
holy cross
In 1769 the Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola discovered the land area which is now known as the City of Santa Cruz. When he came upon the beautiful flowing river, he named it San Lorenzo in honor of Saint Lawrence. He called the rolling hills above the river Santa Cruz, which means holy cross.
What does the Santa Cruz screaming hand mean?
So I got really excited about it, took it down, and it became the Screaming Hand.” The logo was first used to promote Santa Cruz Skateboards’ Speed Wheel. The Screaming Hand is a timeless skateboarding symbol that stuck through generations of old and new school skateboarders.
