https://www.facebook.com/111513457011384/

Santa Cruz Bucket List, Santa Cruz, CA (2025)

07/01/2025

Bucket List Wildlife Encounters in Santa Cruz County

Looking to experience the wild side of Santa Cruz County? From redwood trails to dramatic coastlines, here’s your ultimate wildlife bucket list—a must-do guide for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike:

🦦 Otters in the kelp beds – Spot these playful creatures floating near the Santa Cruz Harbor or in the calm waters of Elkhorn Slough. Don’t be surprised if they wave hello.
🌲 Deer in the redwoods – Early morning hikes through Henry Cowell or Nisene Marks might reward you with peaceful glimpses of deer among the towering trees.
💛 Banana slugs – Keep your eyes on the trail! These bright yellow locals thrive in the damp forest floor and are beloved symbols of Santa Cruz life.
🦭 Sea lions at the Wharf – Listen for their barking below the —these sun-loving loungers put on a show daily.
🐘 Elephant seals at Año Nuevo – A short drive from town, these massive marine mammals can be seen hauled out on the beach, especially during winter breeding season.
🐋 Whales off the coast – Humpbacks, gray whales, and even orcas cruise by the coastline. Whale-watching tours or a walk along West Cliff can turn into a magical sighting.
🦈 Great white sharks – Yes, really! The sheltered coves near Aptos and Capitola are a great white shark breeding ground. Look (safely!) from the cliffs or join a guided tour from or for a deeper dive into their mysterious world. These juveniles are very peaceful and a true treat to experience!
🐦 Pelicans in flight – Watch these elegant seabirds soar in formation over the shoreline or dive for fish off the pier—one of the most iconic sights of the Santa Cruz sky.

Whether you’re on the coast or deep in the forest, Santa Cruz County is teeming with life—just waiting to be discovered.

Tag a friend you’d go wild with! 🐾💙

06/27/2025

Davenport Cliffs at Low Tide: Your Coastal Treasure Hunt Begins Here
📍 Davenport, CA |

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’ve stepped into a secret world carved by the sea, the Davenport cliffs at low tide are pure magic. Just north of Santa Cruz, this rugged coastline transforms when the ocean pulls back—revealing tide pools, sea caves, and otherworldly rock formations that are usually hidden beneath the waves.

✨ What to See at Low Tide:
🌿 Tide Pools: Alive with sea anemones, urchins, and tiny crabs. A microcosmic world!
🌊 Secret Caves + Arches: Naturally sculpted by the ocean—perfect for photos and exploration.
🪨 Algae-Covered Ledges: Dreamy textures + colors (especially around golden hour!).
📸 Cliff Views: Panoramic vistas + dramatic drops = epic photo ops.

🕐 Pro Tip:
Check the tide charts before you go—aim for negative or very low tide for the full experience. Bring grippy shoes and prepare to get your feet a little wet (and sandy).

📌 Save this spot for your next tidepooling adventure, and tag us in your finds!

06/21/2025

🚗🌊 WOODIES ON THE WHARF — Happening Now! 🐚☀️
Santa Cruz Bucket List pick of the weekend ✅

There’s no better way to spend a summer day than walking the checking out 150+ beautifully restored vintage Woodies, and popping into your favorite Santa Cruz shops and restaurants along the way.

🎶 Live surf music adds the vibe
🌺 Hula dancing
🍦 All local businesses open
🛍️ Local art, raffles & car-themed goodies
🚦 Don’t miss the parade at 3:30pm!

The best part? You can admire the cars while supporting the Wharf businesses that make this town so special!

📍Tips:
– Come early (cars start arriving at 6am!)
– Walk, bike (free valet!), or take the $1 shuttle the from wn
– Admission is FREE — just bring your sun hat & camera

This is the most nostalgic and Santa Cruz day you’ll have all summer. Don’t miss it.

📸 Tag in your favorite Woodie shots & Wharf finds!

06/21/2025

🎡 BUCKET LIST GUIDE: SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK
📍 Santa Cruz, CA

Summer in Santa Cruz starts here.

The Beach Boardwalk is the most iconic bucket list experience in the county. Whether it’s your first time or a return trip, it still delivers: ocean views, classic rides, salty air, and summer snacks that taste better by the beach.

Save this for your next Santa Cruz day trip:

🎢 Ride the Giant Dipper
One of the oldest wooden coasters in the U.S.—and still one of the best.

🍦 Don’t skip the snacks
Funnel cakes, corn dogs, frozen bananas, soft serve. You’re here—lean in.

🎯 Play the games
Arcade classics, ring toss, and all the nostalgic chaos you remember.

🌊 Add in a beach stop
Swim, tan, surf, nap—just don’t skip the ocean while you’re here.

⸻

📌 DETAILS:

• 🎟 Admission is free – just walk in
• 🎢 Rides are pay-per-ride or wristband – all-day passes available
• 🎠 Open daily through summer – rides typically run 11am–9pm (check site for seasonal hours)
• 🚗 Parking on-site – but it fills fast on weekends; arrive early or consider street parking
• 🍽 Plenty of food spots inside – but also great local eats just steps away on the wharf or downtown

This is what summer in Santa Cruz feels like.

06/19/2025

Escape into the enchanting redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

During the summer heat, the redwood forests are a cool heaven for outdoor exploration. Whether you’re trying to hike or hang up a hammock for a relaxing day under the redwoods, here are some of the best redwood parks to explore across Santa Cruz County:

1.) Henry Cowell- endless trails, a river running through it, and even a train! This spot is perfect for families and hikers of all levels.
2.) Nisene Marks - tons of hiking trails, a smaller creek, and impressive old growth redwoods. This park has some good beginning level trails but is best explored by going deeper on more moderate to advanced level hikes.
3.) Castle Rock - high up in the mountains, this redwood park has the best views around and some very cool rocky outcroppings to explore.

What is your favorite spot to explore the redwoods?

06/12/2025

Beat the heat at these four awesome spots in Santa Cruz County that you have to add to your !

1.) The Pogonip Koi Pond- tucked into the lush redwood forests of Pogonip, you can hike to this box spring full of fish. What could be more bucket list worthy than a koi pond under a redwood canopy?
2.) Natural Bridges- between the beach and the shaded boardwalk paths leading into eucalyptus groves that houses swarms of monarch butterflies in the cooler months, has a little something for everyone!
3.) Any of our incredible redwood parks - the redwoods hold in moisture and provide ample shade making the summer time one of the best times to visit our redwood state parks like .sp and .sp
4.) The Davenport Coast - the north coast above Santa Cruz has epic coastal bluffs to explore and with ocean breezes it tends to be much cooler here in the summer months!

Where do you go to beat the heat in Santa Cruz County? Let us know ⬇️

06/06/2025

🚨 FIRE ALERT: Hermon Fire Between Felton & Scotts Valley 🚨
(We will update here in the comments when we can with new information)

PLEASE AVOID THE AREA — There is an active wildfire burning near Mt. Hermon Road between Felton and Scotts Valley. This is a developing situation, and first responders are actively working the scene.

🔥 Current Fire Conditions
• Location: Mt. Hermon Road near Covenant Ave
• Size: Estimated at 1–2 acres
• Spread: Slow rate-of-spread at this time
• Structures: No structures are currently threatened

🚧 Road Closures

Mt. Hermon Road is closed from Lockewood Lane to Graham Hill Road, with hard closures at Conference Dr and Graham Hill Rd. Please avoid the area to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

✅ Stay Safe
• Avoid the area
• Follow and for official updates
• Keep emergency alerts on

We’ll share more updates as they come in. Stay alert and safe.

06/04/2025

🍎✨ HAPPY WORLD CIDER DAY! ✨🍏
Today’s the day to raise a glass to your favorite local pours — and we’ve got your guide to the BEST hard cider spots in Santa Cruz County. Ready to celebrate? Let’s hit the 🍻👇

1️⃣ Santa Cruz Cider Co. (Watsonville)
Small-batch, locally grown, and full of flavor. Try their rotating cider slushies or seasonal mulled ciders for a festive sip!

2️⃣ Santa Cruz Scrumpy at Hallcrest Vineyards (Felton)
Tucked in the redwoods, this Felton favorite serves wild flavors like blueberry cider and their signature “French Kiss” wine-cider blend.

3️⃣ Tanuki Cider (Westside Santa Cruz)
Dry, funky, and made with Newtown Pippins from the Pajaro Valley. Sip these orchard-born beauties in a shared tasting space with Sones Cellars. .cellars

4️⃣ Beer Mule (Watsonville)
30+ taps with a rotating lineup of local cider. Grab a pint, play some lawn games, and soak up the sun.

5️⃣ Lúpulo Craft Beer House (Downtown Santa Cruz)
Not just for beer lovers — this spot always has killer local cider options on tap (think Anzani or Tanuki). Perfect for a downtown toast!

🎉 Whether you like it dry, fruity, funky, or fresh, today’s your excuse to explore Santa Cruz’s homegrown cider scene.

Tag your cider crew + let us know where you’re raising a glass! 🥂

05/23/2025

Memorial Day Weekend is here!

Which summer activities will you experience over the long weekend?

05/14/2025

Santa Cruz summer vibes are loading…

What is your favorite thing about summer in Santa Cruz? Let us know in the comments ⏬

05/06/2025

Add this to your : the epic cliffs of Davenport!

Just 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz, this wild stretch of coastline is made for thrill-seekers—steep drop-offs, dramatic waves, and views that’ll stop you mid-hike. In the spring this area blooms into life with endless wildflowers. Bring your boots, bring your camera, and bring your sense of adventure. This is the kind of spot that makes you feel alive.

04/17/2025

Some of the best bites I’ve had around Santa Cruz County lately! Here’s a quick highlight of some bucket list foodie spots you might not know about but have to add to your :

🧀 The loaded grilled cheese from
🥮 cinnamon roll from
🌮 Shrimp tacos from paired with
🍦 the secret menu gelato stuff Babá from
🐷 The Porchetta pizza from
🍕 anything from
🌯 Breakfast burrito and mango matcha from

How many of these spots have you checked off your foodie bucket list?

Santa Cruz Bucket List

07/01/2025

06/27/2025

06/21/2025

06/21/2025

06/19/2025

06/12/2025

06/06/2025

06/04/2025

05/23/2025

05/14/2025

05/06/2025

04/17/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category