Visit Santa Cruz County! Our beautiful California beaches are just the beginning!
Visit Santa Cruz County (formerly Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council) is committed to providing visitors and travel professionals with the best possible service and information regarding our destination. Santa Cruz County is located just 70 miles south of San Francisco and 40 miles north of Monterey. We are pleased to offer information on several amazing destinations including Aptos,
Capitola, Davenport, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz (known as the birthplace to surfing!), San Lorenzo Valley & Watsonville. Vulgar language, profanity, and political comments and discussion are not allowed on the Visit Santa Cruz page and will be hidden or removed.
Adventurous families and travelers: this is the post for you! Add these adventurous Santa Cruz activities to your summer bucket list!
If you’re planning to visit Santa Cruz County with your family, there are several thrilling activities and exciting venues to explore.
Here are 11 ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Santa Cruz County! How many have you done?
We are highlighting some of the best places in Santa Cruz County to explore the great outdoors! From miles of sand to comb on the beaches of south county to
From beachfront decks to secret garden patios, here are the top spots to dine al fresco:
From beachfront decks to secret garden patios, the following open-air spots allow you and your four-legged dining companions to soak up plenty of scenery and summer sun.
Nestled deep amongst the tree-lined peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains lies one of the best-kept secrets of the San Lorenzo Valley: Loch Lomond Reservoir.
Nestled deep amongst the tree-lined peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains lies one of the best-kept secrets of the San Lorenzo Valley: Loch Lomond Reservoir. The pristine lake’s crystalline blue waters are encompassed by a lush evergreen forest, providing an abundance of natural space to explore and d...
Rest in the Redwoods: Find tranquility at one of the spectacular hotels & resorts tucked away in the majestic redwoods of Santa Cruz County.
Find true tranquility while staying at one of these spectacularly located hotels and resorts tucked beneath the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains! Spend your days meandering around coastal redwood forests, like Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos or Felton's Henry Cowell Redwoods Stat...
Meander by the river or trek to a 30ft waterfall, here are the Top River and Waterfall Hikes in Santa Cruz County:
Check out a few of our favorites in the Santa Cruz Mountains, including one that leads to a 30-foot waterfall.
Nothing says summer like Free Concerts and Movies in Santa Cruz County! See the 2024 lineup:
Sea lions + clam chowder + the best panoramic ocean views = Santa Cruz Wharf. See how to spend a perfect Santa Cruz day on the Wharf:
The Santa Cruz Wharf beckons with its storied past, stunning vistas, and vibrant ambiance, promising a day of exploration and relaxation.
Buzzworthy eateries, inviting boutiques, and so much charm - Aptos Village is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered!
Ideally situated where the mountains meet the sea, Aptos Village is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered!
Ready for an adventurous family vacation? Add these exciting activities to your Santa Cruz itinerary:
If you’re planning to visit Santa Cruz County with your family, there are several thrilling activities and exciting venues to explore.
We’ve got some great weather here on the coast! Who’s ready for a beach day in Santa Cruz? 🙌
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Wishing you all a beautiful Memorial Day from Santa Cruz County. ❤️🤍💙 We are forever grateful for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 🙏🇺🇸
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Here are 3 reasons to visit the charming coastal town of Davenport:
Perched along the craggy bluffs of California’s scenic Highway 1 overlooking the Pacific Ocean is the charming coastal town of Davenport. Situated a mere 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, the picturesque drive is part of the adventure!
BRUNCH time! Here are 7 traditional brunch spots you don't want to miss in Santa Cruz County! Did your favorites make the list?
Step into the timeless charm of Santa Cruz County’s best traditional brunch spots, where comfort and classic flavors converge to create an experience that is as welcoming as it is nostalgic.
Morning bliss = breakfast burritos. 🌯 See the top spot to grab one Santa Cruz's favorite foods.
The breakfast burrito is deeply intertwined with the surf culture of Santa Cruz County since it is perfectly portable, nutrient-dense, and full of wacky flavor combinations that properly fuel the adventurous spirit of visitors and locals alike. Whether you’re a local seeking a new morning ritual o...
Buzzworthy Beach Boardwalk Bites! From nostalgic treats to innovative delights, here are our top picks! See your faves?
From french-fried vegetables to candied apples and funnel cakes, sample a variety of the Boardwalk’s delicious fare to discover a gastronomic experience as memorable as the rollercoasters and amusements themselves. Come along on a culinary adventure to discover the most buzzworthy bites at the Boa...
Happy 100th to the Giant Dipper! 🎢🎆 Share and comment below if you’ve taken a ride on the legendary coaster at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
Photos by Philip Lima
Yep, this is in Santa Cruz County! Nestled deep amongst the tree-lined peaks of the San Lorenzo Valley is this mountain gem. 🌲 🛶
Nestled deep amongst the tree-lined peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains lies one of the best-kept secrets of the San Lorenzo Valley: Loch Lomond Reservoir. The pristine lake’s crystalline blue waters are encompassed by a lush evergreen forest, providing an abundance of natural space to explore and d...
🎢🙌 Happy 💯 Birthday to the Giant Dipper 🙌🎢
Drop an emoji if you’ve taken a ride on the Giant Dipper - and tell us, how many times?
May 17, 2024 marks 1-0-0 years of thrilling rides on the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz ! To celebrate this enormous milestone, the has loads of fun coming your way, including a fireworks show on Saturday, May 18! See below for details on this and more!
🎆 Giant Dipper 100th Anniversary Fireworks Celebration: Saturday, May 18 at 9pm.
🎢 Ride the Giant Dipper on May 18th and receive a commemorative 100th anniversary button (while supplies last).
🎤 Public Ceremony in front of the Giant Dipper to honor a century of thrills: Saturday, May 18 at 10:30am - 11am.
💵 Dipper Days! Ride the Giant Dipper for 1 point ($1) every Wednesday from May 29 - August 7.
🎨 Giant Dipper 100th Anniversary Fan Art Contest: Dazzle with your most thrilling Giant Dipper “Fan Art” to celebrate the Giant Dipper and over 68 million riders! Enter GD photos, paintings, or crafty creations for a chance to win Dipper Swag, MyBoardwalk Cards, or Ride Wristbands.
And of course, don’t miss out on the 100th Anniversary exclusive merch! Custom Coaster Dot apparel, Christmas ornaments, bags, mugs, keychains, and more!
Check our story for more on this momentous occasion or check out the page: beachboardwalk.com/giant-dipper-100th-anniversary for even more ways to commemorate this iconic coaster’s centennial celebration! 🎉
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Here are our 3 Reasons to Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - What are yours? ⛱🎢🎠🍦🍭🍬
Its thrilling attractions, tasty treats, and beachside events are all worthwhile reasons to revel in the timeless charm of The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
Wishing all the mommas out there a very Happy Mother’s Day! We hope your day is full of beautiful little scenes like this. 🪻💜🌊
Wildflowers are beginning to pop in Santa Cruz! See the best spots to see these seasonal beauties around the county:
California in springtime sees a huge super bloom of a vast variety of wildflowers every year. Visitors looking to explore the blossoming flowers and fields of poppies, lupines, and mustard grass in Santa Cruz have so many excellent options to choose from!
Current view from West Cliff Drive. 🫶
303 Water Street, Ste 100
Santa Cruz, CA
95060
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Adventure awaits! From these two Santa Cruz adventures, what’s your pick? 🌊🦭🛶 or 🌲🚴🌿? Find Your Awe in Santa Cruz County this spring!
We’re at the Wednesday Twilight Concerts! Magical evening! 🌊🌕🎶
Post-storm, post-Christmas: Here’s this morning’s Lighthouse Field State Beach view off West Cliff Drive. 🌊 How’s December 26th shaping up in your area?
A little Santa Cruz inspiration... Who's ready for a visit!? Please read our Need-To-Know blog below which includes information on mask guidance, what's open, things to do, recreating responsibly, and more! https://www.santacruz.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know/
