Santa Cruz, California: More Than a Beach Town
Santa Cruz has the kind of California coastline that makes it easy to fill a few days without ever feeling like you are following a schedule. There is the beach, of course, but there is also surfing, coastal walking and biking, a historic amusement park, local restaurants and redwood forests just inland.
For families, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk remains one of the biggest draws. The oceanfront amusement park has been part of Santa Cruz since 1907 and still offers the Giant Dipper, the Looff Carousel, arcade games and rides for all ages. The Boardwalk is open year round, with hours changing throughout the year.
Spend Some Time Along the Coast
One of the best ways to experience Santa Cruz is on foot or by bike along West Cliff Drive. The coastal path stretches for roughly three miles between the area around the Santa Cruz Wharf and Natural Bridges State Beach, with ocean views nearly the entire way.
Along the route, you can watch surfers at Steamer Lane, stop at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and take in views across Monterey Bay. At Natural Bridges, the remaining sandstone arch sits just offshore, and low tide can reveal tide pools along the beach.
Santa Cruz also has a long connection to surfing. Steamer Lane remains one of the area's best known surf breaks, while Pleasure Point on the east side of town offers another popular stretch of coastline for watching surfers and enjoying the ocean.
From Beaches to Redwoods
One of the things that makes Santa Cruz especially appealing is how quickly the scenery changes. A day at the beach can easily be followed by an afternoon among towering redwoods.
The Santa Cruz Mountains are close enough to make a forest outing an easy addition to a coastal vacation. It is one more reason Santa Cruz works well for travelers who want more than a traditional beach trip.
And when it is time to eat, Santa Cruz offers plenty of choices, from casual beach spots to restaurants and cafes around downtown and the Westside. Spend the morning on the coast, wander through town in the afternoon and finish the day watching the sunset.
Finding a Santa Cruz Vacation Rental
A vacation home can be a great way to experience Santa Cruz, particularly for families, couples traveling together or groups who want more space than a traditional hotel room provides.
At Landcombers, we connect travelers with independently owned vacation homes in destinations across the country. For homeowners, being listed where travelers are actively looking for vacation rentals provides another way to reach guests and build direct booking relationships.
If you own a vacation rental in Santa Cruz or elsewhere along the California coast, Landcombers is always looking for quality homes to add to the collection.
Make Santa Cruz Your Next California Getaway
Whether your ideal trip involves riding the Giant Dipper, watching surfers from West Cliff, walking the beach at sunset or spending a day beneath the redwoods, Santa Cruz gives you plenty of ways to enjoy the California coast.
Find your next stay with Landcombers and make Santa Cruz the starting point for exploring this stretch of California.