Located on Monterey Bay, south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is in many ways the quintessential California town, combining a laid-back counterculture atmosphere with plenty of shore activities and, of course, surfing. The city is the proud home of the historic Boardwalk. It contains one of the oldest amusement-park areas on the West Coast and one of its roller coasters is even a National Historic Landmark. Whether to surf, watch the whales, watch the people, swim, fish, shop, eat, ride the roller coasters or just read a good book on one of the beautiful beaches, this California city has it all.
Why Real Travelers vacation in Santa Cruz
Today's Most Popular in Santa Cruz
Popular Hotel
Ocean Pacific Lodge
This hotel is conveniently located near Santa Cruz's famous attractions. Across the street from...
see all 87 hotels in Santa Cruz »Popular Things to Do
Santa Cruz Beach...
Come out with family and friends for a day of sunshine and fun at this historic amusement park an...
see all 79 things to do in Santa Cruz »Popular Restaurant
Gabriella Cafe
Simplicity never looked more romantic than at this small, unassuming restaurant. White linen tabl...
see all 13 restaurants in Santa Cruz »Popular Trip
Fun Day at the bo...
About 70 miles south of San Francisco and 48 Miles from San Jose, Santa Cruz is said to have more...
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Fun Day at the boardwalk | Jul 27 06'
"Santa Cruz is said to have more than 300 sunny days a year"
About 70 miles south of San Francisco and 48 Miles from San Jose, Santa Cruz is said to have more than 300 sunny days a year. A far cry from the re... Continue reading »
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Santa Cruz..not that far. | Jun 28 07'
"a place where the laws of physics, gravity, nature etc. don't work, balls roll up hill. Really!"
We loved Santa Cruz - it was really laid back and had a really good atmosphere. It was the stereotypical Calafornian beach town you'd imagine, with... Continue reading »
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Surfing Santa Cruz | Jun 16 07'
Having left Moab after a morning's mountain biking, we had 21/2 days and the small matter of 990 miles to travel before going we got to surf Santa... Continue reading »
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Arriving in Santa Cruz | Sep 18 03'
"That was just the beginning of a wonderful time in California...."
So here we are September 2003, I dont remember the exact date. Im off from work after 9 months with no holidays and i have just a couple of weeks b... Continue reading »
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Santa Cruz, well, it wasn´t that far. | Aug 29 06'
Highway 1, with it´s pretty coastal views, took us to Santa Cruz, where I had spent a summer a few years ago. It´s still as crazy as eve... Continue reading »
