Santa Cruz County - 2008 Official Traveler's Guide - (Page 11) Our beaches are just the beginning Nearby, Natural Bridges State Beach is an ideal place for tidepool exploration. Bring your binoculars for seasonal visits to Natural Bridges State Park, California’s only state park butterfly preserve. Each fall marks the return of thousands of monarch butterflies that spend their winters in a protected grove inside the park. Between Natural Bridges State Beach and the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, a two and a half mile scenic path overlooking the bay skirts along West Cliff Drive. The path is popular for jogs, bike rides and romantic strolls. Along the route, you’ll find the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum housed inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. And be sure not to miss the surfer statue, dedicated to surfers everywhere. Just off the point from the lighthouse, fearless surfers ride the waves at Santa Cruz’s legendary surf spot, Steamer Lane. Nearby, novice surfers test their mettle at Cowell Beach. Down from the point, the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf stretches out a halfmile into the waters of the Monterey Bay. Lining the wharf are family-owned fish markets, seafood restaurants, a wine tasting room with a lounge and gift boutiques. Hop aboard a boat for a sightseeing excursion around the bay, or watch sea lions lazing in the sun at the end of the wharf. The wharf is home to a number of events throughout the year including Woodies on the Wharf and Jazz on the Wharf. Adjacent to the wharf, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is alive with yearround excitement. As the West Coast’s premiere seaside amusement park and Santa Cruz’s most popular attraction, the Boardwalk is over a century old. In fact, the boardwalk was recently named “Best Seaside Amusement Park” by the amusement park industry. The Giant Dipper, the park’s centerpiece, is a vintage wooden roller coaster that has thrilled visitors for more than 80 years. And 70 hand-carved horses prance proudly to the music of the original 342-pipe Ruth band organ, built in 1894 at the boardwalk’s merry-go-round. All this excitement sits on the edge of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of 14 federally protected national marine sanctuaries in the country. The sanctuary is a huge source of pride for Santa Cruz County residents. Chartered sailing and whale watching tours from Santa Cruz Harbor allow you to catch sight of abundant marine life. Kayak rentals are also available at the harbor. Each December, the harbor waters are illuminated with festive watercraft during the Lighted Boat Parade, a wonderful way to usher in the holidays, Santa Cruz style. Public art also adorns the Harbor, including a human sundial and an artists rendition of a “shipwreck.” Santa Cruz’s standing as the mainland’s birthplace of surfing, combined with its natural beauty, arts, energetic nightlife, and magnificent beaches have lured visitors throughout the years. Discover for yourself the diversity of this wonderous beach town. 11 “ if manhattan is the epicenter of urban culture, Santa Cruz is the epitome of the California beach lifestyle.” OutSide magazine, auguSt 2007 Photo: Gret Stechishin www. s a n t a cr u z co u n ty. t r a v e l http://www.santacruzcounty.travel
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