Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2009 - (Page 9) Welcome to Santa Cruz County The crowning jewel of the Golden State, Opt for wine tasting in a rustic tasting room in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Art lovers can participate in a First Friday Art Walk with friends. And those who want to be pampered can check into a day spa and feel their worries melt away with a massage. The area’s sunny beaches, scenic forests and other attractions have lured visitors and luminaries alike throughout the century. Teddy Roosevelt once visited Big Basin, California’s oldest state park. Olympian Duke Kahanamoku’s visit to Santa Cruz in 1912 helped popularize surfing. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum pays homage to the town’s “Surf City” roots which still permeate every facet of the community today. Santa Cruz County welcomes visitors with an enchanting blend of nostalgia, natural beauty and invigorating activities. Vacationers have been drawn to the natural beauty of Santa Cruz County since the 1800s. The century-old Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is home to two National Historic Landmarks. As the West Coast’s oldest seaside amusement park, it holds a special place in history. Roaring Camp Railroads offers excursions through an old growth redwood forest aboard vintage steam locomotives. In addition, shopping, dining and other experiences await. Take in a local theater performance, an outdoor concert or festival. ridge toward the sea. postcard to treasure forever. Visitors can spend the day kayaking, sailing, hiking, or playing golf. Gently glide through a slough surrounded by only the distant chatter of songbirds. Feel the rush of sailing over the crisp waters of the Pacific Ocean. Experience a breathtaking view of the Monterey Bay as you hike down a mountain Whichever interests you choose, Santa Cruz County offers visitors the quintessential California vacation, creating a real-life picture Santa Cruz County: Our beaches are just the beginning! General InformatIon Located on California’s Central Coast, Santa Cruz County is approximately 70 miles south of San Francisco, 30 miles southwest of San Jose, 35 miles north of Monterey, and 375 miles north of Los Angeles. Population incorporated cities: Capitola 10,015; Santa Cruz 58,125; Scotts Valley 11,697; Watsonville 51,703 Population in unincorporated areas: 134,979 Total population: 266,519 Climate: Mild with summer temperatures in the mid 70s, and winter temperatures in the mid 50s. Humidity is low for a coastal area. An average of 31 inches of rain falls annually, primarily between November and April. Occasional fog occurs due to changing Pacific currents. Approximately 300 days of sunshine per year. “ Drive down memory lane 9 to classic yesteryear beach towns ” DailyCanDy.Com July 9, 2008 Photo: Frank Balthis/CVC 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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