Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 9

The crowning jewel of the Golden State, 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 legendary 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. Shopping, dining and many other experiences await. Take in a local theater performance, an outdoor concert or festival. Opt for wine tasting in a variety of settings, like the courtyard on Santa Cruz’ Westside where you’ll find Surf City Vintners. Art lovers can participate in a First Friday Art Walk with friends. Those who want to be pampered can check into a day spa and feel their worries melt away with a massage.
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. TOTAl POPUlATION: 264,430 INCORPORATED CITIES: Capitola, population 9,974; Santa Cruz, population 60,800; Scotts Valley, population 11,640; Watsonville, population 51,495 POPUlATION IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS: 130,521

Welcome to Santa Cruz County

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. 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 ridge toward the sea. Whichever interests you choose, Santa Cruz County offers visitors the quintessential California vacation, creating a real-life picture postcard to treasure forever. Santa Cruz County: Our beaches are just the beginning!

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.

9 “The California Pacific Coast Highway inspired a sense of freedom and wonder that only the open road can bring.”
MabuHay Magazine,
July 2011

Photo: Paul Schraub

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Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012