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The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Santa Cruz County proudly serves as the gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of Santa Cruz County’s most exquisite points of interest and an underwater world rich in biological resources. The sanctuary, designated by the Federal Government under the authority of the National Marine Sanctuary Act, is one of only 14 federally protected marine sanctuaries in the country. It is the second largest in the United States, and covers 5,322-square miles of ocean: nearly a quarter of the California Coastline. The sanctuary was established to increase awareness, understanding and stewardship of the Monterey Bay. Featuring an underwater canyon that stretches out over 60 miles from the coast and plunges to depths of over 10,000 feet — more than twice the depth of Arizona’s Grand Canyon — the constant upwelling of nutrients in the Monterey Bay sustains the world’s most diverse collection of marine plants and animals. Otters pluck abalone from the rocks while sea lions search for fish. Expansive kelp forests serve as a safe haven for sea creatures hiding among the foliage. The sanctuary is also home to several threatened and endangered species. From the shore, the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail includes interpretive displays at eight points of significance along the trail, which travels from Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz south to Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. In summer 2012, a new Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center debuted. Prominently located near the wharf and Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, the center includes an exploration theater, intertidal touch-pool, manmade kelp forest, submarine canyon and other interactive and bilingual multi-media exhibits, designed for both children and adults. Perched on the edge of the Monterey Bay, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Lab displays seawater tables, aquariums, and marine exhibits illustrating the work of resident scientists. A product of UC Santa Cruz, the Center is part of the nation’s third largest marine research and education facility. Docentled tours offer a behind-the-scenes peek at the lab’s facilities and Younger Lagoon Natural Reserve. Ms. Blue, one of the world’s largest displayed blue whale skeletons, once a living 87-foot mammal, rests outside the center. The Santa Cruz Harbor also features marine-inspired outdoor art and educational displays about aquatic life. Divers can explore the lush kelp forests and rocky reefs of the sanctuary’s underwater environment. Many visitors and locals alike enjoy the sanctuary by body boarding, surfing, windsurfing, or kite boarding. Kayak and stand up paddle board rentals are available at the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. From the water or the shore, there are countless ways to enjoy the natural treasures of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

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Photo: www.h20shots.com Photo: Chad King/MBNMS/NOAA

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Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013

Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013
Contents
Welcome to Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz
Whale Watching and More
Find Your Perfect Beach
Play Around in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County Has Taste
2013 Events Calendar
Maps
Raise a Glass to County Wine
Monterey Bay
Capitola and Soquel
Live Creatively
San Lorenzo Valley
Scotts Valley
From the Mountains to the Sea
Pleasure Point
Make a Play Date
Aptos
Davenport
Watsonville and Pajaro Valley
Restaurant Guide
Lodging Guide
Visitor Activities
Free Things To Do
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Intro
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Cover2
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 1
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 2
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 3
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 4
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 5
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 6
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Contents
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 8
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Welcome to Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 10
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 11
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 13
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 14
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 15
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 16
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Whale Watching and More
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 18
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Find Your Perfect Beach
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 20
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Play Around in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 22
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Santa Cruz County Has Taste
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 24
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 25
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 26
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 2013 Events Calendar
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 28
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 29
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 30
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 31
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Maps
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 33
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 36
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 37
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 38
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Raise a Glass to County Wine
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 40
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Monterey Bay
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 42
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Capitola and Soquel
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 44
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 45
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Live Creatively
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 47
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 48
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - San Lorenzo Valley
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 50
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Scotts Valley
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - From the Mountains to the Sea
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 53
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 54
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Pleasure Point
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Make a Play Date
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 57
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 58
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Aptos
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 60
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Davenport
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Watsonville and Pajaro Valley
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 63
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Restaurant Guide
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Lodging Guide
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 66
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 67
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 68
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 69
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Visitor Activities
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 71
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 72
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 73
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 74
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - 75
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Free Things To Do
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Cover3
Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2013 - Cover4
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