D Playing Around on't let Santa Cruz County's laid-back reputation fool you: this beachside town hosts an array of adrenaline-packed sporting events and is the picture-perfect spot for spectators as well as athletes! The CluB ed surf sChool caravan parked on Cowell Beach in front of the Santa Cruz Dream Inn during summertime. kiteBoarders who catch air off the waves at waddell BeaCh at Rancho del Oso State Park north of town. historiC exhiBits at the Alister MacKenziedesigned pasatiempo golf CluB, one of the top courses in the country. Crazy costumes and local bands as they entertain the fifteen thousand runners who compete in the wharf-to-wharf raCe each July, a six-mile seaside run from Santa Cruz to Capitola. The Santa Cruz Triathlon, Big Kahuna Triathlon and other races are hosted year-round. The colorful regatta of the "wednesday night sailBoat raCes," which happens April through October at Harbor Beach. The ken wormhoudt skate park at mike fox park in santa Cruz, an ideal spot for skateboarders. That Santa Cruz is the birthplace of mainland surfing in the United States? Try a group surfing lesson with Club Ed or Richard Schmidt. is the longest-running surf contest in Northern California. lOOK fOR The Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational during Memorial Day Weekend is the oldest continuouslyrunning surf contest of its kind on the West Coast. DID yOu KNOW? The O'Neill Coldwater Classic Santa Cruz is home to the Golden State Warriors' NBA Development League team that competes in a 3,200 seat facility near Downtown Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz County is a veritable Mecca for cyclists due to its challenging climbs and scenic roads. The 100-mile Santa Cruz Mountain Challenge is one of the most physically challenging rides in the Western U.S. Best of the Best Pasatiempo Golf Course - 24th best public course to play in 2013/2014 - gOlf DIgEsT Santa Cruz - one of the 10 Great Places to Stand up Paddleboard - usa TODay Santa Cruz ranked 8th healthiest county in California - RObERT WOOD JOHNsON fOuNDaTION aND THE uNIVERsITy Of WIsCONsIN sTuDy Santa Cruz - #1 Surfing Destination in the World - TIMEs Of lONDON uCSC -"Top 10 Surf College" - suRfER MagazINE 2014 oFFICIAL SAnTA CRuz CounTY TRAVELER'S GuIDE 19