Cruise Highway 101 or explore the many back roads of the Boulder Creek and Scotts Valley areas to find good hiking.  Or, head to the beaches and relax while the kids hit the arcades and rides of the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.   

 

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. California's oldest amusement park beside a long, wide beach.
(831) 426-7433.

Santa Cruz  Shoreline, Santa Cruz. Deep sea fishing for salmon, rockfish, and albacore. Good sailing and surfing area.  Seasonal whalewatching, and guided boat trips available.
(831) 475-6161 Santa Cruz Harbor.

Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Cruz. One of the most popular beaches in Northern California, with warm water and adjoining boardwalk amusement park.

Mission Santa Cruz, Mission Plaza, Santa Cruz. Half-scale reproduction near original site, in neighborhood of restored Victorian homes.
(831) 426-5686.

Capitola Beach, Capitola. Popular beach adjoining a pleasant small town.

Año Nuevo State Reserve National Seashore, 5 miles south of Pigeon Point on Hwy 1. Rocky headlands and sandy coves. Guided walks to elephant seal rookery from Dec.-March. Excellent birding and whalewatching.
(650) 879-0227.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, 7 miles south of Pescadero. Tours 11-4 Sat. and Sun. (650) 879-2025 Año Nuevo State Reserve.

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, 4 miles north of Aptos on Aptos Creek Rd. Hiking trails wind through redwoods and past abandoned mining camps.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Trails through redwood groves to the ocean.
(831) 338-8860.

Butano State Park, south of Pescadero on Cloverdale Rd. Lush forests mixed with vernal pool wetlands. Jackson Flats Trail is especially pleasant.
(831) 879-2040.

Pescadero Marsh, 18 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Hwy 1. 3 mile trail through natural marshland, home to numerous species of birds.
(831) 726-8820 California State Parks.