Check out the Natural Beauty of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California is known for its natural beauty, temperate climate, alternative lifestyles and socially liberal leanings. Within a short drive of many desirable California destinations, Santa Cruz is only 50 miles north of Monterey, 70 miles north of Big Sur and 70 miles south of San Francisco—which makes it the perfect home base for visitors.

The single most iconic symbol of Santa Cruz is the famed Boardwalk, one of only two dozen still in operation in the country—and, the largest on the West Coast. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk opened in 1907 and has become a California Historic Landmark. After all these years, the Boardwalk continues to be as popular as ever—in 2010 it was named “Best Seaside Amusement Park” by Amusement Today magazine.

My visit to Santa Cruz was during the middle of the week, during the winter months…so unfortunately, most of the Boardwalk was closed. Adjacent to the Boardwalk, and equally historic, is the municipal wharf pier…which offers plenty of shops, restaurants, fishing and site-seeing.

Surfing in Santa Cruz is an extremely popular sport, so much so that the community has its own museum devoted to it. During my visit I went to one of the more popular surfing beaches, unfortunately there was all but a single surfer out on the water…and, I wasn’t even able to get him on video.

While I was in Santa Cruz, I stayed right in the thick of it all at this urban chic B&B called, the Pacific Blue Inn (click on the link for my review). I was within walking distance to the boardwalk, pier and downtown. It was so nice not to have to drive around looking for parking, and yet have so much accessible…from art galleries, restaurants, museums and public art, to the movie theater…which I visited since my last two days were filled with rain.

Click on the following link to see more of my pictures of Santa Cruz. If you’ve visited Santa Cruz, please tell my readers and me something unique and/or special you enjoy(ed) doing.

For a list of great places to stay while in the area, check out: Awahnee CA B&B’s or

Bed and Breakfasts, Healdsburg California