Santa Cruz - USA

In the northernmost region of California's Central Coast, Santa Cruz County beckons with warm, sandy beaches, redwood -covered mountains, rolling farm-land, world-class wine-tasting and spectacular attractions.

Santa Cruz County's special ambiance has attracted visitors since the mid-1800s, when beachfront bathhouses catered to Victorian-era modesty.  While much has changed since those early days, Santa Cruz County remains one of California's most popular seaside playgrounds.  It also serves as the gateway to the New Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The city of Santa Cruz, the county seat, can be reached via Highway One from the north or south, or Highway 17, which winds through the Santa Cruz mountains, from the east.  Santa Cruz is home to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the city and county's best-known attraction since its opening in 1907.
In 1989, the park was designated a California Historical Landmark.
The award recognized the Boardwalk's status as the last major oceanside park on the entire Pacific coast, as well as its standing as California's oldest amusement park.

The park is home to 27 rides, including a classic 1911 Looff carousel featuring 70 hand-carved wooden horses and a 342-pipe Ruth band organ.  The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster represents the only wooden
coaster that remains the centrepiece of an active amusement park on the West Coast.  Both the carousel and roller coaster are National Historic Landmarks.

In front of the Boardwalk is the mile-long Santa Cruz Main Beach, just one of 29 miles of warm, sunny beaches throughout the country.  It's no wonder the area is known for its California beach lifestyle.

Also within walking distance of the beach and Boardwalk is the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, offering fishing charters, whale watching excursions, shopping and dining.

Minutes away from the beach, driving east on Highway 9 at the town of Felton in the San Lorenzo Valley, is the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad, offering a one-hour, six-and-a half mile steam-train excursion through some of California's oldest redwoods.

Located along Highway 9 and throughout the Santa Cruz mountains are more than 30 award-winning wineries specializing in fine, hand-made vintages.  Several of the wineries are open daily for tours and tastings.

Two and 1/2 miles north of Santa Cruz, on Branciforte Drive is The Mystery Spot.   The "Spot" is a section of woodlands, 150 feet in diameter, where the laws of gravity seem to be literally suspended.
For the casual visitor, it is perplexing, but fun.  You can watch a ball rolling up hill.  You'll climb the hillside yet find yourself walking as if on level ground   A tilted wooden house, used for the demonstrations, makes the change in your perspective more obvious.  The tour takes half an hour.  Open daily 10 am to 5.30pm.

South of Santa Cruz on Highway One, is Capitola Village, an area reminiscent of terraced Mediterranean towns and a favourite beachside spot for sunbathers, volleyball enthusiasts, sand-castle builders and shoppers.  Inviting seafood restaurants, bistros, shops and boutiques are located along this seaside esplanade.

Further South id Aptos, home to 10,000 acre Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.   Hiking trails wind through towering redwoods and past ancient mining camps.   A the epicenter of the 1989 Lorna
Prieta Earthquake.  The park is popular with hikers, joggers, equestrians and cyclists.

At the southernmost part of Santa Cruz County is Watsonville.  Situated in the lush Pajaro
Watsonville's leading industry is agriculture.  Several "U-Pick" farms allow people to harvest their own strawberries, raspberries and olallieberries.

For complete visitor information for Santa Cruz County, contact the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council located at 701 Front Street, Santa Cruz or   (408) 425 1234.