13 Things to do in Santa Cruz: Beaches, Parks, Chocolate & Roller Coasters
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- Опубликовано: 28 май 2024
- Santa Cruz is a fun city that sits right along the Monterey Bay. The city is known for its boardwalk amusement park, which is one of the only remaining like it in California. The city also has amazing state parks, beautiful beaches and lots more you can explore on a visit. In this list we see some of my favorite places in Santa Cruz, let me know what I left off in the comments.
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Chapters:
--
0:00 - Intro
0:25 - Santa Cruz Boardwalk
1:05 - Santa Cruz Wharf
1:37 - West Cliff Drive
2:08 - Natural Bridges State Beach
2:40 - Wilder Ranch State Park
3:15 - Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
3:50 - Downtown Santa Cruz
4:26 - The Mystery Spot
4:57 - Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
5:34 - Roaring Camp Railroad
6:13 - UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
6:51 - Donnelly Chocolates
7:20 - Walton Lighthouse
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I went to UC Santa Cruz, lived across the street from the boardwalk and ate at Pizza My Heart basically every weekend with friends. Thank you for this nostalgic trip down memory lane; this video also made me realize I didn't take advantage of just how cool Santa Cruz was when I was there. Will definitely have to go back and be a real tourist in the future.
No problem, glad you liked it! I agree, Pizza My Heart is great
My daughter goes to ucsc
I have eaten Pizza My Heart since mid 80's and even did their Pizza and a movie where you could get a VHS and a pizza delivered and yes this was in the late 80's/early 90's. When I visited back a few years ago I had it every day I was in town because it is soooo great
Pizza My Heart is hands down the best pizza in all of California. EASILY
Lived in Santa cruz 2 years, best time of my life
As someone born and raised in Santa Cruz I wanna thank you for making this video it made me happy to see some of the small businesses getting recognized and the recommendations for some of our cool places we like to go in our free time
Would you still say Santa Cruz is a good place to live? I'm CA born and raised, but been gone for 8~ years, and have the chance to move back.
In addition to the arboretum, I would suggest taking a lap around the UCSC in the car while you’re up there. The campus basically runs in a circle and there’s only two ways in and out of main campus by car. Its a truly unique university, unlike any other college in the U.S.
Hmm, there's that beach where the Monarch butterflys hang out & Ano Nuevo beach to see the Elephant Seals, such amazing critters. I agree neighboring Capitola is a great town to visit as well, Gayles Bakery was one favorite stop.
Love gayles so so yummy . 😋😋😋
All of those are fantastic suggestions and I have never been to Gayles so I will have to check it out!
The Monarch butterflies are another attraction at Natural Bridges State Park. The Monarchs are found on the "inland" area of the park, in the Eucalyptus trees around February. This is an extremely small park, so "inland" is only a few minutes walk from the beach. It's definitely an impressive site to see!
I also went to UC Santa Cruz and loved seeing all the places I've visited.
For a great cup of coffee, I recommend going to Verve. They used to be much smaller when I was in college, but now they've expanded to multiple locations throughout Santa Cruz, the Bay Area and Japan. For non-coffee drinkers, I recommend getting "bowl of soul" as a latte alternative.
That is a great spot for coffee, I always go when I am in downtown, thanks for the reminder!
Hello, I lived in Santa Cruz from 1976 till 1990! Lived right off West Cliff drive on Oxford Way! So cool to see these videos now and a little old lady! Thank you so much for them!
Awesome presentation and great information Thank you for sharing One thing to mention near Natural bridges is the butterfly seasonal migration on Monarch trail
You`re in my back yard. Awesome
Roaring camp also runs a desiel locomotive from the Boardwalk (by the Carousel), through the trees along the San Lorenzo River, into Roaring camp about 1 hour. Summer only, the Suntan Special. Can alternative catch 9 AM train at Roaring camp, ride to Santa Cruz, stay 4 hours, get the return ride about 4pm.
Suggestion: make summer Roaring camp ticket reservations on line. Very frequently sold out. Especially weekends. Sometimes they offer special discount on last steam train of the day about 4pm.
Parking at Henry Cowell State park is $10. Park at Roaring camp is $8. Walk between the two all you want. Although you should verify closing times!
Santa Cruz also has "Staff of Life" natural food market. The forerunner of Whole Foods.
my hometown (Westside represent !!) ,... I'd recommend the UCSC fire trails (not too many people walk them), Crow's Nest, Shadowbrook restaurants and Zoccoli's Deli,... and just for local fun, a visit to Shopper's Corner.
In my opinion trails are no better than livestock herded there.
Which explains user despoiling, droppings, etc. I joined the
National Speleological Society in 1964 to find my own way.
Where the sun never shines.
@@jcee2259 Doing that in the Santa Cruz mountains will probably get you a bad case of poison oak and/or shot at when you stumble across someone's secret plantation of weed ... (p.s. I'm not joking)
I've lived in Santa Cruz for just over 60 years now and really enjoyed your video. I think you did a great job highlighting many of the wonderful reasons why I've lived here so long. I would add the MAH (Museum of Art and History) which is downtown and has a great exhibit on the history of Santa Cruz as well as rotating exhibits and special events. Also I would recommend Seymour Marine Discovery Center which is just past Natural Bridges. It's small and intimate with great exhibits.
The beach to the right of the lighthouse/surf museum is actually a designated dog beach. I travel there with a dog from Fresno when I can and that’s always on our list of things to do when we get to town. Nothing nicer than getting some sand between your toes and watching a bunch of dogs go crazy playing with each other on the beach.
That's my homie from Fresno's favorite beach, too!
@@johrathbun who is your friend? Tell em I’ll pitch in for gas if we can ride with them. Lol. I don’t have a car so now that my gf and I broke up I suddenly have no way to get there so apparently I just watch RUclips videos about it now. Haha
@@craigcampbell1843 Ah, buddy...! I think I found you on facebook, as I don't wanna mention her name in a public forum. I'll zap you a PM right now. :D
@@johrathbun 😂
Thanks for the video. I miss that place. I live in Scotts Valley from 1986 to 1993 but continued to visit until my mom passed in 2014. She practically lived at Henry Cowell park. It was her favorite place. The only place that I haven't seen recommended by others is Mackenzie's Chocolates. It's a tiny shop but it's been there for several generations. Seeing all of that made me smile!
and Santa Cruz’s neighbor, Capitola. What a lovely part of the California coast. Excellent content.
Only seen the colorful houses there, I need to spend more time in the city
My favorite thing to do in Santa Cruz that you didn’t mention is playing disc golf at the world famous DeLaVeaga disc golf course.
For the bunch and night views during Christmas my mom would take us up there at kids to see the city . So much fun !!!
Sounds awesome, I will have to check that out!
@@californiathroughmylens try to play with someone that knows the course and be prepared to lose a disc or two but it’s 29 holes of epic woods golf with lots of elevation changes and amazing ocean views. I rarely even keep score when I play there. I just go for the experience of playing there. If you want a course preview you can watch tournament coverage of the Masters Cup on RUclips. I was a spotter on tournament hole 3 this past year all three days. See if you can find me in the trees! Haha
@@rokstargrl714 you’re so lucky to have grown up there. It’s my happy place but I only get to visit from Fresno when I can. Haha
@@californiathroughmylens it’s free to play but you will need to pay $2 for parking. Best to show up early and beat the crowds.
When i was in Santa Cruz we hiked up in the mountains near Bonnie Dune. There was this area with carved sandstone that was magical and fantastic.
Excellent video. Thank you.
Taking my kids here this summer .. can't wait !
I've only been on the board walk my self but really enjoyed your recommendations on seeing the roaring camp railroad and Mystery Spot. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous city with us
It was always a treat when the folks would load us up and head to Santa Cruz for a day at the beach and boardwalk. My favorite was the carousel with the brass rings. Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories from my youth !
The carousel is so fun with those rings!
Nice collection 👌
I love that place on the wharf
That looks peaceful. My type of place to visit.
Hi, I would add The Monarch Grove Trail at the Natural Bridges to watch clusters of monarch butterflies migrate here during mid-Oct to Feb annually. A rare phenomenon. Thanks for your list, they are helpful as always.
Shadowbrook restaurant, with its quirky dining rooms and hillside cable car, is a must stop for the area. Technically Capitola but not any farther afield than some of the other places mentioned. Great video, Josh.
Than you for the recommendation, hopefully we'll be able to check it out whenever we go up there!
I will have to go there next time, thanks for the tip!
I like most is Roaring camp railroad!! my kids love to take train! and Mystery spot that is very interesting! Nice info! Thank you!
The wharf is awesome!!
Thanks for the memory trip through every childhood spot we visited in the 50's, except for the Mystery Spot and the railroad they were "tourist traps."
Beatyful Santa cruz
Santa Cruz was one of my second homes ( besides Half Moon Bay and Sonoma County) as a child. The beaches in Santa Cruz, Monterey and Pacific Grove are unsurpassed ( you can throw in Pebble Beach in Carmel as well into this mix).
What a gem of a seaside resort town in California! I only hope Santa Cruz doesn't go the way of the ongoing horror shows in MANY other CA cities (i.e. LA, San Fran, Oakland, San Bernardino, etc., etc.). I really love the beachside amusement park w/ wooden rollercoaster.
Taqueria Vallarta, Pleasure Pizza + all the surf, skate and bike shops on 41st Ave. El Rosal Bakery is also a good spot for Mexican pastry (the jelly rolls with coconut) and Tamales. :)..... The drive from Natural Bridges to Capitola to take in the views and smell the salty air.
Thank you!!
Thanks for the video! My wife and I are headed up to Scott’s Valley in March and plan on visiting Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park which is only about 10 mins from our hotel! We also plan on going to The Forest Of Nisene Mark’s State Park in Aptos as well and hike Maple Falls. So much beauty in that area 👍🏻
Definitely both fantastic! The Maple Falls hike is one of the best at Nisene Marks I think. Henry Cowell park is absolutely gorgeous no matter which path you take, you guys will love it! I go all the time, I’m addicted!
@@emmapiebird Thank you we are avid hikers and are extremely excited to see some new areas! If you have any other recommendations for Forest of Nisene Marks plz LMK, we should have a good half day there to explore! Life is all about building healthy addictions!!!
Never heard of the Forest of Nisene, I will have to check it out!
@@californiathroughmylens I stumbled upon it on one of my late night google earth nerd out sessions haha, Garrapata State Park south of Carmel is also another one I just did, the Soberanes Canyon Trail there is stunning!!!
Yes, at Nisene Marks (if the Aptos trail is open then) you can literally hike to the exact epicenter of the Loma Prieta quake, pretty neat to be able to say that you were actually there! 🌼
Wilder ranch is one of my favorites spots in California 😍
i live in santa cruz and i checked out all of these places i recomend all of these places
Best skater vibe city.!!!
Thank you so much for the wonderful info ! Very valuable for a short trip ! Appreciate 👍
Love this vid, looking forward exploring some of the spots
Lovely videos. a soothing voice and cool personality u got there. It would be great if u can include the map and the distances from a common point. Thanks
Thanks for mentioning about the parking. That helps to know before going to some of these places.
Awesome places to visit. Thank you so much
This place, looks awesome!✌️🙏✨🎉🤗❤️
Love your videos dude, very well done! 💙
What about Marianne's Ice Cream on Ocean ? Or the trails at the Pogonip?
Your videos are amazing. The best ice cream store in Santa Cruz is Mary Ann's, with 105 different flavors!!
Just went last week to Henry Cowell and the lady at the parking booth actually said my parking pass for the day would grant me parking access to all 6 of the State Parks in that area! Neat cuz they're pretty close to each other and don't take to long to get the gist of!
Fantastic entertainment ground. Amazing share, fantastic day.
Have a wonderful day to you!
as someone who has lived there whole life there pizza my hart is the beat thing in ever:)
Thanks so much for this
I have been wanting to visit Santa Cruz for years now and I will admit, it is due to one of my favourite films and the Mystery spot. But I have slowly been finding more and more reasons to want to go and your video just added even more! 😁 Definitely need to go now!
another great video!
Thanks!
My hometown.
Great job doing this video! My daughter and son in law run a church in Santa Cruz. I didn’t know about that chocolate shop so I need to plan a short trip soon🙂
Spot on video
Pacific Cookie Company is all about goodness!
Awesome video buddy. We’ll be in Big Sur in a few weeks, and may have to make a quick trip up to SC. It’s been a while and such a cool place!
I recommend west cliff great spot .
I love how real and authentic your places to eat choices are (such as donolleys chocolates). You can tell they aren’t sponsored - at least it feels real. Unlike other creators where you can tell they are only showing the corporate food to get paid or because it’s a trending establishment. Thanks :)
I just shared this video with my daughter who goes to Ucsc
Looks like its time for a weekend trip up north. You sold me on burnt marshmallows and ice cream bars!
haha they are pretty great!
I love eating at the Crows Nest restaurant. They have delicious food there and great views too.
Not exactly Santa Cruz but Pigeon Point Lighthouse is pretty cool too. But I am a sucker for lighthouses.
Sort of a shame that Arcades are less and less common now, sort of glad of the few remaining ones at beaches, though I find the kids aren't as nearly as excited for them as I was. Hard to blame them when home consoles and portable are nearly if not better in quality, but the nostalgic factor, still remember that star wars pod racing arcade.
haha I know what you mean and yea that pod racing game was epic!
I highly recommend Empire Cave by the university (your feeling brave), Forest of Marks and Land of Medicine!
If you have a dog, Mitchell's Cove Beach (roughly between Steamer Lane and Natural Bridges ust off West Cliff Dr.) is a great place to take them in the morning and early evening. Most people may say you can let your dog off leash here any time, but I think technically you're only supposed to do it before 10 AM and after 4 PM (to sunset). I also recommend the many nice Bed & Breakfast places, especially the ones in restored old houses.
As for food, there are some great local places like Zachary's Restaurant for breakfast thru lunch, Hula's Island Grill (technically this is a small chain from Hawaii) for great Hawaiian food for lunch and dinner except on Mon/Tue (dinner only?), El Palomar for mexican food, Riva Fish House is good for on the wharf (if not as iconic as Stagnaro's), and Avanti on Mission is great for outdoor dining. I also second Zoccoli's Deli that has been mentioned by some other folks.
Thanks for the recommendation, Speaking of Santa Cruz I’m about to move up there for school (UC Santa Cruz) in Fall looking forward what sightings to see over there
That's awesome, I hope you enjoy it!
There's so much more beauty than what's highlighted here...also a very dark underbelly, be prepared to see needles everywhere once you're off campus...and if you haven't witnessed an OD yet, well, welcome to SC!
Great video Josh my brother lives in Santa Cruz I was there for Thanksgiving I intend to do a lot exploring during the summer Using my brothers E bike and I’m going to use quite a few your recommendations
Sounds awesome, I hope you enjoy the city like it did!
Love your videos. Can you please do one one Monterey/Carmel? There’s A LOT more than meets the eye are around there. And Pacific Grove
Working on one on Monterey for the next few weeks!
@@californiathroughmylens awesome!!! I can’t wait. My parents have a house in East Garrison which used to be a military base.
You did well with the more wholesome activities. But if imbibing is on the agenda, then an urban wine tasting on the west side or a beer tour through the excellent local breweries would have been good additions to the video.
Been there for lunch but obviously I missed a lot. Got to go back for the train at a minimum!
Here's something you may wish to include for family fun: the long Marine Lab
I was just hiking at Henry Cowell this morning, it is truly a fantastic place! I love all of these recommendations. Santa Cruz also has some really neat thrift stores with lots of artsy boho stuff being donated. There is also a really cute coffee shop at the St. Joseph Shrine, right near the lighthouse on West Cliff Drive, it has a nice outdoor area with palm trees and statues. Good coffee too, but actual best coffee in that area in my opinion is Mr. Toots in nearby Capitola. 🌼🌼🌼
Dang, now I have to go back to try those coffee shops! Thanks for the tip
G`morning
Yep this is home
Pretty epic spot to call home
This was great. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Not sure if you have done Muir woods but it is a beautiful hiking location in the redwoods.
Love Muir Woods but it has been a long time since I have been there!
Arrg .. I have been to Santa Cruz twice already but I did NOT know about all those cool places (like that steam train through the redwoods).
I wish your video was uploaded 5 years ago.
All right ... I have to be there once again but this time well prepared with your recommendations.
Now I just need to convince my wife that a 14hr flight is not that bad.
haha that is a long flight but the California coast is pretty great haha
GO SLUGS!!!
As a homegrown Santa Cruz native born & raised to you missed 2 very important place to check out . Marini‘s has better chocolate and it’s been around longer as a local favorite for salt water taffy and Polar Bear ice cream if you can find one has better ice cream in a place you mentioned. !!! Next time do better research!!! And you forgot got the cement ship ! Next time ask some locals usually down to tell you the best places to go. Love my town so so much ! Also rumors of vampires are from the movie lost boys . So we don’t really had vampire except during the goth years lol . Keep Santa Cruz weird !!!
haha thanks for the tips! I love the cement ship and I thought about putting Shark Fin Cove on it as well but I tried to keep it a little closer to the city. Will have to check those other places out next time!
The one thing i never could stand about Santa Cruz... all the damn vampires.
That’s a long running joke cause lost boys was filmed there .
haha I remember watching Lost Boys back in the day, I should have watched it again before my visit haha
More like drug addicts and criminals roaming around 24/7
Dead fish. Cool!
How’s the weather in October?
That was awesome having lived in Santa Cruz n my kid's still there u missed Brookdale lodge in bolder creek n lock lomand n mount Madonna in watsonville n mount herman atop summit road all in Santa Cruz county tks
Man this video was great. Don't forget to mention all the shirtless surfer guys walking around next time. The shirtless surfer guys is the only reason I love this place! Nice job though!
I live in Santa Cruz
Funny. 2400 mile road trips see me alone in the dark under Santa Cruz County.
Expanding my exploration into what none of my species have trod. To start I'd
suggest the coastal sea caves until discovering one with a doorway. Caution:
I have heard barking seals inside..
Can you tell me which one of these are scooter accessible? Or a handicap " walker" accessible?
Henry Cowell's main loop is, that is a great spot to explore as it is flat and has wide paths. I made a separate video just on the trail if you want to see it. ruclips.net/video/94jIE7ygikw/видео.html
@@californiathroughmylens thank you so much
Wilder Ranch has some interesting late 1800's farming displays that are scooter accessible as well as a variety of paved roads/trails. If you bring a walker you can explore inside the main house. I have seen people walking around the farm buildings using walkers, but I use my scooter and can see almost everything except the interior of the house on my scooter.
The ocean bluffs trail has some challenging terrain near the first and last 1/50th of the trail. The north entrance is paved road, but is SUPER steep! (That's the only paved part of this trail.) The south entrance has a few short steep sections that aren't too bad. But about 10-15 minutes along the trail is a 600 foot section with deep, unavoidable potholes and parts of the road have serious running water damage. This leaves only one side of the trail useable for scooters. The problem is that side has a very steep sideways lean to it; so much so that I felt my scooter was in danger of tipping onto it's side... (It didn't tip, but I was leaning QUITE a bit and my heart was beating hard!) So use your best judgement as to if your scooter can handle it.
(Avoid the Cowboy Loop trail with a scooter. That one starts off looking easy, but gets worse and worse until you can't go back, but it's super dangerous to keep going forward.)
About 1/2 of this park's trails are 1 lane wide; either paved or gravel. My husband and I like to go there BECAUSE I can take my scooter. Depending on the strength of your scooter you may be able to do some of the further reaching trails. I haven't been on all the trails yet, but there are several miles of paved roads/trails that are accessible for all types of scooters, and several miles of gravel trails all scooters can readily use if you're willing to turn around when the trail gets steep.
Roaring Camp is fully handicap accessible. The Steam Train has a wheelchair lift for those unable to climb the steep stairs of the train. You just need to inform them you want to use it when you buy your tickets or arrive early and inform the office staff. The Diesel Train has a ramp that allows for easy access into the train on the Roaring Camp side, but again you will want to inform them in advance that you will need the lift, if you want to get off the train at the Boardwalk and steep stairs aren't doable for you. (I usually just stay on the train when we have the short stopover at the Boardwalk.)
In addition, Roaring Camp and Henry Cowell have some shared scooter accessible dirt trails. These trails are easiest to find by following the paved paths to the back of the meadow opposite the train station. When you reach the tree-line you head away from Graham Hill Road (where you enter Roaring Camp). There are miles of 1 lane wide dirt trails that are not too steep and wander through the redwoods.
@@acccardone7679 Thank you so much. I am so happy you informed me of this on both places so appreciated.
The Dolphin is better than Stagnero's. And you didn't tell folx where to buy their speedballs?! Haha!!
Quck. Do you know the Mascot for the University Of California, Santa Cruz? A. The Banana Slugs It's true. Look it up. :-D
Banana Slugs are one of the coolest animals out there. I always try to find them on the trails but have only ever seen one once haha
home of o'neill
You forgot marianne's ice cream
go to the beach and get your fill of free needles......... ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 - 3rd Generation Santa Cruz.......
Tron legacy 3d on IMAX was actually really good but I've hated every other 3d film
" It took 13 beaches " ~ Lana Del Rey
I recommend to anyone new to Santa Cruz to look up “Santa Merida/the weekly dump it’s a blog that was going on for over five years posted weekly. I’m surprised no one here is mentioning the mass amounts of drug addicts and criminals just roaming around 24/7. Im also surprised that there not a public service announcement that warns tourists and students that this town is dangerous and is a “sanctuary city” that means criminals and drug addicts are not punished for Doing ANY CRIMES.
So pretty much just like anywhere In CA? Lmao
Great vid! Check out Emily's Bakery on mission. Going strong since the '80s. It's been a couple years since our last visit but we love eating and drinking coffee on the deck and the friendly cats that share the space.
Thanks for the suggestion, i will next time!
What about the Eastside. Your list is lacking.
I lived with my parents at lighthouse for 40 years after 15 years in torrance. I get a bsme from long beach and my dad throws away stuff. sent me reeling real bad. jobs fell off real bad. The city budget was at 234 million a year. epa budget. I did 20 years of crv. Cold air 10 months every year. cold house with windows. obama stopped bank interest. 190 miles downwind I know where that cold breeze is from. 90's here. pods thieves from rutledge moving struck.
I miss pizza my heart I wish it would be found further south
Me too!
No chocolate, allergic