Santa Cruz, lying about 70mi/115km south of San Francisco (on the CA 1), between Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains, is very popular because of its 30mi/46km of beautiful beaches. For the inhabitants of San Francisco it is the first place south of the city where it is possible to bathe, at least in summer and autumn.
Origin
The mission of the same name was founded in 1791 above where the town now lies. In 1797 the Spaniards created the village of Pueblo Branciforte, the inhabitants of which carried out a series of robberies at the mission which led to its gradual downfall.
It was the first of the 21 mission stations to be secularized in 1834.
Santa Cruz developed outwards from the Mission Plaza. Its year of founding is given as 1840, but it did not obtain its charter until 26 years later. The township was initially an important harbor from which redwood felled nearby was shipped all over the world. Gradually it became a holiday resort and spa. The long municipal pier is the only one in California with a leisure park. There is plenty of activity here all the year round. "Miss California" is chosen here every year.
The Long Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Santa Cruz is located at the end of Delaware Avenue. This division of the University of California is a marine research facility with an aquarium and touch tank as well as interactive exhibits.
Address: Long Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5734, United States
Phone: 1 (831) 459-3800, Fax: 1 (831) 459-1221
Hours:
July 1 to August 31: 10am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm
September 1 to June 30: 10am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ), American Independance Day (July 4), Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September), Easter - Christian
The McPherson Center for Art and History in Santa Cruz was opened in 1992. The center is located in a 20,000 square foot building which is joined to the Front Street Jail building by a glass atrium.
Address: McPherson Center for Art and History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4508, United States
Phone: 1 (408) 429-1964, Fax: 1 (408) 429-1954
Hours:
11am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: First Friday of every month 11am - 9pm and free admission.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
About 3mi/5km north of Santa Cruz on Branciforte Drive there is a most unusual spot, now privately owned, where an optical illusion gives the impression that the laws of gravity are being defied. The phenomenon was apparently first "discovered" in 1939. The eerie effect is heightened by disorientating architecture, conspicuously lacking in right angles.
Hours:
10am-4pm; Sun:10am-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm
Parking: Pay
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Natural Bridges State Beach offers 65 acres with beaches, tide pools and a boardwalk on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. The migration of monarch butterflies can be seen from mid-October through February.
The Octagon Gallery was originally the 1882 Hall of Records. It is used by the Museum of Art and History of Santa Cruz County to present changing exhibitions.
The Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz gets its name from the Spanish word for "passing of time". The course was designed by Marion Hollins in the 1920s.
Address: Pasatiempo Golf Club, 20 Clubhouse Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1802, United States
Phone: 1 (831) 459-9155, Fax: 1 (831) 459-9157
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features 30 amusement rides, including a 1911 carousel and the 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster. Also on the boardwalk are shops, a mile-long beach, and a large arcade filled with classic video games. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the only major seaside amusement park on the West Coast.
Hours:
January 1 to March 27: 11am-5pm; Sun:11am-7pm; Sat:11am-7pm
March 28 to September 7: 11am-6pm
Tips: Closing times vary, so phone ahead to confirm operating hours.
Admission price refers to unlimited all-day rides pass plus admission to two other attractions.
The unlimited all-day ride pass (without bonus attractions): $21.95
Individual rides cost $1.50 - $3.00.
Boardwalk is free.
The City Museum of Natural History in Santa Cruz contains evidence of the history of northern Monterey Bay, Indian artifacts and an aquarium.
Address: Santa Cruz City Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3722, United States
Phone: 1 (831) 420-6115, Fax: 1 (831) 420-1137
Hours:
10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. As well as views of the city and Monterey Bay the museum has photos and videos of the sport tracing its history back to the 1930's. There are plenty of boards on display including redwood planks.
Address: Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3722, United States
Phone: 1 (831) 420-6289, Fax: 1 (831) 420-6451
Hours:
July 4 to September 6: 10am-5pm; Closed: Tue
September 7 to July 3: 12pm-4pm; Closed: Tue, Tue, Wed
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Seacliff State Beach is located south of Santa Cruz on the north end of Monterey Bay. Noted for its fishing pier and the concrete freighter, the Palo Alto, currently closed to the public. The two miles of sandy beaches under sandstone cliffs with camping and picnicking facilities next to the beach make it a popular destination.
A sunken ship at an old pier at Seacliff Beach, Santa Cruz.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
