Santa Cruz, CA Attractions
Santa Cruz County
Location and importance
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.
Location and importance
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.
Long Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
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.
All values are in United States Dollars
Long Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
100 Shaffer Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5734
United States
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
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May )
American Independance Day (July 4)
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
American Independance Day (July 4)
Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
| Adult | $ 6.00 |
| Child 16 & under | $ 4.00 |
| Senior over 64 | $ 4.00 |
| Child 3 & under | FREE |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
McPherson Center for Art and History
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.
All values are in United States Dollars
McPherson Center for Art and History
705 Front Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4508
United States
705 Front Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4508
United States
Phone 1 (408) 429-1964
Fax 1 (408) 429-1954
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Adult | $ 5.00 |
| Senior over 62 | $ 3.00 |
| Students | $ 3.00 |
| Child 17 & under | $ 2.00 |
| Child 11 & under | FREE |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
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Mystery Spot
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.
Natural Bridges State Beach
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.
Octagon Gallery
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.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Pasatiempo Golf Club
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.
Pasatiempo Golf Club
20 Clubhouse Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1802
United States
20 Clubhouse Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1802
United States
Phone 1 (831) 459-9155
Fax 1 (831) 459-9157
Santa Cruz Art League Galleries
The Santa Cruz Art League Galleries is a community center that presents exhibits of the performing arts as well as art exhibits and classes.
Santa Cruz Art League Galleries
526 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4622
United States
526 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4622
United States
Phone 1 (831) 426-5787
Fax 1 (831) 426-5789
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Facilities
Gift shop
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
March 28 to September 7
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
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.
Santa Cruz City Museum of Natural History
The City Museum of Natural History in Santa Cruz contains evidence of the history of northern Monterey Bay, Indian artifacts and an aquarium.
Santa Cruz City Museum of Natural History
1305 East Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3722
United States
1305 East Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3722
United States
Phone 1 (831) 420-6115
Fax 1 (831) 420-1137
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
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.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
1305 East Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3722
United States
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
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 7 to July 3
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | Closed | Closed | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Facilities
Gift shop
Seacliff Beach
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.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset |
