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Succulent flowers on West Cliff Drive during sunset. Photographed by Liz Birnbaum, The Curated Feast

FIND YOUR AWE.

From a hotel on the beach, to a quaint inn or bed and breakfast, to a vacation rental for the family or a rustic campground, you can rest easy in Santa Cruz County. Opt for a hip boutique property or a classic resort with a view. And donโ€™t forget your dog: many properties are pet-friendly!

Couple sitting on a hammock between two trees at Davenport. Photographed by Ben Ingram

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List
Group of individuals enjoying a live band at Capitola Twilight Concert at twilight. Photographed by Rachel Endsley, edited by Jenn Day

2025 Free Summer Movies and Concerts
Seasonal Bridge at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Photographed by Ben Ingram

Beat the Heat: Best Summer Hikes

Upcoming Events

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Santa Cruz County

Destinations

70 miles south of San Francisco, 35 miles north of Monterey, and unabashedly left of center, youโ€™ll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. Itโ€™s impossible to pick one place to visit in Santa Cruz County. Take a quick cruz of them all!

Picture Yourself Here

Get inspired and start planning your next visit to Santa Cruz County.  #VisitSantaCruz

Whatโ€™s your favorite thing about the Santa Cruz...

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Whatโ€™s your favorite thing about the Santa Cruz @beachboardwalk? The Giant Dipper๐ŸŽข? The Dream Wheel ๐ŸŽก? The Looff Carousel ๐ŸŽ ? The games ๐Ÿ€? The treats ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿญ and eats ๐Ÿฅ™๐ŸŸ๐Ÿ—? Tell us below! โฌ‡๏ธ #visitsantacruz #santacruz #summerinsantacruz #beachboardwalk #santacruzbeachboardwalk #summer #summerclassics #boardwalk

Are you answering?

#santacruz...

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Are you answering? #santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #oceancalling #centralcoasting

Summer in Santa Cruz >>>
Beach days...

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Summer in Santa Cruz >>> Beach days ๐Ÿ–๏ธ , events ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ, outdoor live music ๐ŸŽถ , cold beers ๐Ÿบ, huge cones ๐Ÿฆ, river and forest hangs and hikes ๐ŸŒฒ, and the best Santa Cruz summer vibe - itโ€™s time to get here! Whatโ€™s your favorite summer view in Santa Cruz County? #summer #santacruz #santacruzcounty #happysummer #vacationmode #summerinsantacruz #visitsantacruz

How many of these summer favorites have you been...

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How many of these summer favorites have you been to in the Santa Cruz Mountains? ๐ŸŒฒ 1) @roaringcamp Railroads: Ride a train through the redwoods to the @beachboardwalk! ๐ŸŽข You can also walk and picnic on the beautiful grounds. ๐Ÿฆ† Leashed dogs welcome. Call ahead if you plan to bring your pup on the train. 2) Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Hike for miles or cool off in the river, the parkโ€™s towering redwoods and cool waters are perfect for summer heatwaves. ๐ŸŒฒ Leashed dogs allowed on certain trails and fire roads. 3) Loch Lomond Reservoir: This seasonal treasure is open all summer long (minus Wednesdays). Rent a paddle boat or a motor boat! Fish, picnic, hike and hang with a gorgeous Santa Cruz Mountain backdrop. (No swimming or contact with water allowed here. If you want to get in the water, go to Henry Cowell) ๐Ÿ˜Š Leashed dogs allowed. Where are you headed this summer in Santa Cruz County? Content ๐Ÿ“ท | @beningramvisuals / @desireexc / @impactcreative #santacruzmountains #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #roaringcamp #henrycowellredwoodsstatepark #henrycowell #lochlomondreservoir #felton #benlomond #sanlorenzovalley #redwoods

Add this to your summer bucket list in Santa Cruz...

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Add this to your summer bucket list in Santa Cruz County: a bucket of u-pick roses at @birdsongorchards in Watsonville! Literally slow down and smell the roses as you walk through the flower fields and pick your perfect bouquet. Be sure to say hi to the farmโ€™s emus, llamas, goats, and chickens too! Reservations are required! Check below for more details: ๐Ÿ’ป Reservations are required and can be done on the Birdsong website. โœ‚๏ธ $50 per ๐Ÿชฃ of ๐ŸŒน. Each bucket will fit 25-30 stems of 12-18 inches. Birdsong provides a bucket with water for you to keep. ๐ŸŒน Potted roses are also available for purchase. ๐Ÿฆ™ Say hello through the fence to the llamas, emus, chickens and goats! ๐Ÿ‘ This farm has an astonishing number of fruits (plus, walnuts and avocados)! From apples to citrus, stone fruit to figs, and loquats to persimmons, the orchard is always working on delicious produce. The farmโ€™s bounty serves many restaurants in Santa Cruz, Carmel, Monterey, San Francisco and beyond. During the summer and fall, they also have an open fruit and flower stand at the farm on Sundays 10 am - 2 pm. U-pick fruit is also a seasonal possibility, so be sure to ask! Whoโ€™d ready for a fun summer outing at Birdsong Orchards? Video + Photos ๐Ÿ“ท | @dgsc #birdsongorchards #upick #youpick #upickroses #youpickroses #rosegarden #roses #flowerfarm #rosefarm #watsonville #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruzbucketlist

Pro tip: Grab an @umetea and skyrocket your beach...

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Open post by visitsantacruz with ID 18067477463287797
Pro tip: Grab an @umetea and skyrocket your beach day vibe. ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿง‹๐Ÿ–๏ธ From Brown Sugar Boba, Coco Mango Slushies, Matcha Melon Coco, Crรจme Brรปlรฉe Thai Tea, and dozens of other refreshing creations, youโ€™re sure to find something youโ€™ll love at Ume Tea. The little pink storefront is located at 46 Front Street, right by the @santacruzwharf roundabout, behind Las Palmas Taco Bar. Have you been yet? Stop in and tell us what you think! #santacruz #umetea #santacruzumetea #beachday #beachboardwalk #santacruzwharf #visitsantacruz

There are TWO car shows you donโ€™t want to miss...

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Open post by visitsantacruz with ID 18072577705932380
There are TWO car shows you donโ€™t want to miss this month! The Capitola Rod and Custom Car Show on June 14 and Woodies on the Wharf on June 21! Read below for more details and be sure to add these classic car shows by the beach to your June calendar! ๐Ÿš— Capitola Rod and Custom Car Show ๐Ÿ•˜ Saturday, June 14, 9am - 5pm ๐Ÿ“ @capitolavillage ๐ŸŒด Featuring Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, Coupes, Roadsters, Customs and Classics โ€“ vintage to 1987 โ€“ Vendor Booths, Music, Raffle, Trophies, and more. ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ Beach and Village Parking Lot 2 (Lower) located behind City Hall at 420 Capitola Avenue. This lot has over 220 spaces and offers a free summer shuttle to the Village. ๐Ÿš™ Woodies on the Wharf ๐Ÿ•™ Saturday, June 21, 10am - 3:30pm ๐Ÿ“ @santacruzwharf ๐ŸŒŠ Come see the more than 200 โ€œWoodiesโ€, gorgeous, pre-1950s cars that feature wood bodies, line the Santa Cruz Wharf. Stroll the Wharf and enjoy dozens of shops and restaurants and stellar coastal views while you soak up the sun and beauty of Northern Californiaโ€™s premier โ€œWoodieโ€ show. At 3:30pm, be sure to take part in the Woodies Send-Off Parade! ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ Alternative transportation available to the wharf including free bike valet and @the_santacruzer Beach and Downtown Shuttle ($1) Hope to see you in Capitola and on the Santa Cruz Wharf this June! ๐Ÿš˜๐ŸŒด๐Ÿ–๏ธโ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ Video Clips ๐Ÿ“น | @jennday77 #visitsantacruz #santacruz #capitolacarshow #capitola #capitolavillage #santacruzwharf #woodiesonthewharf #santacruzcalifornia #juneinsantacruz #carshows #classiccarahows #woodies #oldcars

Doesnโ€™t take much to keep us happy! How about you?...

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Doesnโ€™t take much to keep us happy! How about you? โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ Whatโ€™s your favorite beach for a little coastal summer sun? Video Clips ๐ŸŽฅ | @dgsc #visitsantacruz #summerbeachdays #beachdays #summer #californiacoast #visitcalifornia #montereybay #laselvabeach #wilderranch #capitolabeach #westcliffdrive #naturalbridges

Free concerts by the beach, music in the park, and...

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Open post by visitsantacruz with ID 18052243511586654
Free concerts by the beach, music in the park, and more, are waiting to take a spot on your summer schedule in Santa Cruz County! Check our blog ๐Ÿ”— in our bio or story for the full concert lineup and dates PLUS, free movies too! โ–ช๏ธTuesday Night Live Summer Wharf Concert Series: May 13, June 10, June 24, July 8, August 12, August 26, September 9 โ–ช๏ธThursday Night Beach Parties at the Crowโ€™s Nest: May 22 โ€“ August 28 โ–ช๏ธMidtown Fridays Summer Block Party: May 30 - August 29 โ–ช๏ธEvenings on the Colonnade at the @Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: June 19 โ€“ August 7 โ–ช๏ธCapitola Twilight Concert Series in the @capitolavillage: June 11 โ€“ August 27 โ–ช๏ธCapitola Sunday Art & Music at the Beach: June 22, July 20, August 3, and August 17 โ–ช๏ธMusic in the Plaza โ€“ Watsonville: June 20, July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, September 5 โ–ช๏ธBargetto Wineryโ€™s Thursday Night Music in the Courtyard: May โ€“ September โ–ช๏ธJunction Park in Boulder Creek: June 18, June 25, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30 โ–ช๏ธMusic at Skypark in Scotts Valley: August 24 and September 28 Know of more? Drop them in the comments below! #santacruz #santacruzcounty #capitola #watsonville #bouldercreek #scottsvalley freemusic #freeconcerts #summermusic #summerinsantacruz #visitsantacruz

Hello, June, and hello, coastline. ๐Ÿ˜ Whatโ€™s your...

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Hello, June, and hello, coastline. ๐Ÿ˜ Whatโ€™s your favorite beach on the best coast/West Coast? ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿชป๐ŸŒŠ Busy beach days with oceanfront restaurants or coastal perches to listen to the waves, thereโ€™s the perfect spot for everyone on the Santa Cruz coast. See you soon! โœŒ๐Ÿผ Video Clips ๐Ÿ“น | @dgsc Locations ๐Ÿ“: @capitolavillage, La Selva Beach, Lighthouse Field State Beach #santacruz #visitsantacruz #capitola #laselvabeach #laselva #santacruzcounty #capitolavillage #june #bestcoast #westcoast #summervibes #summerinsantacruz #summer

Wishing you all a beautiful Memorial Day from...

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Wishing you all a beautiful Memorial Day from Santa Cruz County. โค๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™ We are forever grateful for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Photo ๐Ÿ“ท | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram #memorialday #thankyou #happymemorialday #neverforget #santacruz #waltonlighthouse #chardonnaysailing #visitsantacruz

Subtle Memorial Day Weekend hintsโ€ฆ Send this to...

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Subtle Memorial Day Weekend hintsโ€ฆ Send this to your beach babes and besties. ๐Ÿ–๏ธ Video ๐Ÿ“น | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram #takemetotheocean #santacruz #beach #beachdays #memorialdayweekwnd #memorialday #twinlakesbeach #twinlakes #santacruzbeaches #visitsantacruz

Santa Cruz summer loadingโ€ฆ Donโ€™t mind the view...

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Santa Cruz summer loadingโ€ฆ Donโ€™t mind the view while we wait. ๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒŠ Photos ๐Ÿ“ท | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative #summer #summerinsantacruz #westcliffdrive #surf #santacruz #visitsantacruz #summerloading

An afternoon at Loch Lomond is perfectionโ€ฆ Have...

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An afternoon at Loch Lomond is perfection... Have you been? Hiking, boating, or fishing, this peaceful reservoir is a great summer destination in the Santa Cruz Mountains. ๐ŸŒฒ ๐ŸŽฃ ๐Ÿ›ถ FAQs for visiting: โ–ช๏ธLoch Lomond is seasonal: Operating from March through mid-October; closed on Wednesdays. โ–ช๏ธVehicle Fee $10, Season Pass $100. โ–ช๏ธArrive early to snag one of the limited parking spaces closest to the lake. โ–ช๏ธNo swimming allowed. โ–ช๏ธThere are 12 miles of hiking trails to explore around the loch. โ–ช๏ธRent an electric motorboat or a rowboat from the Park Store, or call ahead to reserve your boat: 831-335-7424 โ–ช๏ธFishing is welcome, and licenses can be obtained from the Park Store. โ–ช๏ธPicnicking is available at many parts of the park. Bring your own charcoal if you plan to BBQ. โ–ช๏ธFree boat tours of Loch Lomond on the Newell Jewell are offered during the second weekend of each month, Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM-noon. Tours can accommodate 25 people, and you can sign up at the Park Store.โ€ฏ First come, first served. โ–ช๏ธLoch Lomond Recreation Area is dog-friendly, so bring your pup along! Leashes are required, and make sure they stay on trail and out of the water! And of course, clean up after your pooch. โ–ช๏ธCheck out the โ€œLoch Walksโ€ that are hosted by a variety of ornithologists, botanists, and more. Discover dates and more information here.โ€ฏโ€ฏ โ–ช๏ธPlease respect this natural space and keep it natural for years to come. Pack your trash, carpool, and leave it better than you found it.โ€ฏ Video ๐ŸŽฅ | @dgsc Photos ๐Ÿ“ท | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram #lochlomond #boating #fishing #lochlomondrecreationarea #sanlorenzovalley #slv #santacruzmountains #felton #benlomond #visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty

A Santa Cruz weekendโ€™s callingโ€ฆ ๐Ÿฆญโ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ
...

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A Santa Cruz weekendโ€™s callingโ€ฆ ๐Ÿฆญโ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ Photo ๐Ÿ“ท | @desireexc #santacruz #visitsantacruz #wilderranch #seal #seals #weekendvibes #tgif #weekender

More than a top-ranked California golf course! โ›ณ๏ธ...

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More than a top-ranked California golf course! โ›ณ๏ธ DeLaveaga is one-stop hub for fun! Day date, family outing, time with friends, or even a solo mission, here are a few things DeLa has to offer: ๐Ÿง‡๐Ÿฅ—๐ŸŒฎ @thegrilleatdelaveaga has an incredible chef whoโ€™s creating an innovative and FRESH menu - like farmerโ€™s market fresh, own DeLa garden fresh, and fresh ideas. ๐Ÿน๐Ÿบ๐Ÿฅ‚ @thegrilleatdelaveaga also has a full bar and theyโ€™re known for their great cocktails, local wine, and beers! ๐ŸŒ๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธโ›ณ๏ธ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ No experience required: hit a bucket of balls at the two story driving range! No clubs? The staff can hook you up with a couple to get acquainted with your new favorite pastime! And of course, give the 18-hole course a go! Grab a golf cart (worth it already) and enjoy this picturesque course. You canโ€™t beat the setting! ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿฅพ๐ŸŒฟ Take a hike! Thereโ€™s trails up and around this gorgeous hilltop setting. Roam through redwoods, get to โ€œTop of the Worldโ€ bench for optimal vistas, and work up an appetite for some bites and drinks at The Grille. โญ•๏ธโ›“๏ธโ€๐Ÿ’ฅโ›ณ๏ธ Try your hand at some disc golf! DeLa also happens to be home to a world-renowned 27-hole disc golf course. Known for its technical difficulty and epic views, DeLaveagaโ€™s disc golf course attracts pros and casual players alike. ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ… Views on views on views. Not only is DeLaveaga have a ton of fun, it also has epic views all around. Wildlife, ocean and forest views, and gorgeous sunsets are all the norm here. ๐ŸŽญ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿงบ Come summer, Santa Cruz Shakespeare (@santacruzshakes) performs at the Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park. Pack a picnic, or have some pre-show drinks and bar bites at The Grille. This summertime tradition is unforgettable. Add DeLaveaga to your Santa Cruz Bucket List and tell us about your day at this hub for outdoor fun! #delaveaga #thegrilleatdelaveaga #delaveagagolfcourse #discgolf #golfing #golf #santacruzbucketlist #santacruz #visitsantacruz

Have you been here? Egrets are flying, turtles are...

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Open post by visitsantacruz with ID 18143978362391189
Have you been here? Egrets are flying, turtles are swimming, and the water lilies are blooming! Oh, and yes, the wildflowers are still popping! Consider this your sign to hike at Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley. Know before you go: The Eastside trails are managed by @landtrustscc and offer four-plus miles of rolling hills, sweeping views, a variety of treed areas, wildflower fields, plus this picturesque pond. No dogs or bikes are allowed on Eastside. Please stay on designated trails and leave wildlife and cattle alone (yes, thereโ€™s roaming cattle too! ๐Ÿ„) And as always, pack your trash and help keep this beautiful preserve clean and pristine! As of May 8, 2025, poppies, lupine and other wildflowers are in bloom, along with the water lilies. Itโ€™s a great time to go explore Scotts Valley! #scottsvalley #glenwoodpreserve #glenwoodopenspacepreserve #glenwooodtrails #pond #santacruzcounty #santacruz #visitsantacruz #hiking #bayareahikes #bayareahiking

More of this in May, please. ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒŠโ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿฆญ๐ŸŒ…๐Ÿป
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Open post by visitsantacruz with ID 17856519279370873
More of this in May, please. ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒŠโ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿฆญ๐ŸŒ…๐Ÿป Agree? Top Locations Featured in this Reel: ๐Ÿ“ Panther Beach / Davenport ๐Ÿฅพ ๐Ÿ“ Quail Hollow ๐Ÿฆ ๐Ÿ“ Shadowbrook / @shadowbrook_restaurant ๐Ÿ“ Capitol Village / @capitolavillage ๐Ÿฉต ๐Ÿ“ Natural Bridges State Beach ๐ŸŒ… ๐Ÿ“ Wilder Ranch State Park ๐Ÿฆญ ๐Ÿ“ Beer Mule / @thebeermule ๐Ÿบ ๐Ÿ“ Santa Mariaโ€™s Beach ๐ŸŒŠ #visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruxcounty #may #spring #vacations #nature #santacruzbucketlist