Big Basin is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902. Home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco. Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet. The climate ranges from foggy and damp near the ocean to sunny, warm ridge tops.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a variety of forested areas. The Zayante Indians once lived in the area, where they found a land with plentiful natural resources.
Lighthouse Field State Beach, also known as Point Santa Cruz, forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay. It is one of the last open headlands in any California urban area.
The Kim Son Monastery is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monastery located in Watsonville, California. It is situated on a mountaintop, offering a peaceful and serene environment. The monastery focuses on Buddhist teachings and provides opportunities for meditation, study, and community engagement, promoting harmony and spiritual growth.
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, in Northern California. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 62,956. Situated on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a popular tourist destination, owing to its beaches, surf culture, and historic landmarks.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a popular seaside amusement park located in Santa Cruz, California. The park was founded in 1907 and is one of the oldest amusement parks in California. It is situated on the Santa Cruz Beach, adjacent to the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Sempervirens Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in Big Basin Redwoods State Park near Boulder Creek, California. The falls are about 20 feet tall, creating a serene and scenic spot amidst the towering redwoods are surrounded by ferns, moss-covered rocks, and old-growth redwoods, offering a tranquil and beautiful setting for visitors.
The Mystery Spot is a popular tourist attraction located in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Santa Cruz, California. It is known for its quirky and gravity-defying optical illusions, which have intrigued visitors for decades. The Mystery Spot offers a lighthearted and fun experience for visitors who are curious about the strange and unusual.
Natural Bridges State Beach is a 65-acre California state park in Santa Cruz, California. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach.
Coast Dairies State Beaches is a series of beautiful and rugged beaches located on the North Coast of Santa Cruz County, California. The beaches are situated on the coast between Davenport and Bonny Doon, and offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding landscape.
The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is located in Santa Cruz, California and is dedicated to preserving the rich surfing history of the area. The museum is located inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the popular surf spot of Steamer Lane.
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is a beautiful and historic park located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, just a short drive from the town of Aptos and the city of Santa Cruz on the central coast of California. The park offers rugged semi-wilderness, rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains of more than 2,600 feet.
Four miles north of town along Highway 1, at the northern edge of Wilder Ranch State Park, you’ll find a right point called Four Mile, a less-than-perfect wave that breaks upwards of 300 days a year.
The Santa Cruz Wharf is a prominent and historic attraction located in Santa Cruz, California, offering a wide range of activities, dining, shopping, and beautiful coastal views. It is a vibrant and bustling destination that combines natural beauty, marine life, dining, and entertainment.
Castro Adobe State Historic Park is a state park in the Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, California. The Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe is a historically and architecturally significant house located in the Pájaro Valley, California. The two-story Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe is a historic rancho hacienda that was built between 1848 and 1849.
Hecker Pass is a low mountain pass across the Santa Cruz Mountains of central California, connecting Watsonville on the Pacific coast to Gilroy and the Santa Clara Valley.
