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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shark Fin Cove, also known as Shark Tooth Beach, is a stunning and unique coastal spot located along the Pacific Coast, just south of Davenport and approximately 10 miles north of Santa Cruz. It's easily accessible from Highway 1, making it a popular stop for travelers exploring the California coastline.
The Byrne-Milliron Forest is a privately owned and managed forested area that serves as a natural preserve, educational site, and research area. It is situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, near the community of Corralitos. It is approximately 10 miles northwest of Watsonville and about 20 miles south of Santa Cruz.
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.
Pleasure Point County Park is a small park located in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz County, California. The park is situated on East Cliff Drive and offers panoramic views of Monterey Bay and the surrounding coastline.
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.
The Spring Trail Trailhead is a popular starting point for hiking in the Pogonip Open Space Preserve, located in Santa Cruz, California. The trailhead is situated on Golf Club Drive, just off of Highway 9.
Pinto Lake County Park offers boating, fishing, picnic areas, a baseball diamond, volleyball court and an RV Park. You are welcomed to bring your own boat, raft, kayak, canoe or inflatable watercraft onto the lake, but you are subject to inspection and launch fees. The park consists of 78 acres, 70 of which are water and 8 are land.
Mt Madonna County Park is one of 28 Santa Clara County Parks. The 4,605-acre (1,864 ha) park surrounds the peak, with the east side facing Santa Clara Valley and the west side facing Monterey Bay.
