Santa Cruz Overview, Facts, Vacation Information of Santa Cruz, CA

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a must-see when visiting this sleepy coastal city. It’s more than 100 years old and is home to California’s oldest surviving amusement park.
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Santa Cruz is a coastal California city with a laid-back beach town vibe, south of the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s also home to the University of California Santa Cruz, a picturesque campus surrounded by redwood trees with stunning views of Monterey Bay.

Visit the city’s numerous beaches, take a surf lesson, rent a cruiser bike, or head to the marina for a sailing cruise or deep-sea fishing tour. Stroll along Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, where you’ll find funky record shops, second-hand clothing stores, surf shops, and bookstores from Bookshop Santa Cruz to Borders. The downtown area has become more chain store influenced, but it still retains its eccentricity: Street musicians dot the sidewalks and parades are a way of life. Don’t forget to check out a show at The Catalyst, a showcase for local artists and music legends alike.

Catch some thrills at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and ride the Giant Dipper, a classic wooden rollercoaster in operation since 1924.