Santa Cruz is the reputed site of the first surfing in California in 1885, when three Hawaiian princes, Prince Edward, Prince David and Prince Jonah Kalaniana’ole, surfed on locally milled redwood boards at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.
Beach Boardwalk
Voted the world’s Best Seaside Amusement Park in 2007, the 101-year old Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features both modern and classic thrill rides, restaurants, miniature golf, video game arcades, and family bowling, all located on a mile of sandy beach. The admission-free Boardwalk offers affordable ticket options and free summer entertainment. A truly unique California experience!
Mission Santa Cruz
Mission Santa Cruz was originally established in 1791 on the floodplain of the San Lorenzo River. That winter, the mission was flooded as the San Lorenzo swelled with the rains. The padres set out to rebuild the mission on the hill overlooking the river. On the night of December 14, 1793 Mission Santa Cruz was attacked and partially burned by members of the Quiroste tribe who inhabited the mountains to the east of Point Año Nuevo.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has been bringing the delights and wonders of the natural world to Santa Cruz residents and visitors for 100 years. With it's early beginnings in the Santa Cruz public library, the Museum collections and displays have been housed in various locations in the City.
Roaring Camp Railroads
Roaring Camp is a recreation of an 1880s logging town complete to its steam-powered saw mill and period buildings. There's a general store, depot, opera house, the smallest covered bridge in America, antique cabooses that double as food stands and offices, a tiny one-room school house that was actually used as such, a Chuckwagon barbecue and picnic grounds, logger’s skid sheds and engine houses.
Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown is the heart of Santa Cruz. Comprehensive shopping selections, sidewalk cafés, over fifty restaurant choices, and an exciting nightlife with several music venues, cinema and live performances, It's All Right Here!
Natural Bridges State Park
Natural Bridges State Park is located at the west end of West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. The park only has one natural bridge. Two of the three original natural bridges vanished due to coastal erosion. This sea stack was attached to the shore via the two other arches when the park was established.
