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Santa Cruz
Overview
Santa Cruz has marched to its own beat since long before the Beat Generation of the 1950s and '60s. This is counterculture central, a touchy-feely, new-agey city famous for its leftie-liberal politics and easygoing ideology 鈥 except when it comes to dogs (rarely allowed off-leash), parking (meters run seven days a week) and Republicans (allegedly shot on sight). It鈥檚 still cool to be a hippie or a stoner here, although some of the far-out-looking freaks are just slumming Silicon Valley millionaires and trust-fund babies.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been an Americana classic like few others for over a century. Now as in 1907 when the amusement park first opened, the鈥
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Santa Cruz
This educational center is part of UCSC鈥檚 Long Marine Laboratory. Interactive natural-science exhibits include tidal touch pools and aquariums, while鈥
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
Check it: the school mascot is a banana slug! Established in 1965 in the hills above town, UCSC is known for its creative, liberal bent. The rural campus鈥
Santa Cruz
A kitschy, old-fashioned tourist trap, Santa Cruz's Mystery Spot has scarcely changed since it opened in 1940. On a steeply sloping hillside, compasses鈥
Santa Cruz
Great for sunsets, this sandy beach fronted by a natural sandstone bridge is a family favorite and tops for wildlife viewing. Scan the bay for whales,鈥
Santa Cruz
Operated by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, this educational museum near the beach boardwalk is an interactive multimedia experience that鈥
Santa Cruz
Seacliff State Beach harbors a 鈥榗ement boat,鈥 a quixotic freighter built of concrete that floated OK, but ended up here as a coastal fishing pier. During鈥
Santa Cruz
A mile southwest of the wharf along the coast, this tiny museum inside an old lighthouse is packed with memorabilia, including vintage redwood surfboards鈥
Articles
Latest stories from Santa Cruz
National Parks
California鈥檚 oldest state park is closed for 12 months following devastating wildfiresSep 3, 2020 鈥 3 min read
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