From a hotel on the beach, to a quaint inn or bed and breakfast, to a vacation rental for the family or a rustic campground, you can rest easy in Santa Cruz County. Opt for a hip boutique property or a classic resort with a view. And don’t forget your dog: many properties are pet-friendly!
Santa Cruz County
Destinations
70 miles south of San Francisco, 35 miles north of Monterey, and unabashedly left of center, you’ll find great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, laid-back towns organic farms, and a burgeoning beer and wine scene. It’s impossible to pick one place to visit in Santa Cruz County. Take a quick cruz of them all!
Picture Yourself Here
Get inspired and start planning your next visit to Santa Cruz County. #VisitSantaCruz
Wish you were here… Capitola Twilight Concert happening now! 🌊 🎶 🌴
Didn’t make this one? There are plenty more this summer! Check below for more summer concerts in Santa Cruz County:
🌴 WEDNESDAYS: Capitola Twilight Concerts; Wednesdays thru August 27; 6pm-8pm
🌊 THURSDAYS: Crow’s Nest Beach Parties; Thursdays thru August 28; beach BBQ begins at 5:30; band begins at 8:30 ($5 cover)
🎵 FRIDAYS: Midtown Summer Block Parties; Fridays thru August 29; 5pm-8:30ish
🦭 TUESDAYS: Live Summer Wharf Concert Series; August 12, August 26, and September 9; 6pm-8pm
Those are just a few faves, but there’s a whole lot more! Check out bio link and story for dates, times, and details! 📆
Video 📹 | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #capitola #santacruz #twilightconcert #capitolavillage #summer #summervibes #livemusic
When was the last time you went in the ocean here? Wetsuit or nah? Tell us below! 🏄♂️👙🏄♀️🩳🏄🩴
Drone Videos 🎥 | @impactcreative
#santacruz #santacruzcounty #pleasurepoint #visitsantacruz #surfing #surf #surfer #pacificocean
Santa Cruz Summer Color Palette 🎨
🩷💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛
🌸🌲🐬🌊🪻🍓🌅🍹
🍬🌿🐋🫐🍇🍷⛵️☀️
What are your summer favorites in Santa Cruz County? 🏖️🍹🌯🍦🥾
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #capitola #felton #aptos #watsonville #bouldercreek #davenport #scottsvalley #benlomond #summercolor #summercolors #summer #summervibes
Happy 4th from Santa Cruz County! We hope you have a happy and safe holiday wherever you’re celebrating this year! Cheers! 🇺🇸
Video 📹 | @dgsc
#happy4th #4thofjuly #capitola #visitsantacruz capitolawharf #capitolavillage july4th #santacruz #santacruzcounty
Who’s due for a north coast sunset? 🤚
From Wilder Ranch to Año Neuvo, the north county sunsets just hit a little different… 🌅
Videos 🎥 | @dgsc & @beningramvisuals
#visitsantacruz #sunset #wilderranch #coastdairies@#summer #sunsets #sunsetgram #sunsetvibes #santacruz #davenport #santacruzcounty
Spirit animal… 🦭 On a scale of 1-10, how much do you love these guys?
Want to see sea lions? Visit the @santacruzharbor! How about harbor seals? Head to Wilder Ranch State Park and take the Old Cove Landing Trail!
#sealions #seals #sealion #harborseals #santacruz #santacruzharbor #wilderranch #visitsantacruz #layarounder #zoomies #spiritanimal
What’s your favorite thing about the Santa Cruz @beachboardwalk? The Giant Dipper🎢? The Dream Wheel 🎡? The Looff Carousel 🎠? The games 🏀? The treats 🍦🍬🍭 and eats 🥙🍟🍗?
Tell us below! ⬇️
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #summerinsantacruz #beachboardwalk #santacruzbeachboardwalk #summer #summerclassics #boardwalk
Are you answering?
#santacruz #santacruzcounty #visitsantacruz #oceancalling #centralcoasting
Sunday summer scenes from Henry Cowell… 🏞️🛤️🌲🌿🐴🐿️ What’s your favorite view?
📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
🥾 River Trail ➡️ Eagle Creek ➡️ Pipeline ➡️ Redwood Grove Loop Trail
#henrycowell #henrycowellredwoodsstatepark #redwoods #hiking #hikes #getoutside #sundaymood☀️ #sunday #sanlorenzoriver #santacruzmountains #santacruz #summerinsantacruz #summer #visitsantacruz
Summer in Santa Cruz >>>
Beach days 🏖️ , events 🇺🇸, outdoor live music 🎶 , cold beers 🍺, huge cones 🍦, river and forest hangs and hikes 🌲, and the best Santa Cruz summer vibe – it’s time to get here!
What’s your favorite summer view in Santa Cruz County?
#summer #santacruz #santacruzcounty #happysummer #vacationmode #summerinsantacruz #visitsantacruz
How many of these summer favorites have you been to in the Santa Cruz Mountains? 🌲
1) @roaringcamp Railroads: Ride a train through the redwoods to the @beachboardwalk! 🎢 You can also walk and picnic on the beautiful grounds. 🦆 Leashed dogs welcome. Call ahead if you plan to bring your pup on the train.
2) Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Hike for miles or cool off in the river, the park’s towering redwoods and cool waters are perfect for summer heatwaves. 🌲 Leashed dogs allowed on certain trails and fire roads.
3) Loch Lomond Reservoir: This seasonal treasure is open all summer long (minus Wednesdays). Rent a paddle boat or a motor boat! Fish, picnic, hike and hang with a gorgeous Santa Cruz Mountain backdrop. (No swimming or contact with water allowed here. If you want to get in the water, go to Henry Cowell) 😊 Leashed dogs allowed.
Where are you headed this summer in Santa Cruz County?
Content 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @desireexc / @impactcreative
#santacruzmountains #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #roaringcamp #henrycowellredwoodsstatepark #henrycowell #lochlomondreservoir #felton #benlomond #sanlorenzovalley #redwoods
All before noon today… Pleasure Point summer days are simply perfection! 🌊🌼🐶🌯 And best believe they always lead to burritos from @thepointmarket!
What’s your favorite beach for summers in Santa Cruz County? 🏖️
#pleasurepoint #santacruz #vacation #summer #centralcoast #goodmorning #montereybay #pointmarket #burrito #thebarrel
Summer weather in Santa Cruz = we’ll sit outside. ☀️ What’s your favorite restaurant to dine al fresco? The @crowsnestsantacruz clearly has it dialed with views + great food and drinks! ⛵️
Photos 📷 | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative
#dinealfresco #patiodining #patiolife #santacruzharbor #crowsnest #santacruz #visitsantacruz #harbor #crowsnestsantacruz
Add this to your summer bucket list in Santa Cruz County: a bucket of u-pick roses at @birdsongorchards in Watsonville! Literally slow down and smell the roses as you walk through the flower fields and pick your perfect bouquet. Be sure to say hi to the farm’s emus, llamas, goats, and chickens too! Reservations are required! Check below for more details:
💻 Reservations are required and can be done on the Birdsong website.
✂️ $50 per 🪣 of 🌹. Each bucket will fit 25-30 stems of 12-18 inches. Birdsong provides a bucket with water for you to keep.
🌹 Potted roses are also available for purchase.
🦙 Say hello through the fence to the llamas, emus, chickens and goats!
🍑 This farm has an astonishing number of fruits (plus, walnuts and avocados)! From apples to citrus, stone fruit to figs, and loquats to persimmons, the orchard is always working on delicious produce. The farm’s bounty serves many restaurants in Santa Cruz, Carmel, Monterey, San Francisco and beyond. During the summer and fall, they also have an open fruit and flower stand at the farm on Sundays 10 am – 2 pm. U-pick fruit is also a seasonal possibility, so be sure to ask!
Who’d ready for a fun summer outing at Birdsong Orchards?
Video + Photos 📷 | @dgsc
#birdsongorchards #upick #youpick #upickroses #youpickroses #rosegarden #roses #flowerfarm #rosefarm #watsonville #santacruz #visitsantacruz #santacruzcounty #santacruzbucketlist
Pro tip: Grab an @umetea and skyrocket your beach day vibe. 🚀🧋🏖️
From Brown Sugar Boba, Coco Mango Slushies, Matcha Melon Coco, Crème Brûlée Thai Tea, and dozens of other refreshing creations, you’re sure to find something you’ll love at Ume Tea.
The little pink storefront is located at 46 Front Street, right by the @santacruzwharf roundabout, behind Las Palmas Taco Bar.
Have you been yet? Stop in and tell us what you think!
#santacruz #umetea #santacruzumetea #beachday #beachboardwalk #santacruzwharf #visitsantacruz
There are TWO car shows you don’t want to miss this month! The Capitola Rod and Custom Car Show on June 14 and Woodies on the Wharf on June 21! Read below for more details and be sure to add these classic car shows by the beach to your June calendar!
🚗 Capitola Rod and Custom Car Show
🕘 Saturday, June 14, 9am – 5pm
📍 @capitolavillage
🌴 Featuring Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, Coupes, Roadsters, Customs and Classics – vintage to 1987 – Vendor Booths, Music, Raffle, Trophies, and more.
🅿️ Beach and Village Parking Lot 2 (Lower) located behind City Hall at 420 Capitola Avenue. This lot has over 220 spaces and offers a free summer shuttle to the Village.
🚙 Woodies on the Wharf
🕙 Saturday, June 21, 10am – 3:30pm
📍 @santacruzwharf
🌊 Come see the more than 200 “Woodies”, gorgeous, pre-1950s cars that feature wood bodies, line the Santa Cruz Wharf. Stroll the Wharf and enjoy dozens of shops and restaurants and stellar coastal views while you soak up the sun and beauty of Northern California’s premier “Woodie” show. At 3:30pm, be sure to take part in the Woodies Send-Off Parade!
🅿️ Alternative transportation available to the wharf including free bike valet and @the_santacruzer Beach and Downtown Shuttle ($1)
Hope to see you in Capitola and on the Santa Cruz Wharf this June! 🚘🌴🏖️☀️🌊
Video Clips 📹 | @jennday77
#visitsantacruz #santacruz #capitolacarshow #capitola #capitolavillage #santacruzwharf #woodiesonthewharf #santacruzcalifornia #juneinsantacruz #carshows #classiccarahows #woodies #oldcars
Doesn’t take much to keep us happy! How about you? ☀️🌊🌬️ What’s your favorite beach for a little coastal summer sun?
Video Clips 🎥 | @dgsc
#visitsantacruz #summerbeachdays #beachdays #summer #californiacoast #visitcalifornia #montereybay #laselvabeach #wilderranch #capitolabeach #westcliffdrive #naturalbridges
Free concerts by the beach, music in the park, and more, are waiting to take a spot on your summer schedule in Santa Cruz County! Check our blog 🔗 in our bio or story for the full concert lineup and dates PLUS, free movies too!
▪️Tuesday Night Live Summer Wharf Concert Series: May 13, June 10, June 24, July 8, August 12, August 26, September 9
▪️Thursday Night Beach Parties at the Crow’s Nest: May 22 – August 28
▪️Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party: May 30 – August 29
▪️Evenings on the Colonnade at the @Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: June 19 – August 7
▪️Capitola Twilight Concert Series in the @capitolavillage: June 11 – August 27
▪️Capitola Sunday Art & Music at the Beach: June 22, July 20, August 3, and August 17
▪️Music in the Plaza – Watsonville: June 20, July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, September 5
▪️Bargetto Winery’s Thursday Night Music in the Courtyard: May – September
▪️Junction Park in Boulder Creek: June 18, June 25, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30
▪️Music at Skypark in Scotts Valley: August 24 and September 28
Know of more? Drop them in the comments below!
#santacruz #santacruzcounty #capitola #watsonville #bouldercreek #scottsvalley freemusic #freeconcerts #summermusic #summerinsantacruz #visitsantacruz
Hello, June, and hello, coastline. 😍 What’s your favorite beach on the best coast/West Coast? 🌴🪻🌊
Busy beach days with oceanfront restaurants or coastal perches to listen to the waves, there’s the perfect spot for everyone on the Santa Cruz coast. See you soon! ✌🏼
Video Clips 📹 | @dgsc
Locations 📍: @capitolavillage, La Selva Beach, Lighthouse Field State Beach
#santacruz #visitsantacruz #capitola #laselvabeach #laselva #santacruzcounty #capitolavillage #june #bestcoast #westcoast #summervibes #summerinsantacruz #summer
Collecting moments. Summer looks good on Capitola Village. These Memorial Day Weekend moments were the perfect kick-off to the summer season. The bright blues in the sky and water, colorful flora swaying in the coastal breeze, waves crashing, the sun casting its golden glow – they all make a special moment in time. What scene do you want to step into? 🌴
Photo 📹 | @dgsc
#capitola #cinematic #capitolavillage #santacruz #visitsantacruz #capitolalove #capitolacalifornia #visitcalifornia #moments #collectingmoments
Where awe meets exploration. 🤝 Castle Rock State Park has a way of surprising you. Impressive rock formations, incredible vistas and sunsets, serendipitous discoveries of descending rock climbers, and a deep connection with the natural world, Castle Rock leaves room for adventure and discovery. What moment is your favorite? 🪨
Videos 🎥 | @dgsc
#castlerock #castlerockstatepark #goatrock #hiking #santacruzmountains #santacruz #visitsantacruz #rockcliming #hikesantacruz
Wishing you all a beautiful Memorial Day from Santa Cruz County. ❤️🤍💙 We are forever grateful for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 🙏🇺🇸
Photo 📷 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#memorialday #thankyou #happymemorialday #neverforget #santacruz #waltonlighthouse #chardonnaysailing #visitsantacruz
Subtle Memorial Day Weekend hints… Send this to your beach babes and besties. 🏖️
Video 📹 | @beningramvisuals / @hellobeningram
#takemetotheocean #santacruz #beach #beachdays #memorialdayweekwnd #memorialday #twinlakesbeach #twinlakes #santacruzbeaches #visitsantacruz
Santa Cruz summer loading… Don’t mind the view while we wait. 🌼🌊
Photos 📷 | @thecuratedfeast / @wolfpeachcreative
#summer #summerinsantacruz #westcliffdrive #surf #santacruz #visitsantacruz #summerloading
