Pleasure Point Archives - Visit Santa Cruz County

6 Outrageously Scenic Picnic Spots

Combine a warm climate with limitless scenery and a bounty of artisan breads, cheeses, and wine, and you have the recipe for a perfect picnic. With 29 miles of beaches, Santa Cruz County has no shortage of scenic locales to spread out on your favorite picnic blanket. But for added comfort and larger gatherings, you’ll want picturesque spots with designated picnic areas equipped with tables and possibly BBQ grills. Below, we’ve listed a few of our favorites and organized them by setting so you can plan your dream picnic! And of course, the sand is always a great option too!

Garden

_{UC Santa Cruz Arboretum}

If it’s scenery and solitude you’re after, look to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. The lush Westside oasis is open to the public and features a handful of picnic tables tucked under hulking shade trees situated between a redwood grove and the colorful blooms of the Australian Garden. On weekdays, the only sound you’re likely to hear are the melodies of birdsong and the rustling leaves of mature Narrow Leave Peppermint trees. Keep an eye out for the elusive white hummingbird that darts amidst nearby bushes along the park’s famous Hummingbird Trial.

Lake

_{Loch Lomond Recreation Area}

Want to picnic on an island? Head to the Loch Lomond Recreation Area. In addition to outdoor activities such as boating and fishing, this gorgeous, forest-shrouded lake features numerous picnic areas with BBQ pits, including an especially scenic locale on diminutive Clar Innis island (accessible only by rental boat available at the lake’s boathouse). There are also two group picnic areas with large BBQ pits that you can reserve for your next outdoor bash ($70/day). If you plan to crack open some local craft beer or wine, you’ll need an additional permit ($5 for 1-5 adults, $50 for +5 adults). For reservations, contact the lake’s staff at least one day in advance at 831-335-7424. Please note, Loch Lomond is open from March 1 through Labor Day and then Saturdays and Sundays though mid October of each year.

Farm

_{Wilder Ranch State Park}

Wilder Ranch State Park invites visitors to silence their phones and unplug in an idyllic setting full of gardens, livestock, old barn structures, and a striking pair of Victorian homes. It’s also a great place to picnic thanks to a small apple orchard that’s strewn with wooden picnic tables. Little ones will appreciate the goats and horses munching on grass in the adjacent corral as well as clucking chickens in the coop across the way. The park hosts regular Living History days and holiday events that bring the historic ranch to life with fun farm demonstrations.

Beach

_{Sunset State Beach}

If you want to feel sand underneath your feet, Seacliff State Beach and Sunset State Beach are your spots. Both have a large number of sheltered picnic tables and BBQ grills set right over the beach (although at Sunset, there are beautiful but opaque sand dunes sitting between you and the water). The tables at Seacliff fill up fast while Sunset tends to be a little quieter. Both parks offer reservable spaces for large groups including weddings, and corporate events (permit fees apply). To reserve a spot for your next event, contact the park system’s special events coordinator at 831-464-6290.

Waterfront Bluffs

_{New Brighton State Beach}

At New Brighton State Beach, you’ll find a beautiful picnic area perched on a grassy bluff dotted with cypress trees and overlooking the glistening Monterey Bay. There’s only one catch: you need to be a registered camper to park there, otherwise you’ll need to lug your picnic goodies from the lower level beach lot. On a slow day, you can try to sweet talk the rangers into letting you drop off supplies. Better yet, snag one of the enviable campground spots and make it an overnighter. If you’re feeling lucky, you can also try and nab the coveted (read: 1-2) picnic tables on the bayfront bluffs at Sunset State Beach (along Shell Road), Manresa State Beach (adjacent to the main parking lot), and East Cliff Drive (at 41st Ave and 33rd Ave) in Pleasure Point.

Blanket on the Sand

And of course, if you want to pull out your beach blanket, the 29 scenic miles of coastline welcome your on-the-sand picnic adventures. Just remember, pack your trash, no glass or alcohol permitted on beaches, and do not feed the wildlife.

Garrick Ramirez

July 18, 2021

Beaches, Family Fun, Parks, Things to Do, Vacation Ideas

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Exploring Pleasure Point

With colorful surf shops, charming beach cottages, and a shoreline teeming with surfers and beachgoers, Pleasure Point is the kind of quintessential beach community that enlivens Hollywood movies and lures envious tourists to California’s sunny shores year-round. Situated on Santa Cruz’s east end, this seaside neighborhood is one of the most vibrant surf destinations along the California coast. The easy going neighborhood earned its hedonistic name from Prohibition-era shenanigans, but you’d swear it’s because spending a day here is such a joy, no surfboard required.

PLAY

One of Pleasure Point’s biggest draws is East Cliff Drive, a dazzling waterfront promenade-part of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail-that winds along coastal bluffs overlooking the sparkling Monterey Bay. Join the parade of beach cruisers, skaters, and board-toting surfers as you enjoy vistas of quiet beach coves and thrilling surf breaks.

You’ll spot onlookers at the mini blufftop park overlooking The Hook (East Cliff Dr. at 41st Ave.), one of the neighborhood’s famed surf spots. Spectators belly up to a cliffside fence to take in sweeping views of the Monterey Bay and throngs of wetsuit-clad surfers riding rolling waves into shore. A few blocks away, Pleasure Point Park (East Cliff Dr. at 32nd Ave.) offers another great vantage point of surfer-topped waves from a small overlook guarded by a giant wooden tiki.

Jack O’Neill Park (East Cliff Dr. at 37th Ave.) honors the late surf legend and wetsuit pioneer who lived in the green cliffside house immediately adjacent. It’s a rugged, undeveloped plot of land that offers unspoiled views of the spectacular coastline. In July 2017, it served as the launching point for thousands of surfers who participated in a massive memorial paddle out to pay tribute to O’Neill.

SHOP

Pleasure Point’s main drag, 41st Avenue, immerses visitors in the town’s rich surf culture. The buzzing thoroughfare is lined with swaying Golden Medallion trees-named for their brilliant yellow blooms-and colorful storefronts filled with surf shops, beachy home stores, and casual eateries. The relaxed neighborhood sports a strict dress code of flip flops, shorts, and surf tees. Outfit yourself like a local at Freeline Surf Shop owned by big wave surfer, Peter Mel, or at O’Neill Surf Shop which continues the legacy of Jack O’Neill who first coined the term “surf shop.”

On Sunday mornings, you’ll find locals bustling about the makeshift public plaza that is the Live Oak Farmers’ Market. Tote-wielding shoppers arrive early to nab fresh seasonal veggies from the region’s many surrounding farms and munch savory breakfast tacos to the toe-tapping tunes of live bands.

EAT + DRINK

_{East End Gastropub dishes}

Start the day with a jolt from one of the neighborhood’s many third-wave coffee shops. Verve Coffee Roasters debuted its first shop in Pleasure Point before branching out to Los Angeles and Tokyo. Pop into their cozy initial locale on 41st Avenue to enjoy foam art-topped mugs amidst a stylish new interior from Santa Cruz design firm Young America Creative. At Cat & Cloud, you can sip creamy espresso drinks from beans roasted on-site in an Instagram-worthy interior. A case full of baked goods delivered daily from Companion Bakeshop and a killer avocado toast-invite lingering on a sunny front patio. As the folks at Cat & Cloud say, “come kick it with us for that neighborhood feeling, chill surf vibes, and a bunch of cute dogs to pet.”

You know you’re in a surf town when there’s a hulking breakfast burrito within a surf leash’s reach. Each morning, locals pour into Point Market and emerge with foil-wrapped beauties assembled in a variety of combos. Ask for extra hot sauce!

Surf-themed posters, photos, and boards cover every inch of Pleasure Point Pizza, a neighborhood landmark that serves up hot slices to ravished surfers. The atmospheric eatery played a role in “Chasing Mavericks,” a 2012 feature film that tells the story of local surf legend Jay Moriarty. Check out some of the other local spots featured in the film with this cool movie map.

_{East End Gastropub cocktail}

Some more absolute tried-and-true Pleasure Point favorites, stop by Suda, Eastside Eatery, and East End Gastropub. Arguably some of the best cocktails, brunches, lunches, and dinners have come from these three, so be sure to add them to your P.P. must-visit list.

With Pleasure Point’s beachfront setting and 300 annual days of sunshine, you know there’s a tasty ice cream spot nearby. The Penny Ice Creamery makes a point of pleasing with scoops of from-scratch organic ice cream made with fresh seasonal ingredients and served in homemade waffle cones. Get it like the locals do with a roasted marshmallow topping!

ARTISTIC TOUCH

Pleasure Point’s pops of color don’t end with the vibrant coastal blooms and cotton candy sunsets, the seaside neighborhood oozes with artistic charm around every corner. From the uniquely decorated and adorned beach bungalows to the iconic mural by Santa Cruz native, Jeremiah Kille, Pleasure Point puts on a display of artistry and whimsy. Stroll East Cliff and the surrounding neighborhoods and find all sorts of unexpected expressions of art. The “Lost Soles” sign is a fun find near the stairs at 36th Avenue, plus the countless other artistic pops discovered as you explore Pleasure Point.

And the artistry is hard to miss as you shop as well! Surfboard shapers, iconic surf apparel, and boutique stores like Zen Island let you take a piece of the surf and sun themed designs to your home.

STAY

Walking distance from the hub of activity on 41st Avenue, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott features spacious two-room suites, a bocce ball court, and an aquatic-themed lobby with a glass jellyfish chandelier that would delight Nemo and Dory. At the nearby Best Western Plus Capitola-by-the-Sea Inn & Suites, notable perks include a year round heated pool and hot tub, free WiFi, and an exceptional complimentary breakfast buffet.

You’ll fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves at Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages which overlook a hidden scenic beach that’s a favorite among locals. Fully-equipped cottages and outdoor patios with BBQ grills will have you feeling like one of the neighbors in no time. Beach lovers can also take shelter at Bella Notte, a boutique 10-room property that’s walking distance to Twin Lakes State Beach. Bright citrus trees and climbing vines lend a Mediterranean vibe while lux rooms with Italian bedding and heated bathroom floors ensure a bella notte, or beautiful night.

Garrick Ramirez

October 8, 2018

Beaches, Family Fun, Things to Do, Vacation Ideas, Where to Stay

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Get Stoked on Santa Cruz Surf Culture

You don’t need a wetsuit to dip into Santa Cruz’s vibrant surf culture. Mainland U.S. surfing began here in 1885, eons before Jan and Dean serenaded SoCal beach goers. More than a century later, our flourishing surf scene continues to generate waves of excitement. To help get you stoked on the local surf culture and heritage, we’ve assembled a surf-themed guide to Santa Cruz. Follow along and you’ll be soon throwing shakas, grinding poke bowls, and maybe even going toes on the nose.

HOW SANTA CRUZ BECAME “SURF CITY”

It all began with three Hawaiian princes. In 1885, the royal trio were vacationing in Santa Cruz when they convinced a local lumber mill to fashion surfboards from redwood logs. Before long, the princes were out in the Monterey Bay, teaching locals how to catch waves. In the 1950s, the burgeoning sport got a huge boost when the late surf legend Jack O’Neill moved to Santa Cruz and introduced the wetsuit, a revolutionary neoprene garb that transformed surfing into a year-round and world-wide phenomenon.

You can learn this history and more at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, the nation’s first institution dedicated to preserving surf heritage. The exhibits-housed in the red-brick Mark Abbott memorial lighthouse-detail over 100 years of surf culture from the surf-rock fueled beach parties of the 1960s to an alarming, shark-chomped surfboard.

MARVEL AT THE PROS

The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum sits at Lighthouse Point overlooking Steamer Lane, a world-famous surf break where waves can reach heights of 16 feet and above. Join the crowds gathered along the fence-lined bluff and marvel at skilled surfers shredding the sizable swells below. The Lane also plays host to numerous annual surf contests including the O’Neill Coldwater Classic, Longboard Invitational, and National Scholastic Surfing Association youth surf event.

In the surf-tastic neighborhood of Pleasure Point, stroll the blufftop promenade paralleling East Cliff Drive, and you’ll not only pass the tribute-embellished former home of Jack O’Neill and the adjacent park named in his honor, but you’ll also spot scores of surfers riding long rolling waves into shore. Make sure to stop at The Hook, a legendary surf break at the intersection of East Cliff and 41st Avenue that draws a crowd of awestruck onlookers.

GO TOES ON THE NOSE

Even with the impressive waves at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz County is an ideal spot to learn to surf. Club Ed and Richard Schmidt-a local surf celeb who went from riding inflatable beach mats at Cowell Beach as a kid to braving the massive waves at Mavericks-teach groms out on the gentle rolling waves of Cowell Beach. In the quaint historic village of Capitola, one of the West Coast’s first beach resorts, the sheltered Capitola Beach is perfect for beginners. Steps from the beach’s gentle breaks, the one-stop beach boutique Capitola Beach Company will have you looking your best in and out of the water with surf lessons that teach technique and etiquette so you don’t look like a kook out there.

SURFIN’ OUTFITTERS

Surf culture is reflected all over town, perhaps most notably in the surf-themed caps, tees, and hoodies adorning most locals. Jack O’Neill opened Santa Cruz’s first surf shop at Cowell Beach in 1959. Today, three locally owned O’Neill Surf Shops-in Pleasure Point, Downtown, and at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk-continue that legacy with modern surf gear and apparel including the brand’s world-famous wetsuits. Also in Pleasure Point, Freeline Surf Shop has been a vital part of the Santa Cruz surf community since its opening in 1969. At the downtown surf and skate shop Berdels, you’ll find stylish duds from local independent designers including Uroko, Thieves, and Ventana.

EPIC GRINDS

Every surf town has its killer beachside grub to fuel the next surf sesh. Steps from its famous namesake, contemporary surf shack Steamer Lane Supply nourishes a steady stream of surfers, cyclists, and families with creative panini-pressed quesadillas, vibrant poke bowls, and seasonal agua frescas. In Pleasure Point, the humble-looking Point Market wraps up some of the best breakfast burritos in the county. Choose from 16 varieties-from Thai to tofu-and enjoy it on the stepped seating at nearby Pleasure Point Park with a prime view of the surfer-filled waves below.

At Hula’s Island Grill + Tiki Room, you can celebrate the three Hawaiians that brought surfing to Santa Cruz with Mai Tais and luau-worthy dishes fit for a prince in a fun atmosphere brimming with Hawaiian and surf decor. Down the street, check out Brian Barneclo’s “Surfin Bird,” a colorful mod mural that encapsulates Santa Cruz’s beachside bohemia.

OVERNIGHT SURF SHACK

Surf fans will want to take shelter at the Dream Inn, a sleek waterfront property with a retro-mod surf motif. Situated at Cowell Beach-immediately adjacent to the site of Jack O’Neill’s first Santa Cruz surf shop, a designated California Point of Historic Interest-the hotel features 165 guest rooms each with sweeping views of the Monterey Bay. In the downstairs Jack O’Neill Lounge, check out the memorabilia that pays tribute to the late surf legend…after you pull yourself away from the spectacular front-row views of Cowell Beach and Steamer Lane beyond.

Updated June 2020

Garrick Ramirez

October 5, 2018

Arts + Culture, Beaches, Heritage Tourism, Sports & Recreation, Things to Do, Vacation Ideas

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Remembering Surfing Pioneer Jack O’Neill

Earlier this year, Santa Cruz lost a beloved local legend. Jack O’Neill, the surf pioneer credited with developing the wetsuit and changing surfing forever, passed away on June 2, 2017 at age 94 in his home in Santa Cruz. With a full scraggly beard and black eye patch-the result of a surfing injury-the rakish O’Neill was a local icon, often seen cruising around town in his Jaguar and shouting out surfing tips to those surfing outside his cliffside house in Pleasure Point. Although best remembered for the international surf brand that bears his name, O’Neill was most proud of the Sea Odyssey program he founded to teach ocean stewardship to elementary students via sailing trips on the Monterey Bay.

Upon his passing, the O’Neill family shared the following message:

“Surrounded by family, Jack was as soulful and encouraging as always, reiterating his love for his family, appreciation for a life well lived, his hopes for his friends and the oceans he loved, all within the familiarity of his oceanfront home of over 50 years, with the famous waves of his beloved Pleasure Point beach lapping at his deck.”

THE FIRST “SURF SHOP”

A native Coloradan who fell in love with the beach during a brief childhood stint in Southern California, O’Neill eventually moved to Ocean Beach in San Francisco during the 1950s. It was here that he not only opened his first surf shop-in a garage along the oceanfront Great Highway-but coined the phrase itself, eventually receiving a trademark for the term “surf shop.” Soon after, he moved his family to Santa Cruz and opened his second surf shop on the site of the current Dream Inn (the hotel honored this legacy by rechristening their bar the Jack O’Neill Lounge and contributing to an onsite mural that depicts the mid-century surf shop).

During this time, O’Neill was tinkering with a neoprene garment that would allow him to stay in chilly Northern California waters longer so he could surf more. His friends scoffed, but his creation of the first wetsuit would go on to revolutionize surfing and help foster the surf craze that boomed in the 1960s. His wetsuits also helped launch the international surf brand that exists today. While the O’Neill brand was sold in 2007, the O’Neill wetsuit brand remains family-owned, as do four O’Neill surf shops, three of which are located in Santa Cruz County.

CLASSROOM ON THE BAY

In 1996, O’Neill founded the O’Neill Sea Odyssey, a non-profit program that imparts ocean stewardship to 4th – 6th grade students from schools throughout Central California. Students board O’Neill’s 65-foot catamaran and sail out on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where they participate in hands-on lessons on marine habitats. The program has served 100,000 students to date, and O’Neill referred to it as his proudest achievement.

MEMORIAL PADDLE-OUT

On the morning of Sunday, July 9th, 2017, thousands gathered along the Monterey Bay to pay tribute to O’Neill with a memorial paddle-out, a beautiful surfing tradition where participants form a floating circle in the ocean to honor a fellow surfer or ocean enthusiast. Pleasure Point’s waterfront East Cliff Drive-the site of O’Neill’s waterfront residence-was filled with a lively mix of well wishers, children with tribute eye patches, and surfers balancing colorful boards atop their heads. The wooden fence surrounding O’Neill’s house was adorned with many momentos, flower leis, and makeshift altars.

After lining up to receive sprigs of white orchids, thousands of wetsuit-clad surfers bellied up on their boards and paddled out into the gentle surf while thousands of cliffside spectators looked on. To mark the start of the ceremony, a Coast Guard helicopter swooped overhead, and fellow surfers aboard the O’Neill catamaran began sharing stories about Jack via loudspeakers. Afterward, the waterborne surfers who formed a sprawling circle around O’Neill’s boat tossed orchids into the sea and began enthusiastically splashing the water. It was a touching display of community affection for the late O’Neill as boat horns blared and spectators back on land whooped cheers of support.

JACK O’NEILL DAY

In honor of O’Neill’s many contributions to surfing, the local community, and the wellbeing of oceans, The City of Santa Cruz declared July 9th to be “Jack O’Neill Day,” and redubbed the lot adjacent to his home Jack O’Neill Park.

As his family notes, “For nearly his entire life Jack lived by and for the world’s oceans, and worked tirelessly to promote public access to their many health, economic and environmental benefits. He was very concerned, for example, with the health of waters at area beaches.”

Today, visitors can explore those same waters that O’Neill devoted himself toward aboard the Team O’Neill catamaran which offers public cruises on the Monterey Bay (check the O’Neill Yacht Charters site for dates, times, and reservations). If you’d like to continue Jack O’Neill’s support of healthy oceans, the O’Neill family suggests that any memorial contributions can be sent to the O’Neill Sea Odyssey.

Garrick Ramirez

July 13, 2017

Arts + Culture, Beaches, Heritage Tourism, Meet a Local

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6 Outrageously Scenic Picnic Spots

Garden

Lake

Farm

Beach

Waterfront Bluffs

Blanket on the Sand

Exploring Pleasure Point

PLAY

SHOP

EAT + DRINK

ARTISTIC TOUCH

STAY

Get Stoked on Santa Cruz Surf Culture

HOW SANTA CRUZ BECAME “SURF CITY”

MARVEL AT THE PROS

GO TOES ON THE NOSE

SURFIN’ OUTFITTERS

EPIC GRINDS

OVERNIGHT SURF SHACK

Remembering Surfing Pioneer Jack O’Neill

THE FIRST “SURF SHOP”

CLASSROOM ON THE BAY

MEMORIAL PADDLE-OUT

JACK O’NEILL DAY