Once abandoned and in ruins, when we first moved to the Bay Area it was a desolate and decayed huge…read morelot with a pet goat and a caretaker in a mobile home to shoo off explorers and vandals. Built in the 1930s by Kenneth Kitchen. It's inspired by romanticized Hindu mysticism as well as the arcane and occult. Because of this the site is covered in symbology and hidden meaning. From the obvious all seeing eye at the front gate to the mini details in the brick there is an esoteric design language that keeps it all unified and cohesive. The legend is also complemented by the fact that the owner and brothers were bricklayers and stone masons and it was only constructed under moon light. It was purchased in 2016 and lovingly restored and developed by the new owners to preserve the local folk-art style architecture. The new main house is next to the "court of mysteries" and a lot of the missing abalone and smashed brick has been painstakingly replaced.

The Court of Mysteries (which also goes by The Red Brick Castle, among other names) is a beautiful…read moremonument and home in Santa Cruz, which not many people know about. It has a very interesting history to it, and though you cannot go inside the house or on the property itself (because it is a private residence), you can still appreciate the architecture from out front, including a lovely fountain in the courtyard, and learn about the stories and mysteries that have defined this unique landmark. These stories can easily be found online, but some of the most interesting details are that the original builder (Kenneth Kitchen and his brother) built it only during the night, modeled it after a Hindu temple, and incorporated hidden messages throughout, using shapes, astrological symbols, and dashes and dots resembling morse code, with possible connection to the occult. Also, there is no historical record of Kenneth Kitchen after he left Santa Cruz in the 1950's, so yeah a lot of oddities to drive your imagination and make you wonder. One of the most intriguing parts of the Court of Mysteries is the "Gate of Prophesy" which has two magnificent towers and an intricately designed archway with the mysterious triangular structure at its center. Beautiful trees and vegetation surround the brick and abalone "temple" and entire site, creating a picturesque scene overall. Apparently the property was restored a few years ago by the previous owners (I'm pretty sure that rebuild didn't occur "only at night"). They even built a house on the left side to live in while reconstructing the Court of Mysteries. The property was subsequently sold in late 2021. If you're interested in a quick visit, it's easy to just park right on the street, take a few photos of the amazing archway and towers, and peek through the gate to see what the Court of Mysteries looks like today... and then maybe amuse yourself with the legend and history behind this strange phenomenon.

This hidden shopping center is a favorite of santa cruz locals. kelly's bakery, santa cruz yoga,…read morescmb and numerous wine tasting opportunities abound here. there's a hair salon and lighting shop to boot. West end tap and brew provides food options. It's just short walk to Habitat for Humanity restore. Street and Humble Sea brewing is just behind the shopping center as well. Parking ample.

I love this little courtyard!! It's full of small local shops/businesses (there's a boutique, a…read moreyoga studio, a lighting store, a bakery, a brewery....and not importantly, a whole bunch of wineries). There's plenty of parking both in the lot itself (which extends out behind Bonny Doon so don't give up) as well as along Swift and Ingalls Streets. When my husband and I end up in Santa Cruz, we usually find ourselves here for a couple hours or so. It's great for some leisurely browsing and wine sipping! Out of everything, my favorite stops are the Vine Hill Barrel Room (incredible Chard & Pinot) and Kelly's French Bakery (macarons, /drool). Check it out if you haven't already!

I love this place. It has a huge history, and you can read about it's history on various signs put…read moreup in the cemetery. The only thing is that there is unfortunately trash scattered about the cemetery, and there are homeless people that sleep on some of the graves.

It's about as nice as a cemetery can get, really. Aside from the homeless people camping out there…read morenow and then, and honestly I don't blame them for gravitating to it. It's in a very pretty location, and there's a lot of history to be found there. My only concern is the girl with her hand stuck in the wall by the street. Someone should go ask if she's okay.

This is a very nice location to stop and stretch your legs, not to mention an awesome place for…read morephoto opportunities!! There is some construction going on near the light house but you can still walk around it and enjoy all the wonderful views. There are walking paths that you can go on and walk down to the beach area when the tide is low as well there are also paths that you can take along the cliff area. Don't worry about parking as there is plenty and there is no parking fee to park your car. Overall this is a must stop to just walk around, take some pictures and take in Gods coastal creation, soooooo beautiful and peaceful.

driving from Union Square in San Francisco through Highway 1 to Big Sur, this was our first stop…read more The light house itself was under restoration. The lodging area and whalers cove is worth a stop along Highway 1 Perched dramatically on a cliffside on Highway 1 , the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is home to one of the tallest lighthouses in America. Tied as the tallest on the West Coast at 115 feet, it has been guiding mariners along the rugged Pacific coast since 1872. The site gets its unique name from the Carrier Pigeon, a Gold Rush-era clipper ship that famously ran aground on the foggy, jagged rocks just 500 feet from shore on its maiden voyage in 1853. While the historic white masonry tower itself is currently closed to the public for a major structural restoration project, the park grounds remain completely open and offer plenty to explore. Be sure to check out Whalers Cove which is a scenic, secluded beach nestled directly below the south side of the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. Piece of history: In the mid-1800s, it served as a bustling hub for shore whaling operations, where Portuguese whalers would spot migrating whales from the bluffs, row out in small boats to hunt them, and bring them back to the cove to process the blubber. Today, the cove is a protected, peaceful sanctuary where nature has reclaimed the shoreline. Lodgings at the Cove: HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel If you are looking to stay overnight right on the edge of the cove, the primary lodging option is the HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel. The accommodation is unique because it sits directly on the state park grounds, offering an incredible, budget-friendly coastal experience that feels like your own private estate. The Accommodations: The hostel is comprised of four historic, white-picket-fenced houses that originally served as the homes for the lighthouse keepers and their families. Guests can book affordable, straightforward shared dorm beds, or opt for private rooms within the houses. below. Note: Because of its unparalleled location right on the Highway 1 coastline and its highly affordable rates, rooms and beds at the hostel tend to book out many months in advance, especially for weekend stays.

I really don't know whether to call the experience good or bad, and this review is simply to…read moreinform. Our son's fourth grade class went there this past week for a field trip. It was nice and the kids learned a lot. What I want people to know is that the staff there, Rangers and Docents, were a bit prickly and gruff. They seems to care more about keeping control than helping the kids learn. My wife used the word "aggressive" to describe one of them. So, if you're going there with a group, this might be your experience as well. Other than that, the kids had a great time!

A petite remnant of the Santa Cruz Mission. I knew about the Ohlone and Miwok from attending…read moreuniversities and pow wows in the Bay Area. The restoration and up-keeping of the Mission were remarkable! You can't miss the magnificent avocado tree with the giant hollow trunk. Oh, how I wished I could speak tree to listen to its narrative. I can't imagine just how much history it witnessed. I loved the 3-foot wide walls on the Adobe that would've been weather and humidity-proof for the year-round seasons. The roof in the adobe were made of tree-stuff. The structural integrity of the site was astounding even after experiencing the 1989 earthquake. The exhibits emphasized on agricultural manufacturing and processing that would've been taken place in the Mission and inside the Adobe. The stairs made sense, and also the use of leather to tie some of the tools. However, the iron-based tools made me wonder how these dwellers would have access to masonry and blacksmith. Until... well, I can't spoil everything here. Just come visit if you're so curious about it. There are limited street parking around the nearby park, school, and church. Alternatively, park in downtown and take a walk through the 40-some stairs of an alley just next to the park. The park is practically wheelchair accessible, but I wasn't sure if signs were posted.

Iconic Views and a Must-See Stop on Highway 1! The ride…read morealong the coast to get here is absolutely amazing, and seeing Bixby Bridge in person is totally worth the drive. The bridge itself is gorgeous, and there's a convenient pull-off area right near it where you can safely park and snap some incredible photos. A few helpful tips before you head out: Cell Service: Be prepared to lose all cellular service out here! The good news is you really can't get lost--just keep going straight down CA-1.  Traffic & Timing: It was pretty congested when we visited on a Saturday. I definitely recommend going on a weekday if your schedule allows, as it's much easier to find a spot to pull over and enjoy the view. Road Conditions: Keep in mind that a section of Highway 1 shrinks down to a single lane controlled by a traffic light. Traffic backs up quite a bit, so just be prepared for a lot of stop-and-go driving until you clear that light.  Even with a little traffic delay, it's an absolute staple of the California coast and a stunning stop!

I love this bridge. From the classic arch to the concrete columns in perfect symmetry that bridges…read moreHighway 1, which straddles the cliffside where the Pacific meets Central California. Whether shrouded in fog or on a crystal-clear day, the view still captures people's hearts with awe and amazement. It was completed in 1932 and soars 260 feet above the coastline floor. Now in order to view this magnificent engineering marvel with one of nature's most spectacular backdrops, one has to stop, get out of the vehicle, and take the time to absorb what's around you. If just driving across, you can't see the good angles, and you'll be out of view within seconds. Because this is a narrow highway on a cliffside, there simply is not a lot of room to park and gaze for the amount of people this spot attracts. I passed by on my way to check into my campsite on a Sunday afternoon and it was packed to where standstill traffic occured. People were literally waiting for a parking spot to open up, so I had to hop on the opposing side of traffic for a bit to get past the congestion. I came back Monday morning around 8 am and I was the only person there. So timing is of essence here. There are a few viewing spots. 2 from the front (North and South ends) and one from the back. All are different angles with their own unique perspective. The one from the front on the North end is the most popular and have the most spots to park and view. And that viewing spot from that corner actually has a trail created by people that go down the cliffside about a 1/3 of the way down surprisingly. And the views changes pretty dramatically the further you go down. But you have to be very bold and somewhat athletic to go down that far. There are no barricades or safety measures so one slip could be an irreversible accident. I went down so far that on the way back up there were spots where you have to use all your limbs to scale back up, can't just simply walk back. I wouldn't have attempted this if there were dozens of people I had to navigate around. But on a quiet morning without another soul there, it was extremely peaceful filled with veneration and awe. I'll include a part of a poem by Robinson Jeffers who settled in this area in the middle part of the 20th century, and fell in love with the environment here. I totally get it. "I gazing at the boundaries of granite and spray, the established sea-marks felt behind me. Mountain and plain, the immense breadth of the continent before me and the mass and doubled stretch of water."

Lovely location in Santa Cruz - a bit off the tourist path which makes it special…read more We were in the area as we had booked a memorial cruise with extended family. There are plenty of parking spots ($2 per hour) and bathrooms are available. Beautiful little harbor, with a lot of good animal and bird watching (harbor seals, pelicans, cormorants, et cetera). Good restaurants and coffee shops as well, with excellent beach access. Will be back!

this light house is so beautiful during sunset. also very close to other tourists spots.read more

This bridge was made famous in the 1987 movie, The Lost boys…read more Fantastic old railroad bridge. There is a clean, smooth, safe pedestrian walkway right next to the bridge if you want an easy crossing. But walking across on the bridge is definitely better. Don't bring little kids, because they might die. You could fall through the wooden beams if you were small. From the bridge you have a fantastic view of Santa Cruz beach and the river. Here's a YouTube video I made that might help. https://youtu.be/dnkCGaeHHDU

A simple but great memorial in downtown Santa Cruise. A memorial makes you stop and think. It's…read morememorial did just that.