Great spot to watch the sea and surf. ‍…read more The statue is so Santa Cruz. It captures a bit of it surfing soul. The beauty is that it overlooks a super popular spot for flesh and blood surfers. ‍ ‍ Great views to the left where you can see a bit of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Pelicans can be spotted on occasion flying in formation or skimming the top of waves and sometimes surfers heads. A peaceful unique spot. Take a walk along the peaceful cliffs from the spot. Note: Parking is limited, so grab a place if you see it. Otherwise, park just an easy block inland and mosey on over for the views.

Located adjacent to Lighthouse Field State Beach, on West Cliff Drive, stands the bronze statue,…read more"To Honor Surfing". It was created by Thomas Marsh and Brian Curtis. The statue has a beautiful backdrop of expansive views of Monterey Bay. There is a plaque that notes the statue is "dedicated to all surfers, past present and future".

This light house station is a cool place to stop and get out to stretch when traveling along…read morehighway 1. You can wonder around the lighthouse, other artifacts and some great views here at this beautiful spot on the ocean. Be sure to walk to the end of the property behind the out buildings. There's a deck there so you can sit and breath in the fresh air. Along with some whale bones to check out. This is also a hostel where you can spend the night. But you need to make reservations in advance. The bathrooms leave alot to be desired. I'd only use them out of desperation...

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.

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

We stopped by to go to the antique street fair. It seems…read morelike it got even bigger this year. Prices seemed to go up as well. I didn't bring my dogs because the announcement said no dogs allowed. It said it would be enforced. Yet it seems like I saw a lot of people with dog's. Still had a good time looking at all the antiques.

This is a neat spot to camp for a night on your way up or down the superfantastic coast of…read moreCalifornia! There is a KOA campground right at the entrance to the harbor. It's super clean and you can go 30 or 50 amp with the full hookup! You walk a short distance, 5 minutes on level, paved road and your there! Seals, bird and other things. SJSU studies marine biology at the end of nearby road which is also the gateway to the center of Monterey Bay. Almost a dozen start beaches and parks nearby. Large sample size on this review and this city has never disappointed. Headed back to the Pacific for more adventures!

I visited this museum, in December of 2025. And it is almost Valentine's Day, 2026 so I am late to…read morerecord my experience, I understand that. But I rather take down the Christmas on Super Bowl weekend than wait to take the lights down near the 4th of July. I went to this place on my first trip to Santa Cruz. And I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this place, and its focus on Santa Cruz Culture. Thorough out my life, I have heard that Santa Cruz is known for crystals, and forest green. But on my trip here, I learned that Santa Cruz is also famous for surfer culture, As some of the pictures, demonstrate surf boards, like cups, hair styles, and volcanoes, come in a variety of lengths, shapes, colors and purpose. I also learned that surfing has its origins from Hawaii, and even though I did not know that, it totally makes sense. I will never be on a surf board, catching a big wave, while the breeze hits my face, and pelicans fly above, but by visiting this museum I learned the historical value of the surf movement that waved hello, initially, in Santa Cruz by way of Hawaii. My favorite room was that one that reflected the beach and ocean vibe of Santa Cruz in place. The room was colored in a deep blue that did not resemble clear waters, more like the deep blue that is found when the ocean seems to be infinite. I am not sure the exact shade of blue that the room was painted in, but I will call it calming serenity blue, which is a close cousin to royal blue. If popcorn yellow and burnt cocoa brown are colors than mine can be colored too, I do not need Crayola level authority to christen colors. The pictures in the room continued my trance into serenity. The paintings showed these peaceful seascapes, where sky and sea became partners in a waltz, not interwoven as one, but paired into slow movement that induces stillness upon the viewer. Other pictures showed a calm beach, where the shore water had white froth as it met the sand. In the background, there was a rock formation and behind the rock formation was a tranquil sky brighten by subtle hues of a descending sun. Even as I reviewed the pictures for this yelp, I found the paintings to be, in a phrase: rest in ocean and pastel candy colored strokes. The room also had a speaker that played the sounds of the ocean, quietly about a chair. I allowed myself to transport myself to a beach shore, to experience the colors of the sea breeze. The museum also tried to educate others on its place in USA farm produce history. One of the pictures discusses the migration pattern by stating, "Today Mexican men, women and children cross the border voluntarily- but at great risk of violence and rape." This is just my opinion, but this sentence, is too broad yet to specific at the same time to accurately paint a picture of the migration experience of many Mexicans and by extension other people who seek to come to America to fulfill their version of the American dream. The way it is written, again from my interpretation, implies that the choice to come to America is one that is a "voluntary" decision like skipping or going to the gym, or using a credit card for a jacket when it does not fit your means. Meaning, that the word voluntary may ignore the vast conditions that push others to migrate, other than personal choice. But this is just one Yelper's opinion, if that makes sense. In another, poster, which I clipped, explains how Santa Cruz goes alternative. The poster explains that "Santa Cruz became a cauldron of cultural experimentation, neighborhood activism, intellectual exploration and environmental protection in the 1960s and 1970s." I think that the word cauldron here is not the right choice because a cauldron most often then not, holds a witches brew. And, most witches brews that are mixed in a cauldron, are meant to produce a potion that results in some type of calamity or curse. I know I may be nitpicking, but if a museum is going to report history, they should be prepared for a response, as history should be reported with objective caution, not editorial perspective. A better word, again in my opinion, would be site, like Santa Cruz became a site of.... this gives objective reporting, as a posed to imagery that a word like cauldron produces. I think, and thus I write. Angela Davis, said, according to a poster, I also clipped, " I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I am changing the things I cannot accept." I also really enjoyed playing with Christmas train models for about 10 to 15 minutes. I was not transported into the Polar Express, but, it was fun to turn on cabooses and view their speed and stops through the tracks. It was a zen kind of moment. The museum also had a sculpture garden and a picture of a man in front of a giant redwood that made me want to find a giant tree and walk inside its tunnel. I guess, what I am trying to say is that this museum has a lot to see and ponder about. I was stirred, and calmed, by it.

What a great find while visiting downtown Santa Cruz with my girlfriend! Such a relaxing experience…read morevisiting this museum, it wasn't busy and the exhibits are very simple. You really get to learn about the history of Santa Cruz and the surrounding cities. It was three floors and wasn't a crazy big museum. I enjoyed it a lot and it was affordable to enjoy. Definitely can be a cool add to your itinerary for Santa Cruz. Bathrooms are a bit spooky though haha, they are super dim and is very ominous! Could barely go anymore once I walked in.

As one drives to downtown Saratoga, California, we always like to see the Memorial Arch. Its a…read morevery nice memorial to the Saratoga residents who passed away in World War I.

Designed by famed architect Bruce Porter, the arch was built…read morein 1919 as a memorial to the Saratoga men who lost their lives in World War I. Funds were raised by contributions from the community. On the arch is the official plaque designating Saratoga as State Registered Landmark No. 435, installed in 1950 as part of California's Centennial celebration.

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

I Love Santa Cruz!…read more Been hanging out in the Santa Cruz "realm" for a very long, fun, time. Being a native (lol) of California... SC represents the nation's impression of California dreaming. Right? Is it still? I guess everyone has an opinion. For me... I still appreciate the endless ocean, great dining and recreational possibilities, and over all laid back environment. It is definitely on relaxed rhythm! "Realm" encompasses the wonderful and beautiful beach towns in the Santa Cruz region. Soquel, Capitola, and Aptos to the south. Davenport along the northern coastline and sooo many more too numerous to list. Mountain villages too. Each has its own individual charm and treasures. There is no where like it. I was lucky enough to be able to spend three fun-packed weeks here recently and I cannot tell you how cool that was. So pack your bags. Come and see for yourself and create your own incredible memories! Surfs up!:)

We've stayed in past 30 years a couple times but found it very unpleasant this time. It was…read moreshocking Santa Cruz is VERY unfriendly toward dogs (ours is a scruffy fluffy mix from Baja Mexico). There were no places on or near the boardwalk that allowed dogs, not walks on the beach, on the boardwalk, on the pier nor any of the restaurants. We are staying in Portola, and am happy to report that Oak and Ale accepted us. We're back again after 2nd night at this bar - love it and happy to give them our money