Capitola Wharf is such a beautiful place to visit! The views of the Pacific Ocean, Capitola Beach…read moreand the colorful village are absolutely gorgeous. It's a lovely place for a relaxing walk, watching the waves, enjoying the fresh ocean air and taking photos. We also enjoyed watching people fishing and looking out for marine life. The atmosphere is very peaceful and quintessentially California. It's especially beautiful around sunset, when the light over the water and the colorful buildings make everything look even more magical. Definitely worth stopping by if you're visiting Capitola. It's an easy and relaxing way to enjoy the coast and the beautiful views!

Nestled right on the picturesque Capitola Beach, this 855 foot pier was sadly damaged in 2023 by…read moresevere storms, ripping off part of the pier deck and eventually partially collapsing the two businesses housed at the end of this pier, Wharf House Restaurant and Capitola Boat and Bait. Since then, the wharf has thankfully been restored at a cost of $8M, of which $425K was raised through local efforts. And although Wharf House has not re-opened, Capitola Boat and Bait has fortunately resumed operations at a new, temporary location on the pier. I have fond memories of renting a skiff at the bait shop and heading out with my friends to do some fishing. And am really glad to see the business survive such a disaster and re-open after an extended shutdown. Addition to skiff rentals, you can rent kayaks and fishing gear here and do some fishing either on the pier or on the water. The pier now also hosts various local events and live music. Offering fun activities to enjoy in addition to the beach itself. A must-visit if you find yourself in or driving by the small but beautiful town of Capitola.

My absolute ideal day in Santa Cruz would be strolling the Santa Cruz Wharf. Talk about California…read moredreaming. This is it! It feels like home to me. Years of awesome visits to the wharf. Whether it is sunny, foggy, or raining... it is always magical. Each experience offers it's own beauty and is, indeed, a memorable slice of heaven. It boasts the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. Which by the way has been seriously damaged (and fixed) during crazy storms these past few years. Wonderful choices for dining. My favorite is Jack O'neill Restaurant and Lounge which provides not only fabulous food opportunities (casual and fine dining), but affords the best view of the wharf, the famous and iconic SC Boardwalk, and the big, blue, beautiful ocean. There are many great choices on the pier itself to enjoy yummy seafood, (as well as many other menu items) and the unforgettable coastal views. Makai Island... my favorite restaurant/bar on the pier is a must visit! Family friendly and great food in the dining room. But if you do not have the kids take a spin on the revolving bar in the back and just soak in the vibes of a good, strong cocktail and the Pacific Ocean :-)! Right? Fun, tourist shopping too. I am always a "tourist" on the pier. Love spending time crusing the wharf's nice shops when I want a cool SC ball cap or sweat shirt! Like any other popular tourist destination... nothing is cheap. Whether you are Just walking and feeling the ocean breeze, hanging with the large sea lions, watching peeps fishing off the pier, and of course hoping the dedicated surfers catch a wave...it is all good! You can even rent a boat. Everyone is happy on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Especially with an ice cream cone in hand:). So much to explore. #EpicPhotoOpportunitiesToo!

A Walk Down Memory Lane--With Seagulls as Security Guards!…read more There's something special about walking the Municipal Wharf in Santa Cruz, especially when you grew up fishing from this very wharf. For me, this wasn't just another tourist stop--it was a little trip down memory lane. Years ago, I even went scuba diving underneath the wharf. Looking back, I'm not sure what I was thinking! I definitely would not recommend that today. Between boat traffic, fishing lines, and the possibility of getting tangled up in something that you really don't want wrapped around you, it's probably better to enjoy the view from above the water! We had a wonderful time strolling the wharf, visiting the various shops, and talking with the shop owners. Everyone we encountered was kind, friendly, and happy to engage with us. It was also encouraging to see that some areas that used to be pretty dirty have been cleaned up. There's still room for improvement, but overall, it was a pleasant day and a fun way to experience the beach. One area that kept this from being a five-star experience was the ticket booth. The woman working there seemed much more interested in her conversation on her cell phone than in engaging with the people she was serving. A little hospitality goes a long way, especially in a place that welcomes visitors from all over. The Municipal Wharf also gives you a completely different perspective of the Santa Cruz coastline and the area toward the Boardwalk. You get beautiful views of the beach, the water, and all the activity along the shoreline. And then there are the seagulls. Consider them the unofficial security team of the wharf. If you're carrying food, keep your eyes open--and your sandwich even closer! These birds have absolutely no respect for personal property, personal space, or the concept of "I paid for this." All in all, the Municipal Wharf is worth a stroll, especially if you want to see Santa Cruz from a different angle and experience a little history along the way. For me, it was even better because I got to revisit a place connected to some great memories from growing up. Just remember: walk the wharf, enjoy the view, talk to the locals, and leave the scuba gear at home! #YelpElite #SantaCruz #MunicipalWharf #SantaCruzWharf #SantaCruzCalifornia #CaliforniaCoast #BeachDay #SantaCruzBoardwalk #OceanViews #LocalHistory #FamilyMemories #YelpReview #SeagullWatch #CaliforniaAdventures

Very nice lighthouse at Santa Cruz Harbor. We didn't know there's a lighthouse here, at the end of…read moreSeabright Beach which we were visiting and enjoying. Pros: - very pretty lighthouse, there's some hang out space around. - on the day we visited, there was a group birthday party, so apparently you can have smaller parties here? (Not sure if reservation required.) - beautiful scenery, just breathtaking. - breezy, but nice as long as somewhat sunny and not too cloudy/cold. Cons: - could get crowded around the lighthouse on the weekends. - a bit dirty with some litter from inconsiderate people. All in all, a really nice and cool area to hang out at for some chill time at the ocean. No place like being in nature with the vastness of the Pacific to remind us to not sweat the small things.

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!

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.

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.

I came here on a Thursday afternoon. First time here from the bay. Parking was easy to find, it's…read moresomewhat on street parking, and then there's a small little section near the beach for parking too. It is usually a paid parking, but I think this month of December for Christmas, one of the store staff told me that it was free this month. Because I was looking for the pay station and he said for Thanksgiving and Christmas, this month is free. That's super nice of the city to do that. I also saw that there was a banner in town that this month is free for parking. Also, very surprisingly it was a very warm day today. It was like 70° for December! I'm like freezing back at home in San Francisco with 55° at 10 AM. Beach was very empty. Maybe like two groups that went surfing. Definitely recommend coming here to see the village, I've still has its colors. I was told that it faded a little bit, but still beautiful to visit.

Quality/Quantity - Not 100% sure where the village starts and/or ends. But we enjoyed all of…read moreCapitola (Village). My wife and I walked our first day here, but then ran out of time as it quickly became happy hour, lol. I hit two breweries on the first day. On our 3rd day, we took our daughter. A much more leisurely walk, no happy hour today. Well not true, we will hit a HH when we get back home. See all my pictures here and posted on "City of Capitola." Atmosphere - On my 3rd day, I finally found a "brewery"/tap room; too bad I will not be drinking until we get home. Service - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. Price - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. Owner Comment - So much history. Congrats on your success from over 2000 years ago. See website for more information.

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!

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