If you love to frolic in amusement parks, Santa Cruz CA has plenty to offer. For free walking on the Santa Cruz boardwalk, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the amusement park. However, rides, food, and drinks are not free. The famous Giant Dipper is a must-see, as is the indoor arcade. Open most weekends and holidays throughout the year, the boardwalk offers fun for the entire family.
The most popular way to reach Santa Cruz is via Highway 17, which is scenic and relatively easy to navigate. While the drive is not particularly long, the road is one of the worst in California. Stupid drivers cause accidents every week, and it is particularly busy in the summer and around holidays. Expect to spend double the time it would take to get over Highway 17 from the Bay Area. If you’d prefer to take the scenic route, there are many other options for getting to Santa Cruz.
If you’d rather dine out at a restaurant, consider dining at La Posta. Aside from Italian food, La Posta also offers live entertainment. Located in the heart of Santa Cruz, La Posta can get quite crowded on a Saturday night, so it’s important to make reservations to avoid disappointment. For those without a vehicle, there are also ride-share options like Uber. If you have a taste for a good tiki cocktail, make sure to try Hula’s Island Grill.
If you’re looking for less crowded beaches, you can visit Santa Cruz from September to October. The weather is generally sunny and clear in this time of year, which is ideal for beach activities. In the summer, the town is crowded, but a few special events keep people coming. So if you’re visiting Santa Cruz in the fall or winter, you can take advantage of the lower costs and enjoy the weather. A car rental is also the easiest way to get to Santa Cruz from San Francisco.
If you have an interest in local culture, you can check out the local farmers’ market. This is a great opportunity to get immersed in the local community. Live music is an essential part of any town, and Santa Cruz has plenty of them. The Catalyst, one of Santa Cruz’s most famous venues, is home to many renowned acts. If you have a taste for live music, try out one of the Santa Cruz clubs.
The Aquarium at the Santa Cruz Science Center is a great way to get up close to marine life. You can view large and small creatures and play in the touch pool. The Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse on Steamer Lane is another great place to visit. It’s free to enter and is open to visitors every day except Wednesday. It’s open every day but Wednesdays and Tuesdays. This is the best place to catch a bargain on Patagonia clothing and apparel.