The Real

The Real "Surf City" of California...

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Overview

Santa Cruz intersection Photo - Santa Cruz, California

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In 1769, the Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola discovered the land area which is now known as the City of Santa Cruz. He named the river, San Lorenzo in honor of Saint Lawrence. He called the rolling hills above the river Santa Cruz, which means holy cross. In 1791, the 12th mission in California was founded in Santa Cruz across the river from Villa de Branciforte. Branciforte was where present day East Santa Cruz is today. By the 1820s Mexico had assumed control of the area and within the next twenty years, Americans began to arrive in great numbers. California became a state in 1849, and Santa Cruz County was created in 1850 as one of the twenty-seven original counties. Sant...Read More

In 1769, the Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola discovered the land area which is now known as the City of Santa Cruz. He named the river, San Lorenzo in honor of Saint Lawrence. He called the rolling hills above the river Santa Cruz, which means holy cross.

In 1791, the 12th mission in California was founded in Santa Cruz across the river from Villa de Branciforte. Branciforte was where present day East Santa Cruz is today.

By the 1820s Mexico had assumed control of the area and within the next twenty years, Americans began to arrive in great numbers. California became a state in 1849, and Santa Cruz County was created in 1850 as one of the twenty-seven original counties. Santa Cruz was incorporated in 1866 as a town under the laws of the State of California and received its first charter as a city in 1876.

Today, Santa Cruz is the quintessential beach town. It was here that Hawaiian royalty first introduced surfing to the mainland in 1895, and locals and visitors alike have been riding the waves ever since. Not far from the surf break, calliope music and laughter fills the air at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the West Coast's last remaining seaside amusement park. A few blocks from the beach is Santa Cruz's newly renovated downtown. The pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined streets are filled with vibrant shops and galleries, outdoor bistros and sidewalk musicians - all in keeping with Surf City's offbeat personality. Santa Cruz even has an unofficial motto that can be seen on stickers and shirts around the town. The motto is "Keep Santa Cruz Weird". It fits so well!

My favorite story is about the 1906 earthquake, the only fatality noted in the city was B.W. Stevens, who returned six days later from his honeymoon to protest being listed as dead.

Santa Cruz even held quite a fascination for Alfred Hitchcock. He based the movie "The Birds" on an actual event that happened in Santa Cruz. He even based the movie "Psycho" off of a real house in Santa Cruz. That house was rumored to be haunted, but it is now a assisted living facility.

Santa Cruz even contains the "Last Supper" wax figures that can only be seen with an appointment.

Quick Tips:

Don't miss the Boardwalk, Mariannes' Ice Cream, Marinis' Saltwater Taffy and take time to visit the Surfing Museum!

Jack O'Neill, the inventor of the modern day wetsuit, is a resident of Santa Cruz and he has been honored by many generations of surfers here.

Bring sunscreen and a light windbreaker if you plan spending all day here. The sun during the day is nice, and there is a slightly chilly breeze that comes off the sea at night even during the summer.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walk, bike, drive, or surf your way around this beach town. You could even walk on your hands, no one would think it strange at all. Read Less

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Mariannes Ice Cream

Restaurant

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Mariannes Ice Cream has been around for years! It is the best place to get great old-fashioned ice cream in a family friendly atmosphere. They have a ton of flavors to choose from! If you want the best ice cream, this side of the Atlantic, you have to check out Mariannes! It isn't very expensive, but, WOW! This is homemade ice cream that will knock your socks off! It is usually crowded, but well worth the wait!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 24, 2006

Mariannes Ice Cream
1020 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
(831) 458-1447

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Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse

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Attraction

Antique surfboards Photo - Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California

Quote:

The Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, or "the surfing museum," as it is better known, is truly a Santa Cruz original. It follows the history of surfing in the Santa Cruz area from 1895 to the present.Surfing was introduced to Santa Cruz in 1895 by three Hawaiian princes, thus making it the first place where surfing was shown on the American mainland.In the 1930s, Santa Cruz had a surfing club, and some of those surfers still surf to this day, like Harry Mayo, and original member volunteers at the museum when he isn't carving it up below the cliffs at Steamer Lane.There is even a board inside from a shark attack. You can see the teeth bites, and luckily the surfer survived ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 19, 2006

Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse
West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, California
(831) 420-6289

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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Attraction

The Beach Boardwalk Photo - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California

Quote:

Nearly 100 years ago, an idea was launched to create a fantastic seaside amusement park that would entertain all who visited. Today, that idea still stands in the city of Santa Cruz.The magical place was called the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It is the West Coast's oldest amusement park and a State Historic Landmark. It houses two National Historic Landmarks—the 1911 Looff Carousel and 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster. Owned and operated by the Santa Cruz Seaside Company since 1915, the Boardwalk remains a family-style amusement park creating memories that last a lifetime.The Boardwalk just recently purchased the original Laughing Sal that used to stand outside of the entrance to S...Read More

Nearly 100 years ago, an idea was launched to create a fantastic seaside amusement park that would entertain all who visited. Today, that idea still stands in the city of Santa Cruz.

The magical place was called the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It is the West Coast's oldest amusement park and a State Historic Landmark. It houses two National Historic Landmarks—the 1911 Looff Carousel and 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster. Owned and operated by the Santa Cruz Seaside Company since 1915, the Boardwalk remains a family-style amusement park creating memories that last a lifetime.

The Boardwalk just recently purchased the original Laughing Sal that used to stand outside of the entrance to San Francisco's famed Playland at the Beach. She has a cackling laugh that used to scare little children out of their wits! Legend has it that the recording came from a party where a woman became really drunk, and the resulting laugh was so strange that her friends had to record it. You truly need to hear her laugh in order to appreciate it.

The 1911 Looff Carousel still entertains riders and used to have brass rings that you threw at a clown's mouth during the ride. Today, you can still throw rings at the clown, but the brass rings have been replaced with mild steel due to theft of the originals.

The 1924 Giant Dipper is one of the greatest roller coasters ever! It is wood-framed and allows for one of the greatest views over Santa Cruz that you could ever hope to get. I love the sound of a wooden coaster, a clickety-clack and the smell of track grease in the summer. It isn't overwhelming, and in fact, most people don't even notice it.

Don't miss out on the people-mover overhead. It is fantastic! Ride the Cave train if you have little children with you. They will like it. During the summer, the Logger's Revenge can cool you down with a splash of water. Try some cotton candy or some caramel corn, and don't forget to stroll through the casino. Try to talk with the people running the rides, as the Boardwalk is a huge employer of college kids from UC Santa Cruz. You will come across many accents and interesting stories.

I love the Boardwalk. Many good times and lifelong memories have been made for me at this historical amusement park.

I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone. Whether for historical interest or looking for a thrill, the Beach Boardwalk hits a home run every time!

They even have free concerts during the summer on the beach!

Admission to the Boardwalk is always free, and to ride the rides, an unlimited wristband is the way to go. At $26.95 per person, it is a bargain. You can even get coupons online at www.beachboardwalk.com!

Check out the website for information on any special events and the concert calendar.

I cannot say enough about how great the Boardwalk is. You will have see for yourself! Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 19, 2006

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
(831) 423-5590

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Mystery Spot

Attraction | "The Mystery Spot"

Quote:

An attraction that brings in many visitors to the Santa Cruz area, The Mystery Spot, has been amazing visitors since 1940. They say that there are mysterious forces at work in the woods here. Gravity seems to have flipped its lid inside the circle that they call the Mystery Spot. Some people claim that there is a supernatural metal beacon buried far beneath that was used by alien spacecraft. An engineer says that there are very high levels of carbon dioxide which leads people to see weird things and also leads to a light-headed feeling. Balls roll uphill, people grow or shrink depending on where they stand, levels aren't level, and compasses go wacky in this neck of the woods....Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 26, 2006

Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot Rd.
Santa Cruz, California 95065
(831) 423-8897

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Steamer Lane

Attraction

Quote:

Steamer Lane, The Lane, or just Steamers to locals, is the best area in Santa Cruz to watch surfers do what they do best.

Steamer Lane has areas for all levels of surfing. Starting at the point nearest the rock and the lighthouse is for the best surfers. Near the beach in front of the hotels is the area for grommets (beginners in surf slang). In between those areas, people just have to see what they are comfortable with.

On a great day, sometimes you can spot some pro surfers who live in Santa Cruz, such as Shawn "Barney" Barrons and others.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 26, 2006

Steamer Lane

Santa Cruz, California

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Natural Bridge State Beach

Attraction | "Natural Bridges State Beach"

Quote:

The Natural Bridges State Beach is located in a very pretty setting where Monarch butterflies like to flock to from mid-October through February. There are also tide pools available for exploring at the beach. There is also a visitor center that has exhibits about the local ecology. The beach is open daily at 8am until sundown and costs $6 per vehicle.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 16, 2006

Natural Bridge State Beach
West Side of Santa Cruz on West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, California
(916) 653-6995

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Stimulus to Travel...

Story/Tip

Quote:

I fell in love with Santa Cruz at a very early age, it was a 2-hour drive for us to get there, and I learned to love road trips. To this day, my urge to travel has not been sated, and I try to get time away from the everyday life to experience new things. There are a few quotes that I absolutely love, and that also stir me to get out and see the world. I would like to share them with you here;1."Traveling is almost like talking with men of other centuries." -- René Descartes2. "Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." –- Miriam Beard3. Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journ...Read More

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The Real "Surf City" of California...

The Real "Surf City" of California...

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Mariannes Ice Cream

Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Mystery Spot

Steamer Lane

Natural Bridge State Beach

Stimulus to Travel...

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