Decent view from the beach. But pretty small and parking is 10 dollars. There's a bathroom too if…read morethat's your thing.

The Great Blue Heron Walkway is a work of art at Jose Avenue County Park, featuring two beautiful…read moregreat blue heron mosaic sculptures, created by Barbara Abbott and Sandra Whiting, made up of diverse pieces of random objects submitted by community members when it was built in 1999, including toy cars and seashells. Brief trails of oversized blue heron footprints are etched into the cement along the walkways inside the park, matching the sculptures on site, adding a nice touch to the artwork even if minimally noticeable and not as eye-catching as the great blue heron sculptures standing in the grass. I enjoyed checking it all out this past Friday, while spending the day in Santa Cruz.

Highway 152 is like that kid you hung out with in your middle school years (if you're a guy) only…read morebecause he had a hot older sister. Wait, you never did that? Umm yeah, me neither. I'm only speaking hypothetically, of course... What do I mean? Well I, and I'm sure many others, only take the 152 to get from the 101 to the 5, and vice versa. The typical route between the South Bay Area and LA. "But the 5 is bland and the 152 is more scenic, so your analogy is flawed." Yes, it's not a perfect analogy, so sue me. But if there were a more direct way to get to the 5 from South Bay, I wouldn't bother taking the 152. The rolling hills and winding road do make for a scenic drive, but they also put more wear on my car. Also, there's a 9 mile "daylight headlight section", where the 152 narrows down to a single lane in each direction, and cars are required to always have their headlights on due to the road being so dangerous. There are lots of potholes along this stretch of road, because it would be impractical for Caltrans to ever close a lane to do maintenance. When you're driving here, pray that you don't get stuck behind a slow vehicle like a semi truck. And if there were to ever be an accident here, game over. But here's a tip that will save you some time. If you're heading north to the Bay Area, after you clear the daylight headlight section, you'll come to a fork where the 152 turns left. Most people turn left here. But if you continue straight onto Ferguson Road, you'll avoid the traffic and have a generous 50 MPH speed limit with no stoplights. After 2 miles, Ferguson Road curves left and becomes Leavesley Road (with just a couple stoplights there), and after another 2 miles, you'll find the 101. Take this detour and you'll get to the 101 faster than everybody else who stayed on the 152!

Dear 152, I remember…read morewhen we met. I was 15 and I was in the backseat of the car. My mom was driving, I was riding, and we were going down south. Get your brain out of the gutter, 152, my mom was driving me to a soccer tourney in Southern California. Anyway, we met but I wasn't really paying attention to you so I don't remember much. Don't take it personally. I distinctly remember when I met you for the second time. College re-introduced us. I was hangin' out with 101 wanted to get over to 5's place so I could trek down to San Diego's pad and someone told me you we're the one I needed. So there I was, on you, for 40 miles. You know what 152, you are good-looking but you are not that friendly. You have this "my way of the highway" kind of thinking. You don't let anyone get past you. You have some serious relationship problems with 156. You've had them for years and you need to grow up and resolve them. You're affecting everyone else around you. Other than your "relationship issues" I'd say your attractiveness keeps me comin' back....and because it's weird if I hang out with 5 randomly, I mean, I only ever hang out with 5 when I'm with you. All the best, Jenn T.

So I have been going here since I was a child. And The Water…read moreFountain Had Issues. And They Decided To Turn It Off. So Then They Turned It To A Plant Fountain. And When I Saw It... I Loved It!!! I Will Always Go There To Chill And Love Enjoying Looking At It. It Is So Beautiful. You Should See It For Your Self! You Will Love It!

So I was truly surprised for the PCH lack of tips, zero reviews, and complete absence of pictures…read morewhen passing by the other day. I even commented to that regard while checking in. So what's up with that? In the Santa Cruz area, we're talking the stretch between Bonny Doon and Natural Bridges, all the way through the city of Santa Cruz, accepting traffic from Hwy 9 and Hwy 17 (going off Pasatiempo) somewhat in parallel to Water St and Soquel Ave, by Capitola (New Brighton Beach State park), crossed over by 41st Ave near the Capitola Mall, and further southbound through Aptos, as Cabrillo Hwy, eventually flowing into Watsonville. I have driven this road too many times to count, and can positively attest to its beauty and local flavor. To me, everything you pass on your way driving along PCH, anywhere, this stretch included, is legendary in one way or another. For those of us who live here, we're lucky. For visitors coming from far away, or nearby counties and states, this area is striking, unique, pleasant, vivid, distinctive, gaudy, florid, colorful and flavorful (have I inadvertently picked adjectives describing food?! I might have, this is Yelp after all, not a travel site, right?) No amount of traffic, bad drivers, jerks, accidents and what not can detract from these facts and discourage me from coming through again and again. And so this ode to PCH 1 Santa Cruz is intended to showcase my respect and love for the surroundings. Love and piece, smiles and cheers, my friends!

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of California's most scenic routes. Once you wind thru the Central…read moreCoast, the PCH becomes spectacular- from Hearst Castle perched on a hill in Cambria, to the Santa Lucia Mountains plunging into the ocean at Big Sur. In Santa Cruz, the PCH takes you to the ancient redwoods. It's hardly a perfect route with perfect drivers, but that's not the point. It's an adventure. The PCH is California's Mother Road. It's worth the steep, winding roads because you get exhilarating views. If the PCH had its own scent, it would be salty sea air. It's one of the PCH's many panoramic drives (I'm partial to the stretch between Stinson Beach/Bolinas Lagoon and Fort Ross) There's the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Natural Bridges, the mission, Henry Cowell Redwoods, Big Trees/Pacific Railroad. Santa Cruz is an oceanic paradise, for surfers, hikers, tourists and locals alike- and Highway 1 is the #1 way to get you there!

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.

The Santa Cruz Saturday Market in San Lorenzo Park offers much more variety than a typical farmers…read moremarket. In addition to hosting a certified farmers market and customary food booths, there are many vendors offering locally made products and art that reflect the unusual level of talent and creativity in Santa Cruz. There are also various holistic services, entertainment, and a kids village surrounding a large tepee. If you are looking for a nonprofit farmers market in a green setting that also offers various locally made products, art and services it's well worth a visit. The market is held in San Lorenzo Park every Saturday from early May through November from 10am to 6pm. Parking is free at the large county building parking lot or you can park on River Street and walk across the pedestrian bridge.

生活有幾百種過法，別人的故事再好，你也成不了主角，走自己的路，過自己的生活…read more 沒想到跑到北加州來，他們這邊也有這麼可愛的讓人家參觀的房子，裡面充滿了不同的聖誕的禮物，還有在賣紀念品呢，在Santa Cruz 這個地方，好多很好玩的地方，如果剛好是在聖誕節過來，非常歡迎來這