Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the quintessential California beach town. It was here that Hawaiian royalty first introduced surfing to the mainland--and locals and visitors alike have been riding the waves ever since. Not far from the surf break, screams of delight and laughter fill the air at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the West Coast's oldest seaside amusement park. A few blocks from the beach is Santa Cruz's downtown area. The pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined streets are filled with vibrant shops and galleries, outdoor bistros and sidewalk musicians - all in keeping with "the Original Surf City's" free-spirited personality. Read more...