Santa Cruz Travel Forum

I have been to Santa Cruz in the past--a couple months ago actually--and while I really enjoyed myself I want to embark on my next visit a little bit more well-prepared. I'm a photographer, and the current theme I am interested in revolves around capturing lesser-known about / forgotten spaces. I don't specifically know what to describe what I'm looking for beyond "unconventional". If you know of any extremely unique or interesting attractions that gravitate far away from tourism, I'd love to know about them.

Thanks!
J

Hi All,

Three of us girls have a day to enjoy Santa Cruz on a spontaneous idea. We will be driving down the coast to get there on Hwy 1. We're leaving from just south of San Francisco.
Anyone have any ideas of must see and do activities? We're driving down today and it is quite windy but we'd like some fun things to do - great shopping, dining, etc. How about on the drive down. We are open to all ideas. We have money and would pay reasonably for great sites, experiences.
As always, your advise is most welcome.

Andrea

We are spending a week in the Carmel/Monterey area and have allocated a day in Santa Cruz to see the boardwalk and other local attractions. If you were asked to nominate your favourite restaurant for us to eat at, where would you recommend. Cheers Matt

We will be arriving in Santa Cruz for the first time in April. Can anyone recommend a hotel. I do not know of any attractions etc. to be close to, except the boardwalk, is that worth seeing? What is Mystery Spot? Thanks for your help.

Well, next month we'll be taking a daytrip from Fremont to Santa Cruz.

We are looking for free or cheap uniquely Santa Cruz things to do. Some things we are thinking about are the boardwalk, mystery spot, natural bridge state park, saturn cafe. Any other suggestions?


Also, for the boardwalk and some state parks, is there any free/cheap parking anywhere? Or even a free parking place and then take the bus to the boardwalk/beach? The boardwalk website said parking was $10, and that is a bit pricy.

Does anybody out there know of a surf school in Santa Cruz with a knowledgeable instructor, preferably a professional surfer that's willing to teach beginners???

Years ago I went to a restuarant which served international food, Thai, Indian, Persian, etc. It was located at a corner where the streed forked. It has been 10 years since I've been there and can't remember the name nor the location. Does this sound familiar and does anyone know where the restuarant is in Santa Cruz?

Thanks,

We're visiting SF in early June. How heavily traveled is Highway 1 between Pacifica and Santa Cruz? Are there particular times to avoid? Also, along a different line, is the Big Basin Redwood State Park worth visiting for the Redwoods? Thank you.

I am a junior in high school, and looking for places in and around UC Santa Cruz to get a feel for what campus life would be like if I went there. I'll be visiting 3/4 - 3/6. Interesting spots on campus, cafes to visit, etc. Thanks!

Hello, good people of Santa Cruz,

I'm considering moving back and going to massage school. The only school I know of is Twin Lakes College, but so far they haven't responded to my emails. Maybe this says something about the school, but it's also possible they have a good reason. I hope someone here knows about the school or has some experience with the massage program there and can share their thoughts. Also, if there's some other massage school I haven't heard about, please let me know! I'm kind of surprised Santa Cruz doesnt have a really well-known massage school, seems like it should.

Peace~

Anton

We are visiting California, San Jose, in November this year but would prefer to see the coastline-we have been looking at Santa Cruz as a possible place to stay-I would prefer something small, not too expensive? Any suggestions? Also, what is the weather like? Will we need VERY heavy clothing. We live in London, so November in London is very cold and wet - will it be better in California??
Thanks

We're planning a weekend getaway in the Santa Cruz mountains in September. Where are the best hikes? Anybody have recommendations for romantic restaurants in the mountains or in Santa Cruz?

Karen

Im intrigued by Santa cruz and i have a few questions...

- What is the weather like year round? Is santa cruz considred the "sunny" area of the region?

- Is the nightlife entertaining? Santa cruz seems to be so much more interesting that boring silicon valley.

-What is the dating scene like? Silicon valley can be hell in the dating world from what ive read, but Santa cruz seems to be its own world(and far enough away) and im pretty sure they have an even ratio of males to females, and when i visited there seemed to be plenty of cute girls.