Perhaps the most beautiful 2.5 mile road in Coastal California, West Cliff Drive, features surfers, sea lions, pelicans, gorgeous beach, a surfing museum and views of the Boardwalk. If you are car-less, no worries, there are plenty of walking/jogging/biking trails to get close to the action. Grab your shoes and take a stroll – you will love it. After a hot day of basking in the sun, walk outside your Santa Cruz hotel, grab a bite to eat downtown, and head over to the independent Nickelodeon Theatre to watch a foreign or indie flick while drinking a selection of cold beverages and popcorn — with real butter. You might notice a number of college students catching a flick, as well.
Home to “Sammy the Slug,” the University of California at Santa Cruz campus stretches more than 25 miles with hiking trails and views overlooking the bay and the city of Santa Cruz. With Redwoods covering the entire campus, the vibe is unlike any other University in California. Set amidst a redwood grove in the center of campus exists Shakespeare Santa Cruz. This open-air theatre presents Shakespeare and non-Shakespeare plays each summer. Reserve your seat and have a picnic and a glass of wine to truly appreciate the beauty of traditional theatre and the rolling hills of the campus. Bring a jacket and/or blanket, since it can get chilly under the redwoods.
Set out on another nature-themed day by visiting all 65-acres of the Natural Bridges State Park. It is famous for its natural bridge across a section of the beach but offers plenty of opportunities to explore with nature trails leading directly to the Butterfly Preserve. Steps away from the Boardwalk and Santa Cruz hotels, this is the place to be for a Californian sunset. Schedule your trip for more exploring at the Wilder Ranch State Park. A smaller park with only 34 miles of hiking trails, this park makes up for its size with its tours featuring the life of early ranchers and farmers of the Central Coast as well as breathtaking views of Cliffside beaches. Santa Cruz, with its beautiful beaches and natural parks embody what you envision Central Coast California to be like. Consider Choice Hotels for your stay in Santa Cruz — you won’t regret it when you have finished roaming the beaches and valleys of this beautiful area.