City Guide: Santa Cruz

     There is a little something for everyone in Santa Cruz.

     Even though the main drawcard is the Beach Boardwalk, shopping, hiking, sailing, and kayaking, surfing and golfing all come together to shape Santa Cruz as one of the premier tourist destinations in California.

     This compact coastal city has much to offer including comfortable hotels to stay. From cheap hotels in Santa Cruz to luxury offers all available at Booked.net. Our listings include maps, photos and secure forms on every hotel in Santa Cruz.

     As a gateway to a truly Californian experience, Santa Cruz is very un-touristy. This is a unique place where forested slopes merge with miles of unspoiled coastline making it a city with a postcard-like backdrop. It is regarded as one of the world's major surfing destinations for both skilled surfers and beginners in this sport. Santa Cruz is a perfect playground for aquatic activities with everything laid on, yet leaving the area’s natural beauty untouched.

     Apart from the approach of modernity, Santa Cruz has a ‘60s vibe with beach parties with live music, the best breakfast still served at the shabby, but very historic Las Palmas Taco Bar and free parking is still available downtown. These set Santa Cruz apart from nearby San Francisco. The city is only 77 miles southeast from the pulsating metropolis, but its heart is world away from it.

     The road to Santa Cruz follows the Devil's Slide. Only a hundred years ago the road meant many travelers failed to reach Santa Cruz, the road was known for being dangerous and the rule was simple - "you fall, you die". Today Santa Cruz swapped has swapped this reputation with the construction of the Highway 1 to the city. Yet Santa Cruz is a city to soak up a dose of its mystic past and prosperous present on a sightseeing tour.

Attractions include;

- The Beach Boardwalk, a historical park from the 1900s with the oldest wooden rollercoasters in the US

 Mystery Spot features anti-gravity cabin that gives the illusion of anti-gravity

 Surf Museum traces the history of sport from its origins in California to the present day

 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has a nature center and little trail

 Año Nuevo State Park with one of the largest populations of Elephant Seals

     With the Miss California Pagent hosted in the city, Santa Cruz was introduced to the world. After it has been chosen a campus for the University of California in the 1960's, Santa Cruz became a city with progressive outlook. In 1989 an earthquake devastated downtown Santa Cruz. Even though the loss was too much for the city at the time, Santa Cruz recovered within 10 years to become a chic tourist destination.

      Today it lures visitors with its natural and manmade mix of sun-baked beaches, sandstone cliffs set side by side with gourmet coffee houses, and amusement parks. You can make it all happen in Santa Cruz with a comfortable hotel - found and booked at Booked.net.