Santa Cruz Beach

The beach is the perfect spot to unwind and relax, especially with the stunning sunset that paints the sky. It's a great place to escape the stress of the week and just chill out.

Back in the late 70s, I had the chance to experience the ocean for the first time at this beach. Recently, 45 years later, my family and I took a drive to the Day area and walked along the beach and boardwalk. Although the rides were closed due to the season, I still found myself loving every moment of it. It's truly a great spot for families to visit and have a blast together. 👌

A few weeks ago, we made a stop at this beach and arrived quite early in the morning after driving up from Monterey. As we waited for the boardwalk to open, we took a leisurely stroll over to the pier and were pleasantly surprised to find a colony of seals and sea lions residing underneath it. Their playful antics and boisterous calls provided us with endless entertainment. Upon returning to the boardwalk, we observed the staff testing the rides and preparing for the day ahead. The influx of school buses suggested that it was perhaps the last few days of the academic year, and it was delightful to see the children eagerly arriving for a day of fun and games. I highly recommend both the boardwalk and the pier for a memorable day out.

I traveled to this location from Southern California for a parkour competition. The drive alongside the ocean was breathtaking and I never tire of it (although I was a passenger, not the driver). The beach itself had a typical carnival-style boardwalk, but we decided to explore the charming, historic neighborhoods as we made our way back south. The scenery throughout the entire area, including the streets and highways, exceeded our expectations. I always wish the drive on the 1 was longer and hope to travel it from start to finish one day.

If you're in the mood for a lively carnival atmosphere, the boardwalk area is the place to be, though it can get quite crowded. For a more serene experience, take a stroll along the lighthouse and enjoy the peaceful, uncrowded surroundings. The sunset views are absolutely breathtaking, and the entire area is impeccably clean. The drive to the beach from the Bay Area is equally as stunning, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.