Welcome to Rainbow City Alabama


Surf's Up in Santa Cruz

The city of Santa Cruz, originally named SanLorenzo  rover  levee.
Lorenzo, was discovered in 1769 by the
Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà . TheFor those looking for an alternative to
city continued to expand and eventuallysurfing or skating, other outdoor sports such
became known as Santa Cruz, meaning "Holyas cycling, camping, hiking, and rock
Cross", in honour of the local mission. Byclimbing are also popular in the area. The
the 1820s Mexico had assumed control of theSanta Cruz Wharf is known for fishing,
area and Americans began to arrive in greatviewing marine mammals and other recreation.
numbers over the next thirty years.The city provides many great opportunities
California became a state in 1850, and Santafor butterfly watching and ornithology.
Cruz County was created as one of theSanta Cruz also has the Historic Downtown
twenty-seven  original  counties.Retail District, which features numerous
theatres,  galleries,  shops  and  boutiques.
By the turn of the century, the agricultural,
logging, lime processing, and commercialThe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is
fishing industries all prospered in the area.California's oldest amusement park and a
Santa Cruz also became a prominent resortdesignated State Historic Landmark. It
community, due to its scenic beauty and mildfeatures one of the oldest wooden
climate, and today it is well-known forrollercoasters still in use in the US as well
water-sports such as surfing, paddling,as numerous modern attractions. It has been
sailing, diving and swimming. It isowned and operated by the Santa Cruz Seaside
reputedly the site of the first surfing inCompany since 1915. Entrance to the Beach
California, when, in 1885, three HawaiianBoardwalk is free, but rides cost between
princes - Prince David, Prince Edward and$2-$4.
Prince Jonah Kalaniana'ole - surfed on
locally milled redwood boards at the mouth ofWinemaking is an important part of the
the San Lorenzo River. Santa Cruz has 11economic and cultural life of Santa Cruz
world-class surf breaks, including the pointCounty, from the growing of the grapes to
breaks over rock bottoms near Steamer Lanetheir venting. The Santa Cruz Mountains are
and Pleasure Point, which create some of thehome to some of the oldest and well-renowned
best  surfing  waves  in  the  world.wineries in California, producing fine
Zinfandels, Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons,
Santa Cruz also has a Surfing Museum atas well as Ports, Pinot Noirs and other
Steamer Lane, which continues to be staffedvarietals and blends. The wines of the Ridge
by early surfing pioneers such as Harry MayoVineyards and David Bruce Winery were
and others who have surfed Santa Cruz wavesselected for tasting in the Paris Wine
since the 1930s. It hosts several surfTasting  of  1976.
contests drawing international participants
each year, including the InternationalTo get to Santa Cruz, visitors can take
Longboard Association contest and the O'Neilladvantage of cheap flights to the San Jose,
Cold  Water  Classic.San Francisco or Oakland international
airports and from there arrange private
Santa Cruz is also famous for the Derby skatetransfer or take scheduled airport shuttles
park, the first public skate park in the USAto their final destination. Booking a hotel
as well as the brand new Mike Fox Skate Park,in Santa Cruz can be done easily online and
containing both shallow and deep skatingfrom there visitors can experience all Santa
pools and ramps, located along the SanCruz has to offer.



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