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