Surf's Up in Santa Cruz

The city of Santa Cruz, originally named San Lorenzo,shallow and deep skating pools and ramps, located
was discovered in 1769 by the Spanish exploreralong the San Lorenzo rover levee.
Gaspar de Portolà . The city continued toFor 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. Byhiking, and rock climbing are also popular in the area.
the 1820s Mexico had assumed control of the areaThe Santa Cruz Wharf is known for fishing, viewing
and Americans began to arrive in great numbers overmarine 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 thewatching 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, limenumerous theatres, galleries, shops and boutiques.
processing, and commercial fishing industries allThe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California's oldest
prospered in the area. Santa Cruz also became aamusement park and a designated State Historic
prominent resort community, due to its scenic beautyLandmark. It features one of the oldest wooden
and mild climate, and today it is well-known forrollercoasters still in use in the US as well as numerous
water-sports such as surfing, paddling, sailing, diving andmodern attractions. It has been owned and operated
swimming. It is reputedly the site of the first surfing inby 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 Jonahcost between $2-$4.
Kalaniana'ole - surfed on locally milled redwood boardsWinemaking is an important part of the economic and
at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Santa Cruzcultural life of Santa Cruz County, from the growing of
has 11 world-class surf breaks, including the pointthe grapes to their venting. The Santa Cruz Mountains
breaks over rock bottoms near Steamer Lane andare home to some of the oldest and well-renowned
Pleasure Point, which create some of the best surfingwineries in California, producing fine Zinfandels,
waves in the world.Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as Ports,
Santa Cruz also has a Surfing Museum at SteamerPinot Noirs and other varietals and blends. The wines
Lane, which continues to be staffed by early surfingof the Ridge Vineyards and David Bruce Winery were
pioneers such as Harry Mayo and others who haveselected for tasting in the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976.
surfed Santa Cruz waves since the 1930s. It hostsTo get to Santa Cruz, visitors can take advantage of
several surf contests drawing international participantscheap flights to the San Jose, San Francisco or
each year, including the International LongboardOakland 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 thebe done easily online and from there visitors can
brand new Mike Fox Skate Park, containing bothexperience all Santa Cruz has to offer.