Must See! Dog Friendly

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Beaches

Area beaches are open to the public from sunrise to sunset. There are secluded locations as well as large open spaces that are popular for sunbathing, beach volleyball, walks on the sand, picnics and to watch the sunset. Also see parks & beaches.

Capitola Village

This charming village is the oldest planned vacation community on the Pacific Coast, and has welcomed visitors since the 1870s. Displays at the Capitola History Museum have photos and memorabilia from its early days and offers a self-guided map to historic sites. The village has many art galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and clubs. There are events, Summer Beach Twilight Concerts, and is home to the annual Begonia and Art & Wine festivals.

Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce 716-G Capitola Ave., Capitola.
831-475-6522, www.capitolasoquelchamber.com

Davenport

Founded in 1868 by Captain John Davenport, who built a 450 foot-long wharf to transfer timber, tanbark, corwood and cedar posts to small sailing vessels that were shipped to San Francisco. It was also an important whaling port. The present town was built to house workers from the local cement plant, which opened in 1906, and workers of the Coast Dairies. Points of historical significance are the Davenport Jail Museum (cir. 1914) and the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church (cir. 1915), which continues to offer weekly services.

Henry Cowell Rewoods State Park Visitor and Nature Center

Displays feature the unique aspects of the park's redwood, riparian, sandhill and grasslands habitats. Interactive displays include a century time-line on how the forest was saved from logger's clear-cutting practices, and there are tactile identification activities. Open Summer Tue.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Winter, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There are guided walks and nature store. State Park parking fees apply.

101 North Big Trees Park Road (off of Highway. 9), Felton
831-335-7077, www.mountainparks.org

Mark Abbot Lighthouse & Surfing Museum

Displays show over 100 years of local surfing history. Artifacts include photos, vintage surfboards, and wet suits. Open Thu.-Mon., noon-4 p.m.

Lighthouse Park, 701 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
831-420-6289, www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org

Open Spaces and Protected Habitats

Discover the wonder of the area's natural settings, native habitats and wildlife at over 70 public parks. Experience & connect with the region's unique & diverse eco-systems & have a close-up view of wildlife. Many locations offer nature programs, guided walks, museums, visitor centers & other nature education services.

Pigeon Point Light Station

On the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, this Historic State Park offers one of the most photographed lighthouses. It stands 115 feet high and has been in continuous operation since 1872. Guided walks of the grounds are conducted Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4p.m. Nearby Pescadero Marsh is a sanctuary for more than 150 species of birds.

Hwy 1, 27 miles North of Santa Cruz
www.parks.ca.gov

Quail Hollow Ranch

Formerly home to Sunset Magazine's publisher, Lawrence Lane, this county park has historic significance and is noted for its rare sandhills. There are guided tours of the 300-acre ranch. Educational events and programs are held at the ranch house. Open daily.

800 Quail Hollow Rd., Felton
831-335-9348, www.scparks.com/parkfac/quail.shtml

University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC)

The campus sits high on the hillside overlooking the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. Each of its 10 colleges connects via a paved trail system that passes through various forests, riparian and coastal prairie landscapes. There's a 400-acre nature reserve with walks along its 1-mile trail. Many of the university's arts, lecture programs, and attractions welcome visitors. On campus parking is strictly regulated.

Campus main entrance: High and Bay Sts., Santa Cruz
Campus map of trail system and reserve links: maps.ucsc.edu/cdcommon.html

West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz

One of the area's most scenic urban coastline routes. It has a 2-mile path along the bluff's edge, that connects Natural Bridges State Park and the Santa Cruz Wharf and Main Beach.

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Special Interests

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