Must See! Scenic Sights

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Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad

Ride historic steam trains through towering redwoods and beach trains to the Pacific Ocean and Boardwalk. Roaring Camp's town has a general store, exhibits, BBQ, caboose snack shops, picnic areas, gold panning, nature trails, other activities, and many special events. Open year round rain or shine.

Roaring Camp and Graham Hill Rds., Felton.
831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

There are 35 thrilling rides including the high-flying 125-foot Double Shot Tower and it's classic Giant Dipper roller coaster. There are games, restaurants, miniature golf and arcade. The Boardwalk is open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends and holidays in the fall & spring. The Casino Arcade is open daily, except Dec. 25, 11 a.m.- evening. Neptune's Kingdom is open daily, except Dec. 25, 11 a.m.- evening.

400 Beach St., Santa Cruz.
831-423-5590, www.beachboardwalk.com

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

Events are held at various venues, which range from art exhibits and quilt shows to craft and trade fairs, concerts and reunions. A current event schedule can be found on its website.

Highway 152, Watsonville
831-724-5671, www.santacruzcountyfair.com

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Exhibits describe area habitats. Interactive displays include pounding acorns, excavating sand dollars, a tide pool touch tank and a close look at living bees. Open Tue.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5p.m.

1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
831-420-6115, www.santacruzmuseums.org

Santa Cruz Wharf

There are several restaurants, fish markets, shops, boat rentals, and other recreation activities. Other attractions include Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary exhibits, aquarium displays, views of the coast, and surf action at Steamer Lane. See the sea lions resting on the pier pilings. There are many weekend special events.

Beach St., Santa Cruz.
831-420-5270, www.santacruzwharf.com

Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor

Many sport fishing, whale watching, sightseeing, and other pleasure boating businesses are located here. There are boat and kayak launch ramps, boat equipment and supply services, as well as rentals, restaurants, a two-mile nature trail and guided harbor walks. It also features public beaches and free water taxi service on weekends & holidays. May-Sept. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

135 5th Ave., Santa Cruz
831-475-6161, www.santacruzharbor.org

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Visit the University of California Santa Cruz's working marine laboratory. The Center features a family friendly exhibit hall, aquarium, touch tanks, and the world's largest whale skeleton. Guided tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Visit the marine mammal research overlook and other points of interest. The Seymour Center and its Ocean Discovery Shop are open Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5p.m. Call for holiday schedule.

End of Delaware Ave., Santa Cruz.
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

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

Watsonville Wetlands Trail & Nature Center

An 80-acre urban wetland & one of the surviving central coast tidewater marshes. It has a 4-mile paved walking and bike trail, open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Wetland Nature Center offers exhibits & offers guided walks. Open Tue.-Wed. 2-4:30 p.m., & Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

30 Harkins Slough Rd., Watsonville
831-768-1622, www.wetlandsofwatsonville.org

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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