Santa Cruz

The tide matters most for tide pools and the rocky shore. At Natural Bridges, or anywhere you scramble on the rocks, go near low tide and watch for sets coming in. Times come from the Santa Cruz station, which gives predictions only (no real-time gauge).

Santa Cruz is a surf town on the north edge of Monterey Bay. You can be on West Cliff with sea lions on the rocks below, and not long after be up in the hills on a cool, fern-lined trail under redwoods.

If you're here for the coastline, start near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the main beach, which are easy to reach for a quick swim. From there, walk West Cliff Drive, a path along the cliffs that passes viewpoints and surf breaks. Stop at Steamer Lane to watch the surf, and keep going to Lighthouse Field State Beach for open grass and more ocean views.

Beaches and other easy stops:

• Natural Bridges State Beach - tide pools (best at low tide), bluffs and a natural arch in the surf.
• Cowell Beach - right by downtown, with calm water.
• Seabright & Twin Lakes - calmer beaches close to the harbor.
• Pleasure Point - a surf break with a local crowd and coffee nearby.
• Santa Cruz Wharf - walk out over the water for a snack and look for wildlife out in the bay.
• Capitola Village (nearby) - brightly painted buildings on the beach and a small village to walk.
• Wilder Ranch State Park - trails along open bluffs.

Save some time for the redwoods. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has an easy walk through an old grove, and there are longer trails nearby. With kids, add a ride on the old train at Roaring Camp, and gardeners and photographers can spend a quiet hour at the UCSC Arboretum.