Santa Cruz Real Estate News & Information - Vacations

Scenic Drives: All About The Famous Highway 1 Road Trip (San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea)

We’ve just exited spring break season and summer is on its way. For many, that means getting out and enjoying the nice weather and the beautiful scenery. The San Francisco and Monterey Bay area offers a wealth of things to do outdoors, from beaches to hikes up the hills—and many find that a great way to enjoy all of this is the long, ocean drive along Highway 1.

Road trips are a great, on-the-ground experience for those who want to explore an area at their own leisure. There’s no schedule but your own and you can stop wherever you’d like for as long as you want.  Let’s explore more about why this trip in particular is so famous, and some things that you can see along the way!

The Highway 1 Trip At A Glance

The Pacific…

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Day Trip: Whale Watching Around Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay

Situated along the coast of Monterey Bay, the city of Santa Cruz is recognized for its exceptional location, with San Jose and Silicon Valley to the north, and mountain ranges around all three sides. With its many amenities and attractions, it's no wonder why this area is an especially desirable one to buy a home.

With its prime location on the water comes one of the best attractions in the area: whale watching. Of course, when it comes to spotting whales in their natural habitat, anyone will tell you that a lot of it is luck. 

It’s possible to see whales in this area all year around (although different species are more common during certain seasons). For all those interested, here are a few whale watching basics. 

What Can…

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The Monarch Butterfly Migration At Natural Bridges State Beach

Every year, countless Monarch butterflies make their way south to seek warmer weather, traveling from the more northern states, such as Oregon and Washington, the Rockies, and even the Canadian province of British Columbia. And, every year, the butterflies make their home for several months in the Santa Cruz area. 

Natural Bridges State Beach: Facts & Features

Natural Bridges State Beach is a popular attraction located southwest of the Santa Cruz downtown. It is perhaps most well-known for its spectacular ocean views, tide pools, and rock formations that dot the shoreline. In the warmer months, you’ll often find beachgoers soaking up the sun and people walking down by the water. Dogs, however, are not allowed on the beach, but they are allowed…

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Santa Cruz Day Trip: A Guide To Mount Hermon Adventures

Santa Cruz: where the forest meets the sea. While the numerous beaches around Santa Cruz draw crowds of avid surfers, passionate sunbathers, and even the occasional furry friend for a walk, the area is also recognized for its gorgeous, expansive redwood forests. 

North of the downtown, situated in the small neighborhood of Mount Hermon, is a highly-rated adventure park. An excellent attraction for daring kids, adults, and corporate groups for team-building workshops, read on to learn more about why this park makes for a great Santa Cruz area day trip!

Aerial Adventures: What Is It?

Sometimes referred to as “treetop trekking”, Mount Hermon Adventures is an aerial ropes/obstacle course and ziplining experience. But what exactly does that…

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Top Child-Friendly Attractions Around Santa Cruz

With its safe neighborhoods, great schools, and beautiful scenery, it’s no wonder why many families are making the move to Santa Cruz County. Although this region is known particularly for its beaches and surfing opportunities, there’s so much more to see and do. From the classic attractions at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, to community events hosted at Aptos Village County Park, every day offers something new and exciting for area residents. 

This weekend, consider taking the whole family out to enjoy what this gorgeous area has to offer. We’ve compiled a list of some of the popular child-friendly attractions (and some you might not know about!) around Santa Cruz County—for all ages!

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

100…

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Where The Wildflowers Are Around Santa Cruz

Spring is almost officially here in Santa Cruz, and with it comes warmer weather and blooming flowers—or so they say. While it might take a bit more time for us to experience the warmer temperatures, many of us are already dreaming about fun, outdoor springtime activities we'd like to do this year. For all those amateur photographers, passionate Instagrammers, or even just your regular nature-lovers, this is a great opportunity to get up and get out!

There are several types of flowers native to the Santa Cruz area, including the beautiful purple Lupine and the striking yellow Santa Cruz Wallflower, but what are the best places to see them this spring? We outline our favorites down below!

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park

800 Quail Hollow Road,…

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Santa Cruz Day Trip: Yosemite National Park

Living in Santa Cruz means not only being close to so many great local spots, but also being just a day trip away from so many incredible spots. Today, we'll be taking a look at the historic Yosemite National Park, less than a four hour drive away from Santa Cruz real estate. Summer is a great time to head out and see the waterfalls, viewpoints and wildlife in this incredible national park, so read on to find out what makes Yosemite one of the best national parks in the country. 

Yosemite Park History

Yosemite National Park was mainly home to indigenous populations until the mid 1800s, when the gold rush brought miners and other settlers to the region. 

However, due to highly unregulated tourism and resource extraction, president Abraham…

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Spruce Up Your Instagram With These Santa Cruz Photo Ops

If you're looking to get a few extra likes on your next post, there's no better place for photographers both amateur and professional to get breathtaking shots than the California city of Santa Cruz.

Nestled between mountain ranges to the north and Monterey Bay to the south, the town of Santa Cruz is full of contrast and picturesque areas. In this post, we'll be taking a look at 5 scenic areas in Santa Cruz you can head to and start sprucing up your Instagram.

1. Catch The Sunset At Natural Bridges State Park

One of the most beautiful spots in the state becomes even more gorgeous as the sun is going down! Visit Natural Bridges State Park at sunset to capture this incredible rock formation set against an explosion of colors. 

It's not…

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Discover Natural Bridges State Park

Named for the massive natural arch in the rock formation just off the waters of the Monterey Bay, this popular Santa Cruz attraction is one of the most iconic (and most photographed) areas in the state of California. 

But what else can you expect besides this popular landmark when you make a trip to Natural Bridges State Park? Keep reading to find out!

Discover Natural Bridges Park

Both a beach and a park, this area is a wildlife lovers paradise.

From the sandy shores, take advantage of the perfect location for watching whales, spotting seals & sea otters and viewing birds as they soar overhead. 

As you wander further along the beach, discover tidepools and the various creatures within – you’ll find crabs, sea stars,…

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Santa Cruz Day Trip: Wilder Ranch State Park

A great way to discover the Santa Cruz coastline is by making a trip to the Wilder Ranch State Park. 

Nestled on the Pacific Ocean coast, just north of Santa Cruz and spanning over 7,000 acres, you can just imagine all the adventure that awaits!

From fun park events, to hikes fit for all skill levels, and learning the area's history, the park certainly has it all. 

Your Adventure Awaits

Enjoy a blast from the past and take a step back in time to the ranching days of the late 1800’s. You’ll learn all about California’s early ranching history while also getting the chance to experience for yourself what life was like all those years ago working on a dairy ranch. 

In fact, there’s several buildings for you to explore as…

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