This Walkable Coastal City in California Is a Must-Visit Gem

Although visiting new places in the U.S. often requires the use of a car, Santa Cruz is a gorgeous stop along the coast that just so happens to be one of the most walkable cities in California. With hills full of redwood forests, sea lions and whales swimming through blue waters, and waves perfect for surfing, there are so many things to do in Santa Cruz. 

Why This California City Is So Easy To Explore on Foot

There are a few reasons why Santa Cruz is so easy to explore on foot, and most of them stem from the city's location along California's coast. For example, the weather here is warm or at least mild, meaning that snow, ice, and even extremely hot weather will not impede pedestrians. Then, there’s the fact that California residents tend to be more active than those who reside in other states. Part of this is due to the weather, but it has also been ingrained in residents to help them take advantage of the beautiful scenery. Santa Cruz is an excellent example of this, with natural landscapes like stunning beaches, redwood forests, and coastal cliffs filled with flowers everywhere you look. 

Santa Cruz's walkability also has less to do with California as a whole and more to do with the city's specific location. About an hour below San Francisco and to the left of Silicon Valley, this coastal community is bordered by the ocean on its left, and redwood forests to its north and a bit to the east. It’s somewhat cocooned by these landscapes, so the city was naturally built up due to less ability to spread out. 

The Best Things to See Within Walking Distance

There are many local and tourist favorite things to do in Santa Cruz, California, but these three options showcase favorites of both demographics:

Downtown Santa Cruz

Getting from one end of downtown Santa Cruz to the other would take approximately 15 minutes by walking. But within this space, there are numerous restaurants, shops, and fun local haunts to explore. Downtown Santa Cruz fosters local businesses above all else and tries to put an emphasis on art and nature. Along the way, stop at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Woodstock’s Pizza, Abbott Square Market, Chocolat, and Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting. 

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Made famous by "The Lost Boys," the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California’s oldest amusement park. Although there are newer rides and enough renovations to keep the area feeling relevant, the long history of the Boardwalk can be seen from every end. However, it is best to visit the Giant Dipper and the Looff Carousel for a bit of proper history since they’re both National Historic Landmarks. Then, stop by for some soft serve by the beach at Carousel Cones.

The Santa Cruz Wharf

A historic pier next to a historic boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Wharf is a National Historic Landmark and is currently the longest pier in the U.S. made of timber pilings. Best known for its views of the Boardwalk, allowance for fishing, and the wildlife viewing with sea lions and whales (it can get LOUD), the area has become beloved to locals as well as tourists due to the well-maintained and popular restaurants. 

What Makes This Scenic City in California Truly Stunning

Much of what makes Santa Cruz so stunning has to do with its location and natural landscapes, but you can't forget about its overall vibe. Santa Cruz is a laid-back, surfer, hippie, coastal town with a long history rooted in logging and surfing. Today, it is also known for its skateboarding culture (the screaming hand stickers can be seen all throughout the U.S., and even beyond), as well as UC Santa Cruz, which produces students with a deep belief in environmentalism.

This beautiful California town features multiple popular destinations all within walking distance of each other. The ease of accessibility in Santa Cruz cannot be doubted, and it makes this famous California town even more exciting to visit. So, stop by with a surfboard, with a camera, or with a hungry stomach—adventure is waiting for you.