If you are looking for a beach getaway with lots of history and fun attractions, you should go to Santa Cruz like me. I am visiting Santa Cruz because it has mild weather and fun attractions. Other people tour this famous city because of its unique history. Nearby the city, redwood forests and begonia gardens are something you don't want to miss. These are just a few of the reasons why tourists and I go to Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz has a very unique history and a nice climate that I think you'd like to know about. Santa Cruz was named after one of the 21 missions that Father Junipero Serra built. This mission, sadly, was burnt down in 1856. Santa Cruz is located on the shore of Monterey Bay and it is also the county seat of Santa Cruz County. It was also the epicenter of a large earthquake in 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Santa Cruz has a Mediterranean climate where the temperatures are mild, with an average high temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. The summers in Santa Cruz are very foggy and the winters are when most rain falls. Because the local weather is so mild and damp, the mascot of U. C. Santa Cruz is the Banana Slug. Approximately 54,593 people live in Santa Cruz. 27,180 of these people are men and 27,413 are women.
There are many attractions in Santa Cruz. One of the most popular is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which is the oldest in California. At the Boardwalk, you can have your fortune told in its arcade or buy a bag of salt water taffy. The most popular ride at the Boardwalk is the Giant Dipper, which is 75 years old. The Boardwalk is free, but to go on the rides you have to pay $1.95 for one ride, or buy unlimited rides for $30.00. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an attraction you should not miss when going to Santa Cruz.
Another of Santa Cruz's attractions is the Santa Cruz Natural History Museum. Most people who visit there think the highlight of the Museum is a life size model of a California Grey Whale. The Museum also shows about the culture of Native Californians that lived in Santa Cruz, the Ohlone. The Natural Museum's exhibit about the Ohlone is the only one in the Santa Cruz area. Children also love the Museum because of its dig-a-fossil exhibit. Admission is $2.50 for adults, but children are free. The Museum may not be as spectacular as the New York Natural History Museum, but I think that you should visit here if you're in the Santa Cruz area.
If you are ready for an adventure in Santa Cruz, go to Wilder Ranch State Park. It has over 34 miles of biking and hiking of coastal and valley trails. Several historic buildings that the Wilder family used are still intact and are used as exhibits. Admission to Wilder State Park is free. If you are interested in outdoor sports or history, Wilder Ranch is a must.
If you are a big fan of nature and want to escape from the city, I think you should go to Big Basin State Park, California's oldest state park. It is the largest redwood forest south of San Francisco, consisting of 18,000 acres. Inside the Park, there are 80 miles of natural trails. Its forests house an endangered species of bird, the Marbled Murrelet. Reservations are advisable if you want to visit Big Basin State Park in the summer. If you enjoy the natural environment and redwood trees, you should come to Big Basin State Park.
In conclusion, Santa Cruz is a great city with many attractions, and it is a fun place to go to. So if you're the President of the United States, or just an average kid in Laguna Niguel, I recommend that you should come to Santa Cruz.
