Santa Cruz Live Cam

Come out and play in Santa Cruz County on California's Central Coast! The quintessential California playground for all ages. Well known for surfers, 29 miles of beaches, roller coasters and a chronically cool attitude -- you'll also find 13 California State Parks, wineries, a steam driven train through the redwoods, and enough arts and events to feed any creative yearning. Located along one of the world's most famous coastal byways, California's Highway 1, you'll want to include the community Sunset Magazine recently named "Best Beach Town in Northern California" in your next vacation.

One of the last great California beach towns, Santa Cruz has all the right elements -- sun, sand, and surf -- plus an attitude that says, "Hang loose." And the Boardwalk, a roller coaster and amusement park right on the seaside, is everyone's favorite playground.

Venture onto Pacific Avenue to find a smart new downtown, one of our newest "in" spots, with galleries, sidewalk cafes, theaters and boutiques. Up on "the hill," the University of California Santa Cruz campus offers outstanding art, music and theater performances, as well as one of the best views in Santa Cruz. And at the Santa Cruz Wharf and Harbor, you'll find kayaks, fishing charters and sailing boats all waiting to take you out on the water for close-up views of our newest source of pride, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

In Santa Cruz, it seems like every day's a celebration. From First Night, where the whole community gathers downtown to celebrate the new year, to the Harbor's Lighted Boat Parade in December, there's always something going on. Celebrate Santa Cruz - Art, Wine and Jazz isn't just a festival, it's a way of life. Come see for yourself!

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was established in 1992 to preserve and protect the Monterey Bay and adjoining ocean waters of the central California coast. It encompasses 5,322 square miles and is the largest marine sanctuary in the United States, larger even than Yosemite or Yellowstone National Parks.

Within the protected resources of the Sanctuary lies the Monterey Bay submarine canyon, one of North America's largest underwater canyons. The rich upwellings from this underwater canyon support a lush kelp forest and an abundance of marine life: migrating whales, delicate jellyfish, playful sea otters and serene pelicans.

• Go kayaking in the ocean or through Elkhorn Slough;
• Watch for whales from a fishing boat or off the coast at Davenport;
• Explore tidepools at Natural Bridges State Beach;
• Visit dolphins and a touch tank of sea creatures at UCSC's Long Marine Lab;
• See the sea lions basking at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf;
• Sail the bay at sunset;
• Take a self-guided tour at the Santa Cruz Harbor;
• Visit the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve.

Getting to Downtown Santa Cruz

Downtown Santa Cruz is located on the north coast of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.

From the North (San Jose Area) - Follow the signs on Highway 17 and take Highway 1 north to Half Moon Bay. At your first intersection, make a left on River Street. Follow the signs that point downtown. As soon as you reach the intersection of River and North Pacific, you've reached the border of the Downtown. Parking may be found by traveling straight on River or turning right and following Pacific Ave. Follow the signs!

From the North Coast ( from Half Moon Bay) - When Highway 1 enters Santa Cruz, it becomes Mission Street. Follow Mission Street for several blocks. Follow the directional signs or keep going straight on Mission Street (You'll recognize Downtown by the Clock Tower on the left hand side).

From the South (Monterey area) - Take Highway 1 north, staying in the left hand lane as you approach the Highway 17 turn off. Stay on Highway 1 as it loops around like a fishhook. Continue on Highway 1 north. At your first intersection, make a left on River Street. Follow the signs that point Downtown. As soon as you arrive on Pacific Avenue, parking structures may be found by turning right on Locust Street or Church Street.

In Santa Cruz County you'll encounter an abundance of activities, adventures and getaways suited for just about everyone. Whether you want to spend your days hiking one of hundreds of mountain trails, or taking to the Pacific and exploring the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, you'll find there's never quite enough time to do it all.

Santa Cruz County is an outdoor adventurer's paradise. Bike up the Pacific Coast Highway, go rollerblading along West Cliff Drive, or play a round of golf as you look out over the Pacific Ocean. We also have one of America's largest indoor climbing gyms at Pacific Edge and NASCAR stock-car racing at the Watsonville Speedway. Go have some fun!

Want to find out what the weather's like in Santa Cruz? Check out current views of the sky and sea from our Santa Cruz Harbor, live video camera. You can also check the local weather at National Weather Service/Monterey Bay.

Is it a good day to hit the waves? Check out five live views of the surf at Steamer Lane or Cowell's Cove at Hotline's Surflive Video Cam web page or Call the Santa Cruz City Beach Lifeguards at (831) 429-3460 for the current weather and surf report. They report daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and on weekends in the spring and fall.

We have 29 miles of sunny beaches waiting for you!

Giant redwoods. Creekside trails. Rolling meadows and cascading waterfalls. Santa Cruz County has more state parks than any other county in California. From the redwood forests of Big Basin to the coastal bluffs of Wilder Ranch, from the marshes and shore birds of Elkhorn Slough to the 87-acre lake of Loch Lomond--there's plenty of room to hike, pitch a tent, or just go exploring!

Everyone deserves to be pampered at one time or another. Whether your idea of self-appreciation is relaxing into a steaming hot tub or having someone wait on you hand and foot, you'll find your day of escape in the coastal spas of Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz County is home to the Pajaro Valley, one of the richest agricultural areas in California. For the freshest and most organic goods, you can find a farmer's market in just about every community all year round.

As the gateway to the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, Santa Cruz County has all sorts of ways to get you out on the water. Sail into the sunset, charter a fishing excursion, or rent a kayak and paddle through the inlets of Elkhorn Slough. In winter you can watch for whales, and in the summertime you can learn to surf!

The Santa Cruz Mountains, with their combination of California sun, coastal fogs and mountain terrain have been a premium wine-growing region since the late 1800's. Small, family-owned wineries are abundant here, producing a variety of fine handcrafted (and award-winning!) wines. Many offer free wine tastings and have beautiful views - a perfect spot for a picnic. For more information on the history of Santa Cruz Mountains winegrowers or annual wine-tasting events, you can visit the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association.

For epicurian encounters of the best kind, Santa Cruz County offers a culinary trip through more than 500 restaurants from gourmet to casual "down home" -- including asian, brew pubs, cafes, Californian, coffeehouses, continental, delicatessens, Italian, Mexican, seafood and vegetarian.

Some say it's because there's a magnetic vortex here. Some say it's because this area was settled by the kinds of people who broke conventional rules and wanted to determine their own fates. Whatever the reason, one thing is undeniable -- Santa Cruz County has a more enviable collection of artists, performers and craftspeople than almost anyplace on the planet.

The fact is, creativity finds a comfortable home within our borders. At the drop of a chisel, we'll find a reason to hold an art festival or a crafts fair or a studio tour or a combination of art, wine, music and the great outdoors. We definitely are a population that appreciates artistic talent.