Santa Cruz is one of those places that people have heard about probably because they’ve seen the movie The Lost Boys. I haven’t. I know, and I’m from there. But every time I see that it’s on tv it’s already halfway finished, or I’m just not in the mood to watch cheesy old vampire movies (I don’t actually know, is it cheesy?) One day, though. One day. I grew up in Santa Cruz, California, but at 19, I left. At that age, I didn’t fully appreciate what Santa Cruz had to offer. Now, every time I go back I realize the things that really make Santa Cruz special: its history and gorgeous sceneries.
Santa Cruz has a unique culture with people who are proud of where they are from, especially if their family has been living there for years, and there are quite a few of those families. It’s also one of those cities where everyone knows everyone, which I originally had thought made the city dull, but once you start talking to random strangers and you find that you know some of the same people, it shows how we are all connected in some way and just how small the world is after all.
Many people who have heard of Santa Cruz believe it to be a very beautiful city, which it is, however, it can be a very frustrating city to drive around in due to the horrible traffic and intricate layout of the city. Yet, everywhere you turn there are beautiful sights to see, local history to take in, and quaint shops that last because Santa Cruz locals love shopping locally. Seriously, the Forever 21 that exists in downtown was not put up without a fight.
Whenever I return to Santa Cruz, I don’t return for very long which leaves me little time to do much, except see things that make Santa Cruz Santa Cruz to me and on a budget. Here is the list of things that I enjoy doing for cheap in one weekend in Santa Cruz.
Walk Along West Cliff Drive
If there’s any way to fully appreciate the beauty of Santa Cruz, it’s by walking right along the cliffside. West Cliff Drive stretches along the cliff for about 3 miles, where visitors can view the waves from above, surfers waiting for those waves, and landmarks such as the Surfing Museum and a statue raised to honor the surfing culture. Wear comfortable shoes, but if you have a car, you can drive down West Cliff Drive.
Also, if you pay attention to the railings along the pathway, you’ll see some openings where you can climb down to some rocks, or even a mini beach. Some of these openings can provide the curious with a better view of the cliffs for some pictures.
A view of West Cliff. Taken with iPhone!
