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Good Times Home Santa Cruz Activity & Visitor Guide

Activity & Visitor Guide

All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Welcome to Santa Cruz County

Welcome to Santa Cruz County

Visitor Index You hear it all the time: “This place is paradise!” How true it is. So, welcome to paradise. Santa Cruz County happens to be one of the most unique regions in Northern California. For starters, is the amazing Monterey Bay. This marine sanctuary is a scenic Xanadu that attracts millions each year. It’s a surfer’s haven and it also bristles with wildlife. No doubt your visit here will revolve around doing something near the water, even if it’s just zoning out on a beach for some R&R. But there’s plenty more to experience all around the county, which is where this guide may come in handy. Our Events Calendar lists a number of outings for you to consider during your stay. If you’re an outdoors enthusiast, you’ll want to take note of our R&R and Outdoors sections—each provides an extensive rundown of engaging experiences you can have here. Cuisine and wine lovers may be impressed with the variety the county offers. The area not only is host to a marvelous wine region, but also some of our finest chefs here offer quite a memorable dining experience. All that, along with a nice list of shopping opportunities, should keep you busy during your stay. And in between, well, there’s always rest—one of the best things Paradise has to offer.
Enjoy your stay.  —Greg Archer, Editor, Good Times—Greg Archer, Editor, Good Times ...See the Good Times Visitor Guide >
Cover Photo: Volleyball at Main Beach by Nick Borelli

 

All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Shopping in Santa Cruz

Shopping in Santa Cruz

Antiques, boutiques, gifts, bookshops & More

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Santa Cruz County Farmer's Markets

Santa Cruz County Farmer's MarketsAptos Farmers’ Market At Cabrillo College
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market 
Live Oak Farmers’ Market
Westside Farmers’ Market
Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market
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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Wine Bars and Wineries in Santa Cruz County

Wine Bars and Wineries in Santa Cruz County

There are so many local wineries in the area, but there are a unique cluster of impressive wine bars, too. Pop the cork and dive in. See also Good Times Josie Cowden's reviews of Santa Cruz area wines and wineries.

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Santa Cruz area Radio guide

Santa Cruz area Radio guide

Good Times area AM & FM radio stations and programming guide.

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Santa Cruz Area Avents

Santa Cruz Area AventsEvery Friday
First Friday Art Tour firstfridaysantacruz.com The First Friday Art Tour is a Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts event, managed in conjunction with the participating art venues. The event takes place year-round and illuminates some of the most talented local artists from local galleries. Log on to the event website for full details, but this one is a must-do. (Most First Friday galleries are open between noon and 9pm.)
See our weekly featured Santa Cruz events Click Here
See events through 2011 below...
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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Resorts, Hotels, Spas in Santa Cruz County

Resorts, Hotels, Spas in Santa Cruz County

Resorts,
Hotels,
B&B’s &
Spas in Santa Cruz County

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Beaches in Santa Cruz County

Beaches in Santa Cruz County

A list of beaches in the North and South County area.
Capitola Beach, Castle Beach, Its Beach, Moran Lake, Manresa State Beach,
Sunset State Beach, Natural Bridges State Park, New Brighton State Beach,
Pleasure Point Beach , Privates ., Rio Del Mar Beach, Santa Cruz Main Beach
Seacliff State Beach , Twin Lakes State Beach
North Coast Beaches
Davenport Beach, Panther Beach , Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel , Waddell State Beach

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Surf Spots & Schools in Santa Cruz County

Surf Spots & Schools in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz is one of the world's finest surfing areas.
Here's the Good Times guide to surfing & surf training.
Capitola Jetty , The Hook , Manresa/La Selva
Privates , Pleasure Point
Cowell , Steamer Lane , Natural Bridges
Three Mile , Scott’s Creek , Waddell Creek , Four Mile
See reviews of all by area

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

SC Skating, Climbing, Biking, Boating, Kayaking, SCUBA

SC Skating, Climbing, Biking, Boating, Kayaking, SCUBA

Skating, Biking, Boating
Rock Climbing, Kayaking
Stand up Paddling
SCUBA, Rentals

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

State Parks, Hiking & Walking

State Parks, Hiking & Walking

Whether you live here or are visiting the hiking and running trail options are amazing and some of the most beautiful in the world. Explore the local hills, redwoods, beaches and more. Explore our list of great hiking spots, leave your comments and submit your favorite hikes.
Note: There are some pending park closures due to the CA state budget - contact the Dept. of Parks and Recreation to confirm park hours and availability.
City of Santa Cruz >
Santa Cruz Department of Parks & Recreation >

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Dining, Restaurant list in Santa Cruz area A-Z

Dining, Restaurant list in Santa Cruz area A-Z

Dining, Restaurant list in Santa Cruz County

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Free WiFi hot spots

Free WiFi hot spots

The Santa Cruz area offers several locations to connect to the internet for free while enjoying a coffee, meal or conversation. See the Good Times list for Free WiFi hot spots.

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Clubs & Night Life

Clubs & Night Life

As the long days turn to twilight and the sun sets to the west the Santa Cruz nights light up with something for everyone.  Whether you are looking for cool jazz, rock 'n' roll or some acoustic guitar you'll find it here.  Locals and travelers join together to celebrate great food, cool drinks and night beats. See Santa Cruz Area NightLife A-Z

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Golf Courses in Santa Cruz County

Golf Courses in Santa Cruz County

Seascape Golf Course 
Located so close to the ocean that you can hear the waves crash. You can have both 18- and 9-hole courses over 6,000 yards, situated between cypress tress. SGC also has an on-site Nike Golf learning center. Price range: $23-$72 depending on day and time.
610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos, 688-3213.

 

 

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Spiritual Guide in the Santa Cruz area

Spiritual Guide in the Santa Cruz area

NEW AGE/OMNI-FAITHS/ EASTERN
CATHOLICISM
CHRISTIANITY
PAGAN/OCCULT
JUDAISM

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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Getting Around Bikes & Busses

Getting Around Bikes & BussesSanta Cruz is a very ecologically minded place. Combine that with students strapped for cash and you get a community particularly interested in alternative forms of transportation. Fortunately, whatever your reason—whether it be the exercise from riding a bike, the lower carbon footprint associated with public transit, or simply saving money with a carpool partner or highly efficient car—there is likely to be a local a solution for you.
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All About Santa Cruz - Activity & Visitor Guide

Yoga Centers in Santa Cruz County

Yoga Centers in Santa Cruz County

Sure, both UCSC and Cabrillo sport a bundle of great fitness classes—you may really dig the gyms there, too. But take note of some yoga alternatives here in Santa Cruz:
Please note the the Vets Hall is temporarily closed.  Contact yoga instructors for new locations.

Read more...
 

More Good Times

 

Santa Cruz Area Events

BLUE Ocean Film Festival      

 

Music Calendar

GT Weekly Club Grid PDF >

 

Memory Matters

Twenty years after the fact, a geologist and a historian say we must not forget “Loma Prieta was a humbling experience for most of us. a reminder of our diminutive stature in the grand scheme of things. I think that remembering events like that is a perfect antidote for our collective hubris; it keeps us honest.” —Sandy Lydon, ‘History Dude’  

 

Ocean Advocacy Goes Federal

You don’t need to tell a Santa Cruzan how important the ocean is. From our economy to our natural beauty to our hard-fought-formoniker as “Surf City,” Santa Cruz is defined by its relationship to the ocean as much as Colorado is to its Rockies. So when President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order on July 19 creating a national ocean policy for the first time in history, it was like hearing about a big break for an old friend who’s been going through a tough time lately.

 

Rearranging Rape

“As of next school year, Rape Prevention Education as you know it will no longer exist.” This is what UC Santa Cruz administrators told Rape Prevention educator Gillian Greensite last month, explaining a decision to “reorganize” the program. Greensite was told that, starting in the 2010/2011 school year, Rape Prevention Education would no longer be a separate effort, but would be absorbed into the Student Health Outreach and Promotion program (SHOP), and that she would no longer be a rape educator, but a sexual health educator through SHOP. She promptly retired.

 

Overall, how would you rank the local club scene? What could be improved?

I'd say it's average. I like a lot of dub step and electronic music. Most of the hip-hop and K-DON and stuff—I really get over those kind of songs. More DJ's and what not would be nice. Nesta LoniSanta Cruz | Prep Chef

 

Perfect Palm

The Glaum family is adored for their locally fresh cage-free eggs. For the past year, these eggs have been served in breakfast burritos and sandwiches at the Glaums’ new deli where Piggie Market has nurtured Redwood Village neighbors for 25 years. The central, thatched-roof, hexagonal open kitchen mimics the unusual shape of the extensively renovated building. Textured stone flooring winds around the kitchen, leading to an extensive wine selection. From the wall of refrigerators you can still pick up your milk and eggs, as well as beer, numerous brands of beverages, and locally made Massimo gelato.

 

From the Editor

Club much? Sometimes, it’s a good thing, and if you’ve moseyed to any of the local nightclubs in Santa Cruz County over the years, you more than likely have been greeted by a powerful presence—a bouncer. This week, writer J.D. Ramey takes readers behind the scenes and uncovers, well, let’s say the more embraceable side of some of our area’s favorite greeters and, at times, protectors. These guys are an enigmatic bunch.

 

Nordic Forge

“Man is wolf to man.” Not only is this a quote from the Roman playwright Plautus, one of the earliest known Latin authors, but it is also the title of the earliest known demo recording from local metal slayers Nordic Forge. “[The title track] is a song Jimi wrote almost all at once,” explains the vocalist, Rueben. “Then, I wrote the lyrics after listening to the hymn ‘O Rubor Sanguinis’ by Saint Hildegard Von Bingen.” Determined not to be just another scrawled name in the metal world, the guys in Nordic Forge draw their creativity from classics such as Shakespeare (“Throne of Blood”) and saintly hymns, to an array of bands from the early days of thrash metal and the extremes in Scandinavia. Mario, the act’s guitarist, cites atmospheric and melodic groups like Dissection, At the Gates, and Darkthrone as influences. “Always Darkthrone,” he emphasizes. Only known by their first names, the band of intellectual malcontents consists of Reuben on flesh-curling vocals, brothers Mario and Jimi decimating the guitar scales, Ben on thunderous bass, and Andrew manning the rapid-firing drums.

 

Place Your Vote

Author, musician, sometime-politician and all-around American raconteur, Kinky Friedman doesn’t mince words when it comes to pontificating on just about any subject near and dear to his heart. His takes on life are often delivered in a humorous, satirical manner, but the 65-year-old tackles a lot of serious issues and themes, much like the manner in which Mark Twain presented his opinions and views to readers. Still, Friedman is clearly on a level all his own today.

 

Storrs Winery Chardonnay 2008

One of the most popular wines round these parts is Storrs Chardonnay. It’s probably one of the most-requested wines at any given restaurant. And the reason is simple – it’s an excellent wine. It turns out that many judges at this year’s California State Fair think so, too. They named the Storrs 2008 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay as the Best Wine of the Region. As the top wine of the greater Bay Area, this wine also garnered a Best Chardonnay of Region distinction, and a gold medal. When you think of all the wines submitted in this competition, this is truly an impressive achievement.

 

Meet the Bouncers

Wherever there’s a crowd of people drinking, there’s bound to be a jackass or two. Much as we might wish we could just hit the “Eject” button and send the rabble-rousers flying, it takes a living, breathing human to get rid of that unwanted guest who’s had one too many. Which, of course, is where bouncers come in. The doorman is a figure who appears throughout history and throughout nature: The Old Testament makes mention of “gatekeepers” whose duty was to keep things copasetic at the Levitical Temple, and even certain species of ants have their own peacekeepers whose duty is to chuck out unwelcome parties. Clearly, this is an essential service, but few people have the stones for it, let alone the physical power.

 

Bad Faith

Searing tragedy of intolerance reduced to melodrama in 'Agora' | There's a fascinating, heartbreaking, infuriating true story at the center of Agora, a sumptuous drama of ancient Alexandria from Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenábar. But even as the female scholar protagonist lectures her students that every system in the universe must revolve around a center or it will collapse, Amenábar clutters up his narrative with so much bombast and portent, it's own center finally cannot hold.

More Good Times

 

Santa Cruz Area Events

BLUE Ocean Film Festival      ...

 

Music Calendar

GT Weekly Club Grid PDF >...

 

Big Bang Theory

If the name Chelsea Handler hasn’t yet cros...

 

Are Race Relations Improving?

Nearly two years ago, America elected its fir...

 

Ocean Advocacy Goes Federal

You don’t need to tell a Santa Cruzan how i...

 

Rearranging Rape

“As of next school year, Rape Prevention Ed...

 

Overall, how would you rank the local club scene? What could be improved?

I'd say it's average. I like a lot of dub ste...

 

‘Cabaret’ Captivates

When director Trevor Little took on the task ...

 

New Traditionalists

At the ripe old age of 48, the Cabrillo Festi...

 

Perfect Palm

The Glaum family is adored for their locally ...

 

From the Editor

Club much? Sometimes, it’s a good thing, an...

 

Nordic Forge

“Man is wolf to man.” Not only is this a ...

 

Place Your Vote

Author, musician, sometime-politician and all...

 

Storrs Winery Chardonnay 2008

One of the most popular wines round these par...

 

Meet the Bouncers

Wherever there’s a crowd of people drinking...
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