The 26 miles of Santa Cruz beaches are just the beginning. Enjoy the updated Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Wharf area with new rides & free live entertainment on stage everyday during summer, plus 2 great free band performances on summer Fridays nights. See our website activities link for band schedule. Treat yourself to a unique Steam Locomotive tour with wonderful guides on the train that show you the unusual plants & trees and talk about the fun local history. Other famous parks include the Big Basin Redwood State Park, the first State Park to protect the amazingly large trees & wonderful waterfalls available from short 1-mile hikes to full day hikes. Good museum with helpful rangers. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a scenic 45 min drive down the coast & there is a local marine museum, the Seymour Discovery Museum behind Natural Bridges State Park with full whale skeletons & other unique displays. Check the last link on our Home page directory for current activities happening each month.