What with the redwoods, the shapely waves, the historic beachfront amusement park and the barking sea lions under the old wharf, Santa Cruz has always possessed plenty to lure tourists. (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Rousing games of volleyball enliven the beach near the wharf. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
All signs point to the beach. (Well, at least this one does.) (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Neptune’s Kingdom arcade is part of the Beach Boardwalk amusement park, which has added color to Santa Cruz for 100-plus years. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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A large student population keeps Santa Cruz busy with concerts and other special events. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
From the street, the Sea & Sand Inn on West Cliff Drive looks like just another roadside lodging, but its well-tended, white-fenced backyard looks down over a gorgeous slice of coastline. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
The West Cliff Inn, a bright white three-story Victorian home, is an upscale nine-room bed-and-breakfast with views of Monterey Bay. Inside, it is ornamented with stained-glasswork and California landscape paintings. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Bonny Doon Winery’s Tasting Room, on the West Side of Santa Cruz, shares space with the Cellar Door Cafe. The restaurant is a joint effort by Bonny Doon winemaker Randall Grahm and chef David Kinch, with the kitchen run by executive chef Charlie Parker. Small plates dominate the menu. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
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Among the lodging options on West Cliff Drive is this recently rehabbed ‘60s accommodation, with 10 stories towering above the ocean. Each of the 165 rooms has a balcony or patio and a view of Monterey Bay. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
If you’re in town on a Wednesday and in search of organic goods, grab your reusable, made-from-recycled-materials shopping bag and wander through the downtown farmers market. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
The Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse houses a surfing museum. To see the sport in action, just look out at the water. Lighthouse Point overlooks the popular Steamer Lane surf break. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
For more surfing action, head to the Pleasure Point neighborhood and check out the Hook. For more information about Santa Cruz, go to the conference and visitors council website, www.santacruzca.org. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
