Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The West Coast's oldest beachfront amusement park, this 1907 boardwalk has a glorious
old-school Americana vibe. The smell of cotton candy mixes with the salt air, punctuated
by the squeals of kids hanging upside down on carnival rides. Famous thrills include the
Giant Dipper, a 1924 wooden roller coaster, and the 1911 Looff carousel, both National
Historic Landmarks. During summer, catch free mid-week movies and Friday night con-
certs by rock veterans you may have thought were already dead.
Closing times and off-season hours vary. All-day parking costs $6 to $15.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
MUSEUM
child 3-16yr $8/6; 10am-5pm Tue-Sun year-round, also 10am-5pm Mon Jul & Aug; )
By Natural Bridges State Beach, this kids' educational center is part of UCSC's Long Mar-
ine Laboratory. Interactive natural-science exhibits include tidal touch pools and aquari-
ums, while outside you can gawk at the world's largest blue-whale skeleton. Guided one-
hour tours happen at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm daily, with a special 30-minute tour for families
with younger children at 11am; sign up for tours in person an hour in advance (no reserva-
tions).
Sanctuary Exploration Center
MUSEUM
831-421-9993;
http://montereybay.noaa.gov
;
35 Pacific Ave;
10am-5pm
Wed-Sun; )
Operated by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, this educational museum near
the beach boardwalk is an interactive multimedia experience that teaches kids and adults
about the bay's marine treasures, watershed conservation and high-tech underwater explor-
ation for scientific research.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
MUSEUM
10am-5pm Wed-Mon Jul 4-early Sep, noon-4pm Thu-Mon early Sep-Jul 3)
A mile southwest of the wharf along the coast, this tiny museum inside an old lighthouse
is packed with memorabilia, including vintage redwood surfboards. Fittingly, Lighthouse
Point overlooks two popular surf breaks.
