Find inspiration with pictures, tips and stories of Santa Cruz from travelers sharing their experiences
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Travel guide of Santa Cruz3 km from Santa Cruz
A second later, and this is just another guy walking on top of a natural bridge. I love how his stride mimics, so closely, the shape of the bridge below.
Experienced by Jeff Nissen
3 km from Santa Cruz
Taken a few summers back at Santa Cruz while we were heading back to our camp spot. The air was getting colder, so my friends and I spent the rest of the night roasting marshmallows.
Experienced by Vianka Merano
3 km from Santa Cruz
This was the very first photograph I captured on my very first trip to California. After parking my car in the early morning darkness, I made my way to the shore, and was treated to this amazing sunrise.
Experienced by Jeb Buchman
25 km from Santa Cruz
On a sweltering 100 degree day in California, I took to the creek. I read and watched tiny fish swim underneath me and listened to the forest ambiance. After a few hours of silence I heard a tiny rustling on the bank just next to me and turned around– and it was a RATTLESNAKE! A large rattlesnake had come out of the woods to take a drink.
Experienced by Katya Austin
45 km from Santa Cruz
Now merely a shadow of its former self, the Ghost Tree, is a point of interest on the 17 Mile Drive inside the gated community of Pebble Beach. Offering one of the most scenic car drives in the United States, you’ll stop at the map’s designated location to view and photograph a bleached white Monterey Cypress.
Experienced by Kirill
50 km from Santa Cruz
I’ve been visiting this part of the California coastline since before I can remember. Every year my parents would take my siblings and I camping in the redwoods just a few miles away from this very stretch of Hwy 1. I still come back to this place whenever I get a chance, it’s just too beautiful and too full of fond memories to stay away for long. This morning was my first time visiting with a drone, and it was an incredible experience getting to see this place that I love from a new perspective
Experienced by Ethan Dow
56 km from Santa Cruz
Driving down the famous highway 1 with my family, I suddenly saw this coming into view in the distance. Once parked safely, I waited until there were no cars on the horizon (or coming from behind!) Although it took a few minutes to get the car situation just right, I was very lucky to have the rising sun shine over the green hills of California. What a place!
Experienced by Martin Adams
58 km from Santa Cruz
I watched as this couple passed along this hidden gem of a beach in California. The red sunset with the red flowers in the foreground help give a sense of romance to this photo that some might not pickup on at first glance.
Experienced by Trent Haaland
66 km from Santa Cruz
I went for a drive towards the sea bridge in Big Sur. Needless to say, as always happens. the weather was ‘not co-operating’. Cloud banks continually rolled over-head, and what we thought was going to be a nice summer day turned out to be, well, less then stellar. Once we got the bridge, we stopped to survey the view, and enjoy what we could. I’m so grateful that we did, because less then 5 minutes later, the skies opened up just enough to get a few frames off. This is one of those, and one of my favourites.
Experienced by Nathan Long
66 km from Santa Cruz
As we drove up the west coast on Hwy 1 in the midst of our 10,000 Mile roadtrip around the country, we came across Bixby Creek Bridge, an incredibly beautiful bridge with an even more beautiful backdrop
Experienced by Joe Yates
66 km from Santa Cruz
If you go to California 100% go to Big Sur on the Pacific coast highway. Amazing sights, stops and overlooks at every corner and turn. More videos and pictures to come. Go on my YouTube and check out my newest video in santa cruise and SF. Big Sur video will be out soon along with my yearly video
Experienced by Lifeofmikey
66 km from Santa Cruz
Finally found the Bixby Creek Bridge. Right after I took this photo I slipped from my perch and almost fell all the way down. Luckily I caught a branch. I got a nice cut on my arm that added to the flair.
Experienced by Cristofer Jeschke
67 km from Santa Cruz
I was out at Big Sur and catching some shots of the cool bridges, and I panned down to find this face looking back at me. A little bit spooky, but so compelling, it looks like painting.
Experienced by Michael Olsen
79 km from Santa Cruz
I took this shot while on a 3 day road trip with some friends through California’s Big Sur. On the last day I decided to get up a little earlier everyone and go exploring. I found this wonderful little creek in a small forest off of Highway 1 and thought it would be perfect for some aerial photography. These days I never travel anywhere without my drone. Being able to shoot from any angle, at any height, from any distance has been the single biggest game changer in all my years taking photos.
Experienced by Richie Nolan
79 km from Santa Cruz
We started off full of energy on our backpacking trip. Dasha the labrador bursting with excitement, running up and down the trail. We hiked up and down and up and down the huge rolling green coastal mountains that are iconic to central California. We trekked through thick forests and crossed icy rivers that were waist deep. Dasha was no longer dancing, she was chugging and I had to take the weight off her dog-pack and carry it in mine. A couple hours before sunset, we found a perfect spot by the water to set up camp. Together we spent the rest of the afternoon chilling with the trees.
Experienced by Ian Liberry
79 km from Santa Cruz
A pit stop along the scenic drive of the California coast. This picture with the fog, the waves, the sand, as well as the colors really come together and create this image for what it is.
Experienced by Trent Haaland
79 km from Santa Cruz
I took this photo while searching for the Bixby Creek Bridge the first time I visited Big Sur. I thought we had stopped at the right bridge and got all set up when I realized that it wasn’t. I took this photo anyway.
Experienced by Cristofer Jeschke
81 km from Santa Cruz
This photo is a photo of first’s for me. It was my first time visiting the US, travelling alone and using my first ever DSLR camera. It was the first time I witnessed strong, crashing waves and titanic rock structures. I was absolutely mesmerized by the sight of the splashing water and chilled to the bone by the cold sea breeze. I will forever remember how intimidating it was to try and capture all of this beauty through a small lens, and I can honestly say that this photo did not do it justice.
Experienced by Nadine Shaabana
85 km from Santa Cruz
Shot in the agricultural heartland of California. This is the side of the Golden State you don’t see so often. Please credit my instagram @adele_payman if you use this photo.
Experienced by Adele Payman
96 km from Santa Cruz
Was staying at an airbnb on twin peaks. I thought the view from my room was fantastic, but then I happened to walk to this place called Christmas Tree point and was just mesmerised. Ended up trekking there again the next day and even record a full sunrise video . This perhaps is one of the most underrated places in SF. I am not really a photographer and have relied on unsplash community for great photographs…I thought this might be my chance to give back and share this beauty with the larger community.
Experienced by Madhur Chadha