Santa Cruz Bucket List

Santa Cruz Bucket List A Santa Cruz native’s list of must see places and must do activities. This is the official page for the Instagram account!

Check out this page for a photographic exploration of the Santa Cruz area.

06/04/2026

Best Beach Bites 🌊
🍕 Part 4: Pizza My Heart + Capitola Beach

For over 40 years, beach days in Capitola have started with

📍 Pizza My Heart Capitola |

Founded in 1981 just steps from the sand, Pizza My Heart has become one of the most iconic pizza spots on the California coast. Generations of beachgoers have stopped here before heading down to Capitola Beach, grabbing fresh pies, slices, and garlic knots to enjoy with an ocean view. Sometimes the classics stick around for a reason.

➡️ What to order:
👕🍕 Slice + T-Shirt Combo ($8)
🍕 Big Sur Pizza
🧄 Garlic Knots
🥗 Caesar Salad
🥣 Homemade Ranch

The best deal in town? The legendary Slice + T-Shirt Combo. For just $8, you’ll get a slice and one of Pizza My Heart’s iconic shirts. New limited-edition designs are released throughout the year, making them a favorite souvenir for locals and visitors alike.

And don’t skip the homemade ranch. Creamy, flavorful, and made in-house, it’s the perfect companion for dipping crusts, garlic knots, and pizza alike.

Everything packs up easily for the short walk to the beach.

📍 Capitola Beach & Capitola Village

One of the most storybook beach towns in California. Colorful waterfront cottages, a charming seaside village, and a wide sandy beach make this one of the most picturesque picnic spots on the Monterey Bay. Grab your pizza, find a spot in the sand, and enjoy one of Santa Cruz County’s most iconic beach day traditions.

📌 Save this for your next Capitola beach day and send it to who you’re bringing 🍕🌊

Have you checked off visiting the original from your yet?

Historic Homes of Downtown Santa Cruz.Take a walking tour around the neighborhoods around to see all of these beauties ...
05/29/2026

Historic Homes of Downtown Santa Cruz.

Take a walking tour around the neighborhoods around to see all of these beauties just within a few blocks of each other!

✨ Bucket List Tip ✨
For the highest density of historic homes, head to Walnut Avenue.

If you could choose any of these beautiful homes as your dream house in Santa Cruz, which one are you choosing?

💟💜Coastal colors of Santa Cruz County💜💟 Where do you go in Santa Cruz County to experience the best blooms along the coa...
05/19/2026

💟💜Coastal colors of Santa Cruz County💜💟

Where do you go in Santa Cruz County to experience the best blooms along the coast?

05/15/2026

🚨 SANTA CRUZ BUCKET LIST GIVEAWAY 🚨

If you’ve spent any time in Santa Cruz County, you’ve probably heard people rave about Busy Bees Cafe 🐝

This local favorite has built a cult following for their massive breakfast burritos, loaded breakfast bowls, fresh sandwiches, legendary cinnamon rolls, and homemade honey harvested straight from Busy Bees itself 🍯

Whether you’re fueling up before the beach, grabbing breakfast before a redwood hike, or searching for one of Santa Cruz County’s ultimate comfort food spots, belongs on your foodie bucket list.

Now one lucky winner gets to experience it for free 👀

🏆 ONE WINNER RECEIVES:
🌯 $50 Busy Bees gift card
👕 Busy Bees merch
🍯 A bottle of Busy Bees homemade harvested honey

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Follow both +
2. Like this post
3. Tag who you’re bringing with you (each new tag counts as another entry)
4. Share to your story or send to a friend for an extra entry (be sure to tag both accounts and be set to public not private sharing)

⏰ Giveaway closes May 29th at 5PM PST

Winner will be announced on our page the evening of May 29th. Winner will only be contacted by , do not respond to any other entities.

Winner must be able to pick up prizes locally in Santa Cruz County.

🍯 Good luck!🐝

🌸 Santa Cruz Spring Bucket List 🌸Longer days, green hills, wildflowers, and migrating whales make spring one of the most...
05/14/2026

🌸 Santa Cruz Spring Bucket List 🌸

Longer days, green hills, wildflowers, and migrating whales make spring one of the most beautiful seasons in Santa Cruz County. Here are twelve ways to make the most of it:

🦦 Watch Sea Otter Pups: Spring is one of the best times to spot adorable sea otter pups floating through the harbor and Monterey Bay. Watch from either West Cliff or the for some of the best vantage points!

🌼 Take a Wildflower Hike: Trails across the county burst into color with California poppies, lupine, and coastal blooms. Some of the best spots include Wilder Ranch, Glenwood Open Space, and any coastal trails.

💦 Hike to Seasonal Waterfalls: Spring runoff keeps waterfalls flowing through the redwoods before they disappear for summer.

🥕 Eat Farm Fresh Food: From roadside stands to spring menus, this is the season for strawberries, greens, artichokes, and fresh local produce.

🌲 Visit Loch Lomond: Surrounded by spring greenery and calm mountain scenery, Loch Lomond becomes one of the county’s most peaceful escapes.

⛵ Take a Sunset Sail: Longer evenings and calmer spring weather make this one of the best times to get out on the water.

🥬 Visit the Farmers Markets: Spring brings overflowing markets packed with flowers, berries, fresh produce, and local food vendors.

🍷 Visit a Santa Cruz Winery: Sip local wine surrounded by rolling green hills and fresh spring landscapes.

🏄 Take a Spring Surf Lesson: Warmer days and uncrowded beaches make spring one of the best seasons to learn to surf.

🌺 See the Poppies Bloom: Bright orange California poppies begin covering hillsides and coastal trails across the county.

🦭 Spot Harbor Seal Pups: Spring is pupping season along the coast, with harbor seals often resting on beaches and near the harbor.

🐋 Watch Whales from the Cliffs: Spring migration brings whales close to shore, making West Cliff and Davenport incredible viewing spots.

✨ Save this post for your spring adventures around Santa Cruz County and tag who you’re bringing with you!

A visual love letter to January in Santa Cruz County🏷️ Santa Cruz Bucket List, Santa Cruz, California
02/04/2026

A visual love letter to January in Santa Cruz County

🏷️ Santa Cruz Bucket List, Santa Cruz, California

🍂 Fall Bucket List Series: Rainy Redwood Sunsets at Henry Cowell 🌲✨There’s nothing like autumn in the Santa Cruz Mountai...
10/15/2025

🍂 Fall Bucket List Series: Rainy Redwood Sunsets at Henry Cowell 🌲✨

There’s nothing like autumn in the Santa Cruz Mountains—especially when the rain rolls in and the redwoods begin to glow beneath a stormy sunset. Henry Cowell becomes a misty, amber-lit sanctuary this time of year, where every turn feels timeless.

🪵 Why This Belongs on Your Fall Bucket List
After rainfall, the forest comes alive—mushrooms emerging through moss, the scent of bay laurel, and sunbeams cutting through fog at golden hour. It’s the most atmospheric way to welcome fall.

🌧️ Rainy Day Hiking Tip
To protect the park and prevent trail damage, stick to paved or fire roads after heavy rain. Muddy single-track trails are easily eroded—give them time to heal so we can keep these forests thriving.

🌲 What to Experience
• Fog weaving through towering redwoods
• Rain-darkened bark glowing under sunset light
• Quiet trails perfect for slow, reflective walks

📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Save this spot for a moody fall wander—where the forest breathes deeper and autumn turns inward.

🍁 More fall magic coming in the series. What’s your favorite rainy-day tradition in Santa Cruz?

Address

Santa Cruz, CA
95060

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Santa Cruz Bucket List posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Santa Cruz Bucket List:

Shortcuts

Share

Category