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.

Memorial Day Weekend is here! Which summer activities will you experience over the long weekend?
05/23/2025

Memorial Day Weekend is here!

Which summer activities will you experience over the long weekend?

Santa Cruz summer vibes are loading…What is your favorite thing about summer in Santa Cruz? Let us know in the comments ...
05/14/2025

Santa Cruz summer vibes are loading…

What is your favorite thing about summer in Santa Cruz? Let us know in the comments ⏬

Add this to your : the epic cliffs of Davenport! Just 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz, this wild stretch of coastline is...
05/06/2025

Add this to your : the epic cliffs of Davenport!

Just 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz, this wild stretch of coastline is made for thrill-seekers—steep drop-offs, dramatic waves, and views that’ll stop you mid-hike. In the spring this area blooms into life with endless wildflowers. Bring your boots, bring your camera, and bring your sense of adventure. This is the kind of spot that makes you feel alive.

Some of the best bites I’ve had around Santa Cruz County lately! Here’s a quick highlight of some bucket list foodie spo...
04/17/2025

Some of the best bites I’ve had around Santa Cruz County lately! Here’s a quick highlight of some bucket list foodie spots you might not know about but have to add to your :

🧀 The loaded grilled cheese from
🥮 cinnamon roll from
🌮 Shrimp tacos from paired with
🍦 the secret menu gelato stuff Babá from
🐷 The Porchetta pizza from
🍕 anything from
🌯 Breakfast burrito and mango matcha from

How many of these spots have you checked off your foodie bucket list?

Spring is in full bloom at UCSC—the campus + are a must-visit right now.Here’s your quick guide to catching the best b...
04/12/2025

Spring is in full bloom at UCSC—the campus + are a must-visit right now.

Here’s your quick guide to catching the best blooms:

Where to go:
• Start at the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden for vibrant proteas, grevilleas, and rare plants from around the world.
• Then explore upper campus trails and the Great Meadow, where California wildflowers like poppies and lupine are going off.

What to expect:
• Stunning ocean views, blooming hillsides, and tons of hummingbirds.
• Perfect for a peaceful walk, photo op, or spontaneous spring picnic.
• Entry is $10 for adults

Pro tips:
• Visit on a weekday morning for fewer crowds
• Bring water and stay on trails to protect the flowers

Add it to your this season—you won’t want to miss this coastal spring magic.

🌊 Bucket List Tide Pooling in Santa Cruz! 🌊 When the tide goes out, a hidden world comes to life—and it’s one of the coo...
04/07/2025

🌊 Bucket List Tide Pooling in Santa Cruz! 🌊
When the tide goes out, a hidden world comes to life—and it’s one of the coolest things you can do along the coast.

Low Tide Treasures to Spot:
• Sea anemones & starfish
• Tiny crabs & hermit crabs
• Purple sea urchins
• Sea hares & maybe even octopuses!

Top Spots:
• Natural Bridges
• Davenport Landing
• Pleasure Point
• Scott Creek Beach

Bucket List Tip: Check tide charts and go at low tide for the best chance to explore. Step carefully—these tiny ecosystems are fragile!

Tag your tide pooling buddy and add this to your today!

Lupine Bloom at Glenwood Open Space! 💜Right now, the hills of Glenwood Open Space in Scotts Valley are covered in vibran...
04/03/2025

Lupine Bloom at Glenwood Open Space! 💜

Right now, the hills of Glenwood Open Space in Scotts Valley are covered in vibrant purple lupines—one of the most stunning wildflower displays in Santa Cruz County!

🌿 What to Expect: Easy scenic trails, rolling hills blanketed in lupines, and breathtaking spring views.
📍 Where: Glenwood Open Space Preserve, Scotts Valley
🎟 Cost: Free
🐶 Dogs: Dogs are NOT allowed on the East side of the park due to grazing cattle but are allowed on designated trails on the West wise
⏳ Best Time to Go: ASAP—these blooms won’t last long!

Don’t miss this experience! Tag a friend to hike with!

Lost in the Mist: Rainy Day Magic in the Redwoods 🌲🌧️There’s nothing quite like experiencing the redwood forests of Sant...
03/28/2025

Lost in the Mist: Rainy Day Magic in the Redwoods 🌲🌧️

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the redwood forests of Santa Cruz on a misty, rain-kissed day. The scent of damp earth and towering trees, the soft hush of raindrops on fern-covered trails, and the way the fog weaves through ancient branches—it’s pure magic.

Hike through Henry Cowell Redwoods, Big Basin, or Nisene Marks to witness the forest at its most enchanting. The rain deepens the greens, quiets the crowds, and turns every step into a moment of peaceful solitude. Bonus: The creeks are flowing, the banana slugs are out, and the whole forest feels alive.

☔ Pro tip: Bring a rain jacket, waterproof boots, and a thermos of something warm—because nothing beats sipping tea or coffee surrounded by the smell of redwood rain.

Would you brave the rain for this moody, unforgettable experience? Tell us below! ⬇️

The Best Cinnamon Rolls in Santa Cruz County If you’re craving a warm, gooey cinnamon roll, these local spots serve some...
03/24/2025

The Best Cinnamon Rolls in Santa Cruz County

If you’re craving a warm, gooey cinnamon roll, these local spots serve some of the best:

📍Busy Bees Cafe & Catering – A hidden gem with perfectly soft and sweet rolls. warms them up and they are the epitome of a perfect cinnamon roll!
📍Gayle’s Bakery – Traditional style with rich frosting, donut like texture, and perfect amount of cinnamon. is an institution here in Santa Cruz County for a reason and their classic style cinnamon rolls are rich, decadent, and delicious!
📍Companion Bakeshop – Made with sourdough, complex, beautiful structure and perfectly spiced. makes the most amazing caramel-like sourdough cinnamon rolls you have to try!
📍The Buttery – Rich, buttery, and full of cinnamon-sugar goodness. makes excellent cinnamon rolls especially for those who like them a little less sweet! You can even get them with raisins!
📍Linda’s Seabreeze Café – Classic, homemade taste with the perfect balance of soft and chewy. doesn’t do frosting but makes up for it with flavor!
📍Melinda’s Gluten Free Bakery - for those with dietary restrictions, we have gluten free options in county too!

Read the full blog on ’s lifestyle page today!

Satisfy your sweet tooth at any of these amazing local businesses. Which one is your favorite?

The first day of Spring in Santa Cruz County
03/21/2025

The first day of Spring in Santa Cruz County

🌿 Bucket List Hike: Fall Creek 🌿Looking for the perfect spring hike in Santa Cruz County? Fall Creek is a must-do, espec...
03/18/2025

🌿 Bucket List Hike: Fall Creek 🌿

Looking for the perfect spring hike in Santa Cruz County? Fall Creek is a must-do, especially after it rains! With a rushing creek, vibrant forget-me-nots, and historic lime kilns, this hidden gem in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a springtime dream.

✨ Why Hike Here in Spring? ✨
🌊 Flowing River and Waterfalls—best after rain
💙 Forget-me-nots blooming near the lime kilns
🌲 Lush redwoods & mossy ruins for the ultimate nature escape
❄️ Cool temps & shaded trails make for a refreshing hike

🥾 Best Route:
Start at the Fall Creek parking lot and take Fall Creek Trail to the historic lime kilns (about 3 miles round-trip). For a longer adventure, loop through South Fork Trail and Lost Empire Trail.

✔️ Pro Tips:
🌎 Leave No Trace—pack out all trash & stay on the trail
🚫 Respect the ruins—do not climb on the historic lime kilns
🐶 No dogs allowed—this trail is in a protected area
🌅 Go early to enjoy the trail with fewer crowds

Have you hiked Fall Creek in the spring? Drop your experience in the comments! ⬇️

Golden hour in Capitola ☀️
03/18/2025

Golden hour in Capitola ☀️

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