Santa Cruz is a quintessential California beach town — surf, hike, and lounge in the sun here, or get your kicks at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You’re never too old to ride the seaside theme park’s Giant Dipper roller coaster (100 years old as of 2024), and there are all kinds of ticket deals throughout the year to make spending many hours here reasonable in terms of cost.
I've Lived in California My Whole Life — and These Are the Most Affordable Destinations in the Golden State
Travel + Leisure