Favorite Picnic Destinations in Santa Cruz
When it comes to summer picnics, it’s hard to beat the coast: blue sky, sparkling water and nature by the bucketful. In my book, that means making a day of it. My hubby and I pack sandwiches, cookies and a jug of lemonade, toss in beach chairs and towels, and make a beeline for the coast. There are plenty of great places to spread out and enjoy a meal. Here are a few of our favorite destinations to get you started:
Parks and Paradise
Wilder Ranch State Park (Highway 1 and Coast Road)
This old dairy farm has been part of California’s ranching history since the late 1800s. Here. you can step back in time by touring the 1897 Victorian home, the 1896 water-powered machine shop and an 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse where the family once lived.
Wilder Ranch State Park offers miles of trails to help you work up an appetite, with some of the most scenic routes following the coastal bluff overlooking Monterey Bay. When hunger strikes, spread out your picnic on the front lawn and savor the surroundings. Spend the afternoon exploring the rodeo arena, visiting the farm animals or wandering the 7,000 acres of open space.
There are no delis inside the park so stock up on provisions in Santa Cruz at one of the delis on Mission Street or take a scenic drive north Highway 1 to Davenport and pick up takeout from Whale City Bakery Bar & Grill.
There’s a small entrance fee to Wilder Ranch but parking is free. Free one-hour tours are offered weekend at 1pm
Seaviews and Surfers
Pleasure Point (East Cliff Drive at 41st Ave)
Follow 41st Avenue to the coast, where it ends at a free public parking lot. From there, ditch the car and take a stroll along one of Santa Cruz’s most scenic stretches of waterfront. Surfers claim many of the parking spots early in the day, but by noon there’s a steady enough turnover to find a space.
The beachfront promenade winds past a series of popular surf breaks, where you can watch surfers catch wave after wave. Be sure to stop at “The Hook”—the legendary surf zone with a scenic bluff-top overlook to take in both the action and views of Monterey Bay.
Pleasure Point has enjoyed its share of Hollywood attention as well. It served as a filming location for Chasing Mavericks, the movie based on the life of local surfer Jay Moriarty. Scenes were filmed along East Cliff Drive, at Pleasure Point Park, and near several famous breaks.
Along your waterfront stroll, you’ll find a handful of coveted picnic tables at Pleasure Point Park, located at East Cliff Drive and Pleasure Point Drive. If tables are occupied, grab a beach-facing bench and relax until the crowds thin out.
Forget making the descent to the beach. It’s a treacherous descent, and the shoreline is less impressive than the views from above.
After lunch, head back to 41st Avenue, where a palm tree-lined commercial district is home to an eclectic collection of shops and boutiques. Pleasure Point is the quintessential beach community and was once home to wetsuit pioneer Jack O’Neill. His namesake shop still carries one of the area’s largest selections of wetsuits and gear.
You’ll also find beach apparel, coastal-inspired home decor, and vintage clothing stores.
Looking for food? The Point Market is a local favorite with a loyal following. This legendary bodega-style market serves up massive burritos packed with eggs, potatoes, cheese, avocado, sausage, and homemade salsa. The burritos are served all day, every day.
Pleasure Point Pizza is another community institution that whips up pizza by the slice or whole pie. When lunchtime rolls around, expect a line out the door.
A Feast for All Senses
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
For a break from the sea and surfers, head inland to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. This peaceful oasis features a handful of picnic tables tucked beneath towering shade trees between a redwood grove and the Australian Garden. Early morning are especially quiet, with little more than birdsong and the leaves rustling in the breeze.
The Arboretum is located on the campus of UC Santa Cruz and is a popular destination for city-weary visitors to reconnect with nature in all its many colors and sizes.
The Arboretum gardens celebrate plant life from some of the world’s most distinctive regions, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Chile. The Aroma Garden is a feast for the senses, with a variety of smells, sights and textures.
Birdwatching and photography are other popular activities, as is gift shopping for books, gifts, and home decor at Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop