Santa Cruz

Just over an hour’s drive south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz overlooks the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary on the Central Coast. Offering the quintessential California experience, Santa Cruz is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts who will enjoy 29 miles of naturally beautiful coastline, nearby redwood forests, and a mild year-round climate with approximately 300 days of sunshine. Hailed by Lance Armstrong as one of his favorite places to ride and designated a “Bicycle-Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists, cyclists have their choice of coastal paths for road and off-road family-friendly rides as well as challenging single-track and mountainous roads for the hardcore. The lively downtown area includes sumptuous restaurants, quaint shops and a world-class arts and culture scene. Stroll past exceptional beaches on the century-old Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Visit California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Mission Santa Cruz, U.C. Santa Cruz, California’s first surfing museum and award-winning wineries.


"The City of Santa Cruz is honored and excited about being chosen as a host city for the 2009 AMGEN Tour of California. Santa Cruz is home to a thriving community of bicycle enthusiasts. I know hundreds of business owners, racing fans and community members who look forward to opening our doors to racers and fans."