Page 683 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

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Bay’s rich marine environment.
Among the exhibits are an
enclosed kelp forest, a rock
pool, and a display of live
jellyfish. The Outer Bay Wing
has a 1 million-gallon
(4.5 million-liter) tank, which
re-creates the conditions of
the ocean. It contains yellow-
fin tuna, ocean sunfish, and
barracuda. The Research
Institute offers visitors a chance
to watch marine scientists at Eroded archway at the Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
work, while the Splash Zone is
a hands-on aquarium for kids. Its main attraction is the Giant Natural Bridges State Beach,
The wealthy resort of Pacific Dipper roller coaster, built by named for the archways that
Grove, at the end of the penin- Arthur Looff in 1924 and now were carved into the cliffs by
sula, was originally founded a National Historic Landmark. ocean waves. One of the
in 1889 as a religious retreat. The car travels along the 1-mile original arches still remains,
Today, it is best known for its (1.6-km) wooden track at through which waves roll into
quaint wooden houses, many 55 mph (88 km/h). The carousel a small sandy cove. The park
now converted into inns, nearby has horses and chariots also preserves a eucalyptus
coastal parks, and the beautiful hand-carved by Looff’s father, grove and a nature trail, which
migratory monarch butterflies craftsman Charles Looff, in 1911. shows the stages in the life
that arrive between October The ride is accompanied by a cycle of the monarch butterfly.
and April. 100-year-old pipe organ. The Also along the coast is the
park also has 27 other modern Surfing Museum, housed in a
O Monterey Bay Aquarium rides and an Art Deco dance hall. lighthouse. The museum has
886 Cannery Row. Tel (831) 648-4888. The Museum of Art and artifacts from every era of
Open daily. Closed Dec 25. & History at the McPherson Santa Cruz surfing history.
∑ mbayaq.org Center, on Front Street, is a Surfboards range from 1930s
20,000-sq-ft (1,858-sq-m) redwood planks to today’s
cultural center, which opened high-tech laminates.
p Santa Cruz in 1993. The Art Gallery shows East of downtown, Mystery
works primarily by local north- Spot is a redwood grove,
* 252,000. k @ 920 Pacific Ave.
n 1211 Ocean St, (831) 425-1234. central artists, while the History which has been drawing
_ Santa Cruz Fungus Fair (Jan); Gallery displays various aspects visitors for decades due to
Clam Chowder Cook-Off (Feb). of Santa Cruz County’s past. various strange events here.
∑ santacruzca.org Standing on a hill to the Balls roll uphill, parallel lines
northeast of town is a replica converge, and the laws of
Perched at the northern tip of of the Mission Santa Cruz, physics seem to be suspended.
Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a founded in 1791. All traces of Part tourist trap, part genuine
lively beach town, backed by the original were destroyed by oddity, this attraction has to
densely forested mountains. frequent earthquakes, and the be seen to be believed.
Surrounded by farmland, it present structure was built in
evokes an agricultural rather 1931. It now houses a small  Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
than suburban feel. The town’s museum. The scenic Cliff Drive 400 Beach St. Tel (831) 423-5590.
cosmopolitan character is due along the coast takes in the Open call ahead for opening times.
to the presence of the large
University of California campus, Surfing in California
with its students and professors
from all over the world. Surfing was originally practiced by the Hawaiian nobility as a religious
Much of the downtown area ceremony; it was introduced to California by Hawaiian George Freeth
was badly damaged by the in 1907. The sport evolved into a
Loma Prieta earthquake in truly California pursuit with the
1989. It has recovered since Beach Boys’ hit song “Surfin” in
then, and many good book- 1961. Films such as Ride the Wild
Surf (1964) and Beach Blanket
stores, art galleries, and cafés Bingo (1965) helped to establish
now line the streets. its cultural allure, and beach
The town’s highlight is the parties in the style of these films
waterfront, particularly the Santa were highly popular in the 1960s.
Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Today, surf culture determines
last surviving old-style amuse- fashion as well as speech. Surfers on fiberglass boards
ment park on the West Coast.

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