2 minute read
Santa Cruz: A Beach Rundown
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By Breann Bruschke, Junior Reporter
When I think of summer, I, like many others, immediately picture the beach. Long days spent sunbathing in the salty air to the calming tune of ceaseless waves. Sandcastles, flip-flops, boogie boards, beach volleyball, tidepools, shells, and so much more. The perfect setting for a perfect summer. One of my all time favorite beach areas: Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz has a dramatic coastline lined with renowned beaches. Each has a different significance and element of what I would unsophisticatedly call “awesomeness.” Starting from the top, Davenport Landing Beach is quiet in its secluded location. A relaxing getaway from the often chaotic scene just a couple miles south. There is a hidden gem not too far from this beach, a swing hung from an old collapsed pier situated on the water. It can be difficult to find and includes a somewhat dangerous hike, but there is an indescribable feeling as one gently swings above the ocean.
Next is Shark’s Fin Cove. A natural wonder, this beach is a spectacular stop on Highway 1. The rock formation, a shark fin as the name suggests, is a picturesque spectacle. With many other beaches in between, including Panther Beach, Laguna Creek Beach, and Strawberry Beach. My next favorite beach, Natural Bridges, features yet another rock formation intriguing to the eyes. Here you will also find tidepools featuring colorful sea anemones and shore crabs. With low tide and some searching, I can almost guarantee you may be fortunate to spot a starfish. Around a small peninsula sits Cowell’s, the hotspot for beginning surfers, including myself. With waves from April to September, the bulk of my time in Santa Cruz is spent at this popular beach.
A stone’s throw down is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. During the summer, this is arguably the most crowded. With the beach on one side and roller coasters on the other, this is a child’s heaven. The Boardwalk is home to a number of exhilarating rides; my favorite being the Giant Dipper. The park itself is nothing overly grandiose, but the location is its charm. Twin Lakes Beach sits right next to Santa Cruz Beach and is a great spot for proximity to the Boardwalk but less crowds. A favorite for locals, Twin Lakes Beach is home to the adorable Walton Lighthouse and is my family’s swimming spot of choice.
This hidden swing provides the perfect relaxation spot away from the bustle of busier Santa Cruz beaches.
The next significant beach is Capitola Beach. The colorful houses situated right on the sand are an immediate eye catcher that give this spot its appeal. Then there is Seacliff Beach, with an eerie concrete freighter, the SS Palo Alto. The last two in the area are Manresa State Beach and Sunset Beach. They both offer oceanfront camping for those interested in this unique and exciting experience. All in all, Santa Cruz is home to an abundance of incredible beaches. Choosing just one, now that is the hard part.
Breann Bruschke has lived in different areas of Arizona, Singapore, and California, but Danville is home. She just graduated from SRVHS, and will be heading to BYU in the fall. She enjoys participating in sports, playing the violin, and reading. Other hobbies include wakeboarding, snowboarding, and puzzling. She is a true nature lover, always seeking to find the next adventure.
