What's New: Spring 2007

BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK MAKES "TOP 10" LIST
Big Basin Redwoods State Park has been named by Camping Life magazine as one of the Top 10 State Parks in America. The magazine's staffers cited the park's unique combination of land, water, flora, fauna, vista, legend and lore, as qualities which attract visitors every year. Big Basin ranked third on the list, and is the only state park within California to earn the designation. As California's oldest state park, it was also only one of two in the west to be ranked, along with New Mexico's Surgarite Canyon State Park. Big Basin Redwoods State Park is home to the legendary 35-mile Skyline to the Sea Trail, which descends from the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, passing through Castle Rock State Park.

NEW PLACES TO SIP WINE IN CAPITOLA AND SANTA CRUZ
Wine lovers have three new venues to taste wine in Santa Cruz County. At Cava Wine Bar in Capitola Village on the Esplanade, crisp chardonnays, peppery pinot noirs and sparkling wines all grace the vino list. Most selections are local, some are from other regions along California's Central Coast, and a few are imported gems. Cava offers "Meet Your Maker" Mondays, where guests can meet and chat with local winemakers. In Downtown Santa Cruz, hip winetasting bar VinoCruz, adjacent to the Museum of Art & History, is an ideal spot to enjoy a glass of wine before hitting the town. And on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, Beauregard Vineyards offers tastings along with a panoramic view of the Monterey Bay. From the windows facing east, you can view the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Main Beach and the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor; or gaze out the west windows and admire the world-renowned surfing spot, Steamer Lane.

SANTA CRUZ PREPS FOR BEACH BOARDWALK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
As the West Coast's oldest seaside amusement park prepares to turn 100 years old in 2007, a slew of festivities are planned during the year. Not only will the Boardwalk continue its regular events like free summertime concerts Friday nights on the beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 1907 nights where rides, hot dogs, soda and cotton candy are $.75, and Discount Nights where $9.95 buys an unlimited ride pass after 5:00 p.m., but special events are also planned. The Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center in Downtown Santa Cruz is kicking off its special Centennial Exhibit, celebrating the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk's history with art, artifacts and historical objects, beginning April 14, 2007 and continuing through September.

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY DEBUTS NEW FIELD GUIDE TO THE MONTEREY BAY
Although the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is no longer the Big Kahuna of the 14 federally protected National Marine Sanctuaries (thank you, Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Monument!), it's still one of Santa Cruz County's most exquisite points of interest. Now, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency which administers the Sanctuary, has published a "Field Guide to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary" which encourages visitors to explore, enjoy, and protect this valuable ecological resource. The Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council distributes the Field Guide to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary at its main visitor center at 1211 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. The new 12-page tabloid-sized guide was developed by sanctuary staff provides information on each sanctuary habitat, from sandy beaches to the deep sea, as well as descriptions and photographs of the some of the sanctuary's most commonly seen marine wildlife and the best times of the year to view them. It also includes tips for watching marine wildlife responsibly and keeping sanctuary waters clean. The guide also includes a map of the central California coast, identifies points of interest, and suggests things to do in and around the sanctuary.