With rugged beauty and consistent waves, Santa Cruz is a surfer’s paradise. Here’s where and when to get your board in the ocean, and how to respect the marine wildlife.

You can also stop in to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum along your stroll, which is stationed inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. Recent travelers and locals said West Cliff Drive is a must-do.

Just across the street from the Dream Inn, the West Cliff ... of California bohème. Just around the corner from Sawyer is one of the newest breweries to open in Santa Cruz, called Humble Sea.

You can also stop in to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum along your stroll, which is stationed inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. Recent travelers and locals said West Cliff Drive is a must-do.