Last week, we took a ride to West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. West Cliff Drive is a scenic, 3 mile walking and biking path along the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz with epic views of the Monterey Bay. Beginning at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf,  West Cliff Drive takes you past the Santa Cruz Dream Inn, West Cliff Inn, Sea & Sand, and the Seaway Inn toward a residential neighbourhood.  You will find locals mixing effortlessly with visitors strolling, biking, running, walking their dogs, and pushing babies in strollers as surfers head toward Steamer Lane for the surf break.

At Lighthouse Point, a grassy area is the perfect setting for Frisbee, soaking up some sun, or people watching. Lighthouse Point overlooks Steamer Lane, a world-renown surf break and arguably one of the best places in the United States to surf.  We did see many beginner and seasoned surfers here.

West Cliff Drive ends at Natural Bridges State Beach and Park, one of the most picturesque spots on the coast. A sandstone arch shaped by wind and waves rises from the sea. Natural Bridges was once a series of connected arches, but today only one remains.  We are told, in wintertime, the park’s eucalyptus grove is thick with clusters of hibernating monarch butterflies.  

Weather wasn’t great, to click cool pics and videos. Here is what we managed to do.