Santa Cruz

California

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Why visit Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz has marched to its own beat since long before the Beat Generation of the 1950s and '60s. This is counterculture central, a touchy-feely, new-agey city famous for its leftie-liberal politics and easygoing ideology – except when it comes to dogs (rarely allowed off-leash), parking (meters run seven days a week) and Republicans (allegedly shot on sight). It’s still cool to be a hippie or a stoner here, although some of the far-out-looking freaks are just slumming Silicon Valley millionaires and trust-fund babies.

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Road Trippin' USA: San Francisco, National Parks & Las Vegas

11 days / 10 nights

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  1. 1 Riding a historic cable car to see the seals of San Francisco's Fisherman’s Wharf
  2. 2 Whitewater rafting along the thrilling South Fork American River
  3. 3 Hiking past Liberty Cap and Half Dome on a guided tour of Yosemite's highlights
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Top places to visit in Santa Cruz

Discover the best attractions in Santa Cruz from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

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