Santa Cruz: surfer's paradise between hippie past and freedom!

Santa Cruz: surfer's paradise between hippie past and freedom!

A gentle morning mist shrouds the coast of Santa Cruz, where surfers take to the water barefoot. The city's atmosphere is filled with the smell of fresh coffee and the salty smell of the Pacific as a colorful VW bus drives along scenic West Cliff Drive. Loud RiffReporter The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk already offers active rides that attract visitors. Nestled between majestic redwood forests and the waves of the Pacific Coast, this city embodies a lifestyle that defies Hollywood stereotypes.

The sentence structure is characterized by a mixture of surfer culture and a hippie-like past. Organic coffees and old arcades can also be found here. The streets of Santa Cruz reflect a liberal, democratic character, as evidenced by a house with the sign “your vote, your choice.” In contrast, there are conservative states such as Nevada and Utah, where anti-abortion posters and religious messages are visible on trucks. This interplay of cultures and political currents shows the great differences within the USA.

Surfing and skating in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is considered the cradle of surfing on the American mainland. How SantaCruz.org Reportedly, surfing began here as early as 1885, when Hawaiian princes imported the sport. Skateboarding, an invention of surfers in the 1940s, emerged as a way to continue training on days with few waves. The city offers a chronological presentation of over 100 years of surfing history with the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum at Lighthouse Point, including historical artifacts such as photographs, wetsuits and redwood boards.

An important name in the surfing community is Jack O'Neill, who invented the wetsuit to allow surfers to stay in cold water for longer. His influence extends to local businesses such as O’Neill Yacht Charters and Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge. The O’Neill Coldwater Classic, North America’s oldest surfing competition, also takes place annually on the famous Steamer Lane. In 2023, local surfer Autumn Hays won this competition.

Skateboard culture

The skateboarding scene in Santa Cruz is vibrant and diverse, supported by legendary skate parks and local brands. The NHS Skate Museum offers an exciting look back at the history of Santa Cruz skateboards with artifacts and memorabilia from the 1970s and 1980s. Derby Park, one of the oldest public skate parks in the world, offers numerous challenges for skaters.

Particularly noteworthy is Judi Oyama, a local skater who was active in the 1970s and continues to be involved in the scene. She will compete in the World Skate Games in Rome 2024. Cowell’s Beach is considered ideal for beginners, while the Santa Cruz County area includes several skate parks for different skill levels and styles.

In summary, Santa Cruz is a fascinating destination that combines both cultural and sporting activities, and a city that proudly showcases its unique roots in the surfing and skating communities.