United States

Sun-Drenched Days on the Santa Cruz Wharf

Discover a nostalgic Californian coastal escape defined by vintage motors, barking sea lions, and salt-thickened air.

Our arrival in Santa Cruz was met with a vibrant display of orange wildflowers lining the cliffs above Cowell Beach. Looking out over the bay, the water was a hive of activity as surfers and swimmers shared the turquoise shallows near the historic wooden wharf. Walking through the neighbourhood, the architecture shifts from charming white Spanish-style villas with red-tiled roofs to sun-baked streets lined with towering palm trees, all set against a backdrop of wispy white clouds and a deep blue Pacific horizon. The town possesses a distinct mechanical soul, where polished vintage vehicles are as much a part of the scenery as the ocean. From a lime green Willys Jeep parked near the Beach Boardwalk to a metallic maroon muscle car glistening on the pier, the local love for classic steel is evident. Even a modern teal Chevrolet Corvette looked perfectly at home amongst the palms, adding a flash of contemporary colour to the timeless seaside atmosphere. A walk to the end of the wharf reveals the true locals: sea lions lolling lazily across the wooden slats just above the water. Between the colourful flags fluttering in the breeze and the sight of green fishing boats docked at the pier, the mood is one of pure holiday ease. We rounded off the afternoon in classic fashion with a nut-encrusted chocolate ice cream, melting quickly in the California sun as we watched the kelp forests sway beneath the pier's sturdy timber pilings.