Strolling through Santa Cruz

We spent a glorious weekend in Santa Cruz, one of my favorite spots on the California coast. This article is a collection of photos I took strolling around, both along the beach and downtown. The “Related posts” section at the end of this post has links to separate articles about the University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum where many proteas were in bloom.

Santa Cruz has an enviable climate. It rarely freezes and summer highs are rarely above 90°F. The mean annual precipitation is 30", which is a good 10" more than where we live. Even so, from what I saw it looked like it hadn’t rained much in a good long while.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk reflected in the San Lorenzo River

Municipal wharf as seen from East Cliff Drive; notice the carpet of ice plants (Carpobrotus edulis)

Carpobrotus edulis…

…also known as “Hottentot fig”

These aloes along the bluff haven’t seen much rain in a long time

One of the few remaining clumps of pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana). Years ago this invasive grass was ubiquitous along the bluffs of Central and Northern California but thanks to major eradication efforts it has become a much rarer sight.

The next series of photos were taken along the street blocks that border Twin Lakes State Beach. Real estate here is very expensive, and I was surprised to see that some of the original beach bungalows from the early to mid-20th century have survived, albeit not always in the best of conditions.

View from Twin Lakes State Beach towards the streets where these photos were taken

Bonita Lagoon

Tree yucca (Yucca elephantipes)

Aloe arborescens

What would be beach community be without palm trees?

This small house is dwarfed by all the tropical plants

Crazy juniper

Bougainvillea and rosemary

Angel trumpets (Brugmansia insignis)

Aloe hybrid and jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Old jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Aloe arborescens

Aeonium decorum ‘Sunburst’ and festival grass (Cordyline ‘Festival Grass’)

Aeonium decorum ‘Sunburst’ and festival grass (Cordyline ‘Festival Grass’)

I was very surprised to see this planting. Could this be sugarcane?

Yucca elephantipes and Dicksonia antartica

Gnarled old pepper tree

Gnarled old pepper tree

Monarch butterfly on verbena

Clivia miniata

On my way back to Twin Lakes State Beach, I came across this old house badly in need of a paint job. What it did have was a wide variety of succulents. These beds are clearly cared for because I saw small plants that must have been added recently.

Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.)

Cleistocactus?

Aeonium decorum ‘Sunburst’

Agave americana, prickly pear and dyckia

A veritable succulent jungle

Another shot…

…and yet another

I think all of these succulent beds receive natural precipitation only. These echeverias certainly didn’t look like they had been watered recently. But as soon as the winter rains come, they’ll perk right up.

We didn’t get to spend much time downtown but I managed to spot a few interesting things nonetheless.

Santa Cruz definitely likes bamboo…

…even in public plantings

I would have loved to peek into this courtyard but it’s part of an apartment building and I wasn’t able to find a way to get inside

This must have been an impressive banana in its day. Not sure why it’s looking so sad but my guess it lack of water.

I’ve never seen Euphorbia characias in a public planter before but it looks great

LEFT: What did they do to this poor tree? Pollarding gone awry?
RIGHT: Giant pendulum sculpture. I’d love a smaller version for our front yard.

This has nothing to do with plants but I think this fountain at the Felix Kulpa Gallery is cool

RELATED POSTS:

• Strolling through Santa Cruz

• UC Santa Cruz Arboretum fall 2012: South African Garden

• UC Santa Cruz Arboretum fall 2012: Australian Garden and Norrie’s Gift Shop