Sidetracked: The Santa Cruz Beach to 1903

Santa Cruz once wanted ships, not beachgoers.

Industrialization in the 1840s turned the beach into the largest shipping center south of San Francisco, specializing in exporting lime, lumber, and blasting powder. The beach was no place for rejuvenation and relaxation, yet people came from around the world to experience the therapeutic qualities of surf bathing in the Monterey Bay.

Rustic bathing sheds evolved into elaborate bathhouses supported by hotels, restaurants, dance halls, and other attractions. Railroads, first drawn by heavy industry, brought thousands of passengers to the Santa Cruz Beach.

SIDETRACKED: The Santa Cruz Beach to 1903 is Derek R. Whaley's exploration into what came before the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Witness the golden age of Santa Cruz as a seaport. Walk along the Esplanade or through the gardens of the Sea Beach Hotel. Experience the thrills of the Plunge Baths. And peruse over 100 historical photographs that showcase the early days of the Santa Cruz Beach as it has never been seen before.