The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk may be the best-known place to stroll, but the most breathtaking is a paved, coasthugging path along West Cliff Drive. Start near Natural Bridges State Beach and head 3 miles east to the Municipal Wharf, for an easy out-and-back, past views of Monterey Bay, rugged bluffs, and surfers. Free street parking is readily found on, or just off, West Cliff.