Elkhorn Slough is an estuary located in Moss Landing, near Watsonville, California. The Elkhorn Slough Reserve is a protected area that encompasses part of this estuary and is managed by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. It is situated on the central coast of California, near Watsonville and Moss Landing. The estuary is part of Monterey Bay.

Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, located in the Monterey Bay Area of the Central Coast of California. The population was 52,590 according to the 2020 census. Predominantly Latino and Democratic, Watsonville is a self-designated sanctuary city.

Hecker Pass is a low mountain pass across the Santa Cruz Mountains of central California, connecting Watsonville on the Pacific coast to Gilroy and the Santa Clara Valley.

Palm Beach State Park is a state park in Santa Cruz County, California.

Pinto Lake County Park offers boating, fishing, picnic areas, a baseball diamond, volleyball court and an RV Park. You are welcomed to bring your own boat, raft, kayak, canoe or inflatable watercraft onto the lake, but you are subject to inspection and launch fees. The park consists of 78 acres, 70 of which are water and 8 are land.

Castro Adobe State Historic Park is a state park in the Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, California. The Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe is a historically and architecturally significant house located in the Pájaro Valley, California. The two-story Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe is a historic rancho hacienda that was built between 1848 and 1849.

Manresa State Beach is a state-protected beach on Monterey Bay near Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California.

Mt Madonna County Park is one of 28 Santa Clara County Parks. The 4,605-acre (1,864 ha) park surrounds the peak, with the east side facing Santa Clara Valley and the west side facing Monterey Bay.

Sunset State Beach features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes, and ocean side picnic spots.