Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz

Summer is here and what better way to spend a day than visit Santa Cruz with friends. We started from Sunnyvale at 11am and reached 'The Crepe Place' restaurant in Santa Cruz at 12.15. It is a very cosy restaurant with an old world charm. We chose the outdoor seating in the garden and had a relaxed lunch for over an hour. I was impressed by the vegetarian options. Post lunch, we headed to the Mystery Spot.

History of Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot is a circular region of around 150 feet in which there are anomalies to the normal laws of physics especially gravity. A lot of demonstrations by the guide show these anomalies at work. It was pretty amazing and the actual experience is fun. However, when I got back home and googled about the place, I read that it is merely an optical illusion generated by clever engineering. This does not make the place any less exciting or take away from its fun.

Our Guide Moe-appears slanted even when he is standing straight

We had already booked the 3.36pm tour of the Mystery Spot and bought the tickets online. The entrance had this impressive graffiti.

Mystery Spot Graffiti

On the way to the Mystery Spot house

Inside the Mystery Spot house

There is a small gift store, snack stalls and restrooms near the ticket counter. At 3.36pm, our tour number was announced and we were greeted by our tour guide, Moe. His demonstrations included a ball sliding up a wooden plank against gravity, people standing in slanting position, lead pendulum swings only on one side, height changes in people and others. They were peppered with very clever jokes which made it very entertaining. I absolutely loved the guide's narration. I don't have very good pictures or video that show the phenomenon inside the tilted house which is the epicenter of the Mystery Spot. At the end of the tour, we were given the Mystery Spot bumper stickers that we see on so many cars.

Mystery Spot Bumper Stickers

I highly recommend this place as it is a fun experience on your way to Santa Cruz beach. We did go to the beach, walked around the wharf and had an early dinner before returning home. A day well-spent!

At Santa Cruz Wharf

Santa Cruz beach

Sand Sculpture at Santa Cruz Beach

What: Mystery Spot
Where: 465 Mystery Spot Road, Santa Cruz CA 95065
When: Mon-Fr: 10am-6pm; Sat-Sun: 10am-8pm
Fees: $6