STREETCAR MIKE'S MYSTERY TRIPS
SANTA CRUZ on AUGUST 4, 2025

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Page created August 4, 2025. Last updated August 4, 2025.
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The first part of this day was devoted to capturing two wrapped VTA buses. First was Pride bus Gillig 6406, this time operating the 57 line, with pictures in Santa Clara. Next was Gillig 6417, formerly Latino heritage, now San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and Alebrijes en San José. It was operating the 77 and 71 lines in San Jose, and I got both sides with the sun.

Decided to cross the hills to Santa Cruz, where the Big Trees & Pacific train operates two daily round trips from Roaring Camp to the Boardwalk in the summer. Nailed photos at Chestnut and Laurel Sts. The tracks move away from the street and form a wye to reverse trains to back into the Boardwalk. Did shots as the train departed for the hills.

While doing the train and after, I got shots of Santa Cruz Metro buses and paratransit. Many coaches are wrapped to honor the natural aspects of the area, such as animals and the environment.

Buses photographed in Santa Cruz, near UCSC, in Soquel, and in Watsonville.

The meal is Mongolian Beef at Mandarin Gourmet on Cedar St. in downtown Santa Cruz.

Nikon D5600 and Samsung Galaxy A54 5G cameras yielded 262 photos, including three cropped versions.