Things to Do in Santa Cruz
A Northern California Beach Community Surrounded by Redwood Forests
Santa Cruz is a quaint seaside community located in Northern California with 29 miles of coastline and some incredibly beautiful beaches, redwood forests, wineries and cuisine. The town has a laid back, surfer vibe with its iconic Beach Boardwalk and pier making it a classic So Cal Bohemian beach town with something to offer everyone.
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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Spring and early fall are great times to visit as the weather is perfect and it’s less crowded. Summer months attract large crowds with over 3 million visitors annually, and winters can be chilly with quite a bit of rain.
If you plan on renting a car, parking near the beaches and state parks can be difficult. You may want to park further away and either walk or grab an Uber to your destination. If staying downtown, you will likely be within walking distance to some of the main attractions like the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Wharf and main beaches.
No wood or coal fires are allowed on beaches. Beach fires are only allowed where fire rings are provided and use may be limited during California’s fire season or on short notice.
Only propane and gas BBQs are allowed on beaches and in parks. They must have stable legs, 6 inches off the ground and weigh less than 20 lbs.
No pets are allowed on beaches.
Glass and alcohol are not allowed on beaches.
Do not disturb or feed wildlife. You can be fined for doing so.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotels and B&Bs - Santa Cruz offers a wide array of hotels, resorts, B&Bs, motels and inns near the popular boardwalk or in more secluded areas of town. A great place to find information on local accommodations including hotels by neighborhood, pet friendly hotels and the most popular spots is to visit Santacruz.com.
The Chaminade Resort & Spa - A quiet luxury resort nestled high above the hustle and bustle of the crowded city with beautiful sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Pacific Ocean, and amenities geared toward the more adventurous like on-site hiking trails through the redwoods.
Airbnb - Santa Cruz has some great Airbnbs including incredible cabins nestled amongst the redwoods, luxury homes with ocean views and even rustic treehouses. There is something for everyone.
THINGS TO DO
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is home to the legendary Giant Dipper rollercoaster as well as other rides, an arcade, carnival games, shops, eateries, laser tag and bowling.
It is located in downtown Santa Cruz on the sand at 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Admission is free. You just pay for rides and games. You can also purchase a season pass, unlimited ride wrist bands or MyBoardwalk cards for discounted pricing on attractions.
The boardwalk also offers ocean-view fire pits you can reserve and special events. On Friday nights from June to late August, catch a free summer concert on the boardwalk with mostly local bands although you can sometimes catch a big name or two. In the winter from November through January, get in the holiday spirit and celebrate the season as the boardwalk comes to life as a Winter Wonderland. There are also Boardwalk Fun Runs, Clam Chowder Cook-Offs, Chili Cook-Offs, Fall Camp-Outs and other annual events.
Santa Cruz Wharf
The current Santa Cruz Wharf was built in 1914 but had six predecessors. It extends half a mile into the Monterey Bay making it the longest pier on the West Coast.
It is located on the west side of town at 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 between Main Beach near the Boardwalk and Cowell’s Beach.
It’s a great spot for fishing, catching a boat tour, viewing sea lions, shopping, dining and nightlife. You can find Stagnaro Bros. Outdoor Fish Market here which has been in operation since 1937 as well as restaurants.
The Wharf has also been home to the Wharf to Wharf Race on the 4th Sunday of July every year since 1973, a foot race that starts here and ends at the Capitola Wharf with 16,000 runners.
Lighthouse Field State Park
The Lighthouse Field State Park is located at the north end of Monterey Bay on West Cliff Drive. It overlooks a popular surf spot known as Steamer Lane and is home to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is a tiny museum located in a 1967 lighthouse housing 120 years of surfing history on West Cliff Drive.
West Cliff Drive Waterfront Walk
The West Cliff coastal path is a 3 to 4-mile gentle, heavily-trafficked trail that is great for walking, cycling or catching a sunset against the sparkling waves of Monterey Bay as it lights up in crimson colors each night.
The trail runs from Swanton Boulevard and West Cliff Drive to the Santa Cruz Riverwalk at Beach Street.
If you’re up for a much longer walk, I recommend starting out by exploring Natural Bridges State Park then catching the trail on West Cliff Drive and taking it down all the way to the Boardwalk. It’s a good distance but makes for a great afternoon exploring the city by foot.
The walk is also a great way to immerse yourself in Santa Cruz’s rich surfing history as you pass some of the most famous surf spots Santa Cruz has to offer, surfer memorials and tributes, the site of O’Neill’s original surf shop and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
If you’re hungry or in the mood for a cocktail along the way, I recommend stopping at the Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge near the Wharf. It’s a great spot with a laid-back surfer vibe and views of the Pacific.
Natural Bridges State Park
Natural Bridges State Park is a 64-acre park located at 2531 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle or $9 for seniors. There is a picnic area near the main parking lot with tables, BBQs and restroom facilities. There is no camping, no lifeguard on duty, and dogs are only allowed in the parking lot and picnic area, not on the beach or trails.
The park’s main highlight is its large natural bridge in the Pacific Ocean right off the shore near the entrance.
The park’s Monarch Grove provides a great place to spot Monarch Butterflies making their migration down the California coast as thousands of these butterflies form a “city in trees” from late fall into the winter.
It’s also a great spot to sight migrating whales, sea otters and seals. There are public access tidepools full or urchins, crabs and other underwater life that are great for exploring at low tide. This area is protected so collecting is not allowed.
Photo: Wikipedia
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a 4,650 acre state park located at 101 N. Big Tree Parks Road, Felton, CA 95018 just 3.5 miles from Santa Cruz. The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle or $9 for seniors. Dogs are allowed in the picnic areas, campsites and quite a few trails including The Meadow Trail, Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail and Powder Mill Fire Road.
The park is best known for its 40-acre grove of giant, towering redwood trees, the tallest of which stands 285 feet tall and 16 feet wide. One of the best hikes here is the old-growth Redwood Grove Loop Trail.
The park also offers other hiking trails, horseback riding, swimming and camping.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop, Unsplash
Big Basin Redwoods State Park & Berry Creek Falls
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located in Santa Cruz County at 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 about 22 miles from the city of Santa Cruz. The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle or $9 for seniors. Dogs are allowed in the campsites, picnic areas, paved roads and the North Escape paved trail.
Big Basin is California’s oldest state park established in 1902 and includes over 80 miles of trials and several waterfalls including the impressive Berry Creek Falls. The hike to Berry Creek Falls is 11 miles with a 1,000 feet elevation gain. It also offers camping and backcountry trails for backpacking.
Capitola Village
Capitola Village - Located just 15 minutes from downtown is a charming community full of colorful houses lining the beach known as Capitola Village.
This quaint little romantic town is a great place for an afternoon stroll. Take a leisurely walk along the bench-filled Esplanade Park with its colorful tiles painted by members of the community that line its sea wall and breath in the fresh air, or spend the day swimming, surfing, boogie boarding or paddle boarding here.
Wine Tasting
The Santa Cruz Mountains may not be as popular as Napa Valley or Sonoma, but they are home to some great California wineries with sweeping coastal views.
Visit one of the local winery tasting rooms like Beauregard Vineyards or Surf City Vintners.
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