We've outlined the top things to do in Santa Cruz. You can vote for your favorite below, or see what other people just like you think about it.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
It's perhaps the best remaining seaside amusement park in the state, located right on the beach - and you can get in to walk around without paying admission.Vote for Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as your favorite place to go in Santa Cruz
Go to the Beach
Forget Southern California. Santa Cruz is home to some of the state's nicest beaches, and we've ferreted out the best of them for your interests.Vote for the beach as your favorite place to go in Santa Cruz
West Cliff Drive
It's a pretty drive, but an even nicer walk. Park anywhere you can find a space and join the locals for a walk along the cilfftops to watch surfers at Steamers Lane, kayakers paddling by and comormants diving for fish.Vote for Go to the Beach as your favorite place to go in Santa Cruz
Sail on Monterey Bay
The Chardonnay II offers landlubbers like me a chance to go sailing without all the fuss. You can enjoy their food-oriented trips featuring local wineries and microbreweries, but for a true local's experience, join them for the informal Wednesday night sailboat races.Vote for sailing on Monterey Bay as your favorite thing to do in Santa Cruz
Downtown Santa Cruz
It's one of the most vibrant little downtowns in central California, with lots of cafes, locally-owned shops, artist galleries and two movie theaters. The people-watching here is unparalleled.Vote for Downtown Santa Cruz as your favorite place to go in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Music Scene
Santa Cruz has one of the most vibrant music scenes around, and on any given night you may find members of the Turkish national orchestra performing in one place while heavy metal rockers and hip hop musicians appear elsewhere. The link will take you to a calendar.Vote for the Santa Cruz music scene as your favorite thing to do in Santa Cruz
Local Artisans
You can find works by local artists at shops in downtown and especially at Many Hands Gallery in nearby Capitola. However, the best way to delve into their works is during the annual Open Studios weekends, held in early October, when these creative folks open their studios to visitors and sell their works directly to the public.Vote for visiting local artisans as your favorite thing to do in Santa Cruz
