Santa Cruz Activities
Top Things to Do in Santa Cruz
Read about the top things to do and places to see in Santa Cruz, California
Read about the top things to do and places to see in Santa Cruz, California
Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Watch elephant seals during breeding season at this popular state park. Near Santa Cruz.
Watch elephant seals during breeding season at this popular state park. Near Santa Cruz.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
An encounter with the redwoods that many prefer to Muir Woods. One of California's best. Near Santa Cruz.
An encounter with the redwoods that many prefer to Muir Woods. One of California's best. Near Santa Cruz.
Capitola
Capitola is California's oldest seaside resort town and the home of several annual festivals, including the Begonia Festival, Wine and Art Festival and an annual Dog Parade and Festival.
Capitola is California's oldest seaside resort town and the home of several annual festivals, including the Begonia Festival, Wine and Art Festival and an annual Dog Parade and Festival.
Chardonnay II
A 70-foot sailing yacht, the Chardonnay runs a number of bay cruises, including brewmaster cruises, the Wednesday night sailboat races, Sunday brunch and others.
A 70-foot sailing yacht, the Chardonnay runs a number of bay cruises, including brewmaster cruises, the Wednesday night sailboat races, Sunday brunch and others.
Downtown Santa Cruz
You'll find lots of interesting boutiques and restaurants, two movie theaters downtown. The first Friday of every month is Art Walk.
You'll find lots of interesting boutiques and restaurants, two movie theaters downtown. The first Friday of every month is Art Walk.
Gilroy Gardens
If you're looking for a place for the kids to have a great time while you're in the Santa Cruz area, this family-oriented theme park is a short drive away.
If you're looking for a place for the kids to have a great time while you're in the Santa Cruz area, this family-oriented theme park is a short drive away.
Mystery Spot
Probably thanks more to optical illusion than any real mystery, this classic tourist spot has been amazing visitors for decades.
Probably thanks more to optical illusion than any real mystery, this classic tourist spot has been amazing visitors for decades.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Winter home to monarch butterflies. Near Santa Cruz.
Winter home to monarch butterflies. Near Santa Cruz.
Pigeon Point Light Station
Located 50 miles south of San Francisco, this lighthouse is one of the tallest in the United States. Near Santa Cruz.
Located 50 miles south of San Francisco, this lighthouse is one of the tallest in the United States. Near Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Area Wineries
A collection of wineries in Santa Cruz and the nearby mountains.
A collection of wineries in Santa Cruz and the nearby mountains.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The only major seaside amusement park in the Western United States.
The only major seaside amusement park in the Western United States.
Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Held downtown on Wednesday afternoons year round, this farmers market features a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, along with fresh-baked artisan breads, cheeses and other food products.
Held downtown on Wednesday afternoons year round, this farmers market features a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, along with fresh-baked artisan breads, cheeses and other food products.
Santa Cruz Mission
Reconstructed church and the only remaining example of Indian mission housing.
Reconstructed church and the only remaining example of Indian mission housing.
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Their permanent exhibits feature local geology and animals, and they have a nice collection of Ohlone Indian artifacts.
Their permanent exhibits feature local geology and animals, and they have a nice collection of Ohlone Indian artifacts.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Overlooking the surf of internationally famous Steamer Lane, the museum displays include surf boards of all types, early wetsuits and surfing photographs from the 1930s through today.
Overlooking the surf of internationally famous Steamer Lane, the museum displays include surf boards of all types, early wetsuits and surfing photographs from the 1930s through today.
Santa Cruz Wharf
It's lined with shops and restaurants. You can catch a bay cruise from here and get good views of town.
It's lined with shops and restaurants. You can catch a bay cruise from here and get good views of town.
Seymore Marine Discovery Center
Affiliated with the university, the marine center has an aquarium, a real blue whale skeleton (one of only four on display in the country) and rotating exhibits that focus on marine science.
Affiliated with the university, the marine center has an aquarium, a real blue whale skeleton (one of only four on display in the country) and rotating exhibits that focus on marine science.
Shopping
Bookstores, antique shops, boutiques and more.
Bookstores, antique shops, boutiques and more.
UCSC Arboretum
Their collection includes California native plants along with those from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Their collection includes California native plants along with those from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.