Things to do & places to visit in Santa Cruz, California, United States

The quintessential California beach town of Santa Cruz! It was here that surfing was first brought to the mainland by Hawaiian royalty. Home to the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined downtown area, and the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, which stretches out a half-mile into the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Other highlights include UC Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and nearby redwood forests.

Santa Cruz city in California, United States. Timezone: America/Los_Angeles, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 10:31.

Top things to do (23)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

4.5 West Cliff Drive (1.338 reviews)
- My favorite walk in Santa Cruz
Friday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Scenic Drives • Scenic Walking Areas

This one on the best walks in the Bay Area. The walk has so many wonderful elements. Beautiful views, healthy 5 mile round trip walk, Light house museum, great small beaches, dog beaches, great places to watch surfers up close, interesting architecture, great coffee shop at the church, good local food by the light house, a public restroom, and a great winding walk path. The sunsets are great too!! A must! See more..
4.5 Natural Bridges State Beach (853 reviews)
- Family Beach
Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Beaches

A refuge for wintering Monarch Butterflies, this park boasts a sandy cove, tidepools, a nature trail through the Butterfly Preserve, and several hiking trails. There is also a bicycle path around the perimeter of the park. See more..
4.5 Wilder Ranch State Park (270 reviews)
- Stunning Views of the Pacific
State Parks

Spectacular walk along the stunning Pacific Coast. A must see! Sheer cliffs & crashing waves make this very picturesque. There are also opportunities to see seals but they weren’t out this day. A pretty good hike so not for those unable to walk. Also, the rocky open ledges can be treacherous for children so be mindful. Take a camera! See more..
4.5 Seymour Marine Discovery Center (255 reviews)
- Go Here When Visiting Santa Cruz!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Science Museums • Aquariums

Come touch a friendly shark, see how marine scientists work, and take in the spectacular Monterey Bay. Our exhibit hall offers a deeper dive into the adventure of ocean research here in Santa Cruz and around the world. Visit us and explore the fascinating world of marine science and conservation. We look forward to meeting you! The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a community-supported marine science education center of the University of California, Santa Cruz. See more..
4.5 University of California at Santa Cruz (254 reviews)
- It felt like being at summer camp!
Educational sites

The Santa Cruz campus offers an attractive blend of notable architecture and panoramic views. See more..
4.5 Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (243 reviews)
- Small but Informative
Friday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

For more than a hundred years, Santa Cruz has been a hot spot for hard-core surfers. This museum tells their stories through photographs, surfboards and other related items. See more..
4.5 UCSC Arboretum (163 reviews)
- Beautiful collection of Australian and South African plants
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Gardens

Large arboretum with excellent display of Australian and South African plants. The arboretum has its own entrance off of Empire Grade/High Street. There is a large free parking area. You can buy admission tickets online or at the gift shop, if it happens to be open. If not you can stuff money into a metal tube, which is what we did. The gardens for Australia and South Africa are large, with many diverse trees, bushes, succulents, and other plants. The setting is beautiful, though casual--nobody would accuse UC Santa Cruz of having formal gardens. Squirrels and rabbits wander here and there, and useful signage tells you about the plants and their normal environment. There is a New Zealand section, we didn't visit that but looking through the fence it appeared to be a picturesque meadow with wooden sculptures. See more..
4.5 Santa Cruz Harbor Beach (119 reviews)
- Perfect Balance of Fun and Quiet
Beaches

Adjacent to Santa Cruz harbor, this beach has beach volley ball as well as nearby shops and restaurants. See more..
4.5 Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center (114 reviews)
- Great experience for all ages and ITS FREE.
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Located just steps away from the ocean and Santa Cruz Wharf, the Sanctuary Exploration Center features state-of-the art exhibits and interactive displays highlighting the nearby Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and its incredible underwater environment. Visitors can explore the sanctuary's remarkable marine environment as well as their personal role in protecting one of our nation's underwater treasures. See more..
4.5 Nickelodeon Theatre (103 reviews)
- super movie theater
Theaters

Shows excellent selection of films and the atmosphere is great. The price is typical for any movie theater. This is the place to go see films. See more..
4.5 Pleasure Point Beach (87 reviews)
- Spice Up Your Life Amidst this Pandemic Pest
Beaches

A popular Santa Cruz surf spot. See more..
4.5 Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (81 reviews)
- Interesting Visit to Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA
Friday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums • History Museums

Welcome to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (the MAH), a place where there’s always something happening. All year long we host truly ‘only-in-Santa-Cruz’ events and exhibitions. The MAH is of, by, and for Santa Cruz County because our creative community ignites something new here every day. See more..
4.5 MJA Vineyards (58 reviews)
- Amazing Wines and Hospitable Staff!
Friday: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards

A few friends and I had just gotten lunch when we happened to walk by MJA. On a whim, we went in, and our "thirty-minute tasting" turned into a delightful several-hour experience. After doing their red flight, I would highly recommend their reds, especially their cabernets. The staff at MJA are knowledgeable (but unpretentious), warm, and welcoming. We will certainly visit again! See more..
4.5 Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve (50 reviews)
- monarch butterfly grove
Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

Come by here between October and February to see the migrating monarch butterflies! There is a small visitor's center you can visit, but otherwise take the trail down to the grove to get the best views of the butterflies. There are plenty of educational signs along the way, and pre-pandemic there were guides and docents at the end. Bring your binoculars if you have them! See more..
4.5 Twin Lakes State Beach (45 reviews)
- Great Beach!
Spent 2-3 hours Beaches

Sandy Beaches, a Lighthouse and an amazing view close to the Santa Cruz broad walk - a perfect place for a quick getaway on a Sunny Day (~an hour away from SFO). Beach Volleyball courts are a great add on! The beach is surrounded by a few restaurants and there a few paid parking lost close by. See more..
4.5 Beauregard Vineyard (44 reviews)
- Visit after a hike
Friday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Wineries & Vineyards

We had sampled some Beauregard wines at the Ritz Carlton and were pleased so we made a visit after a hike. Great wines and chance to enjoy the “grove” seating outside. Really enjoyed the fruit flavors of the Pinot Noirs that were aged”Oeuf en Beton”. Well worth the visit....most interesting is they have exclusive vineyards from Ben Lomond AVA. Coastal Burgundian varietals. See more..
4.5 Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (41 reviews)
- A cute little museum right on the ocean
Friday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Natural History Museums

This museum's exhibits feature Ohlone Native American artifacts and local flora and fauna. See more..
4.5 Waddell Beach (36 reviews)
- Fun To Watch the Kite Surfers - Waddell State Park, Santa Cruz
Beaches

This windy beach is good for hang-gliding and wind-surfing. See more..
4.5 Santa Cruz Harbor (29 reviews)
- An unforgettable ride with Chardonnay Boat
Marinas

The best ride I have by now, with Chardonnay Boat. We were a group of 35, as the boat is expensive (2000 dollars /hour), but God...we have a lot of fun. Great food, wine and views for more than two hours. See more..
4.5 Seabright State Beach (23 reviews)
- Nice Beach, Visitor Center, and Intriguing to See Concrete Boat Remains of the Palo Alto - Seabright State Beach,
State Parks • Beaches

We have been to Seabright State Beach many times. We returned on a nice February 1, 2020 day. We enjoyed a walk and a visit to the good museum with information on the area and also on the decaying concrete boat there the Palo Alto. There is a movie at the visitor center one can watch. It is Huell Houser video. There are also news articles, and exhibits. There is also some exhibits on local fish and animals in the area. There are some items for sale. The beach park is also great for beach fun as well as picnics. Its popular. We used our annual state park pass to enter the park. See more..
4.5 Panther Beach (14 reviews)
- Beautiful and Amazing beach
Spent 2-3 hours Beaches

This beach is out of this world. The rock formation and the bluffs made this a destination. The sand is amazing also. The was is a bit rough and cold. The only thing is the climb down is short but a bit difficult. So it may be a bit hard for an older person to get down and up. A picture is worth a thousand word. See more..
4.0 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (3.639 reviews)
- Overall wonderful!
Friday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks

Travelers flock to this major seaside amusement park for its mix of thrilling, family, and kid-friendly rides. Don’t miss out on the Sky Glider, which boasts fantastic aerial views, or the exhilarating Fireball, which swings riders to dizzying heights. You can also battle it out at the arcade, have a round of mini golf, play a game of laser tag, brave the Fright Walk, or simply watch sea lions frolic in the water. Snag a season pass, an unlimited rides wristband (choose weekdays for the biggest savings), or the pay-per-play MyBoardwalk card. Visit early to get a parking spot. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.0 Santa Cruz Wharf (1.335 reviews)
- Tourist's Treat
Piers & Boardwalks

Santa Cruz Wharf in California is well known for fishing, boat tours, dining, gift shops and a beautiful long pier. We visited on a sunny day with family including kids. We walked on the pier, visited the gift shops to buy some souvenirs and had lunch at the Firefish Grill comprising sea food, chicken and salad with Beer. We all then walked to the end of the Pier where we could hear and see the Sea Lions as well as the sail boats. The wharf is located close to the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk; where one can spend a day enjoying the thrill rides. The over 100 years old Wharf is a must visit for tourist to the city. See more..
4.0 Mystery Spot (1.148 reviews)
- Super fun place to explore!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Mysterious Sites

The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. It is a circular area of effect around 150 feet or 46 meters in diameter. Within the Mystery Spot you will be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned. But don't take our word for it, come and decide for yourself! The Mystery Spot was discovered in 1939 by a group of surveyors and opened to the public in 1940. The Mystery Spot has amazed and perplexed hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world, and many return time and time again to experience these puzzling variations of gravity, perspective, and height. Some speculate that cones of metal were secretly brought here and buried in our earth as guidance systems for their spacecraft. Some think that it is in fact the spacecraft itself buried deep within the ground. Other theories include carbon dioxide permeating from the earth, a hole in the ozone layer, a magma vortex, the highest dielectric biocosmic radiation known anywhere in the world, and radiesthesia. Whatever the cause is, it remains a mystery. See more..
4.0 Santa Cruz Main Beach (280 reviews)
- Fun Times at Main Beach Area, Santa Cruz
Beaches

This popular beach, with killer waves, is known as one of the top surfing spots in the world. See more..
4.0 To Honor Surfing Monument (98 reviews)
- Its October so the Surfing Monument had a Pumpkin Head
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

We have seen the To Honor Surfing Monument on multiple occasions, Since it is October which is the month of Halloween in the United States, we saw a pumpkin placed as the head of the surfer statue today. Its a nice statue of a surfer and the Halloween touch was whimsical. See more..
4.0 Cowell's Beach (73 reviews)
- This review for photographers
Beaches

One of the best and most popular beaches in the United States for learning to surf. See more..
4.0 Mark Abbot Memorial Lighthouse (67 reviews)
- Santa Cruz Surf History
Friday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Lighthouses

This historic lighthouse, rebuilt in the 1960s, is a great place from which to check out the local surfing culture. See more..
4.0 Mission State Park (61 reviews)
- Nice Mission State Park in Santa Cruz, Ca
State Parks • Missions

The park houses a replica of the mission founded in 1791. See more..
4.0 Lighthouse Field State Beach (43 reviews)
- For The Dogs!
Beaches

This was the first beach during our visit to Santa Cruz that had no restrictions for dogs. Getting to the beach was down a steep set of stairs and in some spots the stairs narrowed, only allowing one direction at a time. This should be part of your considerations. As soon as our feet hit the sand, dogs came up to us as they were running off leash and playing around on the sand and in the surf. It was fun for our dog but he was quickly overwhelmed with too much socializing with the other dogs. Considering how free the dogs were, we were surprised that the beach was so clean. it was good that the owners were considerate in picking up after their dogs. At the end of the beach was the second natural arch of our visit and more tide pools to explore. It was also a lot quieter here but a little more slippery for our dog. From this beach, we headed over to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and then continued our drive along Cliff Drive. See more..