13 Best Things To Do In Santa Cruz – You’ll Love It!

There’s much more than meets the eye in Santa Cruz, and lots of things to do here.

You may have heard of Santa Cruz because of its unique surf culture. It is a coastal gem that effortlessly blends natural beauty with a vibrant culture. From the colourful houses of Capitola to the cool redwood forests, each experience offers a unique glimpse into the history of Santa Cruz.

Personally, I first came to know of Santa Cruz through a skateboard brand when I was younger. Since then, I’ve always thought that Santa Cruz was a really cool place and have always wanted to visit. Finally – we got to visit Santa Cruz as part of a mini Highway 1 road trip from the San Francisco Bay Area to Big Sur.

While planning for the trip, I was actually quite surprised that the Santa Cruz Mountains cover quite a large area of the county. In fact, I’m thankful that there are many things to do in Santa Cruz that are not necessarily surfing-related. That makes it easy to get a good balance of urban and outdoor activities.

In this article, I’ll be sharing about the best things to do in Santa Cruz as well as some travel tips based on our experience there. I think you’re going to love Santa Cruz!

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What are the best things to do in Santa Cruz

Whether you’re going on a day trip from San Francisco, or planning to go on a weekend trip to Santa Cruz, let’s see how we can explore!

1. Stroll through the sea-side town of Capitola

Nestled along the coast, Capitola is really impressive with its charming Mediterranean-style village and colorful beachfront houses. The vibrant atmosphere here makes you want to spend a whole day strolling along the esplanade. You can explore boutique shops or unwind at the beach, making for a perfect day of relaxation.

Capitola is one of the oldest beach resort towns in the west coast, and it’s easy to see why it was popular back in the day because it still is now! While some of the colourful buildings are used as rooms for the Capitola Venetian Hotel, others are mostly privately-owned condominiums used for vacation rentals.

There are also a couple of restaurants by the beach that offer a view of the sea and the colourful buildings. They do get pretty crowded, but it’s probably worth the premium dining location. We ate at Mijos Taqueria as we were craving for fish tacos, and were delighted to find shrimp burritos on the menu as well.

2. Visit Natural Bridges State Beach and the Monarch Trail

The Natural Bridges State Beach is a well-loved spot for its unique rock formations such as the natural arch on the beach. It also offers opportunities for tide-pooling and wildlife spotting.

One of the most unique things to experience here is to walk along the Natural Bridges Monarch Trail from late fall into winter. As its name suggests, you’ll be able to see Monarch butterflies which have migrated to warmer regions for the winter. They tend to cluster on trees together during the colder days (below 60 F) as well as in the morning, and they’ll look like pinecones from afar. The best time to come and see this special phenomenon is around thanksgiving week when it peaks.

3. Explore the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

No trip to Santa Cruz is complete without a visit to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The nostalgic ambiance, classic rides, and the iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster are set against the backdrop of the ocean. There’s food and beverage options as well, so you can literally spend the whole afternoon here. A personal highlight was admiring the boardwalk lights just as the sun was setting as it felt extra magical.

4. Wilder Ranch State Park

For nature enthusiasts, Wilder Ranch State Park is a haven of hiking trails. This place also gives you an idea of the agricultural history in this region. You can actually visit an old 1897 Victorian home among other historic buildings here.

As for hiking adventures, you can either hike into the Santa Cruz Mountains to see redwoods, or go towards the coast along a bluff trail. Both offer excellent opportunities to immerse yourself in this natural landscape. The Old Landing Cove Trail is one of the popular trails which takes you to the Ohlone Bluff Trail. Try to see if you can spot harbor seals, pelicans, dolphins, sea otters, or migrating whales!

5. Admire the scenery along West Cliff Drive

If you’re driving along Highway 1 southwards towards Santa Cruz, make a detour to West Cliff Drive. The view along this scenic coastal road is the perfect start to your Santa Cruz exploration. Compared to the busy beach, this area felt more serene and relaxing.

We came here in the morning to get coffee at Shrine Coffee, a lovely cafe with outdoor seating in the patio. After that, we took a walk toward the Surfing Museum. We passed by a Surfing Statue that was dedicated to the local surf culture, and watched surfers do their thing at the local hot spot called Steamer Lane. The waves did appear bigger here than at the beach, which was really mesmerising to watch.

There are also regular Outdoor Markets at the parking areas near Steamer Lane involving local artists, musicians and food vendors. We went to check them out during Thanksgiving holiday and it was really nice that many locals were there supporting the businesses. You can check out the location via these coordinates: (36.953681, -122.025639).

6. Ride on a steam train at Roaring Camp

All aboard the Roaring Camp Railroads! The steam train journey through the towering redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains will transport you to an era where logging activity was going on here. Tickets for the train ride cost $39.95 each for a 75-minute journey through the forest on train trestles. There will also be narration about the history along the way, and it’s a great way to learn about the local history which dates back to 1890.

7. Indulge in ice cream

What better way to beat the heat than to grab ice cream at a local shop. You can indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to the Penny Ice Creamery or Marianne’s Ice Cream. These two shops were founded in Santa Cruz and have been catering to locals for a long time. For example, Marianne’s Ice Cream first opened in 1947. If you’re looking for ice cream in Capitola, check out Polar Bear Ice Cream. These shops have so many unique flavors to try that you’ll be spoilt for choice!

8. Get confused at Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot is a fun attraction that gets you questioning what you’re seeing as it seems to defy gravity. A tour ticket can be purchased for $10. During the tour, you’ll be led up the hill to a cabin which is supposedly the Mystery Spot. From there, the tour guide will demonstrate what might seem to be gravitational anomalies.

I’m not sure if there’s really a true mystery there, perhaps it’s just a kind of optical illusion. In any case, it doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of fun and come up with all kinds of wild theories.

9. Walk out to Santa Cruz Wharf

The Santa Cruz Wharf is a bustling hub of activity, boasting seafood restaurants, shops, and stunning ocean views. It is the longest wooden pier in the United States at 2,745 feet and is just walking distance away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You may even get to hear the sound of barking sea lions from below the boardwalk!

10. Enjoy the laid-back charm of Aptos

Discover the laid-back charm of Aptos, a coastal town with beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. Exploring the Seacliff State Beach and its famous pier is a perfect way to soak in the local vibe.

11. Hike under redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

Immerse yourself in the towering redwoods of Henry Cowell Redwood State Park, located near Felton. We had the chance to hike along the creek in the northern section called Fall Creek Unit. After that we also saw some old redwood trees in the Redwood Grove Loop Trail.

These two areas offer different experiences, so I recommend seeing both sides of Henry Cowell Redwood State Park when you’re here. You can also read this article to learn more about the best hikes in Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.

12. Visit Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

Santa Cruz was named a World Surfing Reserve in 2011 because of its wave consistency and quality, history and surf community culture. You can also learn more about the history of surfing at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. It stands along West Cliff Drive at the edge of Steamer Lane, a world-renowned surf site. Here, you can get to know the local legends and legendary surfers who have left a mark on the surf scene in Santa Cruz.

13. Shop for outdoor clothing at a Patagonia outlet

Who would say no to getting great deals for top quality goods at Patagonia outlet in Santa Cruz? You will have lots of options, especially if you’re looking for women’s outdoor clothing. They have an excellent selection of new arrivals as well as clearance sales. If you’re passing through downtown Santa Cruz, pop into the Patagonia outlet store to check if the jacket you’ve been eyeing on is on sale.

How to get to Santa Cruz

Driving: We drove from the San Francisco Bay Area to Santa Cruz, passing by the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This route mainly involves taking Highway 280 south toward San Jose, then onto Highway 17 through a series of winding roads where you should drive carefully. Finally, you’ll know you’re close to your destination in Santa Cruz once you’re on Highway 1.

Flight: If you’re flying into California, San Jose International Airport is the nearest major airport to Santa Cruz. You can reserve your rental car in advance on rentalcars.com and pick it up at the airport when you arrive.

Public Transport: Although public transport is possible, it would be much slower depending on where you’re travelling from. It might make sense if you’re coming from somewhere close by like San Jose, as it will not take that much longer via bus 17 which goes straight into Santa Cruz. Once you’re in the city, Ubers are widely available and you can rely on those to get around.

Ride-sharing: On that note, you can also opt for an Uber to take you into Santa Cruz. Unsurprisingly, this might be the most costly option, since you need to pay for the round trip.

Best time to visit Santa Cruz

Although Santa Cruz is wildly popular in summer because of the beach activities, I suggest visiting in the mild seasons of spring and fall. These shoulder seasons offer pleasant weather for hiking adventures and fewer crowds. Besides, you even get to see beautiful Monarch butterflies in late fall.

If you’re visiting in winter, try to line up your dates in line with the expected King Tide occurrences where you get super high tides. It is also a great time to watch out for migrating whales as you look out towards the Pacific Ocean.

What to wear and pack for a Santa Cruz trip

• Don’t forget sunscreen, comfortable shoes for exploring, and a swimsuit for beach days.
• If you’re going hiking, don’t forget to bring along a day pack. Here are some suggestions on hiking backpacks that don’t cost a fortune.
• For wildlife spotting, consider bringing binoculars so that you can keep a safe distance away while admiring them.

Getting around Santa Cruz

Consider renting a car for flexibility, but local buses, trolleys, ride-sharing and bike rentals provide convenient alternatives. Check out some tips for renting a car in California in this article, as well as a comparison of rental options.

Events to look out for in Santa Cruz

Witness the natural phenomenon of King Tides or plan your visit around the Thanksgiving Market to support local craft businesses.

Additional tips for visiting Santa Cruz

• For holidays like Thanksgiving, book accommodations and restaurants in advance.
• Embrace the local culture and follow safety tips, such as staying in well-lit areas at night.
• If you’re planning to go tide pooling, check the timings of high and low tides to ensure the best experience.
• For an extended trip, head up north along Highway 1 towards Pescadero. Alternatively, go on a 3-day Big Sur road trip.