Ten Best Things to Do in Santa Cruz

Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best things to do in Santa Cruz, California, including the famous boardwalk, wharf, museums, redwoods and beaches.

Santa Cruz Lighthouse

There are lots of things to do in Santa Cruz on the California coast, but what are the ten best? Well, they include museums and beaches, the chance to see giant redwoods, the wharf, and Santa Cruz’s famous boardwalk, which is like no other along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Ten Best Things to Do in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

This iconic amusement park features classic rides like the Giant Dipper roller coaster, the Log Flume, and the Sky Glider. Enjoy games, arcade fun, and delicious food while soaking up the lively atmosphere.

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Phone: (831) 423-5590

Website: beachboardwalk.com

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Wharf

The historic Santa Cruz Wharf offers stunning views of the Monterey Bay and a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions. Take a boat tour, enjoy fresh seafood, and explore the local art scene.

Address: 2300 Wharf Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Phone: (831) 475-6166

Website: cityofsantacruz.com

Santa Cruz Pier

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

This interactive museum features exhibits on marine life in Monterey Bay, including touch tanks, aquariums, and educational displays.

Address: 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Phone: (831) 515-6882

Website: seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Natural Bridges State Beach

This scenic park features a dramatic natural arch carved by the ocean, tide pools teeming with marine life, and a beautiful coastal trail.

Address: 1275 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Phone: (831) 423-4609

Website: parks.ca.gov

Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz

New Brighton State Beach

Located in Capitola, this beach offers a beautiful sandy shore, picnic areas, and a scenic walking path.

Address: 1500 Park Ave, Capitola, CA 95010

Phone: (831) 464-6329

Website: parks.ca.gov

New Brighton State Beach in Santa Cruz

Mystery Spot

This quirky roadside attraction defies the laws of gravity, creating optical illusions and puzzling phenomena.

Address: 465 Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Phone: (831) 336-3400

Website: mysteryspot.com

Roaring Camp Railroads

This historic railroad is in Felton, a 15-minute drive inland from Santa Cruz, and offers scenic train rides through the redwoods and a chance to experience life in the 1880s.

Address: 2011 Big Trees Rd, Felton, CA 95018

Phone: (831) 335-4484

Website: roaringcamp.com

Pinto Lake County Park

This 477-acre park is well worth the 25-minute drive south-east from Santa Cruz. It has a variety of recreational activities, including a lake for swimming, fishing, and water sports, ten miles of hiking/biking trails, several playgrounds, picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, and bird watching. It’s open daily, sunrise-sunset.

Address: 7570 Harkins Slough Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

Phone: (831) 768-3000

Website: parks.santacruzcountyca.gov

Best Guide Covering Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

Located in the historic Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, this museum showcases the history of surfing in Santa Cruz and the surrounding area. The views from the lighthouse are great too!

Address: 701 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Phone: (831) 423-4609

Website: cityofsantacruz.com

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

The park, a 15-minute drive north of Santa Cruz, is famous for its 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees, some of which are over 1,500 years old and reach heights of up to 277 feet! Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping, with over 4,650 acres of forested and open land to explore.

Address: 1268-1270 Big Trees Rd, Felton, CA 95018

Phone: (831) 335-2920

Website: parks.ca.gov

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Other Santa Cruz Pages

Santa Cruz Downtown Wine Tastings
There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.
Best Restaurants in Santa Cruz
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best restaurants in Santa Cruz, choosing the finest gourmet eating places, with both local and international cuisine.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Pacific Coast Highway Travel visits the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, which is the oldest state park in California.
Best Time to Visit Santa Cruz
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best time to visit Santa Cruz, with a monthly summary of weather, hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.