Location: Santa Cruz
Top Things to do in Santa Cruz
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10 Things to do in Santa Cruz That You Shouldn't Miss
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.
Restaurants in Santa Cruz
1. Natural Bridges State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 838 reviews
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.
Reviewed By 497haydns
If the Monarchs are here, a wonderful visit, go on a warm sunny day they will be flying about, the is very nice, and very unusual to Eucalyptus trees in USA. Check on line if the Monarchs are here, the info is accurate and up to date.
2. Roaring Camp Railroads
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 700 reviews
See California’s towering redwood trees from two historic railroads. Ride steam trains to Bear Mountain or Beach Trains to Santa Cruz. Visit an 1880s logging town located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Between San Francisco and Monterey Bay in Felton.
3. Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
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.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We went to Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Outside of the center are nice views of the Pacific Ocean. There are also some very interesting whale skeletons, such as the one for the blue whale. There is a small admission fee. There are a variety of exhibits to see. There are some fish and more to see as well. Staff is most willing to answer your questions. There is also a small store.
4. Pleasure Point Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
A popular Santa Cruz surf spot.
Reviewed By sonofdragon - San Jose, United States
Lived in the bay area for years but never take Santa Cruz seriously. Some good things surely come during this pandemic madness. Discovery of Pleasure Point was a blessing for us since we're having pandemic fatigue. Walking the public path while enjoying the breeze/waves was cooling/calming to the mind. Watching the surfers ride the waves was so exciting. Seeing people jogging/running/walking/biking is very inspiring. And the sea birds flying close just above the waves and diving for a catch was a sure wow moment to watch. Words cant say more. Stop the worry and make life livable again!
5. West Cliff Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,319 reviews
Reviewed By CaliforniaBrad - San Jose, United States
The views and stops along West Cliff are amazing. It is a great walk, bike ride or drive from the Boardwalk to Natural Bridges park with stops to enjoy the views, watch surfers at Cowell's or the legendary Steamers Lane and Lighthouse that is home to the surfing museum. Truly one of Santa Cruz's best stretches of coastline
6. Wilder Ranch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
Reviewed By merb00 - Maui, United States
We spent a morning (family of 5, young kids, + grandparents) and walked the 2.3 mile loop. All the beaches are wildlife preserves and we watched seals playing on several. After our walk we went to the Cultural Preserve of the original ranch and saw the animals, succulent forts, and awesome climbing trees.
7. UCSC Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We went to the UCSC Arboretum in Santa Cruz. This is a very diverse garden area. In particular we liked the cactus gardens and the New Zealand Garden. There is an arboretum store. There is lots of parking. Price to see the arboretum is five dollars.
8. Mystery Spot
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,119 reviews
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.
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
Mystery Spot is an interesting place in Santa Cruz. It is at a short driving distance from San Jose. Took the guided tour inside. The tour guide was extremely interactive and made the whole experience interesting. Had a lot of unanswered questions upon leaving this place. It is correctly named as Mystery Spot and world certainly very highly recommend visiting the same to anyone.
9. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,595 reviews
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a classic seaside amusement park. The admission-free attraction features thrill rides like the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster, kiddie rides, games, shops, food, and year-round indoor activities. Admission is free. Ride tickets may be purchased per ride, per day, or per season.
Reviewed By buttrfly757 - Magalia, United States
As a kid growing up in San Jose this place was my favorite! The beach, the board walk the taffy the arcade the shops the food, the old time pictures the best roller coaster on the planet (I'm biased much) the Merry Go round with brass rings and a calliope and just the beauty of the ocean and Santa Cruz. I even painted an interpretation in watercolor that got lots of praise in 7th grade. lol Go! Have fun!
10. Santa Cruz Wharf
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,321 reviews
Reviewed By QuincyPoint0001 - Quincy, United States
Welcome to Surf City, Fisherman’s Wharf and the beauty of 70 degree days with no humidity. People are very chill and friendly over there. The Pacific Ocean is gorgeous. There are many quaint shops, a nearby mall, the well known Wharf where the food is great. Very scenic with Monterey right beside us and acres of farm land. The peace and tranquility made it for a very relaxing stay with so much to do from museums to farm and ocean, as well as, an amusement park on the board walk that is made out of wood and I believe over 100 years old but don’t quote me. There’s shopping and many great restaraunt. Great place to go if you love the beach and surfing.
