Things to do in Santa Cruz, California
- The city was the site of one of the first Spanish missions in California, Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791.
- Santa Cruz is home to a world-renowned surf culture and was the location where three Hawaiian princes first introduced surfing to the mainland United States in 1885.
- The city's 'Banana Slug' mascot represents the university located here, which has the unique distinction of having a gastropod as its official mascot.
- Santa Cruz was an early epicenter for the 1960s counterculture movement, deeply influencing its local political and social landscape.
- The town features an unusual concentration of Victorian-era architecture, specifically the 'painted ladies' residential buildings.
About Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is a coastal city on the Monterey Bay known for its eclectic surf culture and diverse ecosystems, ranging from coastal dunes to redwood forests. The city serves as a hub for both the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the unique geological curiosity known as The Mystery Spot. Visitors can explore the ancient canopy at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park or learn about marine research at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. It functions as a gateway to the Santa Cruz Mountains while maintaining an iconic California seaside atmosphere.
Highlights of Santa Cruz, California
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Amusement parks
This historic venue is the oldest remaining amusement park in California, featuring a vintage wooden roller coaster.
Parks
Visitors can walk among old-growth coast redwoods, some of which are over 1,500 years old.
Places of interest
This gravitational anomaly site challenges spatial perception with its famous tilted house.
Places of interest
Experience 19th-century steam train history through rides that wind directly through the redwood forest.
Parks
This site preserves the history of early California ranching alongside scenic coastal cliff trails.
Museums
The center offers interactive exhibits focused on the marine life and research of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Parks
This garden specializes in Australian plants and high-altitude flora within a university-managed botanical setting.
Beaches and ponds
This primary central beach serves as the city's main social hub for swimming and coastal lounging.
Top things to do in Santa Cruz, California
The 71 highest-rated places in Santa Cruz, California, ranked by travellers.
1
Amusement parks
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California’s oldest surviving seaside amusement park, having opened in 1907. It operat...
2
Parks
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park preserves 40 acres of old-growth redwood forest, including trees over 1,500 years old....
3
Places of interest
The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly site located in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Discovered...
4
Parks
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is California’s oldest state park, established in 1902 to protect ancient old-growth coast...
5
Amusement parks
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is a horticultural-themed amusement park emphasizing landscape architecture and gardeni...
6
Beaches and ponds
7
Places of interest
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Parks
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Beaches and ponds
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Temples
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Museums
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Beaches and ponds
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Natural attractions
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Santa Cruz, California on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Santa Cruz, California
September and October, when the coastal fog clears and the summer crowds dissipate, offering warm, sunny days.
3-4 days, allowing time to balance coastal recreation with redwood forest hiking and local museum visits.
The city is best navigated by car, though the downtown area and major beaches are accessible via a local bus system and bicycle paths.
Stay near the Beach Hill or Westside neighborhoods for immediate access to the coastline and local surfing spots.
Expensive, as the city has a high cost of living that reflects in local accommodation and dining pricing.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 71 curated attractions in and around Santa Cruz, California, ranked by traveller ratings.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the highest-rated place to visit in Santa Cruz, California right now.
The largest category is parks, with 33 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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