If you are looking for things to do in Santa Cruz, start with this: this classic California beach town packs a historic seaside amusement park, a working wharf, surf culture, redwood forests, and a walkable downtown into one compact coastline. You can cover the highlights in a day, but two days is better.
This guide covers the best things to do in Santa Cruz – the Beach Boardwalk, the Wharf, downtown, Natural Bridges, Henry Cowell Redwoods, and where to stay – so you can plan a trip that actually fits together.
For current visitor information, see Visit Santa Cruz and the City of Santa Cruz.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz: At a Glance
- Best for: Families, first-time visitors, beach lovers, and anyone who wants rides plus nature in one trip.
- How long: One full day for the Boardwalk, Wharf, and downtown. Two days to add Natural Bridges and the redwoods.
- Getting there: Santa Cruz sits on the northern end of Monterey Bay, about 75 minutes south of San Francisco via Highway 1 and Highway 17, and about 45 minutes north of Monterey.
- Parking: Paid lots and street parking near the beach fill up fast on summer weekends. Arrive early or expect to walk.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed in some parking lots and picnic areas at Natural Bridges, but not on the beach or trails there (except ADA service animals). Check current rules before you bring a dog.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the anchor of any list of things to do in Santa Cruz and one of the most recognizable seaside amusement parks in California. It has operated on the beach since 1907, and admission to the grounds is free – you pay for rides, games, food, and attractions.
What to know before you go:
- Giant Dipper: The historic 1924 wooden roller coaster is the Boardwalk’s signature ride and a National Historic Landmark.
- Looff Carousel: The 1911 carousel, with its hand-carved horses and ring toss, is another historic highlight worth a ride even if you skip the coasters.
- Ride options: Pay per ride or buy an all-day wristband. Wristband prices vary by date, so check current prices and hours on the Boardwalk’s official site before you go.
- Beyond the rides: The Boardwalk also has arcades, mini-golf, and laser tag, plus classic boardwalk food.
- Hours vary by season: Rides run on a seasonal schedule, with more days and longer hours in summer. Check the official hours page before your visit.
The Boardwalk is located at 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Go early on summer weekends to beat the crowds, or visit on a weekday for shorter lines.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Wharf and Beach
Right next to the Boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Wharf stretches out over Monterey Bay and is one of the best free things to do in Santa Cruz. Walk out to the end for views back across the beach and Boardwalk, watch sea lions below the pilings, and look for otters and dolphins offshore.
Other waterfront things to do in Santa Cruz:
- Main Beach and Cowell Beach: The wide sandy beach in front of the Boardwalk is the main swimming and sunbathing beach. Cowell Beach, just west of the Wharf, is a popular beginner surf spot.
- Surfing: Santa Cruz is a genuine surf town. If you have never surfed, a beginner lesson at Cowell Beach is a good first step. If you already surf, Steamer Lane, at the west end of West Cliff Drive, is the famous advanced break – watch from the cliffs if the surf is big.
- West Cliff Drive: The scenic coastal road west of the Wharf is one of the best walks and bike rides in Santa Cruz. The roughly 3-mile path along the cliffs passes surfers, seabirds, and sunset viewpoints. Bring layers – the coast can be windy and cool even on sunny days.
- Sea lions: Sea lions haul out under the Wharf and on nearby rocks. Watch from the railing and keep your distance.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Downtown
Downtown Santa Cruz, centered on Pacific Avenue, is a short walk from the beach and one of the most underrated things to do in Santa Cruz. It is a real downtown, not just a tourist strip, with bookstores, cafes, restaurants, and street performers.
What to do downtown:
- Walk Pacific Avenue: The main drag runs from the Town Clock to the San Lorenzo River. Browse the shops, grab coffee, and eat at one of the many local restaurants.
- Bookstores and record shops: Downtown has long had one of the best independent bookstore and music scenes on the Central Coast. If you like browsing, allow an hour.
- Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History: Check the museum’s official site for current exhibits and hours before you go.
- Farmers market: If your visit lines up with a market day, the downtown farmers market is worth a stop for local produce and food stalls. Check current days and hours before you go.
Downtown pairs naturally with the beach: beach in the morning, downtown for lunch and an afternoon wander, then back to the Wharf for sunset.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach, on the west side of Santa Cruz, is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz for nature lovers. The park features a natural rock bridge over the beach, tide pools, and a eucalyptus grove that hosts overwintering monarch butterflies.
What California State Parks confirms:
- Monarchs: The park’s Monarch Grove provides a temporary home for thousands of monarchs, which typically begin arriving in mid-October and leave by mid-February. Late October and all of November is often the best time to see them. The grove is the only State Monarch Preserve in California.
- Tide pools: The tide pools are part of a Marine Protected Area – no touching and no taking. The best time to visit is at low tide, and the park notes that tide pools are best seen when the tide is 2 feet or lower. Check tide times before you go.
- Day-use fee: There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee. The park is day-use only – there is no camping.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed only in the parking lots and picnic areas, not on the beach or trails (except ADA service animals).
- Address: 2531 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.
The park’s visitor center has a map to the tide pools and information on monarch season. If you visit during monarch season, stay on the boardwalk, keep quiet in the grove, and do not touch the butterflies.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
If you want redwoods without driving to Big Basin or the North Coast, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz for a half-day trip into the Santa Cruz Mountains. The park preserves a 40-acre grove of old-growth coast redwood trees, with the tallest tree in the park approximately 277 feet tall and around 1,500 years old, according to California State Parks.
What to know:
- Redwood Grove Loop Trail: A 0.8-mile flat loop through the old-growth grove. Stop at the visitor center for a self-guided brochure, and step inside the famous Fremont Tree.
- More trails: Beyond the grove, the park has more than 4,650 acres of forested and open land, with hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping.
- Day-use fee: $10 per regular-sized auto, $9 for seniors age 62 or older, per California State Parks.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed in picnic areas and campsites and on a few specified trails, but not on the old-growth Redwood Grove Loop Trail or in the Fall Creek Unit. Check current rules on the park page before you go.
- Camping: The park’s 107-site campground sits in a pine and oak forest, with a separate entrance off Graham Hill Road. Reservations are highly recommended between Memorial Day and Labor Day – book through ReserveCalifornia.
Henry Cowell is about 20 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz by car. Pair it with a beach afternoon for a redwoods-to-surf day.
Where to Stay in Santa Cruz
Where you stay in Santa Cruz depends on which things to do in Santa Cruz you want within walking distance:
- Beach / Boardwalk area: Best if you want to walk to the Boardwalk, Wharf, and Main Beach. Hotels here tend to be the priciest, and you pay for the location.
- Downtown: A short walk or drive from the beach, usually a bit more affordable than beachfront. Good for restaurants and nightlife.
- West Cliff / Westside: Quieter, more residential, and close to Natural Bridges and West Cliff Drive. Good for families or travelers who want a calmer base.
- Santa Cruz Mountains / Felton: More budget-friendly options near Henry Cowell, but you will drive to the beach.
Book early for summer weekends, holiday weekends, and major events – Santa Cruz fills up fast. Check current rates directly with hotels rather than relying on prices quoted in older guides.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz: One-Day Plan
If you have one day for the best things to do in Santa Cruz:
- Morning: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (arrive at opening) – ride the Giant Dipper and Looff Carousel, then walk the beach.
- Midday: Walk the Wharf, then lunch downtown on Pacific Avenue.
- Afternoon: West Cliff Drive walk or bike ride, ending at Natural Bridges State Beach for tide pools.
- Evening: Sunset at the Wharf or West Cliff, then dinner back downtown or near the beach.
With two days, add Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park on day two, plus a surf lesson or a longer West Cliff ride. In monarch season (mid-October to mid-February), time your Natural Bridges visit for late morning, when the butterflies are most active.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Santa Cruz?
The top picks are the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Wharf, Main Beach and Cowell Beach, West Cliff Drive, downtown Pacific Avenue, Natural Bridges State Beach, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Surfers should add Steamer Lane, and families should add the Boardwalk arcades and mini-golf.
How many days do you need in Santa Cruz?
One full day covers the Boardwalk, Wharf, downtown, and Natural Bridges. Two days lets you add Henry Cowell Redwoods, a surf lesson, and a slower pace.
Is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk free?
Admission to the Boardwalk grounds is free. You pay for rides, games, food, and attractions. Ride wristband prices vary by date, so check current prices on the Boardwalk’s official site before you go.
When is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Santa Cruz?
Monarchs typically arrive at Natural Bridges in mid-October and leave by mid-February, with late October and all of November often the best time to see them, according to California State Parks.
Is Santa Cruz good for kids?
Yes. The Boardwalk, beach, Wharf sea lions, tide pools at Natural Bridges, and the Fremont Tree at Henry Cowell are all kid-friendly. Keep the day short for younger kids – the beach and Boardwalk alone can fill a day.
Can you bring dogs to the beach in Santa Cruz?
Dog rules vary by location. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or trails at Natural Bridges (except ADA service animals). Check current rules for each beach and park before you bring a dog.
