Santa Cruz Attractions

Top Things to Do in Santa Cruz

Things to Do in Santa Cruz


Book these experiences for a closer look at the region.

Top Attractions in Santa Cruz

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

What travellers are saying

  • Zapped1
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We walked along West Cliff from Lighthouse Pt. to Natural Bridges State Park. (a couple times) On one side, outstanding views of the coast and the other side, beautiful handcrafted homes from an era gone by. You just can't loose; beautiful scenery, beautiful architecture.
    Written 27 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • VictoriaAllen
    Las Vegas, NV94 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was our family's first time visiting Santa Cruz so we weren't quite sure what to expect other than what we had read online.

    Being from Vegas, the weather was absolutely perfect! Upper 60's to low 70's with a nice ocean breeze...definitely a nice break from the Vegas heat!

    So first off, parking. There were lots located in front of the park...all looked to be about 20.00 for the whole day so make sure to add that to the budget unless you're within walking distance.

    We had purchased the all day ride bands for about 55.00 a person I believe and we were able to ride a lot of rides during the day, some even 2 or 3 times. Since the park is cashless, we also purchased a "fun" card with 200.00 to spend later ...turned out to be a fiasco but more on that later...

    Rides: they ranged from kid friendly to high adrenalin which was nice since we had a 9 and 12 year old with us. Lines were doable, longest wait for us was about 15 minutes. Not too bad when compared to places like Disney or Legoland.

    Food: your average boardwalk fare... deep fried everything, ice cream, hot dogs, burgers, etc.... They had a "special" on their plastic souvenir cup for 11.99, with 99 cent refills all day.... normally I would pass but since I had trouble with that "fun" card, I purchased one... its a tourist spot so highway robbery is to be expected.

    As for the downfalls, there were a few unfortunately... We went on a Friday when its normally expected to stay open until about 9pm but we had gone a night designated for grad night so they closed at 6 instead so that was disappointing.

    As for that "fun" card that was purchased... we weren't able to use it all
    on food so we were under the impression that we could use the rest to buy souvenirs at the gift shop. Sadly, this was not the case so just be advised that when purchasing the card, you can only use on food and arcade. I ended up going back and buying one of those ridiculously expensive souvenir cups just to burn through some of the remaining funds.

    Overall, minus the few hiccups, it was a good experience and a great way to spend the day with kids. Would recommend to anyone visiting the area!
    Written 8 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Antonio V
    3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not a big deal, but it was a nice distraction. You have to go so you can say you went. Only $10!!!!!
    Written 21 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carovegav
    Panama City, Panama57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the nice weather in Santa Cruz. Is easy to get there and has parking available. The views are beautiful.
    Written 14 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Corrado R
    Vedano al Lambro, Italy1,112 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Longest wooden wharf in USA.
    Lots of nice restaurants to choose and at the very end hundreds of noisy sea lions that jump into the water from the lower poles.
    Awesome sunset views.
    Written 13 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sarah W
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I recently went here with my kids (ages 8-12) as a morning outing when we were on a weekend trip near Santa Cruz. We had considered heading to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but many sources say it's crowded, which is not great for us. So this was our better option. This place is very manageable - parking is easy, it's not crowded, it's not large. There is an entry fee, but not a huge investment, and both times I've visited we could opt into a 30-minute guided tour, which makes the ticket feel worth the price to me. Most of the staff seems to be UCSC students, so I like that my kids might absorb an impression of science-minded college students. Don't expect that the docents you'll be interacting with are highly polished TV-ready marine science spokespeople, however, as they have varying levels of experience and public interaction skills.

    There is a shark you can pet, as well as a touch tank with sea stars, hermit crab, etc. Another hands-on exhibit is a powerful digital magnifying glass with interesting specimens; and a little wave tank; otter pelt and seal pelt to feel. In tanks there are interesting local sea creatures but I didn't have a chance to look at those much. There are nice posters that seem to be student-made that raise interesting points beyond what your kid probably already knows about sea life (e.g. breaking down the fear of sharks). On the tour, you might see sea mammals who are engaged in research. They make a big deal about how these animals are not engaged in entertainment, no photos allowed, so that's an interesting point to be exposed to.

    The center is perched on a cliff above the Monterey Bay. I think learning about the incredible characteristics of the Monterey Bay (via the 30 minute tour or signage) is one of the most valuable aspects of a visit here. It's also beautiful.
    Written 21 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alan F
    Los Gatos, CA237 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wilder Ranch State Park is one of my favorite hiking destinations. Even if you’re not into hiking, there’s plenty to do at this popular nature preserve.

    There are easy, moderate, and strenuous trails for hikers and mountain bikers alike, both inland and along the coast. I especially enjoy the Ohlone Bluff Trail in the summer when it’s hot inland. Hawks circle overhead, pelicans dive into the chilly water to catch fish, and cormorants sun themselves on rocky outcroppings. There are spectacular picture-perfect ocean vistas of massive cliffs carved by centuries of wave action. Between December and April you might spot migrating grey whales just offshore. I’ve often seen seals lounging on the beaches below as well as sea otters floating nearby. The trails along the bluff are flat but if you’re adventurous you can scramble down to one of several beaches where you can explore a fern grotto (at Marker Post 8) or maybe wade into a tide pool to see the colorful sea anemones at low tide.

    All-day parking is $10 per car (or $9 for seniors) and it’s worth it if you want to support this amazing park. There are clean restrooms at the parking lot.

    This former ranch and dairy is also a terrific destination for history buffs. You can stroll around the complex of historic buildings, including an 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, a red tile-roofed adobe, and the beautifully preserved Queen Anne Victorian home that California pioneer Deloss Wilder built for his family in 1897. There are plenty of picnic tables. Docents are often available for guided tours on weekends. The water-powered machine shop, built in 1896, is fascinating. Kids will enjoy seeing the farm animals up close.

    I highly recommend Wilder Ranch State Park. It’s ideal for hiking, biking, families, and especially out-of-town visitors who want a classic Northern California coastal experience.
    Written 17 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ian B
    Sherborn, MA147 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful campus, great little trails, and spectacular views across to the Pacific. The university itself is removed from the town, literally a campus on the hill, and feels isolated.
    Written 23 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • James M
    Lake Norman, NC67 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sat on the deck with owner Marin J Artukovich for two hours of wine tasting and conversation supreme! Marin developed Kona coffee in Hawaii and now has his wine business in Santa Cruz...he knows the beverage business from a lifetime of experiences! He has himself in the position of knowing growers that allow him and his winemakers to put together fine varieties of wines under unusual, expressive names! What a joy to sit and sip fine wine and learn from a master! Thanks for a great afternoon, Marin! Come see us in North Carolina!
    Written 25 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • K V
    Cologne, Germany32 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great, vibrant place, even though I can’t get used to the American going out scene. I realised this only here. Most people can’t afford to go out, so they go out early, get the Happy Hour and then go home.
    Still, we enjoyed this place, cruised the broad walk and had some nice walks around the town, visiting sone of the more sleazy establishments.
    Highly recommended for a short trip, before you hit SF.
    Written 5 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Morgan
    Aptos, CA29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This place is so cool I’m a local person and I haven’t been here in 30 years, and I absolutely love it. We went for the mastodon tooth to look at it and view it and I was pleasantly surprised with everything else.
    Written 5 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • johnmodesto
    Modesto, CA713 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Large arboretum with excellent display of Australian and South African plants. The arboretum has its own entrance off of Empire Grade/High Street. There is a large free parking area. You can buy admission tickets online or at the gift shop, if it happens to be open. If not you can stuff money into a metal tube, which is what we did. The gardens for Australia and South Africa are large, with many diverse trees, bushes, succulents, and other plants. The setting is beautiful, though casual--nobody would accuse UC Santa Cruz of having formal gardens. Squirrels and rabbits wander here and there, and useful signage tells you about the plants and their normal environment. There is a New Zealand section, we didn't visit that but looking through the fence it appeared to be a picturesque meadow with wooden sculptures.
    Written 13 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz