Santa Cruz is a city situated in Northern California and the county seat of Santa Cruz county. It is yet another popular tourist attraction in California due to its surfing culture, expensive beaches, and historical sites. There are plenty of fun things to do in Santa Cruz including numerous outdoor activities, markets, museums, and state parks.
Santa Cruz is a must-visit place in California not only for outdoor activity lovers but also for nature geeks. Also, there are various cultural attractions to explore in Santa Cruz among which are the Surfing Museum and Shakespeare’s play at redwood glen.
If you are planning your trip to the Central Coast of California in the upcoming summer, then take a look at the list of Top 10 things to do in Santa Cruz that you must not miss.
Top 10 Things To Do In Santa Cruz
1. Steam Train Ride Within The Redwoods
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Explore some of the historical landscapes while on a Steam train ride in the redwoods. On your open-air train ride, you will be accompanied by a guide who tell you more about the 19th-century locomotive industry. The Steam train is not only a fun and educational ride but you will also get to witness the beautiful views of the woods.
Opening hours:
Cost: $23 to $32
Location: Graham Hill Road, Felton, California
Also Read: 5 Most Amazing Things To Do In The City Of Angels, Los Angeles
2. Surfing
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Your trip to Santa Cruz would be incomplete without surfing at America’s best and first surfing spot. It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-timer, intermediate, or an expert surfer, there several surfing spots in the city based on your skill level. The best spot among all the surfing locations in Four Mile Beach is situated in the Wilder Ranch State Park.
If you are not keen to surf here, then spend some at the beach while watching the surfers. The surfing scenes here are quite fascinating to watch and you may end up taking a board yourself. Surfing or watching surfers is one of the most exciting things to do in Santa Cruz.
Opening hours: 24 Hours
Location: Cabrillo Hwy, Santa Cruz, California
3. Taste The Gourmet Ice Cream
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Have you ever tasted gourmet ice cream? if not then do take a bite right here in Santa Cruz. Taste the freshly made gourmet ice cream at Penny Ice Creamery which offers several seasonal flavors with natural ingredients. They have three branches within the city, one in downtown, Pleasure Point, and a stall in Farmers Market.
Apart from gourmet ice cream, there are a variety of delicious flavors to choose from along with different topping options. If you are visiting in summer, then you may have to stand in long queues in order to get the ice cream, especially on weekends, though it’s worth waiting for this unique ice cream.
Opening hours: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Location: Santa Cruz downtown/Pleasure Point/Farmers Market, Santa Cruz, California
Also Read: 10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Miami, The Magical City of Florida
4. Visit The Santa Cruz Beaches
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There is an endless list of beaches with a range of fun and cool things to do in Santa Cruz. The most popular beaches are Cowell Beach and Main Beach. The main beach lies at the front of the Boardwalk while the Cowell beach is situated at Wharf.
If you are looking for a family-friendly beach then head towards the Main Beach and if you looking for an ideal spot to spot surf then hit Cowell beach. Several other beaches are worth visiting such as Twin Lakes State Beach, Seabright State Beach, and Sunny Cove beach.
Opening hours:
- Cowell Beach: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Main Beach: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Location:
- Cowell Beach: Pacific Ave and Beach St Santa Cruz, California
- Main Beach: Santa Cruz Wharf, California
5. Shop At Local Farmers Market
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The local farmer’s market in Santa Cruz offers a variety of locally sourced products that are directly brought from farms. The market houses numerous food stalls that usually sell pasture-raised meat, homemade beer, pastries as well as crafted goods for the home.
There are 5 main farmers’ markets that you could visit in the town, some of which have been operating for more than 25 years. The major market downtown opens on Wednesdays throughout the year that also features live music shows and some cafes.
Opening Hours (Wednesdays):
- November 10 to April 1: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- May to October: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: Cedar St & Lincoln St, Downtown Santa Cruz
6. Trek At Berry Creek Falls
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If you are wondering which is the best place to spend your weekend in Santa Cruz then go for a trek at Berry Creek Falls. Berry Creek Falls features an 11-mile trail that leads through the dense forest having canyons 1,000 feet high. During your 5 hour-trek, you will pass through 2 waterfalls where you can boost your energy. The trail is open throughout the year for hikers and can be mostly preferred by intermediate as well as experienced hikers.
Location: Redwoods State Park
Also Read: Exploring USA? Start With These 10 Most Beautiful National Parks Here
7. Scenic Drive In Santa Cruz
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There are several scenic grounds in the city that are worth exploring with a scenic drive. Among all the scenic drives, Highway 1 is the most popular route for a scenic drive. Highway 1 is a 700-mile route that starts from Mendocino County and finishes in orange county.
You would require 2 to 3 days to complete the entire journey, a short drive is enough for an iconic and memorable road trip. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of Boardwalk beach, and Santa Wharf while on a scenic drive in Santa Cruz. Also, don’t forget to spend some at the beaches or nearby parks to take some fresh year at the seashore.
Location: Highway 1
8. Visit The World of Illusion “Mystery Spot”
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The magical Mystery Spot is a must-visit place in Santa Cruz. It is situated in the redwood having low gravity that allows objects and even humans to tilt. The Mystery spot was first discovered in 1939 and still, scientists could not explain the real reason behind this illusion.
Several theories have been made on this illusion by some professionals as well amateurs. According to some theories, the illusion occurs due to natural causes meanwhile other theory says some extraterrestrial beings are responsible for the illusion.
Opening Hours: 10:00 Am to 4:00 PM
Entry Fee: $8.00
Location: Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz
9. Whale Watching Cruise Tour Monterey Bay
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Take a whale-watching cruise tour at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary which is just a 45-minute drive away from Santa Cruz. It is one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the country that extends up to 276 miles and is home to over 525 fish species and 36 marine mammals.
The cruise starts from the Fisherman’s Wharf and allows the passengers to spot various whale species. The popular humpback whale can be seen here from April to November. Another most popular whale species is the gray whale and which can be seen from December to April.
Location: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Monterey
Also Read: 5 Most Unique Tourist Attractions In Arizona | The Grand Canyon State
10. Spend Your Evening At Santa Cruz Downtown
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The Santa Cruz downtown is quite a pleasant place to visit especially during the evening time. Several brand stores can be found downtown along with some local shops and some designer shops. The major highlight in downtown is the Pacific Avenue which is home to plenty of restaurants, ice cream shops, cafes, as well boutiques.
Most of the restaurants you see here have a facility of sidewalk tables for outdoor lunch. It is a must-visit place in Santa Cruz during summers as various open musical shows are performed here on the streets.
Location: Downtown Santa Cruz California