Quick Links
Santa Cruz, located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay in California, is a seaside city known for great surfing, the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and a beautiful downtown packed with great shops, restaurants, and bars. While tourists flock to the city to ride the rollercoasters, relax on the beach and dine Downtown, Santa Cruz has even more to offer. For example, in Santa Cruz, tourists can see the waves and the redwoods on the same day. And from birds and Monarch Butterflies to dolphins, whales, sea lions, and sea stars, tourists can spot a number of different creatures to enhance their trip.
Santa Cruz, California, is a one-of-a-kind destination offering a magical mix of urban and nature. Pair that with special events, like concerts and movies on the beach, Woodies on the Wharf, live music, and art shows, and Santa Cruz just keeps getting better and better. Move this city to the top of the travel list! Here’s the ultimate guide to Santa Cruz, California.
Best Time To Go to Santa Cruz
It depends on if tourists are looking for a quiet and relaxing beach holiday or the hustle and bustle of a busy beach and boardwalk!
Fall (September to November) With all the kids back in school, fall is the perfect time to visit Santa Cruz without the swarm of summer tourists. Expect warm weather plus a few special events and festivals, like the Capitola Art and Wine Festival, the Santa Cruz Greek Festival, the Santa Cruz County Fair, and the Santa Cruz Film Festival. Temperatures range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s.
Winter (December to February) Average temperatures sit in the low-40s to the high-60s. The rainiest time of year also attracts a surge of Monarch butterflies who flee to the area in winter for the mild temperatures. While the temperatures are definitely a little colder, the winter season does offer the best deals on room rates.
Spring (March to May) The temperatures start to rise, as well as the room rates. Expect weather between the mid-60s to the 70s. This is also a great time of year to witness the California Gray Whale migration!
Summer (June to August) Expect beautiful weather (the mid-70s most days, although temperatures can go as high as the 100s). The beaches are packed, the Boardwalk is bustling, and there are lots of fun events, like outdoor concerts, Woodies on the Wharf, Wednesday Night Sailboat Races, and the Wharf to Wharf Race.
Best Ways To Get Around Santa Cruz
Having a car is the easiest way to see Santa Cruz, and traveling on four wheels offers the most flexibility. With a car, tourists can travel from the redwoods to the beach and Downtown —all on their own time.
For those without a car, the Santa Cruz Metro offers local buses to help people get around the city. Taxis and Ubers are also available.
Where To Eat In Santa Cruz
GagliardiPhotography / Shutterstock
There are plenty of dining options in Santa Cruz. From on-the-go food at the Boardwalk to fine dining downtown, there’s a perfect option for every tourist.
Breakfast:
Zachary’s
Offering homemade breakfast and lunch since 1985, Zachary’s specialties include three styles of homemade bread (dark rye, sour white, and oatmeal molasses), home fries, and Mike's Mess (sourdough pancakes). Their sour starter ages back to the Alaskan Gold Rush, and they're happy to tell customers all about it. Just ask!
- Address: 819 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
- Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 7 AM to 2:30 PM; Closed on Mondays.
Lunch
The Walnut Avenue Café
This hot spot offers breakfast, brunch, and lunch, and it’s been around since 1994. Located in downtown Santa Cruz, The Walnut Avenue Café makes various sandwiches, salads, burgers, a homemade soup of the day, and a daily pasta special. Try the Patty Melt, the California Burger, or the Spinach Salad.
- Address: 106 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 3 PM; Saturday & Sunday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Lunch is served after 11 AM.
Zoccoli’s Delicatessen
After over 70 years of custom-made sandwiches, Zoccoli’s Delicatessen has earned its spot as the city’s most popular deli. Try a local favorite—the Mediterranean Sandwich!
- Address: 1534 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM
Dinner:
Oswald Restaurant
Located in the heart of Downtown, Oswald offers a warm ambiance and California comfort food, like potato leek soup, seared day boat scallops, and house-made beef lasagna. As an extra perk, the restaurant also features local artists in bi-monthly solo exhibitions.
- Address: 121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz
- Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 12 PM to 2:30 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM; Friday & Saturday, 12 PM to 2:30 PM and 5 PM to 10 PM. Closed on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday.
Where To Stay In Santa Cruz
Between Downtown, the mountains, and ocean-front properties, Santa Cruz has a variety of accommodations ranging from luxury and mid-range to low-budget prices.
Luxury
Chaminade Resort and Spa
For those looking for a quiet mountain retreat, the Chaminade Resort and Spa offers a luxurious vacation within a short ride of some of Santa Cruz’s top attractions. With 300 acres worth exploring, hike in the fresh mountain air before dining with a view and enjoying a cold drink around a warm bonfire.
- Address: 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz
- Amenities: water sports facilities on-site; spa and wellness center; restaurant; room service; tennis; outdoor pool; fitness center; bar/lounge; bike rental; free Wi-Fi; outdoor fire pits.
Mid-range
West Cliff Inn – A Four Sisters Inn
This beautiful property is on the beach, offering gorgeous ocean views. The West Cliff Inn is within walking distance of many popular attractions, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (about a ten-minute walk).
- Address: 174 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
- Amenities: free full breakfast; flat-screen TVs; complimentary wired Internet access; complimentary newspapers; free self-parking.
Dream Inn – Santa Cruz
This beachfront location offers beachfront dining and a gorgeous pool overlooking the ocean. The Dream Inn is within walking distance of many popular attractions, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (about a ten-minute walk).
- Address: 175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
- Amenities: heated pool; poolside bar; coffee shop/café; massage or other spa services; on-site restaurant; free in-room Wi-Fi; dry cleaning/laundry services; complimentary newspapers; flat-screen TVs.
Budget
The Carousel Beach Inn
This budget abode is a mere two-minute walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Rooms at the Carousel Beach Inn have private balconies, some of which come with a view of the amusement park.
- Address: 110 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz
- Amenities: daily continental breakfast; flat-screen TVs; microwave; refrigerator; Free Wi-Fi; free parking; on-site vending machines.
Top Things To Do In Santa Cruz
Between the beach, the redwoods, and Downtown, there are so many awesome things tourists can do in Santa Cruz. Here are a few highlights!
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf
Spending a day on the iconic Boardwalk, known as the Coney Island of the West, is like taking a step back in time. And no wonder—the historic spot has been entertaining visitors since 1907!
Some popular rides include The Giant Dipper (one of the country's most famous wooden roller coasters), the Rock-O-Plane, an upside-down spinning cage, and the Double Shot, a 125-foot sudden drop tower.
There are also a ton of arcade-style games and classic boardwalk stalls, like balloon bursting and ring tossing. Indoors, the entertainment continues with mini-golf, laser tag, and bowling.
When it comes to food, expect typical on-the-go boardwalk food, like corn dogs, sausage sandwiches, ice cream, and funnel cake. For tourists looking for a sit-down restaurant, there’s a bunch of those, too. Spending the day on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is definitely worth the trip.
The Santa Cruz Wharf is equally impressive. Take a walk down the 100-year-old pier and enjoy views of the Boardwalk, the beach, and (probably) some friendly sea lions. Fun gift shops and great restaurants also share this prime real estate.
When tourists need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk and the Wharf, enjoy the neighboring pristine Santa Cruz Main Beach. Stroll along the sand, sunbathe, go for a dip, and join in on a game of beach volleyball.
- Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
- Cost: The Boardwalk is admission free. Tickets can be purchased for individual rides to season passes. Tickets are available in advance.
- Ride/Attraction Hours: Varied based on day and month. Check the schedule before visiting.
West Cliff Drive
For some of the best views in the area, check out West Cliff Drive. The 3-mile (6-mile roundtrip) walking and biking path is free and a must-do. Benches line the path, so tourists can stop and have a seat while taking in the gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.
Sights include surfers riding the waves and possibly dolphin and whale spotting at Lighthouse Point. Along the way, pop into the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum to see surfing memorabilia or pick up some souvenirs.
- Address: Between Bay Street and Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz
Natural Bridges State Beach
Named after the natural arch in the beach’s giant rock, the Natural Bridges State Beach is well known for its yearly migration of beautiful Monarch Butterflies, but it's also an excellent spot for bird-watching and seeing whales, seals, and otters.
And a bonus—tourists can find sea creatures in nearby tidepools, like sea stars and crabs. This is a great spot for swimming, surfing, picnics, or hiking around the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve and the Moore Creek Estuary.
- Address: 2531 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
Visit the Redwoods
There are many reasons why California’s Redwood Forests really are a national treasure. And Santa Cruz has ample opportunity to explore them on foot or bike.
Try the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for an easy less than a mile loop trail, or for tourists looking for more of a challenge—try the Pipeline Trail.
And for a popular tourist destination, also located in the redwood forests, stop at The Mystery Spot, a well-known gravitational anomaly. The Mystery Spot has puzzled thousands of tourists from all over the world. Visit this unique attraction and find out what causes the gravity-defying mystery spot in Santa Cruz.
- Address: 465 Mystery Spot Road, Santa Cruz
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
- Cost: $10 per person; Children 3 & under are free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
The indoor/outdoor natural science museum at UC Santa Cruz features an aquarium where guests can expect to find rockfish, jellyfish, and even touch a real live shark.
The 20,000-foot visitors center lets guests find their inner scientists and learn more about ocean research in Santa Cruz and all around the world.
- Address: 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz
- Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM
- Cost: $12 per Adults, $9 for Children aged 3-17; Toddlers 2 & Under are free.
Guide To Popular Neighborhoods In Santa Cruz
The Boardwalk
Easily the most popular attraction in Santa Cruz, the Boardwalk offers carnival rides and stalls, arcade games, mini-golf, laser tag, shops, eateries, and the big, beautiful beach. Tourists can easily spend an entire weekend relaxing on the sand and exploring the Boardwalk.
Downtown
Home to The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and the historic Veterans Memorial Building, Downtown is full of restaurants, bars, stores, live music venues, and galleries.
Seabright/Midtown
The heart of Midtown is situated on Soquel Avenue between Ocean and Seabright. With lots of bike shops, cafés, restaurants, and live music venues, this area is a hipster mecca. Seabright Beach (between the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk) is a fun spot for bonfires and nightlife.
Aptos
Aptos is great for families. With loads of beautiful beaches nearby, this is a great spot for those wishing to bypass the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk. This is also a great spot for golfers as the Seascape Golf Club is nearby.
Capitola
About 5 miles east of Santa Cruz, Capitola is a beach town with a European feel. With lots of boutiques, restaurants, and bars, Capitola offers a relaxed beachside holiday and is the perfect destination for a romantic weekend away.
Tips To Know
Getting to Santa Cruz The closest airport is Mineta San Jose Airport (30 miles northeast), but Oakland International and San Francisco International are also feasible and a short car ride away – just a little over an hour's drive (with no traffic).
For travelers not planning to rent a car, The Santa Cruz Airport Flyer offers services from both the San Jose and San Francisco airports. Rates can be anywhere between $40-$55. A taxi is another option, but it costs twice as much. More options are available through the Santa Cruz Metro.
Beach Cleanup. For a day at the beach, bring a garbage bag. Visitors can fill up the bag with their garbage for the day and take it with them when they leave. Don't leave anything behind.
How To Spend The Perfect Day In Santa Cruz
After a light breakfast, grab a coffee and head to the beach. Take a quick stroll before the crowds appear. Listen to the waves and breathe in the fresh ocean air. Then hop in the car and head to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for a quick hike among the redwoods.
Before returning to the hotel, make a quick stop at Zoccoli's Delicatessen. Order to go and take the food to the beach along with everything needed for a day in the sun—towels, sunscreen, and water. Relax on the beach with a magazine or a good book before packing up and trying to win a giant stuffed animal at the Boardwalk stalls.
Wander in and out of shops, go on a few rides, and maybe try some mini-golf before heading Downtown for dinner and drinks at one of Santa Cruz's outstanding eateries.
FAQ
Q: Is Santa Cruz worth visiting?
Yes! There are so many awesome things for tourists to do in Santa Cruz. This seaside city is definitely worth a visit! From the beach and the boardwalk to the redwoods and downtown dining, Santa Cruz has something to offer every traveler.
Q: What is Santa Cruz best known for?
Surfing. But Santa Cruz is a surfing destination with more than great waves. From hiking to swimming to kayaking, or simply sunbathing, Santa Cruz is a perfect place for any traveler.
Q: What are the top attractions in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has many worthwhile destinations, but to name a few: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, West Cliff Drive, and the Natural Bridges State Beach. Many tourists visiting Santa Cruz will spend a substantial amount of time on the sand.