- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz began with Mission Santa Cruz in 1791, a Spanish settlement that shaped its early identity. The city's core features well-preserved Victorian architecture, especially on Walnut Avenue. A proper Santa Cruz travel guide must note the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which reshaped downtown, replacing the old Pacific Garden Mall with today's rebuilt district. This event defines the city's modern resilience and character.
The landscape is defined by towering coastal redwoods in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and the expansive Monterey Bay. Beyond world-class surfing at Pleasure Point, visiting Santa Cruz offers unique wildlife viewing. From November to February, thousands of monarch butterflies overwinter at Natural Bridges State Beach, a spectacular natural event. The bay itself is a protected marine sanctuary.
Beyond its beaches, what is Santa Cruz famous for? Its farm-to-table dining scene, fueled by year-round local agriculture. The Downtown Farmers Market showcases this bounty. Chefs feature fresh catch from Monterey Bay and hyper-local produce like the olallieberry, a regional blackberry hybrid often found in pies. This focus on fresh ingredients defines our food culture.
- Santa CruzUnited States
- Santa CruzUnited States
- Santa CruzUnited States
- Santa CruzUnited States
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild weather, fewer crowds
- Jul-Augwarm and busy
- Wintercool, occasional rain
- #ComfortableShoes
- #Layers
- #Sunscreen
- #LightRainJacket
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-5 days for highlights
- 6-7 with beaches & day trips
- USD ($)
- English
- English is an official language here
- #SantaCruzBeachBoardwalk
- #NaturalBridgesStateBeach
- #MysterySpot
- #SantaCruzWharf
- #DowntownSantaCruz
- #HenryCowellRedwoodsStatePark
- Ride the Giant Dipper
- Explore the redwoods
- Surf at Cowell Beach
- Visit the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
- Walk along West Cliff Drive
Recommended Hotels in Santa Cruz by Experience
Things to do in Santa Cruz
Discover
Discover top Santa Cruz attractions, from the iconic Santa Cruz Wharf to the dramatic sea arches at Natural Bridges State Beach. Visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum in a lighthouse for a glimpse into local surf history and culture.
Experience
Ride the waves at Pleasure Point, hike among redwoods at Wilder Ranch State Park, or browse the Downtown Farmers' Market. Enjoy seasonal events like the Santa Cruz Boardwalk's free summer concerts and the annual Wharf to Wharf Race.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Classic seaside amusement park with vintage roller coasters.
Santa Cruz Wharf
Historic wooden pier for sea lion viewing and fishing.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Beach known for its natural rock arch and monarch butterflies.
West Cliff Drive
Scenic coastal path for walking, biking, and ocean views.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Museum in a lighthouse celebrating local surf history.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Historic coastal ranch with hiking and biking trails.
Roaring Camp Railroads
Vintage steam train ride through redwood forests.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
To get to Santa Cruz, fly into San Jose (SJC), San Francisco (SFO), or Monterey (MRY). A Santa Cruz shuttle bus or the Highway 17 Express bus provides a direct connection from the SJC airport to the city center in about 60-90 minutes.
Getting Around
Public transport in Santa Cruz relies on the METRO bus system, connecting downtown to the coast. The city is highly walkable, and biking the coastal path is popular. A car rental is practical for trips along Highway 1 or to redwood forests.
Local Essentials
When driving in Santa Cruz, exercise caution on the winding Highway 17. Parking near the beach is limited and costly during peak season; use mobile payment apps. Lock bikes securely, as theft is common. Dress in layers due to frequent coastal fog.
Where to Stay in Santa Cruz
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore Santa Cruz's culinary scene, where fresh cioppino and artisanal ice cream are must-tries. The local culture embraces casual, farm-to-table dining with stunning ocean views. To truly taste the city, eat where the focus is on local ingredients.
Enjoy
For fine dining, visit Shadowbrook Restaurant's unique setting, reserve ahead. The Crow's Nest offers a lively bar with ocean views, check music. The Buttery is a bustling local café for pastries and coffee, expect lines.
Shadowbrook Restaurant
Iconic fine dining with a hillside cable car entrance.
Stagnaro Bros Seafood
Fresh, classic seafood on the wharf with ocean views.
Laili Restaurant
Mediterranean and Afghan dishes in a charming patio setting.
Saturn Cafe
Quirky vegetarian diner with eclectic decor and comfort food.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Santa Cruz's heritage through events like the Japanese Cultural Fair and the long-running Santa Cruz Greek Festival, which has celebrated Greek food and dance for over 40 years. These must-see gatherings showcase the city's diverse roots.
Enjoy
Experience Santa Cruz's creative pulse at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and the Santa Cruz Film Festival. These are some of the best things to do in Santa Cruz for lovers of orchestral innovation and independent cinema.
Wharf to Wharf Race
Annual 6-mile summer road race from Santa Cruz to Capitola.
Santa Cruz Greek Festival
September event with authentic Greek food, music, and dancing.
Capitola Art & Wine Festival
September festival with fine art, local wine, music, and food.
Santa Cruz Film Festival
October festival showcasing independent and international films.
Open Studios Art Tour
October event where local artists open their studios to the public.
Holiday Lights Train
Festive train ride through Santa Cruz with holiday lights.
Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival
Two-day August music festival set in the mountains.
Classic California Beach Town
Santa Cruz has such a classic California beach town feel. The boardwalk is packed with energy and fun rides for everyone. It's a great spot for families, with beautiful ocean views right there. It feels relaxed but there's plenty to do.
Serious Surf Culture
Came for the surf and was not disappointed. Watching the locals at Steamer Lane is a show in itself. The whole town has this laid-back, surfer-first attitude which is really cool. You can feel the history of it all. Great waves and good people.
Forest and Coast in One Place
It's amazing how you can be walking among giant redwoods at Henry Cowell Park one minute and then be by the ocean the next. The combination of forest and coast is what makes this place so special. Perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Funky Downtown Area
Santa Cruz is so much more than just its beaches. Downtown along Pacific Avenue has some really unique shops and bookstores. It's super walkable and has a funky, independent spirit. Found some great local food spots just by exploring.
Beautiful, Relaxing Walks
The walk along West Cliff Drive is absolutely beautiful, with stunning ocean views the whole way. It's such a peaceful way to spend an afternoon. The sea lions on the wharf were a highlight! A really relaxing and scenic place to just unwind.
A Perfect Winter Visit
Visiting in the winter was a great choice. It was less crowded, and seeing the thousands of monarch butterflies at Natural Bridges State Beach was unreal. The coastline is just as impressive in the cooler weather. A different kind of beach trip.