besides the roaring camp steam train what else is there to do in santa cruz california
Last updated on Nov 17, 2021
Our lowdown on the best things to do in Santa Cruz, California. This will arrange y'all if you're corking to find the creative side of the urban center, and all the best cafes, sweet treats, bookshops, beauty spots and Santa Cruz must-sees. Updated for 2021.
Santa Cruz is the land of surf, mountains, hippy civilisation, redwood-covered mountains and a laid-back vibe that means you can't assist only relax there. It's the home of the iconic Santa Cruz Embankment Boardwalk and has everything you lot dream of when picturing a classic California beach town.
We're big fans, so here's our pick of the best things to practice in Santa Cruz, CA. Nosotros went there as part of our ballsy California route trip.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means nosotros go a small commission if you lot brand a booking (at no extra cost to you). Thank you!
Santa Cruz Travel Guide
Fun things to do in Santa Cruz, CA
1. Santa Cruz Embankment Boardwalk
Y'all might recognise the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk from the movies as this iconic entertainment park has been the properties to endless movie theater scenes.
The old-fashioned funfair fronts the embankment and features classic rides similar a big dipper roller coaster and a spinning carousel.
And don't forget to try all the typical boardwalk treats, like kettle corn, saltwater taffy and deep-fried Twinkies. Information technology'southward the superlative Santa Cruz attraction.
The boardwalk is open daily from tardily May to late August, plus most weekends and holidays throughout the year. You can check the opening hours here.
It's complimentary to enter the Santa Cruz boardwalk and you can nonetheless walk effectually even when its closed for business. During the off-season, the arcades, laser tag, miniature golf and light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation tag are notwithstanding open.
2. Have the scenic route forth West Cliff Drive
Driving forth the California Declension is the stuff of dreams and the stretch forth West Cliff Drive is a practiced example of the waves, mist and cliffs that have come to epitomise that journey.
Take information technology slow, stopping to take in the viewpoints and basking in the ocean air. It'southward one of the most beautiful and tiptop places to visit in Santa Cruz.
3. Ride a steam train through the redwoods
One of the most unique things to do in Santa Cruz is to head to Roaring Camp Railroads in the Santa Cruz mountains where y'all tin can accept a steam train through the redwoods, offering a perspective like none other.
The 19th-century logging steam railroad train and tracks were originally used to booty giant redwood logs off the mountains. And the one-hour-fifteen-minute trip takes you up Conduct Mount while the usher tells the story of Roaring Camp.
It'southward a fascinating feel and 1 that can be enjoyed past all ages. You can also catch a steam train from Roaring Camp all the way to the boardwalk during the loftier season. Read more about Roaring Camp and see the train schedules here.
4. Walk amid giants at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is an easy place to take a walk through a twoscore-acre grove of towering redwoods. The tallest tree in the park is 277 anxiety tall and there's another tree where the inside has been hollowed out, then yous tin step right inside!
The redwood grove is role of a much bigger park of 4650 acres where you can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping. I particularly popular spot is the Garden of Eden, a natural pond pool subconscious below the copse.
This was one of our favourite places in Santa Cruz.
5. Watch the surfers
Santa Cruz is a work-famous surf spot, attracting surfers from all over the world. Whether or not you tin can surf yourself, exist certain to spend some time watching them grab the waves.
Information technology'due south a mesmerising scene and will likely accept y'all lusting later a lath yourself. If so, why not accept a lesson with the one of the metropolis'due south surf schools?
Bang-up places to watch surfers include Pleasure Point (dwelling house to the Hook surf spot) and West Cliff Drive, which is dwelling house to a well-renowned surf spot called Steamer Lane (just adjacent to the surfing museum). This is a must on the list of what to do in Santa Cruz.
half-dozen. Do a Lost Boys bout
One of the most famous films set in Santa Cruz is the vampire flick, The Lost Boys. You can do a cocky-guided Lost Boys tour, taking in lots of the movie's locations, including the Atlantis Fantasyworld Comic Volume Shop, Pogonip Clubhouse and the Loof Carousel on the Beach Boardwalk. Download the map here.
7. Surfing Museum
The teeny tiny surfing museum, detailing 120 years of surfing history, is housed inside a quaint little lighthouse along West Cliff Drive. The hours are limited, and so check it's open up hither. Outside the museum is a good spot to scout the surfers from (at Steamer Lane). And not far from information technology, is a state of a surfer that celebrates the urban center's surf culture.
eight. Treat yourself to some gourmet ice cream
I'm ever on the sentry for excellent ice foam and Santa Cruz did not disappoint. The Penny Water ice Creamery serves freshly made ice cream with seasonal flavours and organic ingredients. It'due south up there with the best we've ever had, specially the chai flavour.
There are two shops: one in Pleasance Point and i in downtown Santa Cruz, and they too have a stall at the farmers market.
9. Explore the local farmers markets
Santa Cruz has five unlike farmers markets, showcasing the best of the region'southward produce. We went to the downtown marketplace, which had a decidedly hipster bent, including fresh os goop and other on-trend health foods. There's likewise live music and information technology's a fun place to spend the afternoon. Find out times and locations of all 5 markets here.
10. Watch a Santa Cruz sunset
Santa Cruz has exceptional sunsets, and a few good spots to catch it from are the Santa Cruz wharf or Natural Bridges State Beach. Natural Bridges is a beautiful identify to go at whatsoever fourth dimension of twenty-four hour period – attack West Cliff Drive, it's a proficient place to take a break and soak it all in. And in November, you tin see thousands of collywobbles in the eucalyptus copse.
11. Visit the unique campus of UCSC
University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) has ane of the nigh beautiful campuses in the earth, with ocean views and a library set amid the redwoods. And don't miss the 145-acre arboretum and botanical gardens, featuring plants from around the globe.
Yous can volume a tour of the campus, or exercise a self-guided tour yourself. Find out more than here. And an amusing fact for you: the UCSC mascot is a banana slug!
12. Stroll around the downtown surface area
Downtown Santa Cruz is a sweet place to while away an afternoon. Places to stop in at include Lulu Carpenters if you lot're looking for a friendly, homey cafe; or Verve of you want something hipster. Come across our guide to where to eat in Santa Cruz at the end of this post.
13. Go to Swanton Berry Farm
If you're arriving to Santa Cruz from the north or heading that way after, be certain to end at Swanton Berry Farm, an eccentric little subcontract store selling a delicious array of strawberry products.
Information technology operates on an accolade system and also has lots of boardgames and books to enjoy while you accept a break from your motorcar journey. In the strawberry season, you lot tin can besides pick-you-own from the Swanton Farm.
14. Run into the Body of water Lions
Santa Cruz is home to many sea king of beasts colonies. You tin spot them at the terminate of the Santa Cruz wharf, in Ano Nuevo State Park, and forth the coast n of Santa Cruz. The easiest identify to see them is on the wharf where they reside all year round. Plus the view from the end of the wharf is stunning. This is a groovy Santa Cruz action for families.
15. Visit the Mystery Spot
The Mystery Spot calls itself a gravitational anomaly where the laws of physics go haywire. Others will call it a tourist trap. Either way, the lighthearted optical illusion attraction tin can be a fun fashion to spend an hour, taking improbable photos of your friends in mid-air.
Buy tickets in accelerate online to avoid thwarting. Information technology'southward a really popular place!
sixteen. Go for a coastal hike
There are some beautiful littoral hikes in Santa Cruz. I favourite is the Erstwhile Cove Landing Trail at Wilder Ranch State Park which takes y'all on a magnificent 7.5 mile coastal track. If y'all're lucky, you'll spot dolphins, seals and humpbacks.
Other good options are W Cliff Drive, Due east Cliff Drive and Seascape Embankment Resort. And locals dear the trails at DeLaveaga Park.
17. Take an Instagram photograph at the Davenport swing
If yous're the perfect Instagram photo, join the influencers and caput to Davenport where there's a swing hanging from office of an abandoned pier on the embankment, which has become one of the about popular photo spots on the California coast.
However, it'due south non easy to get to. There'southward a hiking trail that leads straight downwardly to the beach, which is very steep and treacherous, then not recommended. Instead it'southward all-time to become the long mode round, which is detailed in this weblog mail service. Nosotros gave it a miss every bit we were travelling with our baby, and so didn't want to take the risk.
eighteen. Take a trip to Capitola Village
Just 15 minutes outside of downtown Santa Cruz is the charming hamlet of Capitola. It'due south famous for its colourful houses that front end the beach, and is a sweet place to spend some time, grabbing a seize with teeth to swallow, browsing the shops and walking the pretty embankment.
19. Visit Berry Creek Falls
One of the most beautiful hikes in Santa Cruz County is the Drupe Creek Falls Trail at Big Basin Land Park. There are over lxxx miles of trails and many waterfalls, including Berry Creek Falls, which can be reached by an 11-mile runway that climbs 1000 anxiety.
Big Basin is California'southward oldest state park and some of the redwoods there are over 2,000 years old! It's definitely one of the most beautiful things to meet in Santa Cruz.
xx. Hit the beach
Santa Cruz isn't brusk on gorgeous beaches. The two most popular (and busy) beaches are Main Beach, which is right in front of the Boardwalk, and Cowell Beach, on the other side of the wharf. Main Beach is best for families, and Cowell Beach is a archetype surfing spot, perfect for beginners.
For a quieter, local beach, try Seabright State Beach, Sunny Cove and Twin Lakes State Beach.
We likewise loved Natural Bridges Country Beach where we saw a gorgeous sunset (information technology's as well where the butterflies are in November).
For surfing, Pleasure Point Embankment and the Hook is the near pop Santa Cruz spot, likewise as 4 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park and Steamer Lane on W Cliff Drive.
21. Get Whale Watching
Whales migrate past Santa Cruz all year round and there are plenty of whale watching tours you can do.
There are different species to look out for at different times of year, including humpbacks and grey whales. And you might also spot some sea lions, dolphins, otters, sharks and seals.
22. Browse Bookshop Santa Cruz
Yous know we love a good bookshop, and Bookshop Santa Cruz is the all-time in the metropolis. It has a huge choice of books, plus they also agree regular events. It's a cosy spot to while away some time in the company of books.
23. Take hold of a summer concert at the Boardwalk
1 of the best free things to do in Santa Cruz is to catch a concert at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which puts on costless concerts on Friday nights from June to the stop of August. It features mostly local bands, but as well some large names too.
24. Watch a movie at the Del Mar theatre
The Del Mar is a classic American theatre that was built in 1936 as a vaudeville theatre. Present information technology shows movies. Endeavour to grab a showing on the main screen for the full retro feel. It also has a very hippy snack bar – you lot can even become nutritional yeast flavoured popcorn!
25. Become wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Nosotros're big fans of California wine, and loved our trip to Sonoma. A lesser known region is the Santa Cruz Mountains, which is right on the doorstep of the city. It has a like laidback feel to Sonoma (as opposed to glitzy Napa) and the mountain views from the wineries are stunning. Some of the well-nigh popular wineries are Regale Winery, MJA Vineyards and Beauregard Vineyard.
If you don't have time to head to the mountains, you could also visit the one of the tasting rooms in Santa Cruz, such as Birichino or Surf Metropolis Vintners.
26. See a show in the forest past Santa Cruz Shakespeare
From June-Baronial, you lot tin take hold of a show past Santa Cruz Shakespeare at the Grove, a gorgeous woods location in DeLaveaga Park with views of Monterey Bay. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine, and I'thousand not sure you lot could find something more romantic.
27. Visit the Big Foot Museum!
If you're intrigued past the legend of Big Foot, don't miss this museum defended to his story. The Bigfoot Discovery Museumhas all the info on this elusive fauna.
Other notable museums in town are: the Surfing Museum (mentioned above) and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History.
28.Take some photos at Walton Lighthouse
The Walton Lighthouse is at the end of pop Seabright Embankment. Yous tin can't get inside the lighthouse, but it'south a gorgeous spot for photos as you can see from the one to a higher place. While at that place, take a walk around the Santa Cruz Harbor as well.
29. Visit the Seymour Marine Discovery Centre
Although the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the most famous on the California Declension, Santa Cruz' Seymour Marine Discovery Centre is definitely worth a visit too. It teaches a lot virtually marine conservation and has big aquariums likewise as hands-on exhibits – you tin even touch a shark!
Where to stay in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Airbnb
We've written a guide to the all-time Airbnbs in Santa Cruz. In that location are are some seriously cute ones, including this cabin of dreams, pictured above. Any you're looking for, from rustic treehouse to luxury four-chamber home, our list has something for everyone. Some of my favouirtes, alongside this cabin, are: a treehouse looking out over a vineyard to the ocean, a beautiful tiny house, and a dreamy home with a magnificent puddle.
Inn at Pasatiempo
The Inn at Pasatiempo is a well-designed simple inn with colourful gardens and a heated pool. Information technology has lovely woods views and is besides right adjacent to a golf course if that's your thing.
A no-frills continental breakfast is included and at that place's a causal onsite grill restaurant, which has a few veggie options. Rooms start at $139 per dark. Book your stay now.
The Dream Inn
The retro-surf-chic Dream Inn is a stylish beachfront hotel, featuring 165 rooms, all with ocean views. Rooms start at $220 for a double. Book your stay now.
A cabin in the redwoods
Santa Cruz County has some cute forests, and so if you lot desire a chip of time amid the trees, you could opt to stay in 1 of the many cabins on offering in the area. There are plenty on Airbnb. Utilizethis link to get £20 off your showtime booking.
Where to eat and potable in Santa Cruz
These are some of our superlative recommendations for places to eat and drink in Santa Cruz
Cafes: The Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company (Santa Cruz insititution), Verve (hipster java store) and Lulu Carpenter's (friendly, homey cafe).
Sweets: The Penny Ice Creamery (best ice cream); Chocolate (for amazing hot chocolate); Marini's Candies (for famous saltwater taffies).
Restaurants: Zachary'due south (homemade meals including a great brunch), El Palomar (good Mexican food); Crow's Nest (fine dining); Cafe Gratitude (original hippy fare); Pleasure Pizza (pizza by the slice virtually Pleasure Point); La Posta (Italian food).
Markets: Santa Cruz has a few different farmers markets, which are a peachy place to purchase local produce and put together a picnic to savour on the beach or among the redwoods. We went to the downtown farmers marketplace, which takes place on Wednesdays. See the dates for other markets here.
When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz?
September is the all-time time to visit Santa Cruz equally there are fewer crowds and the weather is perfect. The students besides don't arrive until October, and so you have a double whammy of fewer tourists and students. At this time of year, it's still warm plenty for the beach. We were in that location a footling afterward in October when the atmospheric condition was starting to cool.
Springtime in Santa Cruz is also a proficient bet. The wildflowers are in flower, and if yous're lucky, the temperature will be warm enough for spending fourth dimension at the beach.
Past far the busiest time in Santa Cruz is June-August when the tourists arrive in droves. Although busy, it's also fun every bit in that location are lots of events and the Boardwalk is open.
Winter in Santa Cruz tin can get pretty chilly and rainy, similar to San Francisco, only this is still a expert time to visit for accommodation bargains and fewer crowds.
How to get to Santa Cruz from San Francisco
Santa Cruz is just over an hour's drive from San Francisco, depending where you're starting from. It'due south worth driving along the littoral Road i equally information technology's a cute bulldoze and offers a few different photo stops, including One-half Moon Bay and Davenport.
Taking Route 1 adds virtually xx-30 minutes to your journeying, plus the time you lot'll need for stops. I also recommend stopping at Swanton Berry Farm, which has a delicious array of strawberry products. Taking this route likewise means you enter Santa Cruz via West Cliff Bulldoze, which is the perfect intro to the urban center.
Another scenic alternative would be to take Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz mountains.
How to get effectually Santa Cruz
If you stay downtown, y'all'll exist in walking distance to a few of the primary attractions, such equally the beach and boardwalk, but ideally you need a machine to see the best of what Santa Cruz and the surrounding area has to offer. We recommend rentalcars.com for finding the best deals. That said, parking can be difficult, so in one case in town, endeavor to walk equally much as you lot can. Uber is also readily available.
There's too a Santa Cruz Trolley that offers a cheap ride between the boardwalk and downtown.
Santa Cruz travel tips
Don't forget your travel insurance! We recommend World Nomads or True Traveller who both offering reliable, comprehensive cover, including medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. Yous tin buy both True Traveller and Earth Nomads insurance even when yous've left domicile, which is unusual for travel insurance companies.
Bank check out our guide to the all-time Santa Cruz Airbnbs for some of the nigh beautiful places to stay in Santa Cruz, California. And usethis link to get £20 off your first booking.
A corking fashion to become around California is past campervan. Here's a great post on the coolest campervan rentals in California.
Nosotros often find great deals on Booking.com, getting a discount of up to 60%.
If you decide to hire a car, book with Rentalcars.com. They ever have the best deals.
Disclosure: Visit California and Visit Santa Cruz County helped put our trip together. Please note that regardless of this, all opinions are always my own. Read our policy on working with brands here.
Source: https://bridgesandballoons.com/fun-things-to-do-in-santa-cruz-california/
0 Response to "besides the roaring camp steam train what else is there to do in santa cruz california"
Post a Comment