Santa Cruz Things to Do

 5 Reviews  This perhaps is one of the city's (and county's) most scenic strips of road. Starting near the Boardwalk and meandering next to the cliffs bordering the Monterey Bay, the road provides you with an... 

 3 Reviews  This is an excellent park where you can easily see some of California's great giant redwoods. Most of the big trees in the state were cut down in the late 1800s, and in this part of California groves... 

 3 Reviews  The current Santa Cruz Wharf, built in 1914 is the 5th wharf to occupy this site. The wharf was originally built to ensure continued shipping operations as the bay was filling with silt. This wharf... 

 4 Reviews  This is one of the best places in the Santa Cruz area. Here you can bike, hike, see history or just relax. There are easy trails along the coast that give fantastic views of the rugged coastline, with... 

 2 Reviews  Founded in 1791 by Father Lasuen, this mission was located near a pueblo full of convicts, and also suffered earthquake damage. So it was not as successful as some of the other missions. But it... 

 3 Reviews  Downtown Santa Cruz has several movie theaters. The newest and most popular is the multiplex located conveniently on Pacific Avenue. Here you will find the blockbusters and other new releases. More... 

 4 Reviews  The laboratory includes a pilot reverse osmosis water treatment plant that takes sea water and converts it for fresh water irrigation and other purposes at the UC Campus and even for the city and... 

 1 Review  This is a stretch of beach at the far end of West Cliff Drive which has a interesting natural rock formation. This giant rock situated on the beach looks like a giant bridge with a gaping hole in the... 

 4 Reviews  Follow Bay Ave. all the way up the road from the ocean until you reach the campus of UCSC. This is probaly the most unique campus I have ever strolled. The campus is spread out by sections and in a... 

 2 Reviews  Just North of the Boardwalk Amusement park on West Cliff Drive is a lovely stretch of beach with jetties and a Lighthouse. The jettie rocks are great to fish off of and the beach boast soft sands for... 

 1 Review  Santa Cruz has many beaches, but this is my favorite. It is right in town but doesn't have the crowds or hype of the main beach by the Boardwalk. If you want a busy beach with shops and amusement... 

 1 Review  Yes, this is for real. It's a museum dedicated to surfing. Unfortunately, it was closed (hours are somewhat erratic in the off-season). Housed in an old lighthouse, it opened in 1986. It contains... 

 1 Review  This is the southernmost coastal redwood grove. A great place to hike, camp, and just commune with nature. California's famed coastal redwoods are the tallest trees on earth; some stand over 300 feet... 

 1 Review  Just north of Santa Cruz about 10 min is a small town called Davenport. You'll take highway 1 north along this senic drive of agricultual fields and breath taking vistas. There are many secluded... 

 2 Reviews  If you are visiting Santa Cruz, odds are it is for entertainment and recreation, but not museum going. But if you want to learn a little more about the area, this museum is pretty good. This isn't a... 

 1 Review  One of Santa Cruz's most important landmarks is the town clock, located at the entrance to the Pacific Garden downtown district where Pacific Avenue and Water and Front Streets all meet. The clock has... 

 1 Review  The Santa Cruz mountains have many good wineries: This one stands out for its fantastic view from the tasting room deck, and, of course, some very fine wines. We liked their pinot noirs, which are... 

 1 Review  Most visitors to Santa Cruz know of and visit the Lighthouse at Steamers Lane on West Cliff Drive, the pretty brick one you can see from the Boardwalk and main beach. Much less well known is Walton... 

 1 Review  Of the several fine wineries in the Santa Cruz area, Bonny Doon Winery is one that rightfully gains attention. They have creative and uncommon wines that win awards all the time. The tasting room is... 

 1 Review  It might surprise you to hear that the Santa Cruz area is a major wine making region. It doesn't get the publicity that Napa Valley gets, but it produces world class wines. It is far more beautiful... 

 Parklife Says:  If you're a wine lover that hasn't been to Bonny Doon Winery in Santa Cruz, shame on you. Randell Graham has been on the cutting edge of California wine for... 

 atufft Says:  Twin Lakes Beach is actually named after Schwan Lagoon, which are now in the process of being restored to something of a freshwater wetland area. For a long... 

 atufft Says:  On the southeast side of the yacht harbor, there is the only dog beach available in Santa Cruz. The beach is downstream from a series of two lakes that we at...