Location: Santa Cruz
Top Things to do in Santa Cruz
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Santa Cruz, California (CA)
The quintessential California beach town of Santa Cruz! It was here that surfing was first brought to the mainland by Hawaiian royalty. Home to the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined downtown area, and the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, which stretches out a half-mile into the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Other highlights include UC Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and nearby redwood forests.
Restaurants in Santa Cruz
1. Bookshop Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Bookshop Santa Cruz is a large, general independent bookstore located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, California since 1966. Owned by the Coonerty family since 1973, Bookshop Santa Cruz is a multi-generational family business currently under the care of Casey Coonerty Protti who grew up in her parent's business. Bookshop Santa Cruz fills over 20,000 square feet with a wide selection of new, used and sale books along with extensive magazine, card and gift sections. Bookshop is known for its comprehensive children's and new release sections as well as strong sections in travel, politics, cooking, science and fiction.
Reviewed By 509macd - Auburn, United States
When you are in Santa Cruz, you have to stop bye Bookshop Santa Cruz. This independent book store is a much loved icon in that town and has been around for over 50 years surviving recessions, earthquakes and fires. The staff is great and will help you find anything you're looking for from best sellers, to local books, to quirky gifts. Check out their UC Santa Cruz Banana Slug section. We tried their brand new concierge service, and it is a great addition to what hey offer. For $40, you get a private to the book shop after hours with your personal concierge. They will help you find great books for people on your gift list (or just for you). Give them a list of interests for each person, and when you arrive for your private hour, they will have a selection or recommendations already laid out for you. You'll also have time to browse the store to discover new treasures. This is well worth the $40, but to make it even better, you get a $40 gift card (which we had no trouble spending.) We were able to do almost all our Christmas shopping with the help of Melinda, who did a wonderful job helping us find unique gifts. On top of that, we had a great evening. To sign up for the service, go to bookshopsantacruz.com and make your reservation. I highly recommend it.
2. Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
For more than a hundred years, Santa Cruz has been a hot spot for hard-core surfers. This museum tells their stories through photographs, surfboards and other related items.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We went to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum on a delightful sunny day in July. The views from here of the Pacific Ocean are gorgeous. Its also nice to know this is part of surfing history. Santa Cruz is one of the top surfing areas in California.
3. University of California at Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
The Santa Cruz campus offers an attractive blend of notable architecture and panoramic views.
Reviewed By K9183SOcynthiag
Very beautiful campus full of wildlife and unique students. Parking sucks though and getting around is hard, but makes you appreciate trees more
4. Natural Bridges State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 838 reviews
A refuge for wintering Monarch Butterflies, this park boasts a sandy cove, tidepools, a nature trail through the Butterfly Preserve, and several hiking trails. There is also a bicycle path around the perimeter of the park.
Reviewed By 497haydns
If the Monarchs are here, a wonderful visit, go on a warm sunny day they will be flying about, the is very nice, and very unusual to Eucalyptus trees in USA. Check on line if the Monarchs are here, the info is accurate and up to date.
5. Pleasure Point Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
A popular Santa Cruz surf spot.
Reviewed By sonofdragon - San Jose, United States
Lived in the bay area for years but never take Santa Cruz seriously. Some good things surely come during this pandemic madness. Discovery of Pleasure Point was a blessing for us since we're having pandemic fatigue. Walking the public path while enjoying the breeze/waves was cooling/calming to the mind. Watching the surfers ride the waves was so exciting. Seeing people jogging/running/walking/biking is very inspiring. And the sea birds flying close just above the waves and diving for a catch was a sure wow moment to watch. Words cant say more. Stop the worry and make life livable again!
6. Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Adjacent to Santa Cruz harbor, this beach has beach volley ball as well as nearby shops and restaurants.
Reviewed By mganter - Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
Area around the lighthouse is very nice and clean. We were there at low tide, so we could walk up to the lighthouse without getting drenched by breaking waves. Very cool!
7. Waddell Beach
8. West Cliff Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,319 reviews
Reviewed By CaliforniaBrad - San Jose, United States
The views and stops along West Cliff are amazing. It is a great walk, bike ride or drive from the Boardwalk to Natural Bridges park with stops to enjoy the views, watch surfers at Cowell's or the legendary Steamers Lane and Lighthouse that is home to the surfing museum. Truly one of Santa Cruz's best stretches of coastline
9. Twin Lakes State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By manoj_biswal - San Francisco, United States
Sandy Beaches, a Lighthouse and an amazing view close to the Santa Cruz broad walk - a perfect place for a quick getaway on a Sunny Day (~an hour away from SFO). Beach Volleyball courts are a great add on! The beach is surrounded by a few restaurants and there a few paid parking lost close by.
10. Santa Cruz Harbor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By 580thomash - Cape Town, South Africa
The Santa Cruz Harbor Boat Parade is just one of the many great things that go on at the Harbor, you can walk 2.5 miles around the harbor on a nice path, or take off for an extended swim, kayak, beach hike and at the end of the day catch some tunes and great food at the Crow's Nest restaurant (or try the eggplant sandwich on the wharf, the snack shop makes a few grand vegan dishes and its the perfect place to sit and count gulls, pelicans or sea lions.
