Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Santa Cruz, California (CA)

April 28, 2022 Carley Gatson

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. Stagnaro Sport Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises

Excellent
85%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,287 reviews

Stagnaro Sport Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises

The Stagnaro family has been serving the Santa Cruz area for over a century, ever since Italian patriarch Cottardo Stagnaro settled in Santa Cruz in 1879. This historical landmark business is still leading the way in ocean fun on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. There is something for everyone: Whale Watching, Scenic Bay Cruises, Fishing Trips and Private Parties for any occasion. Whichever your choice, today's fourth generation Stagnaro Charter Boats will surely make your trip fun and memorable.

2. O’Neill Yacht Charters

Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 240 reviews

O’Neill Yacht Charters

Experience an exciting sailing adventure aboard the luxurious 65' Team O'Neill catamaran on the Monterey Bay! Sailing activities include afternoon cruises, sunset sails, local wine and beer tastings, seasonal firework cruises, live music sails and wildlife tours, each offering an exceptionally smooth and thrilling experience. Sailing enthusiasts and newbies alike will enjoy sailing along the Santa Cruz coastline, whether it's a family day out on a public sail or special occasion aboard a private charter.

3. Surf School Santa Cruz

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 469 reviews

Surf School Santa Cruz

Welcome to Surf School Santa Cruz, the best-rated surf school on the West Coast. We accept students of all ages and skill levels and guarantee a quality, safe, and fun learning experience. This surf school was created because of our passion for surfing and developed because of our desire to share it with the world. We believe that surfing is not just a sport, but is actually therapy for life. We ardently advocate that the only thing better than a great day of surfing is helping fuel someone else’s passion or improve skillsets that work in the ocean and carry over to day-to-day life. Our instructors are professionals who tailor each lesson to the students, so no matter your ability, you are encouraged and supported in the most personalized way possible. The cumulative years of quality surfing and teaching experience we have under our belts allow us to provide you the best surf lessons in all of Santa Cruz.

4. Sea Spirit Ocean Safari

Excellent
90%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 200 reviews

Sea Spirit Ocean Safari

Specializing in Whale watching tours and Great White Shark tours from the Santa Cruz California harbor. We venture out into the Monterey Bay Sanctuary while our various ocean safaris offer the nature viewer one of the widest ranges of marine life viewing of anywhere in the world. Join us to observe humpback whales, blue and grey whales, great white sharks, otters, sea lions, dolphins and porpoises along with a plethora of other marine life all from the comforts of our 50' uncrowded pilothouse vessel- where every seat is a front row seat!

5. Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

West Cliff Drive at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz, CA +1 831-420-6289 http://www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org/
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 239 reviews

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

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.

6. Natural Bridges State Beach

2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-6257 +1 831-423-4609 http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=541
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 838 reviews

Natural Bridges State Beach

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.

7. Roaring Camp Railroads

Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 700 reviews

Roaring Camp Railroads

See California’s towering redwood trees from two historic railroads. Ride steam trains to Bear Mountain or Beach Trains to Santa Cruz. Visit an 1880s logging town located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Between San Francisco and Monterey Bay in Felton.

8. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

1305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3722 +1 831-420-6115 http://santacruzmuseum.org
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

This museum's exhibits feature Ohlone Native American artifacts and local flora and fauna.

Reviewed By christinam480 - San Francisco, United States

I visited Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to hear the local artist Ann Thiermann speak. She painted the mural at the museum and has painted local motives all her life. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful throughout the evening at this lovely little Natural History museum.

9. Seymour Marine Discovery Center

100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5794 +1 831-459-3800 http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 253 reviews

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Come touch a friendly shark, see how marine scientists work, and take in the spectacular Monterey Bay. Our exhibit hall offers a deeper dive into the adventure of ocean research here in Santa Cruz and around the world. Visit us and explore the fascinating world of marine science and conservation. We look forward to meeting you! The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a community-supported marine science education center of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States

We went to Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Outside of the center are nice views of the Pacific Ocean. There are also some very interesting whale skeletons, such as the one for the blue whale. There is a small admission fee. There are a variety of exhibits to see. There are some fish and more to see as well. Staff is most willing to answer your questions. There is also a small store.

10. Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4508 +1 831-429-1964 [email protected] http://www.santacruzmah.org/
Excellent
60%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 80 reviews

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History

Welcome to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (the MAH), a place where there’s always something happening. All year long we host truly ‘only-in-Santa-Cruz’ events and exhibitions. The MAH is of, by, and for Santa Cruz County because our creative community ignites something new here every day.

Reviewed By serenegracekim - Oakland, United States

This museum was so informative about the history of the indigenous Native American people who lived here before the land was taken over. This history is essential to understand, there are rooms you can sit inside, and many artifacts along with photos. I really appreciate museums that represent history with respect, there’s information about California history too.

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