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Browse Santa Cruz Activities by Category
Top Activities in Santa Cruz
#1Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt: Licensed to Thrill
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk's historic amusement park has been attracting visitors for more than a century. Download the Let’s Roam scavenger hunt app and sta...
#2California Big Sur (PCH, Route 1) Self-Driving Tour
Experience the iconic Big Sur roadtrip with a self-guided driving tour! Drive over Bixby Bridge, pull over at McWay Falls, and enjoy the rugged coastline on ...
#3California Coastline: Monterey & Carmel
Cruise along roads flanked by dramatic rock formations and pounding surf as you travel down the coast in a comfortable coach. Roll by championship golf cours...
#4San Jose: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoia Tour
The Yosemite National Park tour from San Jose is an experience that will leave a memorable impression for people of all ages. The Giant Sequoias have inhabit...
#5City Scavenger Hunts by Operation City Quest of California
Using your smartphone, you'll be given a list of challenges to complete and riddles to solve on our scavenger hunt app. The solved riddle will be an object f...
#6Private transfer from Santa Cruz to SFO
Luxurious and affordable small or large group one-way transfer from Santa Cruz to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Pick up at any location within S...
#7Survival Challenge by Zombie Scavengers of California
Can you survive the zombie apocalypse… Zombie Scavengers leads you into the city to collect supplies to survive during this interactive scavenger game...
#83Quest Challenge Scavenger hunts of California
3Quest Challenge allows your team to discover the city in a fun and different way. With the help of a remote host, you'll access the city scavenger hunt on a...
#9Crazy Dash Walking Adventure of California
Crazy Dash is a digital scavenger hunt that allows you to explore a city in a unique way! The adventure uses a scavenger hunt app to give you a list of fun a...
#10Wacky Walks Scavenger Hunt Adventure of California
Wacky Walks is a royalty themed scavenger hunt. It is similar to a board game, in which the power of the game shifts from one player to another and instead o...
Santa Cruz Attractions
It's hardly surprising that so many vacationers visit Santa Cruz year after year. This enchanting city is brimming with awesome things to do. Whether you're fond of seeing the sights or trying more adventurous activities, you'll find it hard to be bored here.
Discover the best sights in Santa Cruz with some unique tours & day trips, or check out our list of 54 fun activities in Santa Cruz. We have no booking fees as well as free cancellation, so you can relax and channel your energy into planning the vacation of a lifetime.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz with Kids
Santa Cruz is an excellent place for a family escape. Bring the youngsters along and enjoy these top family friendly experiences together:
Free Things to Do in Santa Cruz
Leave your purse in the hotel room. It's easy to amuse yourself in Santa Cruz without surrendering a cent.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center - Speak to the staff and discover more about the special collections on display here.
University of California Santa Cruz - This popular landmark is an excellent backdrop for a selfie.
Williams-Reynolds House - If you're curious about history and heritage, this is one stop you ought to visit.
Santa Cruz Wharf - If you want to see some of the more important or interesting places in the community, it's worth visiting this place.
Mission Santa Cruz - Throw a bit of spirituality into your escape by dropping by this sacred site.
Main Beach - Read your favorite novel or listen to some music while you're catching those rays.
Lighthouse Point Park - Be treated to views that'll leave you in awe at this natural landscape.
Lighthouse Point Park - If you're into digging about the garden, this attraction will captivate your inner green thumb.
Explore The Neighborhoods of Santa Cruz
Learn More About Santa Cruz | Blog
Best piers in America
Check out our list of piers without peers.
The Best Cities to Take a Literary Tour
Want a vacation with more substance than a day at the beach? Try a literary tour, here are some of our top choices
10 of the nation’s smelliest cities
Following our noses to the most aromatic destinations
5 best bucket list road trips in the U.S.
Discovering the best of America one mile at a time
5 reasons to attend a Renaissance fair
Examining the best reasons to go medieval this fall
8 epic, must-see sights on the West Coast
Adding our favorite sightseeing spots to Edible Feast’s Left Coast food and drink tour
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to do in Santa Cruz on a sunny day?
If you're eager for some fun in the sun, you can't go past these outdoor adventures:
- Beginner Surfing Lessons - Santa Cruz
- Wilderness Survival Skills Clinic
- Beginner Rock Climbing Lesson
- Taste of Italy On Santa Clara Wine Trail
What to do in Santa Cruz on a rainy day?
If the weather misbehaves during your stay, shake off your raincoat and try these fun indoor activities:
- Selfieville - Experiential Museum with 3-D Light Show
- Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley
- San Francisco Airport Same Day Luggage Services
What is Santa Cruz famous for?
Get ready for lots of sightseeing, because these celebrated attractions are yours to explore:
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Mystery Spot
- University of California Santa Cruz
What should I not miss in Santa Cruz?
To fully savor this destination's flavor, try to drop by these must-do attractions:
- Natural Bridges State Park
- Main Beach
- Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Are there cheap things to do in Santa Cruz?
If you're on a strict budget, consider adding the following affordable experiences to your agenda:
- limousine services
- Scenic 17 Mile Drive Self-Driving Audio Tour
- Big Sur Self-Driving Audio Tour in California (Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway)
- California Big Sur (PCH, Route 1) Self-Driving Tour
What can you do in Santa Cruz for free?
You'll barely have time to dig your wallet out of your pocket with so many great free things to do:
- University of California Santa Cruz
- Main Beach
- Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park
