Santa Cruz County Day Trips: Scenic Beaches and Redwoods

Santa Cruz County in Northern California is famous for its stunning natural beauty. It features sun-kissed beaches and magnificent redwood forests along the central coast just south of the San Francisco Bay Area. The county is well-known for its vibrant surfing culture and thriving artist community. Santa Cruz County has a history of counter-cultural eccentricity that began in the 1960s with the rise of the hippie commune. Santa Cruz County offers day-trippers a diverse range of attractions, making it an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. Here are some suggestions for Santa Cruz County day trips.

Spend a Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz County’s number one attraction is the Boardwalk, one of the country’s top seaside amusement parks, home to the Giant Dipper, one of the oldest roller coasters in the U.S., which opened nearly a century ago. It also boasts an old-fashioned Carousel and the Sky Glider, where passengers can soak up the panoramic vistas of the coastline, the ocean, and the park. Website.

Ride The Roaring Camp Railroad

Just a 10-minute drive from Santa Cruz through the redwoods in Felton, Roaring Camp is a popular place for kids and adults alike, allowing guests to step back in time by riding one of the oldest narrow-gauge trains that still exist to carry passengers. It travels through the forest to Bear Mountain through old-growth redwood groves. You can also take the Beach train to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Website.

Big Basin Redwood State Park

California’s oldest state park, located in the heart of Santa Cruz County, draws visitors with its ancient redwood trees, some 2,500 years old, more than 500 feet around, and over 300 feet tall, and its dramatic waterfalls. Many hiking trails, like the Waterfall Loop, will allow you to take in some of the best the park offers. Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located in Santa Cruz County, about 22 miles northwest of Santa Cruz.

Henry Cowell Redwoods

Henry Cowell Redwoods is California’s oldest state park, located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains; it draws visitors with its ancient redwood trees, which are 2,500 years old, more than 500 feet around, and over 300 feet tall, as well as its dramatic waterfalls. The main entrance is off Highway 9, accessible from Santa Cruz or the Bay Area. The park has over 20 miles of trails, ranging from easy strolls to moderate hikes.

Capitola-by-the-Sea: A Charming Seaside Town

This town offers a quintessential California beach experience that attracts tourists with its relaxed charm and events like the September Capitola Art & Wine Festival and the summer Twilight Concerts on the beach. Dining options are plentiful, ranging from seafood at the Wharf House to delicious pastries at Gayle’s Bakery, a local legend located just inland. The Esplanade along the beach is perfect for people-watching, and if you’re up for a challenge, the nearby Depot Hill provides stunning views after an 86-step climb. Website.

Natural Bridges State Beach

Located 3 miles west of downtown Santa Cruz and roughly 75 miles south of San Francisco, this 65-acre California state park was named after the naturally occurring mudstone bridges that line the Pacific Ocean. Wave erosion carved these mudstone bridges after a combination of silt, clay, and diatoms solidified into a mixture of stone, creating three arches on the beach. Originally, there were three arches in the early 1900s, but only one remains today—Park website.

Sunset State Beach Santa Cruz County

Located just 16 miles from Santa Cruz, California, Sunset State Beach offers a variety of experiences for visitors. This state beach features three miles of pristine Pacific coastline, making it an ideal spot to enjoy the ocean. The approximately 167-acre park encompasses four distinct habitats: coastal scrub, coastal woodlands, coastal marshland, and dunes. Trails meander through the dunes and bluffs, providing stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and opportunities to spot wildlife like pelicans and deer. The park’s name is fitting, as its breathtaking sunsets draw many visitors, with the sky illuminating beautifully over the ocean.

Camping at New Brighton State Beach

New Brighton Beach State Park is a popular destination during the summer, so it’s advisable to make reservations if you plan to camp there. The park features over 100 sites available for tents and RVs, including 11 RV hookup sites. The beach is perfect for swimming, fishing, and beachcombing, while the bluffs offer hiking trails with stunning views. New Brighton State Beach is located on Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County, California, just east of Santa Cruz in Capitola.

Hike Along West Cliff  Drive in Santa Cruz

West Cliff Drive is a scenic 2.75-mile paved walking and biking path that stretches from Natural Bridges State Beach to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Visitors and locals head here to take in the magnificent ocean vistas, multi-million dollar homes, and the occasional dolphin or whale that swims by. The most scenic and accessible coastline walk in the city passes a lighthouse, the famous Steamer Lane surf break, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and many of the best beaches and coves in the area.

Try Not to Get Dizzy at the Mystery Spot

The Mystery Spot has been captivating and puzzling visitors since 1940. Located in the redwoods just three miles from downtown Santa Cruz, this unique site defies the laws of gravity. Here, you’ll witness phenomena like water that seems to flow upward and balls that roll uphill. The Santa Cruz Mystery Spot is a renowned roadside attraction in the redwood forests near Santa Cruz, California. It offers fun for families and makes for an interesting detour on a Highway 1 road trip. However, don’t expect an in-depth scientific explanation—enjoy the intriguing stories and share some mind-boggling photos. Website.

View Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo State Park

Ano Nuevo can be reached with a scenic 30-minute drive north along the coast from Santa Cruz. The park is world-famous for its elephant seals, which use the dunes to rest and mate during the wintertime. From December to March, the breeding season brings dramatic scenes of massive males battling for mates and females nursing pups. During this time, access to the Natural Preserve is limited to guided walks.

Explore the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Trail

The Santa Cruz Mountains are home to over 70 wineries and tasting rooms and are one of the oldest wine regions in the nation, famous for award-winning wines. One of the best ways to experience some of the best is to take the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Trail, which begins on Skyline Boulevard at the Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside and winds to the Byington Winery & Vineyard, David Bruce wineries, and Burrell School Vineyards, before ending in Santa Cruz—more info.