Santa Cruz California Day Trip: Itinerary of Things To Do and See

Santa Cruz, California, is located south of San Francisco and just north of Monterey. The beach and ocean are integral to the Santa Cruz lifestyle, and the area is well-known for activities such as sailing, swimming, surfing, and paddling. Historically, Santa Cruz was home to an American Indian settlement and was one of the earliest areas explored by the Spanish in Alta California. The city gained popularity in the late 19th century due to its beautiful beaches and coastal redwood forests. Today, Santa Cruz is a popular tourist destination. Here are some points of interest for your day trip itinerary:

Start Your Day Trip at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk

If this is your first visit to Santa Cruz, the Beach Boardwalk is where you want to be. The boardwalk is one of only three beach theme parks in California, the other two being Santa Monica Pier and Belmont Park in San Diego. While many people prefer to visit big-name parks, they often come with a hefty entrance fee. However, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk charges no admission fee. The park has over 40 rides and attractions, the most popular of which is the Giant Dipper Wooden Roller Coaster. This classic wooden roller coaster has been open since 1924 and has been ridden by millions. https://beachboardwalk.com/

West Cliff Drive: A Scenic Coastline Walk

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. West Cliff Drive is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The scenic coastline walk passes a lighthouse, the famous Steamer Lane surf break, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and numerous sandy beaches and coves. On West Cliff Drive, a popular dining option is the Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge, where you can enjoy ocean-viewed meals. https://www.jackoneillrestaurant.com/

Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf: The Spirit of Santa Cruz

The Municipal Wharf is one of the area’s most popular attractions, especially known for the sea lions. Throughout the year, you can see these playful animals lounging on the rafters, relaxing on the platforms, and splashing in the ocean. The pier extends 2,745 feet into Monterey Bay, making it one of the longest piers on the West Coast. Visitors can enjoy a variety of restaurants, seafood shacks, and eateries that offer fresh seafood, with the clam chowder served in a bread bowl being particularly famous.

Santa Cruz Beaches Offer Something for Everyone

Main Beach & Cowell Beach are north and south of the Municipal Wharf and the most popular places to soak up some California sun. Santa Cruz’s main beach backs up to the boardwalk and is the larger of the two. Cowell Beach was a great place to learn to surf and is generally less crowded than the main beach. Both beaches have plenty of nearby free parking. Steamer Lane is at Lighthouse Point, near West Cliff Drive, and is famous for its surfing conditions, particularly for advanced surfers. Natural Bridges State Beach is Near the western end of West Cliff Drive.

Natural Bridges State Beach: A Scenic Nature Preserve

Nestled in stunning Santa Cruz, California, this 65-acre California state park was named for the naturally occurring mudstone bridges that line the Pacific Ocean. Wave erosion carved these mudstone bridges after a combination of silt, clay, and diatoms was solidified into a mixture of stone that created three arches on the beach. The beach offers opportunities for surfing, tide pool exploration, and simply enjoying the coastal views. There are also trails for walking and hiking, particularly one that leads through the eucalyptus grove where the monarchs cluster. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541

Santa Cruz County Mystery Spot: Gravitational Anomalies

The Mystery Spot was discovered in 1939 by George Prather, surveying land for a logging camp. The site has been a tourist attraction since the 1940s. Located in the Redwoods, three miles from downtown Santa Cruz, the laws of gravity don’t apply. You’ll see things like water that appears to be flowing upward and balls that roll uphill. Santa Cruz Mystery Spot 465 Mystery Spot Road Santa Cruz, California. Tours are approximately 45 minutes long, making this intriguing roadside attraction easy to include in your day trip itinerary. https://www.mysteryspot.com/

Nearby Santa Cruz Attractions

Here are some attractions near Santa Cruz, California, that you might enjoy:

New Brighton State Beach: Popular Camping Spot

Named after the British resort town, New Brighton has a rich history tied to the Chinese community that once thrived there, contributing to the local fishery and railroad construction. New Brighton State Beach is a 93-acre park close to one mile of shoreline, with a group picnic area and a campground on the bluffs overlooking the beach, with campsites and parking spots for day use. The visitor center at New Brighton Beach contains exhibits exploring the history of migrations into the Pacific Northwest by the various peoples who have made their homes.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Escape the crowds at Sequoia National Park and Redwood National Park by visiting Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where you can enjoy lush greenery and open trails. Bring your family for a night of camping under the stars in this well-known California state park. You can also bring your RV and spend several days exploring the area. If you love nature, hiking among the giant trees, especially along the Redwood Grove Loop Trail, is a must. The park also connects to other hiking trails, offering spectacular views.

Roaring Camp Railroad: Steam Train Rides

Located in Felton, just outside Santa Cruz, you can take a steam train ride through the redwoods, either up Bear Mountain or directly to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Roaring Camps Railway is a beautiful day trip the family will enjoy, from grandparents to little ones. If you are in the Santa Cruz Area, put this special train on your to-do list. The Roaring Camp’s steam engine collection is among America’s oldest and most accurately preserved regularly scheduled passenger service trains. https://roaringcamp.com/

Getting to Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California, is situated on the northern edge of Monterey Bay along the Central Coast. It is easily accessible via Highway 1, which runs along the coast. Additionally, Highway 17 connects San Jose and Silicon Valley, passing through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Santa Cruz is approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco.

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California Central Coast Day Trips

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