Kids

 One of the first things to check out when you're in Santa Cruz is the legendary Mystery Spot. Maybe you've seen the black-and-yellow bumper stickers around town and wondered, "What the heck is a mystery spot?" Located up in the mountains and surrounded by towering redwoods, this unique destination turns physics on its head. The gravitational anomaly causes marbles to roll uphill and visitors to stand at a 45-degree angle with ease.

Adults and kids will love the natural diversity at Wilder Ranch State Park. Located just west of the city along the Pacific Coast Highway, you can head north from the ranch into redwood groves, then cross back over the highway and spend time walking along seaside cliffs. Once you've found the perfect cove, head down to the beach for a picnic.

Pacific Avenue is the main drag in Downtown Santa Cruz, lined with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and other funky shops. Take a break from the beach and stroll the tree-lined commercial street.

This interactive museum dedicated to marine life Is back open to the public since October 2021 after being forced to close due to COVID. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits, including touch pools, photo displays, and whale skeletons.

Kids love natural history museums, and Santa Cruz's is no exception. This museum is located near the Seabright district and features exhibits that display shells, artifacts, minerals, insects, and animals. There are also exhibits dedicated to ethnography, history, and fine arts. 

 The Santa Cruz boardwalk is the most well-known destination in the city—it was even featured in movies like Harold and Maude, Lost Boys, and Us. Transport yourself back to the mid-century at this retro beach boardwalk, riding the vintage roller coasters like the classic Big Dipper. If coasters aren't your thing, there's plenty to do like a massive arcade, a bowling alley, laser tag, and mini golf. There's a concert series in the summer, and in the winter it becomes a "Winter Wonderland."

Surf culture is king in Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum celebrates the city's history with the sport. Located along the scenic West Cliff Drive, walk over to this museum for spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and learn a little bit about the pioneers of surfing. 

On your way to the Surfing Museum, take some time to enjoy the natural beauty of West Santa Cruz. West Cliff Drive hugs the coast just south of a beautiful residential neighborhood and features a bike and walking path that's separated from the street. Another great walking and biking path can be found to the east along the San Lorenzo Riverwalk. 

If the trails at Henry Cowell aren't exhilarating enough for you, then the Redwood Canopy Tour at Mt. Hermon might be more your speed. This zip line tour allows you to soar through the trees high above the forest floor.

As a lunchtime alternative to Pacific Avenue, head out to the Municipal Wharf just west of the Santa Cruz boardwalk. Several restaurants line the pier and unsurprisingly, many serve up fresh seafood. The fare ranges from touristy and inexpensive to more upscale, so there's something for everyone. The sea lions at the end of the warf are always a good time!

 Among the must-see natural attractions in the Santa Cruz area is the magnificent Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The easy, stroller-friendly trails wind through a 40-acre park that features several old-growth redwood groves, as well as some second-growth forests (because unfortunately much of the redwood groves were cleared around the turn of the 20th century and have been slowly growing back since). 

One of Santa Cruz's best-known institutions is UC Santa Cruz, home of the Banana Slugs. On this hillside campus is the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, which features a California Garden, an Australia Garden, a Butterfly Garden, and more!

This railroad offers two train rides, the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train. The Redwood Forest train is a 75-minute trip that travels through the forests, up the mountains to the town of Felton as the conductor narrates the story of Roaring Camp. The Beach Train, which returns in spring 2022, is a three-hour trip through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, along the San Lorenzo River, and down to the Beach Boardwalk. Kids 12 and under can join the Kids Club to earn fun prizes.

Sometimes you just need to kick back while your kids enjoy playing at the park. If you need a bit of a break from all of your programming, head to the visitor-favorite San Lorenzo Park, which is located east of the San Lorenzo River along the riverwalk.

 Also known as the MAH, this museum is located along Pacific Avenue in the downtown area. The museum includes works by local artists that portray the history and culture of Santa Cruz. Be sure to visit the rooftop sculpture garden for some fresh air, beautiful vistas, and gorgeous sculptures. 

Of course one of the biggest draws of Santa Cruz is its miles and miles of beaches. If you're looking to stay close to the city, then Santa Cruz Beach is the right choice for you. This beach is the most touristy because it's right next to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and the Municipal Wharf. While it's probably the most crowded, the benefit is that you're just a short walk from the hotels and restaurants.

 Seabright Beach, right across the San Lorenzo River from Santa Cruz Beach, is another relatively busy beach near the city's downtown. The beach is sandy and pleasant, a little less crowded than Santa Cruz Beach, and just a couple of blocks from restaurants and shops at Seabright Avenue and Murray Street. 

 Another more natural and secluded beach is Brighton Beach near Soquel Cove. This beach is great for families looking for peace and quiet and the perfect place to camp if you prefer pitching a tent to staying in a hotel. The beach is just a short drive from Capitola, which has lodging, food, and shops. 

Cowell Beach is in pretty much the same place as Santa Cruz Beach, just west of the Municipal Pier. This beach is a little more secluded than the other city-adjacent beaches, and a perfect choice for anyone staying at the Dream Inn. 

 While the namesake bridges have mostly eroded into the sea, Natural Bridges State Beach is very private and away from the hustle and bustle of Santa Cruz and Seabright beaches. Pair a trip to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center with a stop at Natural Bridges. The nearby Monarch Trails is a great place to spot clusters of butterflies during the fall through the late winter. 

 Capitola Beach is quieter than the main Santa Cruz beaches but is not far from the cute village of Capitola. Soquel Creek ends right at the beach's sandy spit, creating a calm baby-friendly beach on one side and a more typical beach on the other. 

Looking for that All-American diner that serves just about everything? Santa Cruz Diner is your spot—the place is Guy Fieri-endorsed, after all! The menu features typical diner fare plus items with an Asian flare like pho, curry, and chicken teriyaki, setting it apart from the typical diner. Plus, there are lots of options for vegetarians and vegans.

If you're hitting the beach in Capitola or at New Brighton, head down to the end of the pier for a bite at the Wharf House. The restaurant has incredible views of the bay and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu offers plenty of seafood as expected, but there are also burgers, pastas, sandwiches, and more.

For a pier-dining experience in the city of Santa Cruz, there are several choices on the Municipal Wharf. If you're looking for very family-friendly, Gilda's features diner food and a kids' menu. If you're more interested in seafood, there's Stagnaro Bros. and the Riva Fish House. Other options include Mexican at Olitas or Asian fusion at Makai Island Kitchen.

This retro joint on Seabright Avenue serves up hot grilled burgers like the Smokin' Betty (roasted balsamic onions, smoked cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo), Texas Two Step (onion rings, bacon, cheddar, and Betty's homemade BBQ sauce, and the Mad Max (fresh guacamole, pepper jack cheese, and mild chipotle sauce). There are other locations in Aptos and on the Eastside, plus the "Eat Inn" downtown locations