Contents
Santa Cruz | Introduction
Santa Cruz is a coastal town in Central California, located about 115 km (approximately 1.5 hours by car) south of San Francisco. It's not only a world-renowned surfing destination but also a laid-back seaside town filled with natural beauty. A popular weekend getaway for Bay Area locals, Santa Cruz offers everything from vibrant beachside amusement parks and boisterous sea lions to sprawling hiking trails, redwood forests, and oceanfront campgrounds. It's the kind of place that leaves you wanting to come back.
The town's relaxed pace of life is reflected in its streets lined with vintage wooden buildings, street musicians, and thrift shops—like a Californian version of Kyoto: old-fashioned, but far from boring. Beyond beaches, surfing, and boardwalks, several nearby state parks offer great hiking opportunities, including scenic rides through ancient redwoods on a vintage forest train. Whether you're here to sunbathe, explore the outdoors, or simply unwind and slow down, Santa Cruz has something for you.
Santa Cruz | Weekend Getaways Itinerary
Planning a weekend trip? Santa Cruz is an easy and flexible option. It’s about 1 to 1.5 hours’ drive from San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose. If you're coming from the southern end of Silicon Valley (e.g., Cupertino or Mountain View), you can get there in under an hour—perfect for sleeping in and heading out late.
Here’s a suggested two-day, one-night itinerary:
Day 1: Start in downtown Santa Cruz. Spend the morning at the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and take a stroll on the beach. Then head to the Santa Cruz Wharf to watch sea lions nap and bark. For lunch, grab some classic seafood like clam chowder or fish and chips near the pier. In the afternoon, head to Natural Bridges State Beach for a scenic walk and photos of the iconic sea arch and tide pools. In the evening, return to town for dinner and stay overnight in a downtown hotel or nearby campground.
Day 2: Start your day with some outdoor exploration at Wilder Ranch State Park, hiking along scenic coastal trails or biking. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. In the afternoon, head to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to walk among ancient redwoods or hop aboard the Roaring Camp Railroad for a forest train ride. It's a well-balanced day full of relaxation and adventure. Drive back to the Bay Area in the evening to conclude your weekend getaway.
- Hotel search: Agoda
- Activities & tickets: KKday / Klook / TripAdvisor
- Travel credit cards (US only): My card picks + beginner tips
Santa Cruz | Where to Stay
Santa Cruz offers a wide variety of lodging, from vintage downtown inns to outdoor campgrounds. Choose your stay based on what attractions you want to be closest to.
Downtown Stays
If you want to be within walking distance to the beach and amusement park, downtown hotels are the most convenient. Options like Beach Street Inn & Suites and Dream Inn are highly rated, oceanfront accommodations. Wake up to ocean views and end your day with a sunset stroll to the pier for dinner—a perfect choice for slow-paced travelers.
Looking for a stay in Santa Cruz?
Beachfront & Forest Campgrounds:
If you prefer an outdoor experience, consider staying at one of the surrounding state park campgrounds, for example:
- New Brighton State Beach: A beachfront campground with restrooms and easy beach access—perfect for families and group campers.
- Sunset State Beach: Larger campground with beautiful sunsets and BBQ facilities.
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: A serene forest campsite surrounded by towering redwoods and starlit skies.
These campgrounds are very popular in the summer and it is recommended to book at least 2-3 months in advance.
Santa Cruz | City Attractions
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Boardwalk is California’s oldest seaside amusement park, operating since 1907. Attractions include the Giant Dipper roller coaster—one of the oldest still operating in the U.S.—plus classic rides like bumper cars and a carousel. Admission is free, and you can purchase ride tickets individually.
Santa Cruz Wharf
Just a short walk from the Boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Wharf is one of California’s longest wooden piers. It’s a great place to chill, view the coastline, and observe sea lions lounging and barking from the pilings below—noisy but utterly adorable.
The sea lions' calls are so loud that there is not a moment's silence.
Santa Cruz | Nearby Attractions
Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is a postcard-worthy spot known for its dramatic sea arch, best seen at low tide. This compact beach is also a protected nature area with vibrant tide pool life—starfish, crabs, and small fish make it a great spot for families to explore. Stay about 1.5 to 2 hours.
From October to February, Monarch butterflies gather in the park’s eucalyptus grove—a spectacular seasonal phenomenon. There are two short, stroller-friendly trails (Monarch Trail and Tide Pool Trail) that offer easy access to nature.
West Cliff Drive, a scenic 3-mile coastal route connecting Natural Bridges to Santa Cruz Wharf, is perfect for biking, jogging, or casual strolls. Locals walk their dogs and sip coffee with sweeping ocean views. Public art and scenic lookouts add to the charm.
If you're not in a rush, I highly recommend taking a leisurely walk from Natural Bridges along West Cliff Drive to Lighthouse Field State Beach, where you can watch surfers and visit the dog park. Then head back into town for dinner — a perfect way to wrap up the day.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park was originally a dairy farm in the late 19th century, and today it is a state park that blends historic preservation with nature trails. Right at the park entrance, you'll find preserved old barns, artisan workshops, a farm equipment shed, and a vintage white farmhouse. Guided tours are available to help visitors understand what rural life was like in early California. Sometimes, volunteers dressed in 19th-century clothing can be seen reenacting everyday farm work — a highlight for history enthusiasts.
But what truly amazed me about Wilder Ranch was its coastal trail. The most recommended route is the Old Cove Landing Trail, a roughly 4-kilometer round-trip path that starts from the ranch area and winds through open grasslands and wildflower fields, all the way to the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This coastline isn’t a sandy beach, but rather a dramatic stretch of sea-carved bluffs and small coves. With the ocean breeze and seabirds around you, the atmosphere feels both peaceful and majestic. The trail itself is mostly flat dirt path, making it perfect for family hikes, jogging, or biking. You can also just walk a short section, find a spot to sit down, and enjoy a quiet picnic or some daydreaming.
Overall, I recommend spending around 2 hours here.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Just 20 minutes from downtown, Henry Cowell Redwoods is one of Northern California’s most accessible redwood forests. The Redwood Grove Loop Trail features "The Giant"—a 1,500-year-old tree—and flat trails perfect for easy forest walks. Stay about 2 hours.
Next to the park, you'll also find the nostalgic railway company Roaring Camp Railroads, where you can ride a vintage steam train through the forest — a truly unique experience that's perfect for families with kids.
More about this park in this article.
Capitola
Capitola is a charming beach town next to Santa Cruz, famous for its row of colorful beachfront houses—an Instagram hotspot facing Capitola Beach. Stroll along the river and explore cozy coffee shops, galleries, and artisan boutiques.
Walk out onto Capitola Wharf for panoramic beach views. On spring and summer weekends, expect live performances and open-air markets. Stay about 1 hour.
New Brighton State Beach
This hidden gem campground lies at the cliff-forest-ocean intersection. A few steps from your tent brings you to a nearly private beach—ideal for peaceful sunbathing and beach walks.
More info in this article.
Sunset State Beach
A local favorite for weekend gatherings, with wide beaches, BBQ pits, and picnic tables. As the name suggests, the sunsets here are breathtaking—golden reflections lighting up the ocean. It’s also a popular campground—book in advance during summer weekends.
Camping experience details in this article.
Optional Extension | Monterey
Have an extra day? Drive about an hour south from Santa Cruz to the scenic Monterey Peninsula. En route, stop at Moss Landing, Carmel-by-the-Sea, or enjoy the scenic 17-Mile Drive. End your day strolling Cannery Row or visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium—a top-rated extension to your Santa Cruz trip.
For a full Monterey itinerary, see this article.
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Further reading
- More Central California posts
- More CA-1 posts
