Things To Do
We recommend strolling down Pacific Avenue to experience Downtown Santa Cruz. There are many coffee shops, eateries, and boutiques to explore.
We also recommend the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a fairly large and diverse amusement park with an arcade, rollercoasters, and other rides. A subsection of the park is designed and reserved for young children (under 49 inches tall). There is a trolley that will take you from downtown to the boardwalk. This can be a wise choice given that, at certain times, parking can be a hassle.
The Santa Cruz wharf is an opportune way to see the iconic views of the local coast. It is a half-mile walk, one way, to the end. There are also many restaurants if you get hungry.
For those who are keen on witnessing the magic of the redwood forest and have access to a car, we suggest Henry Cowell Redwood State Park. There are short and long trails.
Below are additional recommendations that we suggest: