Santa Cruz Travel Guide: Boardwalk, Surf, Redwoods & Wharf
· By GoldenPath Guide Editorial Team
Santa Cruz is California’s laid-back beach town — a surfing, boardwalk and redwoods destination on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, and a classic day or weekend trip from San Francisco. The vibe is casual and sunny, and the blend of coastline, amusement park and pine forest gives it an easygoing charm that is hard to beat. Known for surf culture, it is genuinely California’s “Surf City.”
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the last historic seaside amusement parks in America, and its centerpiece — the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster — has been thrilling riders for over a century. Nostalgia, cotton candy, arcade games and ocean views make it irresistible for all ages, and it is a wonderful place to spend a warm afternoon at the water’s edge.
Steamer Lane
Just up the coast, Steamer Lane is one of the most famous surf breaks in California, a reliable right-hand wave that has shaped more than a few generations of surfers. Perch on the bluffs to watch the locals carve the waves, and learn the story of the sport at the small surf museum nearby. Even if you don’t paddle out, the show is well worth it.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is named for its wave-carved sea arches and is also home to an important monarch butterfly grove. Each fall and winter, thousands of monarchs gather in the trees to rest in a dense, fluttering cluster — a remarkable sight and a highlight of the park’s year. It is also a lovely beach for low tide and sunset walks.
Downtown, the Wharf & the Redwoods
Downtown’s Pacific Avenue is the heart of the city, lined with independent shops and cafés worth a stroll. The Santa Cruz Wharf is a classic spot for fresh seafood, with sea lions lounging on the pilings and whale watching in season — gray whales migrate along Monterey Bay, making it a productive place to look out. Just inland, the redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and the UC Santa Cruz campus offer cool, shaded hikes beneath towering ancient trees.
Monterey Bay & Beyond
Santa Cruz also makes a great base for exploring the wider Monterey Bay. The bay’s kelp forests and submarine canyon make it a marine hot spot, and wildlife-watching — from sea otters to whales in season — is part of the appeal. The shoreline between Santa Cruz and the Monterey Peninsula is one of the most scenic drives in California, and you can plan a day trip south to the aquarium without leaving the region.
Hiking the Redwoods
Inland, the forest is just as much a draw as the beach. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park preserves stands of old-growth redwood, including a famous grove that has been protected for generations, and its flat, shaded loops are ideal for a slow afternoon walk. The UC Santa Cruz campus sprawls through a redwood forest above town, with a network of hiking and mountain-bike trails that wind beneath the canopy. Both are a world away from the boardwalk, and they are an easy addition to any trip.
Best Time to Visit
Santa Cruz is a true summer destination, though coastal fog can roll in through the mornings in the warmer months. Summer delivers the classic beach-day energy, when the boardwalk is in full swing and the water feels just cool enough to tempt you in. Spring and fall are quieter and often sunnier, and the monarchs arrive in late autumn. Whales and migrating mammals pass through the bay in season.