Things to do in Santa Cruz

This article is all about top things to do in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is the largest city of California. Most tourists go direct to the boardwalk and don’t get much further than the closest by sandy beaches and fishing dock. However, Santa Cruz has so much more to present. Amazing nature sites, the historic mission church, and an attractive downtown reward tourists who explore Santa Cruz. Take a drive along the beautiful coastline and stop to look up the wonderful ocean views. One of the best things to do in Santa Cruz is to go deep blue waters of Monterey and watch surfers ride the roaring waves of the Pacific. The other wonderful and marvellous city of California is San Diego. Go hiking in the rough, perfect Wilder Ranch State Park and discover surprising plants in the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum.

Top Things to do in Santa Cruz:

1.) Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

This renowned fun park, ignoring the sandy shores of Monterey Bay, has been wooing tourists since 1907. It’s known as one of the best seaside fun parks in the world due to its unbelievable setting and famous roller coaster rides. The boardwalk is the most admired tourist destinations in Santa Cruz and is particularly popular with families. The largest crowds come during the summer months for the thrilling rides and loving games. Be definite to go on the park’s most renowned roller coaster, the Giant Dipper, a wooden sight built-in 1924. On a hot day, the Logger’s Revenge ride is the best way to cool off as the boat similar to cars splatter through a watery trail. The boardwalk has many tourist attractions for children of all ages. The favorite one for little kids is the Looff Carousel. Young children also like riding on the Kiddie Cruzers vintage cars or on the back of Bulgy the Whale. Other highlights for the tourists are the Ferris Wheel, bumper cars, bowling, and miniature golf. It is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz with kids.

2.) Cowell Beach & Main Beach

Santa Cruz is famous for its beaches also. Visiting the beaches is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz. Tourists can go for several exceptional beaches. The two most well-liked are Main Beach, neighbouring to the Boardwalk, and Cowell Beach, which is close to the Main Beach on the other side of the dockside. The Cowell beach is the one to go for sunbathing and swimming. It’s an area where kids can make sand castles. Volleyball players can take benefit of the sand volleyball courts. Cowell Beach is famous with surfers and party people. Birthday parties and wedding ceremony are quite popular on this beach.

3.) Roaring Camp Railroad

Tourist can take a vintage steam train ride through the most beautiful areas of Santa Cruz. The loud Camp Railroad, situated in nearby Felton offers two diverse routes: the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train. The Redwood Forest Steam Train moves through tall redwood groves, zigzag through the mountains to the top of Bear Mountain. Throughout the journey, the guide shares information about the surroundings and the history of loud Camp Railroad since it was created in the 1880s. The Santa Cruz Beach Steam Train leaves from the Santa Cruz Mountains. It travels an amazing route through the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park into the San Lorenzo River Gorge and through a tunnel opened in 1875. The train finally reaches at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Taking this wonderful journey is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz with family.

4.) Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz

There are different things to do in Santa Cruz but visiting Mystery spot is one of the most amazing things to do in Santa Cruz. It was opened in 1939. Since then it is wooing thousands of tourists for its gravity exception. It is a spherical area that has a diameter of 46 meters where normal gravity do not apply. Objects and people appear to be slanted even when trying to stand up straight. The result is totally confusing, and no scientific theory has been able to give details. Tourists go for a walk on the nearby trail that breeze through the redwood trees.

5.) Seymour Marine Discovery Center

The Seymour Marine is situated close to Natural Bridges State Park. It has a charming aquarium, shark pool, and touch pool packed with starfish, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and sea anemones. The display area instructs tourists, school kids about oceanic research as well as topics such as elephant seal activities and the sea ecosystem. The place is full of visitors and locals on weekends, specially on Sundays.

6.) Santa Cruz Shakespeare

It is a company known for its plays written by Shakespeare as well as other famous play writer. For theatre lovers visiting this place is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz. Tourists can bring their own food or can buy from nearby stores. There is a popular Hoffman’s Downtown which sells sandwiches, snacks and other desserts. If you are planning to visit there go for advance purchase of tickets. Watching this act of play is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz.

7.) West Cliff Drive

West Cliff Drive is a six mile path that travels through the beautiful coastline. The path is completely flat, designed in such a manner that walking and cycling can be done easily. Chairs are assembled at different spots to invite tourists to sit back and look at the panoramas of rising and falling deep blue seas. This charming part of the Monterey Bay is popular with surfers. A bronze surfer sculpture is established along the path and a small Surfing Museum is situated in the Mark Abbott Memorial.

8.) Natural Bridges State Beach

This beach is famous for its natural beauty and sight seeing. Tourists enjoy watching shorebirds and migrating whales. The other tourist attractions are seals and otters which are seen gathering at offshore. Tide pools are constructed along the beach where sea stars, crabs, other sea creatures gather. The park near the beach is packed with shady eucalyptus, wild-flowers and beautiful butterflies. Going to this beach with your family is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz.

9.) Downtown Santa Cruz

The downtown of Santa Cruz is filled with lovely streets. The central street, Pacific avenue is packed with tall trees, restaurants, cafes, juice kiosks and other stores. Restaurants and cafes provide outdoor dining for tourists to look at the beautiful surroundings. It is a good way to distress your mind and body. Roaming the downtown with your Girlfriend or Boyfriend is one of the coolest things to do in Santa Cruz.

10.) Santa Cruz Mission

The Santa Cruz Mission is a division of the historic park. It is situated on Mission hill close to downtown Santa Cruz. It was built-in the late 18^th century, but was severely damaged in an earthquake in 1857. The replica of the earlier design was constructed in 1931 from wood only. The beauty of the place is its original paintings, wooden crosses and a door found in the church, recreating the significant ambiance.

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