Santa Cruz Activities by Time of Day
Santa Cruz sits on the north shore of Monterey Bay, about 75 miles south of San Francisco, and its surf beaches, redwood groves and seaside rides are all within a few miles of one another. That makes it easy to build a day around the time you have, so this page sorts the options by the part of the day they suit best. Figures are in US dollars and operators change them through the year.
Morning
Surf lesson. Richard Schmidt Surf School and Club Ed both list lessons off Cowell Beach, one of the two lifeguarded city beaches. Richard Schmidt shows daily hours of 9am to 5pm, while Club Ed works the beach seasonally. Group or semi-private sessions are listed at around $120 to $150 a person, so confirm the rate when you book. The break below Lighthouse Point, Steamer Lane, is for advanced surfers only and is best enjoyed from the clifftop.
Paddling. Kayak Connection at 413 Lake Avenue, by the harbor, opens at 10am. Venture Quest Kayaking operates from the Municipal Wharf with rentals and guided nature tours on seasonal hours.
Redwoods. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is about 6 miles from downtown, and its Visitor Center keeps 10am to 4pm hours every day. The Redwood Grove Loop is a flat 0.8 mile among coast redwoods.
Midday
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk charges nothing to walk through. Rides are paid with a wristband or tickets, and wristbands span about $34.95 to $69.95 by date. The Giant Dipper wooden coaster dates from 17 May 1924, and the Looff Carousel from 1911. The Boardwalk lot costs about $25 on many days and about $35 on summer weekends and holidays. Some autumn and winter dates run a reduced ride schedule, so look at the official calendar first.
Afternoon
West Cliff Drive suits walking or cycling. The paved path leads from the Wharf past Lighthouse Point to Natural Bridges, roughly 3 miles each way, and the road itself reopened in August 2025. Stay behind the barriers, because the bluff is still wearing away. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse at 701 West Cliff Drive, opens noon to 4pm from Thursday to Monday and is free. Call or check online before you go, as it can close without notice.
Evening
Sunset from Lighthouse Point is the classic finish, with surfers working the waves below. The Municipal Wharf has seafood restaurants and sea lions resting near it, and in winter its parking costs $1 an hour for the first four hours.
When You Want a Roof
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, at 100 McAllister Way, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, with touch pools, aquariums and a very large blue whale skeleton. Expect to pay about $9 to $12 and check the website for today’s price. The Sanctuary Exploration Center at 35 Pacific Avenue is free and open most days Thursday to Sunday, so check ahead.
Costs at a Glance
| Activity | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk entry | Free |
| Boardwalk ride wristband | About $34.95 to $69.95 |
| Henry Cowell Redwoods day use | $10 per vehicle |
| Surf lesson, group or semi-private | Around $120 to $150 each |
| Seymour Center | About $9 to $12 |
| Surfing Museum | Free, donations welcome |
Water Safety
Cold water, rip currents and sneaker waves are normal along this coast, and many beaches have no lifeguards. Swim at Cowell Beach or Main Beach, where guards are on duty.
Rules for the redwood park are on the Henry Cowell State Parks page . For organised outings, browse Viator listings for Santa Cruz activities .
Read more: the outdoor activities page goes deeper on trails and water, and the adventure sports page covers the more active options. Driving down from the Bay Area? The San Francisco guide covers the other end of the trip.