Day Trips Out of Santa Cruz by Distance
Every day trip from Santa Cruz starts on one of three roads: Highway 1 along the coast, Highway 9 up the San Lorenzo Valley, or Highway 17 over the mountains. The table runs from nearest to farthest, and the sections after it are grouped by direction with the costs and rules that shape each outing. Money is in US dollars.
Distances at a Glance
| Destination | From Santa Cruz | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capitola Village | A few miles east | Easy half-day |
| Henry Cowell and Roaring Camp | About 6 miles | Highway 9 |
| Año Nuevo | About 20 miles north | Highway 1, winter walks |
| Big Basin | About 25 miles | Highways 9 and 236 |
| San Jose | About 30 miles | Highway 17 |
| Mission San Juan Bautista | 35 to 40 miles | By road |
| Monterey | About 45 miles | Roughly an hour without traffic |
Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Aptos slows a great deal on busy summer weekends, so give yourself extra time on those days.
Close to Town
Capitola Village sits a few miles east on the bay. Shadowbrook Restaurant there is reached by the Hillevator funicular from the Wharf Road lot, and its phone number is 831-475-1511 if you want to confirm it is open on your date.
Felton is about 6 miles inland. Henry Cowell Redwoods charges $10 a vehicle, and the Redwood Forest Steam Train at Roaring Camp, close by, takes 75 minutes.
Into the Mountains: Big Basin
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is about 25 miles away. After the 2020 fire it allows limited day use only, with no camping, and reservations are recommended. Reserved parking is $8. Cyclists, walkers and bus riders need no reservation. Bring your own water because the park has none to drink, and expect no cell service.
North Along the Coast
Año Nuevo State Park is the winter draw. Elephant seals are viewed on docent-led guided walks only, from December to March. Places are released 56 days ahead, and the 2026-27 bookings opened on 20 October 2026. Entry is $10 a vehicle, and a guided walk runs around $7 plus a booking fee. From April to November a free permit gives access to a self-guided walk, with permits handed out between 8:30am and 3:30pm.
Pigeon Point Light Station and the village of Pescadero lie farther up the San Mateo County coast. The lighthouse is 115 feet tall, but its tower has been closed to climbers for years, so check State Parks before you build a plan on it. The old light-station buildings house a Hostelling International hostel.
South Around the Bay
Monterey is the biggest draw. The Monterey Bay Aquarium sells adult tickets (ages 18 to 69) at $65 and youth (5 to 17) or senior (70 and over) tickets at $50, with ages 4 and under free. Buy ahead. Cannery Row is close by.
Mission San Juan Bautista belongs to San Benito County, in the town of San Juan Bautista. Make it a trip of its own rather than adding it to a beach day.
Without a Car
Santa Cruz METRO runs the Highway 17 Express to San Jose Diridon station. The fare is $7 each way, a day pass is $14, and the discount fare is $3.50. Allow about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes each way, depending on traffic.
Bus fares are on the Santa Cruz METRO fares page . The seal walk details are on the State Parks Año Nuevo page . Packaged excursions can be compared through Viator day trip search .
Read more: the multi-day trips page stretches these outings over several nights, and the family page suits trips with children. Coming from the north, the San Francisco guide has the other end of Highway 1.