Santa Cruz Attractions

While there might seem no need to wander outside of Santa Cruz in search of beaches, the little beach community of Capitola, just about seven miles out of town and still within the borders of Santa Cruz County, is a real delight. Built on the former location of an Indian village, modern day Capitola, with its colorful homes nestled close to the shore, has been compared to a quaint Mediterranean village. It features a broad and exceptionally kid-friendly beach, and a promenade of trendy shops and restaurants, which can turn an afternoon at the beach into a full day of activities and people watching.

Lots of interesting things in Santa Cruz are located close to downtown, but if you want to get to the heart of the city's downtown shopping/dining/people watching district, that would be the eight block area of Pacific Ave., bordered by Water and Laurel Streets. Part of this area is closed to cars, creating a highly walkable commercial district reminiscent of the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Cruz's version is a bit more laid back and has a few more hippy stores selling incense and fashions from India, mixed in with upscale art galleries and coffee shops and some independent bookstores. There are plenty of dining options along this strip too.

See giant redwoods as old as 1,800 years, measuring up to 285 feet tall and 16 feet wide! The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park will intrigue children of all ages with the sheer dimensions of some of its trees, while adults are likely to appreciate the 15 miles of hiking and riding trails and the picnic area that overlooks the peaceful San Lorenzo River. Once a Native American habitat, this forest is for the most part undisturbed and is said to look the same as it did hundreds of years ago.

The 12th link in the chain of 21 Franciscan Missions that stretch from San Diego all the way up to Sonoma County, Mission Santa Cruz was erected in 1791 and pretty much thoroughly destroyed by an earthquake in 1851. Although most of the tiles, stones and wall beams from that original structure were taken from the original site, a replica was later constructed, which although considerably smaller, is true to Mission-era architecture and will convey a sense of early California history.

A little bit further out of town, but definitely worth the drive, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has long delighted kids and adults with its larger-than-life displays of colorful, other-worldly fish and other marine life that really must be seen to be believed. It's about 40 miles south of Santa Cruz, on a drive that will take you most of the way along the coast, and is open most days from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., with extended summertime hours. Admission is $17.95 for children 3-12, $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors and students, and free for children under 3.

Just three miles out of town is Mystery Spot, a little section of the Redwood Forest, where the laws of gravity do not seem to apply; and children and adults alike will get a kick out of watching balls roll up hills and other phenomena. Mystery Spot has been entertaining tourists and locals since 1940. Admission is $6 per person, parking is $5 and children under three are admitted for free. Mystery Spot is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. most of the year, and stays open until 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

A short drive from downtown, Natural Bridges State Park offers an entirely different beach scene, with fewer people, and more wild life. The scenic beach is named for the large rock formations that extend away from shore and are perfect for peering off into the horizon and catching a glimpse of sea otter. Bird watching and whale watching are popular as well. The park also houses a monarch butterfly preserve. A picnic area complete with tables, barbeques and water faucets makes the beach family-friendly and a visitor center that highlights some of the natural scenery will help you make this an educational visit for your children. Natural Bridges State Beach also has a boardwalk that is wheelchair and stroller accessible, but not open to bikes or skateboards. Although children are welcome, loud noise is discouraged out of respect for the butterflies and other wildlife.

Featuring a boardwalk, an amusement park, beach volleyball, and of course, swimming, Santa Cruz Main Beach is the city's most centrally-located and its most popular beach among locals and tourists alike. Think Coney Island West. With the city in view in the background, you and your family can ride a roller coaster, play arcade games, or just lie in the sand. The scene is vibrant and excellent for people watching.

Travel through 100 years of surfing history, all the way back to the times when a slab of redwood constituted a surf board, at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Housed in an old lighthouse right on the beach, this museum upholds the relaxed spirit the sport it honors is known for. Admission is free -- although donations are appreciated -- and the hours can only be described as surfer casual. It's open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between July 4 and mid-September.

Featuring two straight blocks of historic landmark buildings close to the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, Walnut Ave. will transport your family to another time, when spectacular Victorian mansions were the architectural norm. Today these structures, which date back as far as 1870, are exceptionally well maintained and rival anything you're likely to see in San Francisco, without those challenging hills that San Francisco is known for. History in California is often associated with the Spanish mission period, but this little street will show you and your family another piece of history. It's a great destination for any group bogged down with strollers or wheelchairs, since the key landmarks are right next to each other and require minimal walking.