Santa Cruz Planning & Tips

Getting There and Around
Like so many hidden gems, Santa Cruz is not an exit off a major freeway, but requires drivers traveling the state's major thoroughfare, Highway 101, to veer onto a series of smaller winding roads that lead you to the coast. So travel here will involve some planning, but not so much that any family should be deterred. All the roads leading into here are very well maintained, so you can cruise along at a pretty good clip even while you're weaving through the Redwood forest that surrounds Santa Cruz.

Families coming from other parts of the country should fly into San Francisco International Airport (about 75 miles to the north) or San Jose International Airport (just about 35 miles north) and drive south from there. Downtown Santa Cruz is a delightfully compact and walkable area, but if you really want to explore the surrounding areas, a car will come in handy.

The Art of Smart Timing
Like most parts of California, the weather is mild year-round in Santa Cruz and visitors any time of year will most likely see a good bit of sunshine. However, California's rainy season runs from around mid-December through February and depending on the year can produce quite a bit of rain. Just to be safe, families are better off planning their trip for some other time of year.

Off the Radar
For those who don't like to stay put, Santa Cruz is centrally located between the seaside towns of Carmel and Monterey to the South, and majestic Big Sur a bit further South, as well as a lot more coastline to the north, and the city of San Francisco about 150 miles north.

Visitor Bureau
Santa Cruz Visitors Bureau