West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive
4.5
Scenic Drives • Scenic Walking Areas
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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  • Tom-WCT
    Caribou, Maine215 contributions
    Great Views of Pacific Ocean
    This is a great drive along the Pacific Ocean. There are numerous places to pull into (although each one isn't very big and it does get crowded) and get great views of the ocean. There are also quite a few fancy homes along the road that have great views of the ocean, I'm sure I couldn't afford one of them! It's a slow, windy drive but only goes about 3 miles. Lots of great picture opportunities.
    Visited December 2019
    Written February 7, 2020
  • Jerry H
    Monterey, California62 contributions
    Seeing The Monterey Bay From This Scenic Drive In Santa Cruz is Spectacular
    Whether you are walking, riding a bike or gliding along on a Segway, West Cliff Drive provides some incredible views of Monterey Bay. On any given day, you may see marine life of all types, to include Harbor Seals, Dolphins, Cormorants, Sea Gulls, Pelicans and even an occasional whale. Some great surfing spots along the drive as well and watching the surfers ply their skills is almost exciting as being down their with them.
    Visited January 2020
    Written February 11, 2020
  • Bill R
    5 contributions
    Great stroll
    The beauty and the sounds of the waves and surf make for a relaxing and peaceful stroll along the Pacific Ocean. And the surfers at Lighthouse Point add a special dimension to the whole experience. Highly recommended.
    Visited March 2020
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 5, 2020
  • Emerald7775
    San Jose, California10 contributions
    Cruz Coast Culture
    We love driving and walking along West Cliff. It starts just after the boardwalk and ends at Natural Bridges beach. There is free parking along the way, so you can stop, walk, or just sit on a bench at almost any point along the way. We love seeing the people from locals to tourists. There are surfers in the water to watch and this time we saw a man creating giant soap bubbles. There is a small museum that I have never been to as well. It's fun to walk, run, bike, skate or just sit along the coast.
    Visited January 2022
    Written January 7, 2022
  • MichaelMc777
    Sunnyvale, California4,629 contributions
    My favorite walk in Santa Cruz 😁
    This one on the best walks in the Bay Area. The walk has so many wonderful elements. Beautiful views, healthy 5 mile round trip walk, Light house museum, great small beaches, dog beaches, great places to watch surfers up close, interesting architecture, great coffee shop at the church, good local food by the light house, a public restroom, and a great winding walk path. The sunsets are great too!! A must!
    Visited November 2020
    Traveled solo
    Written November 18, 2020
  • 519alice2016
    Modesto, California25 contributions
    Driving in heaven
    Driving along the coast by Santa Cruz is an absolute Delight except on weekends. Weekends can be wall-to-wall cars no place to park and hard to actually find a place to stop and look at the water. The rocks and the waves are spectacular, sometimes there are Surfers. I could just sit and look at the water and the waves 4 quite a bit of time especially if you have packed a lunch or have a bottle of wine. There's a walking path if you're a walker and dogs are welcome. Just find a place to park and enjoy gorgeous central California coast.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 24, 2020
  • Lisa E
    Boggstown, Indiana12 contributions
    Beautiful Drive and definitely a must to see surfers
    This drive is a beautiful drive of the coast. Parking is a little difficult but once you find a spot definitely take a while watching surfers. We were able to find a spot close to the Surfing Museum. it's a neat place with pictures and cute shirts and surf board keychains to purchase!
    Visited March 2022
    Written March 28, 2022
  • SaraMSea
    Seattle, Washington72 contributions
    Gorgeous views, for free!
    Soak in 180+ degrees of the gorgeous Pacific coast while walking along a lovely path perched on the cliff. No need to pay for park entrance fees or buy a meal at a waterfront restaurant to get these striking views! Watch surfers, look for wildlife, hear the waves crashing. Bring a friend and a coffee and take your time.
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 27, 2020
  • Bonnie D
    86 contributions
    Great place to walk in the evening
    Beautiful scenery, great views of the wharf, kiteboarders were out, natural arch on 1 of the beachs, saw a whale spout in the distance. Nice relaxing walk on wide paved sidewalk. Almost everyone had a mask on and kept their distance as much as possible.
    Visited August 2020
    Written August 19, 2020
  • bg564
    Windhoek, Namibia883 contributions
    Great walk
    It's nice to drive on West Cliff drive any time of year but spring or summer when it is sunny is the best. Find a place to park and walk along the cliff or on the rocks or down to one of the beaches. Great place to spend an afternoon.
    Visited May 2022
    Written June 9, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Emerald7775
San Jose, CA10 contributions
Jan 2022
We love driving and walking along West Cliff. It starts just after the boardwalk and ends at Natural Bridges beach. There is free parking along the way, so you can stop, walk, or just sit on a bench at almost any point along the way. We love seeing the people from locals to tourists. There are surfers in the water to watch and this time we saw a man creating giant soap bubbles. There is a small museum that I have never been to as well. It's fun to walk, run, bike, skate or just sit along the coast.
Written January 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MichaelMc777
Sunnyvale, CA4,629 contributions
Nov 2020 • Solo
This one on the best walks in the Bay Area.

The walk has so many wonderful elements. Beautiful views, healthy 5 mile round trip walk, Light house museum, great small beaches, dog beaches, great places to watch surfers up close, interesting architecture, great coffee shop at the church, good local food by the light house, a public restroom, and a great winding walk path.

The sunsets are great too!!

A must!
Written November 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

519alice2016
Modesto, CA25 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Driving along the coast by Santa Cruz is an absolute Delight except on weekends. Weekends can be wall-to-wall cars no place to park and hard to actually find a place to stop and look at the water. The rocks and the waves are spectacular, sometimes there are Surfers. I could just sit and look at the water and the waves 4 quite a bit of time especially if you have packed a lunch or have a bottle of wine.
There's a walking path if you're a walker and dogs are welcome. Just find a place to park and enjoy gorgeous central California coast.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa E
Boggstown, IN12 contributions
Mar 2022
This drive is a beautiful drive of the coast. Parking is a little difficult but once you find a spot definitely take a while watching surfers. We were able to find a spot close to the Surfing Museum. it's a neat place with pictures and cute shirts and surf board keychains to purchase!
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SaraMSea
Seattle, WA72 contributions
Feb 2020
Soak in 180+ degrees of the gorgeous Pacific coast while walking along a lovely path perched on the cliff. No need to pay for park entrance fees or buy a meal at a waterfront restaurant to get these striking views! Watch surfers, look for wildlife, hear the waves crashing. Bring a friend and a coffee and take your time.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bonnie D
86 contributions
Aug 2020
Beautiful scenery, great views of the wharf, kiteboarders were out, natural arch on 1 of the beachs, saw a whale spout in the distance. Nice relaxing walk on wide paved sidewalk. Almost everyone had a mask on and kept their distance as much as possible.
Written August 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bg564
Windhoek, Namibia883 contributions
May 2022
It's nice to drive on West Cliff drive any time of year but spring or summer when it is sunny is the best. Find a place to park and walk along the cliff or on the rocks or down to one of the beaches. Great place to spend an afternoon.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mini
Fremont, CA176,137 contributions
Feb 2020
We've been to West Coast Drive many many times. This time it was a warm February day. It was a very popular place to be. There are beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Its a great place for a walk, bike ride, skating, etc. There is the surfer statue, surf museum, and other things to see.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mini
Fremont, CA176,137 contributions
Jan 2021
we returned and drove the West Shore Cliff Drive. This is always beautiful and extends from Natural Bridges State Park to the Boardwalk area.

This time it was sunny. There were good waves so lots of surfers were there.
Written January 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jonathan C.
La Jolla, California, USA445 contributions
Nov 2020
A gorgeous walk along the cliffs in Santa Cruz - you can go all the way from natural beaches state park to the Boardwalk. There are plenty of other people walking with their dogs, runners, cyclists. Great views of the ocean or to watch the sunset.
Written November 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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West Cliff Drive (Santa Cruz) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about West Cliff Drive

West Cliff Drive is open:
  • Sun - Thu 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
  • Fri - Fri 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Sat - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM



West Cliff Drive Information

Excellent Reviews1,048
Very Good Reviews250
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