Sights & landmarks in Santa Cruz

THE 10 BEST Santa Cruz Sights & Historical Landmarks

Santa Cruz Landmarks

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What travelers are saying

  • Margaret H
    Los Angeles, CA2 contributions
    Cliff drive is a must, it’s a spectacularly beautiful drive showcase a gorgeous stretch of California coastline. Plenty of places to pull over to get out and take photos and soak in the scenery.
    Written June 26, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Milap S
    Ahmedabad, India94 contributions
    This is nice place to go with kids, if you have senior citizens in your family it is very difficult for them to maintain balance, it is a unique place where gravity seems to be messed up. Don’t drive immediately after visiting this place as some of us may feel dizzy after touring mystery spot. My family had an awesome time at this place
    Written August 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Life traveller
    North East England, UK3,804 contributions
    Enjoyed strolling down the windy Wharf, catching some good views of Santa Cruz beach and boardwalk, including when the fog obscured both! Interesting posters of the Wharf history, and lots of sea lions resting on the girders, supplied some general interest, and there was a selection of restaurants to choose from. Apparently this is the longest warf in the US. Interesting in itself. If you visit Santa Cruz, I would say a 'must do'. Well, why not?!
    Written November 24, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ian B
    Sherborn, MA142 contributions
    Beautiful campus, great little trails, and spectacular views across to the Pacific. The university itself is removed from the town, literally a campus on the hill, and feels isolated.
    Written April 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Balasubramanian R
    Chennai (Madras), India732 contributions
    Light house is a tourist attraction in Santa cruz town situated in the shore of Pacific ocean. Photos can be taken and one can have a good view
    Written September 15, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nostalgiyeah
    Bothell, WA1,891 contributions
    This is worth a short stop on the scenic West Cliff drive in Santa Cruz. The drive along this road hugging the ocean itself is quite scenic and this statue and the ocean behind makes for some good photos. The statue is a tribute to the surfer.
    This is definitely a popular place with the tourists and so parking might not be that easy. There is a small road perpendicular to the main road on which there are some parking spaces.
    Written May 19, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dr. Tim
    Marana, AZ5,139 contributions
    The 16th of the 21 California Missions I visited on my Motorcycle trip was Mission Santa Cruz aka The Mission of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It was founded August 28th, 1791 as the 12th Spanish Mission. The original mission is all ruins and a new “replica” mission was built in the 1930s across the street and is very small. Holy Cross Catholic Church is across the street and Holy Cross School is next door. I was there on 9-11 so with all the festivities there was no parking nearby. Also the mission State Park was closed so make sure you check their website for hours and availability.
    Written September 12, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jaseaton
    Silver Spring, MD2,544 contributions
    If you've been to the Lawrence Hall of Science, you've seen a better version of this "museum" filled with fun activities for kids 10 and under. There's a mix of science fun and just plain slides and things (over-sized blocks and numerous interactive activities). My grandson (3 yrs old) enjoyed racing plastic cars down a chute and playing in the sand box. We adults joined in.and stood around. It made for a 90-minute slot in a lively afternoon. The location inside a mall seemed curious.
    Written December 22, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael K
    929 contributions
    Abott Square is like a food court where you buy the food from the take-out restaurants that surround the square and then pick a table to enjoy the meal. The square being open to the elements provides a plesant and relaxing environment for eating and resting.
    Written August 20, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael K
    929 contributions
    This is a great vista point for the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Beach looking westwards and the Seabright Beach and the Walton Lighthouse looking eastward, with the Pacific Ocean on the south side.
    Written August 20, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael K
    929 contributions
    This is a very nice neighborhood park accented by a pond that gives the park its namesake. The pond/lake is not very big but it is quite scenic and walking around the lake to enjoy the view is a must. Certain sections of the trail is in the shade; otherwise it is fully exposed to the sun but since Santa Cruz is never too hot, it is not a problem.
    Written August 20, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mini
    Fremont, CA176,137 contributions
    I went to Santa Cruz Boardwalk's Cocoanut Grove. There is a fun arcade in the building. There is also an event room with Pacific Ocean Rooms. With my husband I have gone to wedding receptions, work parties and others at the Cocoanut Grove.
    Written December 20, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael K
    929 contributions
    This is a picturesque lighthouse located at the tip of the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. It is not open to the public, but really stands out when admired from afar at the Twin Lakes State Beach located just east of the harbor.
    Written September 3, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • rileyw0510
    Menlo Park, CA83 contributions
    The g league warrior games are super fun to watch. You can see the players warming up to enter the game. The staff are nice also
    Written February 7, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mini
    Fremont, CA176,137 contributions
    We returned for a visit to the historic Mission Santa Cruz. This is one of the original missions in California Friends of ours were married there, so special for us for that too.
    Written October 8, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz




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So I havent seen this post recently. Debating the merits of staying in Santa Cruz vs Capitola.

We are are a sports team of 15- 16 yr old boys traveling from Orange County ,ca to the area in end of July. Games can range from being in Sc, Aptos, cabrillo and San Lorenzo. We will be in the area for four days with some down time in the evenings.

Hotels are expensive in both areas. Looking into the Fairfield inn in Capitola (rates ave ~$300 but with breakfast & bocci ball court) with some of chain restaurants like chipotle & mall nearby.

The other option to to get a hotel in SC possibly Hotel Paradox in the higher end (~$330 but no breakfast) or Holiday Inn or Hyatt place same price as FI.

Pls lmk your thoughts of what would be a better city SC or C?

Would like a hotel where parents & kids have a nice common area to congregate during down time.

Also would like to have the boys have access to fun things to do during down time & have access to good food options since 16 yrs old boys playing sports are always hungry.

Will the team with 30+ people be frustrated trying to get into a non chain restaurant in Sc?

Hotel P is off the beaten path & expensive but has nicer facilities like pool area with nice lounge area. Is the hotel worth the extra $?

Any appreciate suggestions on the hotel I mentioned or any others that I have may have overlooked.

Thank you for your advice.
Answer: There is not much for boys that age in Capitola. Its core is a small village with boutique shopping. The hotel itself is on busy 41st Avenue, not very near the village. The mall you speak of is considering going out of business and turning into something else. It has a couple of semi-fast food restaurants. It is not something the boys could walk to from the Fairfield Inn, or has anything of interest to them, IMO.

The Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz is not near anything for the boys except Denny's :~). It is on Ocean Street as you come into the town. The Paradox is a new remake of a Holiday Inn and it screams 'businessmen'. It is also on Ocean Avenue, but further down and just across San Lorenzo Park (about two or three blocks) from the main street of town, Pacific Avenue, with lots of restaurants of various kinds, two movie theaters, ice cream parlors, a cookie company, pizza, etc.

Have you looked into the Dream Inn? This is of the same quality as, or better than, the others but near the Wharf and a block from the Boardwalk, an old fashioned historic amusement park with no admission charge.

The hotel has a pool and faces a beach. Surfing lessons happen there. There are volleyball nets set up on part of the beach near the Boardwalk. During the summer there are free movies and concerts and aerial acts at various times on the main beach there. Of your choices, I really think this is the best. It is not inexpensive, but I think it might be in the same ballpark as the Paradox. The boys *could* walk to Pacific Avenue from here, but it is about 8 or 9 blocks to the main area .

The Hyatt is new and I know nothing about it except its location. It is on the west side and not really convenient to activities for the boys.

I am going to give you a link to a traveler article on Santa Cruz. Trip Advisor has stopped supporting these, so there is a disclaimer that the information may be outdated. The information in this article is not outdated. I will be re-writing it to put in my own files.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g33048-c133677/Santa-Cruz:California:Santa.Cruz.Sights.And.Activities.html

Good luck and let me know if I can be of help....

Edit. The Paradox is not in a "shady area of town". Yes, homeless people do hang out in San Lorenzo Park, but there is no reason for the boys to go there. If you should pick that hotel they can walk on city streets, quite safely, to get to Pacific Avenue...
Note that forum content are individual perspectives of forum posters and not the opinion of Tripadvisor