Things to Do in Santa Cruz for Couples

THE 10 BEST Santa Cruz Couples' Activities

Best Things to Do in Santa Cruz for Couples

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    Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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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.
  • VictoriaAllen
    Las Vegas, NV93 contributions
    This was our family's first time visiting Santa Cruz so we weren't quite sure what to expect other than what we had read online.

    Being from Vegas, the weather was absolutely perfect! Upper 60's to low 70's with a nice ocean breeze...definitely a nice break from the Vegas heat!

    So first off, parking. There were lots located in front of the park...all looked to be about 20.00 for the whole day so make sure to add that to the budget unless you're within walking distance.

    We had purchased the all day ride bands for about 55.00 a person I believe and we were able to ride a lot of rides during the day, some even 2 or 3 times. Since the park is cashless, we also purchased a "fun" card with 200.00 to spend later ...turned out to be a fiasco but more on that later...

    Rides: they ranged from kid friendly to high adrenalin which was nice since we had a 9 and 12 year old with us. Lines were doable, longest wait for us was about 15 minutes. Not too bad when compared to places like Disney or Legoland.

    Food: your average boardwalk fare... deep fried everything, ice cream, hot dogs, burgers, etc.... They had a "special" on their plastic souvenir cup for 11.99, with 99 cent refills all day.... normally I would pass but since I had trouble with that "fun" card, I purchased one... its a tourist spot so highway robbery is to be expected.

    As for the downfalls, there were a few unfortunately... We went on a Friday when its normally expected to stay open until about 9pm but we had gone a night designated for grad night so they closed at 6 instead so that was disappointing.

    As for that "fun" card that was purchased... we weren't able to use it all
    on food so we were under the impression that we could use the rest to buy souvenirs at the gift shop. Sadly, this was not the case so just be advised that when purchasing the card, you can only use on food and arcade. I ended up going back and buying one of those ridiculously expensive souvenir cups just to burn through some of the remaining funds.

    Overall, minus the few hiccups, it was a good experience and a great way to spend the day with kids. Would recommend to anyone visiting the area!
    Written July 8, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • glennmartinwc
    San Francisco, CA33 contributions
    We just strolled here from our hotel to check out the arch, but found this to be a hidden gem! A short walk through the lushly forested area brings you to a small beach strewn with driftwood. This is certainly the place to come if you want a day at the beach and don't need the boardwalk. There is a Visitors' Center, and several trails that delve deeper into the wooded areas. Don't miss this if you're in the area!
    Written July 29, 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.
  • Alan F
    Los Gatos, CA236 contributions
    Wilder Ranch State Park is one of my favorite hiking destinations. Even if you’re not into hiking, there’s plenty to do at this popular nature preserve.

    There are easy, moderate, and strenuous trails for hikers and mountain bikers alike, both inland and along the coast. I especially enjoy the Ohlone Bluff Trail in the summer when it’s hot inland. Hawks circle overhead, pelicans dive into the chilly water to catch fish, and cormorants sun themselves on rocky outcroppings. There are spectacular picture-perfect ocean vistas of massive cliffs carved by centuries of wave action. Between December and April you might spot migrating grey whales just offshore. I’ve often seen seals lounging on the beaches below as well as sea otters floating nearby. The trails along the bluff are flat but if you’re adventurous you can scramble down to one of several beaches where you can explore a fern grotto (at Marker Post 8) or maybe wade into a tide pool to see the colorful sea anemones at low tide.

    All-day parking is $10 per car (or $9 for seniors) and it’s worth it if you want to support this amazing park. There are clean restrooms at the parking lot.

    This former ranch and dairy is also a terrific destination for history buffs. You can stroll around the complex of historic buildings, including an 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, a red tile-roofed adobe, and the beautifully preserved Queen Anne Victorian home that California pioneer Deloss Wilder built for his family in 1897. There are plenty of picnic tables. Docents are often available for guided tours on weekends. The water-powered machine shop, built in 1896, is fascinating. Kids will enjoy seeing the farm animals up close.

    I highly recommend Wilder Ranch State Park. It’s ideal for hiking, biking, families, and especially out-of-town visitors who want a classic Northern California coastal experience.
    Written March 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • johnmodesto
    Modesto, CA670 contributions
    Large arboretum with excellent display of Australian and South African plants. The arboretum has its own entrance off of Empire Grade/High Street. There is a large free parking area. You can buy admission tickets online or at the gift shop, if it happens to be open. If not you can stuff money into a metal tube, which is what we did. The gardens for Australia and South Africa are large, with many diverse trees, bushes, succulents, and other plants. The setting is beautiful, though casual--nobody would accuse UC Santa Cruz of having formal gardens. Squirrels and rabbits wander here and there, and useful signage tells you about the plants and their normal environment. There is a New Zealand section, we didn't visit that but looking through the fence it appeared to be a picturesque meadow with wooden sculptures.
    Written February 13, 2023
    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
    Santa Cruz Main Beach is one of the important tourist attraction place. Behind the beach amusement park boardwalk and other things are there. Enjoyed the beach and an excellent view. It attracts tourists from all walks of life
    Written September 16, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sonofdragon
    San Jose, CA268 contributions
    Lived in the bay area for years but never take Santa Cruz seriously. Some good things surely come during this pandemic madness. Discovery of Pleasure Point was a blessing for us since we're having pandemic fatigue. Walking the public path while enjoying the breeze/waves was cooling/calming to the mind. Watching the surfers ride the waves was so exciting. Seeing people jogging/running/walking/biking is very inspiring. And the sea birds flying close just above the waves and diving for a catch was a sure wow moment to watch. Words cant say more. Stop the worry and make life livable again!
    Written January 15, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brigid G
    4 contributions
    The sommelier was friendly and knowledgeable, she described all the wines and was engaging with the half dozen people there. We bought the 2018 Cabernet and had it with dinner at Coastanoa later that evening.
    Very pretty, winding road to get here.
    Will definitely return!
    Written March 14, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mark S
    4 contributions
    A few friends and I had just gotten lunch when we happened to walk by MJA. On a whim, we went in, and our "thirty-minute tasting" turned into a delightful several-hour experience. After doing their red flight, I would highly recommend their reds, especially their cabernets.

    The staff at MJA are knowledgeable (but unpretentious), warm, and welcoming. We will certainly visit again!
    Written June 30, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sybille C
    Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States56 contributions
    Could be advertised with better signage, but a place to visit for as long as we have these beautiful monarchs
    Written May 3, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • oldjgw
    Berkeley150 contributions
    Well kept and interesting local museum. Right on Front street, downtown. Could have used more in-indepth displays of Santa Cruz local history
    Written January 23, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Theresa A
    30 contributions
    The beach is very pretty, but a little scruffy in parts. There were a few homeless folks on the beach and in some parts we found dog poop. The part by the lighthouse was nicer and cleaner.
    Written March 13, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andreas G
    Berkeley, CA481 contributions
    Ten years ago, when my wife and I last visited the Watsonville area, we took a drive up to Santa Cruz and visited the Storrs tasting room. We had a wonderful experience there. We wanted to go back and try their current releases. We had another positive experience. Let me provide some detail.

    We have been tasting and drinking wines for more than 40 years. We buy 30-40 cases of wine per year, have visited a wide range of wine-producing regions in California, and have forged customized arrangements to buy wines from a number of wineries we are very fond of. We have seen the transition from wine tasting being a means of getting potential customers to try your wines for free, to a courtesy that some abused to drink more wine than they should, to fees being introduced to curb this type of behavior, to these fees becoming a cash cow for some wineries. Storrs has maintained a nice balance during this evolution. I have no issue with a tasting fee, and am happy to pay it. However, I have a strong preference for wineries that appreciate your business and waive the tasting fee with a minimum purchase. Storrs gets an A on this front. They do charge you a very modest $5/person tasting fee, but it is waived with the purchase of a bottle of wine. I find this very reasonable. I buy at least one bottle per person even if I am not particularly fond of the wines.

    I not only like the business model at Storrs, I also like their wines very much. We went and tasted the six wines that were being offered as part of the tasting, and then one or two more that just happened to be open. Prices were not excessive. We ended up buying four bottles that we thought were the best combination of flavor and value for our palate. I will leave it to you to identify the wines that you like the most. The interaction with the tasting room staff was extremely pleasant. I think that you will enjoy the experience. I will note that we went midweek, and at about 2 PM. We were the only people in the tasting room for most of our stay. That allowed for ample discussion. What we thought would be a 30-minute stay evolved into a full hour. Although that enhanced the experience, during our prior visit the tasting room was quite crowded, but we still felt well taken care of.

    At a time when some wineries are raising their tasting fees to ridiculous levels (e.g., $50/person at some Napa wineries that will go unnamed) and do not waive the fees even if you buy a case of wine, it is refreshing to find wineries like Storrs that have not lost sight of what in my view the wine tasting experience should be about. It is also nice when the wines resonate with your personal taste preferences, and the tasting room staff is knowledgeable and personable. I’m happy to recommend Storrs to you. There are now two tasting rooms. The one in Santa Cruz that we have visited is quite small, but open seven days a week. The new tasting room is likely larger, but is currently only open on weekends at present. Information about hours and locations can be found on the winery website. We may visit the new location when we next visit the area.
    Written August 29, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

See what travelers are asking

Forum posts were selected by looking for forum titles asking specific questions and taking the top showtopic page by total pageviews as the optimal topic.
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