Santa Cruz City Guide

City Guide for Santa Cruz, California

We live pretty close to Santa Cruz, so it makes a nice place to spend the day. Along our trips we’ve rounded up a few favorite places to eat, things to see, and stuff to do.

team-wiking-sea-bright-beach-santa-cruz-california-15Eat

Marianne’s Ice Cream
A major favorite for us on a hot day. Tons of flavors, cash only.
1020 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060 (www)

burger.
We love this place simply because it’s different.
1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz, California 95060 (www)

The Crêpe Place
Great outdoor dining options, delicious savory crêpes.
1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, California 95062 (www)

team-wiking-california-beach-series-twin-lakes-beach-santa-cruz-ca-1

See

Seabright State Beach
This is a nice stop off not too far from the Boardwalk.
1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, California 95062 (www)

Twin Lakes State Beach
Our favorite regular beach. Not crowded, especially on weekdays.
2628 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (www)

Natural Bridges State Beach
Great rock formations and tide pools. Can be crowded in summer.
2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (www)

team-wiking-natural-bridges-santa-cruz-california-10

Do

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Can be a fun amusement place. We also like to walk out to get chocolate on the wharf.
400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (www)

Roaring Camp Railroads
Perfect for little railroad enthusiasts. Also feature holiday trains, and Thomas.
5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018 (www)

Mystery Spot
We tried to go once and it was too busy. Would love to see this!
465 Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (www)

team-wiking-sea-bright-beach-santa-cruz-california-2

We live really close to Santa Cruz, so we don’t stay the night often, but the Dream Inn is our favorite place to stay the night.

Do you have any favorite places to add in Santa Cruz?

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Comments

Responses to “Santa Cruz City Guide”

  1. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West

    My favorite thing about Santa Cruz was walking around the beach and people watching. 🙂 But perhaps I need to go for a second time to discover a new spot. Thanks for sharing. Gorgeous photos, as always!

    Reply
  2. Annie | MontgomeryFest

    aand bookmarking now 😉 I can’t wait til we make it down there – it looks beautiful! xx

    Reply
  3. Emily

    adore staying at the west cliff in santa cruz. it is a charming bed and breakfast located a couple blocks from the pier / boardwalk! also you must stop for a cone at the penny ice creamery. my absolute favorite ice cream in the area!
    http://www.vivreblog.com

    Reply
  4. Andrea

    I live in San Jose, and we make it down to Santa Cruz a lot during the summer. Downtown Capitola and Seacliff State Beach are some of my favorite spots, and I love to run from the Santa Cruz boardwalk up to Natural Bridges and back…the view is like nothing else!

    xoxo,
    Andrea

    http://www.andreaeveryday.com

    Reply
  5. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    That looks like a great place to visit. I might check it out the next time I am on the west coast.

    Reply
  6. lisa jones

    Looks Like A Great Trip You Look Beautiful Hope You Had Fun!1

    Reply
  7. Erica Brooks

    We’ll be heading to the West Coast soon. Maybe we’ll get a chance to visit Santa Cruz. It looks lovely.

    Reply
  8. courtney

    Santa Cruz looks like a fabulous place!!!!

    Reply
  9. Kungphoo

    Sitting here in the dark and cold, i want to goto a beach.. looks so inviting.

    Reply
  10. Tami

    I’ve never been. However, judging by these pics, I think I may want to visit. 🙂

    Love your pictures and blog. That lighthouse pic is dreamy.

    Reply
  11. Nina Say

    Lovely photos! You’ve made me want to schedule a vacation.

    Reply
  12. Catherine S

    I love all the pictures. This looks like a great place to go on vacation. I love going to the beach.

    Reply
  13. Liz Mays

    I’ve never been there! Those pictures of the beach are just dreamy though.

    Reply
  14. Touristmeetstraveler

    Santa Cruz looks so beautiful, I would love to go there some day and just see all there is!

    Reply
  15. Andrea Callahan

    I’ve been to Santa Cruz before. Absolutely love it!

    Reply
  16. estherjulee

    we seriously need to make it out to santa cruz asap.. i love lighthouses. well, and pretty much everywhere else in the bay area. 🙂 hopefully, we can have a longer trip next time.

    Reply
  17. Shaney Vijendranath

    Bookmarking this for my travels coming up.

    Reply
  18. Elizabeth O

    Awesome! Laidback and so relazing to look at.

    Reply
  19. Rae

    really lovely guide! if i am ever in santa cruz i will def hav to check these places out!

    rae of love from berlin

    Reply
  20. Franc Ramon

    Sta Cruz have a really scenic beach. It would really be relaxing just being there.

    Reply
  21. Brandy

    What a beautiful way to spend a day or more! I haven’t been beyond the New England area, but once when I was about 13 we went to Florida, I want to travel more. Appreciate this post!

    Reply
  22. Ann Bacciaglia

    This looks like a great place to relax and enjoy the day. You are lucky you live so close to such a beautiful place.

    Reply
  23. kendall

    Gorgeous! LOVE the rainbow in that first pic!!

    Reply
  24. Alejandra

    Ive never been to Santa Cruz but its on my list. It looks beautiful

    Reply
  25. Emilee

    Ohh that looks lovely! I love the lighthouse! <333

    Reply
  26. April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition

    I’ve never been to Santa Cruz but all of these places sound fantastic! It looks like a beautiful area.

    Reply
  27. Cia from Cia Says

    Still so so beautiful. I have never been to this part of Cali

    Reply
  28. mary

    I’ve never been. The lighthouse is gorgeous. Next time I’m in Cali, i will check it out

    Reply
  29. R U S S

    I haven’t been there, but it looks like a place that I’d enjoy and would love to explore. I love anything beaches and pretty sights.

    Reply
  30. Roch

    The beach looked clean and pristine! I love the white sands! Ohhh this is the place to be!

    Reply
  31. Rosey

    You’ve sure got some fantastic pictures. I can see why it would be a happy place to visit.

    Reply
  32. Fi Ní Neachtáin

    Santa Cruz looks like such a gorgeous place but being an island girl I do love anywhere by the sea. That first picture with the rainbow is so lovely.

    Reply
  33. Myrabev

    Looks so beautiful wish i lived close and no an ocean away. Thanks for sharing Jessica always love reading your adventures.

    Reply
  34. Penny Struebig

    Definitely adding this to my “places I want to visit”! Great review. Posts like this make trip planning so much easier.

    Reply
  35. NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner

    I’m adding this to my must see list. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  36. HilLesha

    Simply gorgeous! It has been awhile since I’ve been to a beach. 🙂

    Reply
  37. Rebecca Swenor

    What gorgeous pictures indeed. I would love to visit Santa Cruz City some day. It looks so beautiful on the beach. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  38. Melissa Smith

    What incredible views! I’ve never been to Santa Cruz before, but if someone asked me to go right now, I’d have my bags packed in 5 minutes.

    Reply
  39. Alysia from My Domestic Dish

    This looks so peaceful. I’ve never been to Santa Cruz so I can’t say where my favourite spot would be but, by the pictures, I’m guessing on the water would be my idea of a fantastic afternoon 😛

    Reply
  40. Carly Anderson

    I would love to visit Santa Cruz sometime. It looks like a great place with a lot of cool things to do.

    Reply
  41. Joanna Sormunen

    What a beautiful place! The pictures are just geourgeous! Thank you for the tips!

    Reply
  42. Erin Kennedy

    Beautiful pics! I have always wanted to check out Santa Cruz!

    Reply
  43. Lynndee

    Such beautiful views! I haven’t been to any part of CA. Would love to go one of these days and check that place out.

    Reply
  44. jo

    What a lovely place to have a photo-opp. I love the beach and the nice view that comes with it. Very nice!

    Reply
  45. Becky

    Don’t forget Ed’s surf rentals right on Cowell’s. They rent boards (paddle and surf) along with wetsuits! Gorgeous pics!

    Reply
  46. Imogene

    Santa Cruz is one my favorite places. I agree, the beach boardwalk is a must see. On the actual boardwalk I love Riva’s (great chowder!). I also absolutely love Mission Hill Creamery- some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Santa Cruz is a great place that I highly recommend everyone visit 🙂

    Reply

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