

If you want to check out an incredible selection of top local brews from Santa Cruz and the Bay Area, make sure to head down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and grab a brew or two at Neptune's Kingdom. Many breweries offer indoor and outdoor seating so you can enjoy a little sun as you sample these local brews. You'll find everything from West Coast IPAs to Sours to Coffee Stouts. Some of my favorites include the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery, Humble Sea Brewing Company, and Greater Purpose Brewing Company which supports local non-profits. The Santa Cruz Brewery scene has also taken off in the last few years. Located on Lighthouse Point and within the lighthouse itself, the museum overlooks the world-famous Steamer Lane, one of the most incredible surfing spots. The lighthouse is an important historical landmark, and donations to the museum go towards the upkeep and running of the building, which I think is a worthwhile cause.

The beauty of this surfing museum is that it is a fascinating trip through this classic Californian institution that manages to keep even the most ardent surfing fan entertained. Nothing else covers more than 100 years of surfing history like this charming and engaging museum.
#SANTA CRUZ MUST SEE FULL#
The museum has a great collection of boards and other surfing memorabilia, and the shop is full of exciting books on surfing and other items to take away. If you are a local, you know that Santa Cruz and surfing belong together, and you can't visit this part of California without checking out the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
#SANTA CRUZ MUST SEE FREE#
Other fun festivals and events in Santa Cruz every year include their First Friday Art Walk, the Santa Cruz County Fair, and the Santa Cruz Mountain Art & Wine Festival.ĭepending on the season and time you visit, you will probably find some free concerts and events in downtown Santa Cruz and other parts of the city.įind all of the top upcoming events by month below. Some of these are in and around the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, including their annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off in February, the Fiesta in La Playa in September, and the Santa Cruz Band Review in October. The Santa Cruz area offers dozens of fun annual festivals and events. It's also a great place to get a full view of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and take some selfies. The Santa Cruz trolley picks up here, so you can easily get to downtown Santa Cruz and back. You can stroll along the Santa Cruz Wharf to check out the views and watch some of the local sea lions play around below. It is a perfect place to grab a bite to eat or a drink and just relax on your vacation. It's home to a handful of restaurants, shops, and one of my favorite Santa Cruz bars, Vino by the Sea. This small but fun pier sits over the waters of Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz Wharf is another one of the fun things to do in Santa Cruz. Wine TastingĪ few sea lions playing around under the Santa Cruz Wharf > Find some great places to stay nearby 2. So, you will want to check out and see what is going on at this amusement park during your visit. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk also has special events throughout the year, such as LGBTQI+ PRIDE Day, fun runs, holiday events, and more. Indoor activities at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are open daily most of the year. The rest of the year, the rides are usually only open on weekends, weather permitting.

Sometimes there are only limited rides (about 8 to 10) open, or they have limited hours, so please check ahead for details. The outdoor rides are usually open daily from the end of March through Labor Day Weekend. You'll also find great restaurants, shops, and an indoor arcade inside the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This fun attraction includes an iconic wooden roller coaster called the Giant Dipper, sand beach volleyball courts, and a mini-golf course. One of the biggest draws to this area is the famed beachside amusement park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. A view of the Beach Boardwalk from the Wharf
