Sightseeing
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. Its historical significance and spectacular scenery draw travelers from around the world. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping on more than 4,650 acres of forested and open land.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. Its historical significance and spectacular scenery draw travelers from around the world. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping on more than 4,650 acres of forested and open land.
Features
- Historic Wooden Covered Bridge
- Multi-Use Path
- Playground
- Sand Volleyball Court
- River Access
- Lawn Area
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
22 locals recommend
Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Graham Hill RoadFeatures
- Historic Wooden Covered Bridge
- Multi-Use Path
- Playground
- Sand Volleyball Court
- River Access
- Lawn Area
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
Explore the ancient coastal redwoods aboard Roaring Camp's authentically preserved trains, the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train.
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdExplore the ancient coastal redwoods aboard Roaring Camp's authentically preserved trains, the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train.
Land of Medicine Buddha: Long Loop
Length: 6 miles; 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
If you love the muffled quiet of a redwood forest broken only by the murmur of a creek and the faint echo of a Buddhist gong, it’s time to get on your hiking boots and explore the Land of Medicine Buddha.
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdLand of Medicine Buddha: Long Loop
Length: 6 miles; 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
If you love the muffled quiet of a redwood forest broken only by the murmur of a creek and the faint echo of a Buddhist gong, it’s time to get on your hiking boots and explore the Land of Medicine Buddha.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront amusement park in Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 1907, it is California's oldest surviving amusement park and one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States.
744 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront amusement park in Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 1907, it is California's oldest surviving amusement park and one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States.
The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach. It is also well known as a hotspot to see monarch butterfly migrations. The Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve is home to up to 150,000 monarch butterflies from October through early February.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrThe park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach. It is also well known as a hotspot to see monarch butterfly migrations. The Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve is home to up to 150,000 monarch butterflies from October through early February.
Known for fishing, boat tours, viewing sea lions, dining, nightlife and gift shops.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfKnown for fishing, boat tours, viewing sea lions, dining, nightlife and gift shops.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History is a nonprofit educational institution and museum founded in 1996 and located in Santa Cruz, California, at the downtown McPherson Center. Its mission is to ignite shared experiences and unexpected connections, using art and history to build a stronger, more connected community.
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StThe Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History is a nonprofit educational institution and museum founded in 1996 and located in Santa Cruz, California, at the downtown McPherson Center. Its mission is to ignite shared experiences and unexpected connections, using art and history to build a stronger, more connected community.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayAquarium & interactive science museum
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdCity/town information
Felton, in the San Lorenzo Valley, offers up scenic redwood drives, Roaring Camp Railroads, and the beautiful San Lorenzo River. Biking, hiking and equestrian trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and a combined 80 miles of trails are accessible at nearby state parks. While here, make sure to visit the famous Felton Covered Bridge and the Bigfoot Museum. Other features include local wineries, antique stores and galleries that adorn the nearby towns.
22 locals recommend
Felton
Felton, in the San Lorenzo Valley, offers up scenic redwood drives, Roaring Camp Railroads, and the beautiful San Lorenzo River. Biking, hiking and equestrian trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and a combined 80 miles of trails are accessible at nearby state parks. While here, make sure to visit the famous Felton Covered Bridge and the Bigfoot Museum. Other features include local wineries, antique stores and galleries that adorn the nearby towns.
Santa Cruz is a city on central California’s coast. Its long wharf, with eateries and shops, stretches into Monterey Bay. Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Downtown, Pacific Avenue has vintage clothing stores, cafes and galleries. Along West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach is known for its bridge-shaped rock formation.
242 locals recommend
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a city on central California’s coast. Its long wharf, with eateries and shops, stretches into Monterey Bay. Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Downtown, Pacific Avenue has vintage clothing stores, cafes and galleries. Along West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach is known for its bridge-shaped rock formation.
Capitola, just minutes south of Santa Cruz, is California’s oldest seaside resort town, and boasts a Mediterranean flavor. An esplanade winds around village shops and bistros, while picture-ready views from the Capitola Wharf create a relaxing atmosphere. Experience signature events like the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Capitola Begonia Festival, wine tasting rooms, and shopping.
151 locals recommend
Capitola
Capitola, just minutes south of Santa Cruz, is California’s oldest seaside resort town, and boasts a Mediterranean flavor. An esplanade winds around village shops and bistros, while picture-ready views from the Capitola Wharf create a relaxing atmosphere. Experience signature events like the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Capitola Begonia Festival, wine tasting rooms, and shopping.
Food scene
White Raven
6253 Hwy 9Locals love this cafe
Beautiful Japanese food restaurant hidden in the valley. Very clean amazing fish tanks throughout the restaurant. The staff is very attentive. The food is fresh & excellent and presented beautifully.
9 locals recommend
Sushi San
6231 Graham Hill Rd Beautiful Japanese food restaurant hidden in the valley. Very clean amazing fish tanks throughout the restaurant. The staff is very attentive. The food is fresh & excellent and presented beautifully.
Sandwiches, steaks & American fare served in a kid-friendly joint with a country-western theme.
25 locals recommend
Cowboy Bar & Grill
5447 Hwy 9Sandwiches, steaks & American fare served in a kid-friendly joint with a country-western theme.
One of a kind jewel, since 1947 serving classic favorites: steak , fish and lobster and modern vegetarian, grains, salads, all housemade with in-house desserts and ice cream!
In a hurry? Try our Rock Room Lounge for our pizza oven and scrumptious appetizers. in a glass ceiling room with custom ceiling design.
One of a kind in every way. Attentive staff and its own taxi for a 3 mile radius!
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdOne of a kind jewel, since 1947 serving classic favorites: steak , fish and lobster and modern vegetarian, grains, salads, all housemade with in-house desserts and ice cream!
In a hurry? Try our Rock Room Lounge for our pizza oven and scrumptious appetizers. in a glass ceiling room with custom ceiling design.
One of a kind in every way. Attentive staff and its own taxi for a 3 mile radius!
Trout Farm Inn
7701 E Zayante RdTraveler advice
What to pack
Bring enough clothes and layers
The temperature drops drastically at nights in this area
What to pack
Bring comfy shoes
There're lots of worth-exploring trails in this area