Welcome to Santa Cruz, the birthplace of surfing on mainland USA (and my home town). This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors to this quintessential California Central Coast beach town, to connect you with its soul. We’ve got a day filled with wave-chasing, beach-basking, and enjoying the best seaside eats.
West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Santa Cruz Harbor, 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Seabreeze Café, Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Cafe Brasil, Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
The Picnic Basket, Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Olitas Cantina & Grille, Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Santa Cruz Main Beach Volleyball, Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Natural Bridges State Beach, West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Crow's Nest Restaurant, East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Santa Cruz Harbor, 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Dream Inn, West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz, Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge, West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Best Places for Breakfast in Santa Cruz
Cafe Brasil
Santa Cruz spirit melds with cozy, down-home Brazilian flavors and vibes at Cafe Brasil, a casual, colorful eatery close to UCSC. Try the Brazilian specialties like the acai bowls, eggs with cocota sauce, or go with a US/Brazil hybrid like banana pancakes.
Best Things To Do in the Morning in Santa Cruz
Spend the morning learning to surf. In addition to Richard Schmidt’s Surf School highlighted below, check out Club Ed and Surf School Santa Cruz. Afterward, head to the small but fascinating Santa Cruz Surfing Museum housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse to view displays chronicling 100 years of local surfing history. If you don’t want to learn to surf, head to the Santa Cruz Harbor and rent a SUP or kayak and paddle around the harbor to spot wildlife.
Best Places for Lunch in Santa Cruz
Lunch restaurants abound on the wharf and in the beach and boardwalk district. Olitas and The Picnic Basket (details below) are two casual local favorites.
Best Things To Do in the Afternoon in Santa Cruz
Spend the afternoon exploring the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and/or Natural Bridges State Beach. Or set out a beach towel and chair on Main Beach in front of the boardwalk, where you can take a dip, play beach volleyball, or just bask in the sun. Or visit the Seymour Marine Discovery Center to learn about ocean conservation and marine life, or NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, right across from the wharf, with fascinating interactive exhibits and displays about the pristine marine environment you can view from its deck.
Natural Bridges State Beach
The stunning Natural Bridges beach is known for its natural rock bridge. Spend a couple of hours beach-basking, exploring tide pools, or watching the wildlife. From late fall through mid-winter, Natural Bridges is a preserve for migrating Monarch butterflies.
Best Places for Dinner in Santa Cruz
Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
Late wetsuit pioneer Jack O’Neill called Santa Cruz home, and the Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge pays homage to his legacy with a farm-to-table menu that showcases his favorite dishes, plus displays and memorabilia. In the Dream Inn, overlooking Cowell Beach. Also open for breakfast and brunch, and evening entertainment in the lounge.
Crow's Nest
Perched across from the lighthouse in the harbor, Crow’s Nest offers seafood and American cuisine with panoramic views (sunsets are usually amazing). Start with the famous calamari or clam chowder, and feast on grilled fish and meats.
Best Places to Stay in Santa Cruz
Redwoods & Railroads: Explore Santa Cruz's Natural Beauty