Top 10 Family-Friendly Attractions in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the perfect destination for a family getaway.
With its stunning coastal views, lush redwood forests, and a wide array of attractions, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Whether your kids are thrill-seekers, animal lovers, or little adventurers, Santa Cruz offers plenty of activities that will keep them entertained and create lasting memories.
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring Santa Cruz with family, and each visit brings new discoveries.
From the excitement of the Boardwalk to the tranquility of the redwoods, the city is filled with opportunities for families to connect and have fun together.
In this article, I’ll share ten of the best family-friendly attractions in Santa Cruz.
These spots are perfect for kids of all ages and are guaranteed to make your trip unforgettable.
1. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
No family trip to Santa Cruz would be complete without a visit to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
This classic seaside amusement park is a favorite for families, offering a mix of thrill rides, arcade games, and delicious boardwalk treats.
The Giant Dipper roller coaster, a wooden coaster dating back to 1924, is a must-ride for those who love a bit of excitement.
For younger kids, there are plenty of gentler rides, including carousels, bumper cars, and kiddie rides that provide just the right amount of thrills.
The arcade is a great spot for family-friendly competitions, with a wide range of games from classic pinball to modern video games.
The Boardwalk’s location right on the beach means you can easily spend the day enjoying both the rides and the sand.
Pack a picnic, build sandcastles, and take in the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
With its vibrant atmosphere and endless entertainment options, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a place where family memories are made.
2. Roaring Camp Railroads
If your family loves trains and history, Roaring Camp Railroads is a must-visit.
Located in the nearby town of Felton, just a short drive from Santa Cruz, Roaring Camp offers two exciting train rides through the beautiful California redwoods.
The Redwood Forest Steam Train takes you on a journey through towering redwoods to the top of Bear Mountain.
The open-air cars provide breathtaking views of the forest, and the train’s knowledgeable conductor shares fascinating stories about the area’s history and natural beauty.
For a different experience, hop on the Santa Cruz Beach Train, which travels from the redwoods down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
This scenic ride offers a unique perspective of the area, passing through tunnels, over bridges, and alongside the San Lorenzo River.
Roaring Camp also hosts special events throughout the year, including holiday-themed train rides and reenactments of historical events.
It’s a fun and educational experience that the whole family will enjoy.
3. Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Located on the campus of the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a fantastic place for families to learn about the marine life of Monterey Bay.
The center features interactive exhibits, touch tanks, and a stunning outdoor area overlooking the ocean.
Kids will love the touch pools, where they can gently interact with sea stars, sea urchins, and other marine creatures.
The center’s exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from the anatomy of a whale to the impact of pollution on marine ecosystems, making it both fun and educational.
One of the highlights of the center is the massive blue whale skeleton on display outside.
It’s an impressive sight and a great opportunity for kids to learn about the largest animals on Earth.
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center also offers guided tours of the nearby Long Marine Lab, where families can see marine research in action.
It’s a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of marine biology and the importance of ocean conservation.
4. Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is a family-friendly spot that offers stunning coastal views, tide pools to explore, and a chance to see one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena—the annual migration of monarch butterflies.
The beach is named for its unique natural rock formations, which create a picturesque setting for a day of fun in the sun.
Kids will love exploring the tide pools, where they can find starfish, crabs, and other marine life up close.
In the fall and winter, the park’s Monarch Grove becomes a temporary home to thousands of monarch butterflies as they migrate to escape the cold.
The sight of these delicate creatures clustering in the eucalyptus trees is a magical experience that’s sure to captivate both kids and adults.
The park also has picnic areas, trails, and a visitor center where families can learn more about the local wildlife and the history of the area.
It’s a perfect spot for a relaxing day in nature.
5. Mystery Spot
For a fun and quirky experience that will have the whole family scratching their heads, visit the Mystery Spot.
Located just outside Santa Cruz, this gravitational anomaly has been baffling visitors since 1940.
Objects seem to defy gravity, and perspectives get turned upside down as you explore this strange and fascinating area.
The Mystery Spot is a guided tour that takes you through a small area where the normal laws of physics don’t seem to apply.
Kids will love the optical illusions and the strange feeling of walking through tilted rooms where everything feels off-kilter.
The guides at the Mystery Spot are known for their entertaining and humorous presentations, making the experience both fun and educational.
It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and will leave your family with plenty to talk about afterward.
6. Santa Cruz Wharf
The Santa Cruz Wharf is a great place for families to enjoy a day by the water.
Stretching nearly half a mile into Monterey Bay, the Wharf offers a variety of activities, from fishing and boat tours to shopping and dining.
One of the highlights of the Wharf is the chance to see sea lions up close.
These playful animals can often be seen lounging on the support beams below the Wharf, and there are several viewing areas where you can watch them in action.
For a fun and educational experience, consider taking a glass-bottom boat tour.
These tours allow you to see the vibrant marine life beneath the surface without getting wet. It’s a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of the ocean.
The Wharf is also home to several family-friendly restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh seafood while taking in the stunning views of the bay.
After a meal, stroll along the Wharf and check out the shops selling everything from souvenirs to locally made crafts.
7. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is a small but fascinating museum that offers a hands-on approach to learning about the natural world.
Located near Seabright Beach, the museum features exhibits on the area’s natural history, including geology, paleontology, and marine biology.
Kids will love the interactive exhibits, such as the touch tanks where they can feel the texture of different sea creatures and the life-size replica of a California condor.
The museum also has a beautiful native plant garden, where families can learn about the local flora and fauna.
One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the fossil dig, where kids can try their hand at uncovering ancient fossils.
It’s a fun and educational activity that’s perfect for aspiring paleontologists.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is a great place to spend a few hours, and its location near the beach makes it easy to combine with a day of fun in the sun.
8. Wilder Ranch State Park
For families who love the outdoors, Wilder Ranch State Park offers a perfect blend of history and nature.
Located just north of Santa Cruz, this state park features miles of hiking and biking trails, historic ranch buildings, and breathtaking coastal views.
The park’s trails range from easy walks along the coast to more challenging hikes through the hills, making it a great destination for families with kids of all ages.
Along the way, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of wildlife, including deer, hawks, and even the occasional whale offshore.
Wilder Ranch also offers a glimpse into the area’s history, with several historic buildings that have been preserved from the 19th-century ranching era.
Families can take a self-guided tour of the ranch house, blacksmith shop, and other structures, learning about life on a California ranch over a century ago.
The park hosts several special events throughout the year, including Living History Days where volunteers dress in period costumes and demonstrate old-fashioned skills like butter churning and blacksmithing.
It’s a fun and educational experience that brings history to life.
9. Capitola Village
Just a short drive from Santa Cruz, Capitola Village is a charming seaside town that’s perfect for a family day trip.
Known for its colorful buildings, sandy beach, and vibrant art scene, Capitola offers a relaxing and picturesque setting for a day of fun.
Start your visit with a walk along the Capitola Wharf, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the coastline and watch fishermen at work.
The village itself is full of boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes, making it a great place to explore and pick up a unique souvenir.
Capitola Beach is another highlight, with its gentle waves and family-friendly atmosphere.
It’s a great spot for swimming, paddleboarding, or just relaxing on the sand.
During the summer, Capitola hosts several family-friendly events, including free outdoor movies and concerts on the beach.
If you’re visiting in September, don’t miss the Capitola Begonia Festival, a local tradition that features a parade of flower-covered floats that glide down Soquel Creek.
It’s a fun and colorful event that the whole family will enjoy.
10. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Finally, no trip to Santa Cruz would be complete without a visit to the redwoods, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is the perfect place to experience these majestic trees.
Located just a few miles from downtown Santa Cruz, this park offers a peaceful escape into nature and a chance to see some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world.
The park’s main attraction is the Redwood Grove Loop Trail, an easy and accessible trail that takes you through a grove of towering redwoods.
Along the way, you’ll find interpretive signs that provide information about the history and ecology of the redwoods, making it a great educational experience for kids.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park also offers plenty of opportunities for picnicking, swimming, and wildlife watching.
The park’s river is a popular spot for a refreshing dip on a hot day, and the numerous picnic areas make it easy to enjoy a meal surrounded by nature.
For families looking to spend more time in the redwoods, the park also offers camping facilities, including both tent sites and cabins.
Spending a night under the stars, surrounded by the towering redwoods, is an unforgettable experience that will leave your family with memories to cherish.
Conclusion
Santa Cruz is a treasure trove of family-friendly attractions that cater to all ages.
Whether your family is into thrilling amusement park rides, exploring nature, or diving into local history, this coastal city has something for everyone.
From the lively atmosphere of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to the peaceful serenity of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, each attraction offers unique experiences that will leave your family with lasting memories.
I encourage you to explore these top 10 family-friendly spots on your next visit to Santa Cruz.
Whether it’s your first time here or you’re returning for another adventure, these attractions will ensure your family has an unforgettable trip.
So pack your bags, gather the kids, and get ready to create some wonderful memories in Santa Cruz!
And if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with others planning a family trip to Santa Cruz.
Happy travels!
