Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz was the coastal anchor of our February 2022 West Coast road trip — four nights at the Hotel Paradox before continuing north toward Portland.
Our experience
We loved this laid-back beach town on the northern curve of Monterey Bay: a classic seaside boardwalk, towering redwoods just inland, world-famous surf breaks, and an easygoing, bohemian college-town spirit.
The mix of beach and big trees is pure Northern California magic — you can watch surfers in the morning and walk among ancient redwoods in the afternoon. With its pool-view comfort and that relaxed seaside vibe, Santa Cruz was the perfect place to begin a coastal road trip.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been entertaining visitors since 1907 and is California's oldest amusement park. Its famous Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster opened in 1924 and, along with the historic Looff Carousel, is a National Historic Landmark. The Giant Dipper has also appeared in movies including The Lost Boys.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — experience the historic seaside amusement park, including the famous Giant Dipper and classic Looff Carousel.
- Natural Bridges State Beach — visit one of Santa Cruz's signature coastal spots, known for its natural rock arch, tide pools, and seasonal monarch butterflies.
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park — walk among towering old-growth coast redwoods just a short drive inland from Santa Cruz.
- Surfing & Steamer Lane — watch surfers at one of Santa Cruz's legendary breaks and visit the nearby Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
- West Cliff Drive — walk or bike along the coastline for views across Monterey Bay, passing beaches and famous surf spots along the way.
- Downtown & Pacific Avenue — explore Santa Cruz's lively downtown for independent shops, restaurants, cafes, and its distinctive bohemian atmosphere.
Our pro tip
We'd build Santa Cruz into a California coastal road trip and enjoy both sides of the destination — beach in the morning and redwoods in the afternoon. The coast can stay cool and foggy even when inland California is warm, so bring layers. West Cliff Drive is a must-walk, and having a car makes it easy to reach the redwood parks just minutes inland.
For an easy way to combine the coast and redwoods, Klook offers a Capitola Beach & Redwood Forest One-Day Sightseeing Tour, including the Redwood Forest Steam Train at Roaring Camp along with Santa Cruz Harbor and Capitola Beach. It's a particularly good option for travelers staying in San Francisco who want to experience the Santa Cruz area as a day trip without arranging their own transportation.