Amanda & Jorden
Things To Do
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free admission/Prices vary based on attraction Overview: Classic seaside amusement park right on the beach in Santa Cruz. Rides only open Saturday/Sunday (check calendar). Other attractions open daily include mini golf, bowling, arcade, laser tag, carnival style games.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Cost: $12 admission Overview: Interactive marine science museum & aquarium, with hands-on exhibits, a touch pool & a gift shop. Daily tours 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Cost: $10/car Overview: Natural Bridges State Beach is a 65-acre California State Park in Santa Cruz, California. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach and a eucalyptus grove provides habitat for monarch butterflies (October - February so maybe see a couple late bloomers but unlikely the full migration).
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Cost: $10/car Overview: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park features 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through the forest. The park is the home of the Redwood grove, with a self-guided nature path, and Douglas fir, madrone, oak and the most unusual feature of the park, a stand of Ponderosa pine. The park has a picnic area above the San Lorenzo River along with a nature center, bookstore and campfire center. This is the park adjacent to where the wedding will be held.
The Mystery Spot
Cost: $5 parking/$10 adult ticket Overview: Mystery spot… does anyone really know what's going on here? Opened in 1939 by George Prather, visitors experience demonstrations that appear to defy gravity, on the short but steep uphill walk and inside a wooden building on the site.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Cost: Free Overview: Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting artifacts tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. If you've ever seen the movie “Chasing Mavericks” , there were multiple scenes shot here. Great spot to watch surfers if the waves are firing.
Cowell's Beach Surf Shop/Surfboard Rental
Cost: Prices vary but ~$45 for wetsuit and surfboard combo or $50 all day SUP rental Overview: You watched the surfers shredding Steamer Lane and now you want to try yourself? Just down the road is Cowells Beach (just call it “Cowells”). It is talked about as one of the best beginner beaches around. You can rent surfboards, boogie boards, skim boards, SUP’s, and wetsuits (wetsuits are pretty much a requirement, that water is real cold) from all over town but Cowells Surf Shop is walking distance down to the beach. Please be aware, the NorCal Coast can bring some pretty serious seas and dangerous conditions so when in doubt, don't go out. Or, skip cold water surfing and come visit us in Hawaii and learn there instead!
DeLaveaga Golf Course/Disc Golf/Hiking Trails
Cost: Varies check website. Golf club rental set $50 Overview: Hoping to maintain your game or check out a new course? Fear not there is golf here in Santa Cruz and this is only one of the options. This golf course not only offers golfing but also disc golf course and hiking/mountain bike trails. See website for full price listing and all other activity details
Local Breweries
Cost: Price depends how thirsty you are Overview: You’ve done your hiking, you’ve slayed the giant waves of Cowells, now it's time to treat yourself with one of those California Breweries you’ve heard so much about. Well you’re in luck, Santa Cruz area has plenty of them! Not only that but there are plenty of Lyft/Uber’s around so please utilize those or assign a designated driver if you plan on indulging in the local craft beer craze.