Kate & JordanKate & Jordan
Things To DoThings To Do
Natural Bridges State BeachNatural Bridges State Beach
Just minutes from Downtown, this park and beach is an excellent vantage point for viewing shore birds, migrating whales, as well as seals and otters playing offshore. Further along the beach, public access tidepools offer a glimpse of life beneath the sea, including sea stars, shore crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ocean life.
Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk
This amusement park offers a variety of games & rides right on a mile-long stretch of sandy beach. The Boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in California and one of the last seaside amusement parks on the west coast of the United States, boasting two rides that are National Historic Landmarks.
Santa Cruz WharfSanta Cruz Wharf
The Santa Cruz Wharf is a pier in Santa Cruz, California, United States, known for fishing, boat tours, viewing sea lions, restaurants, and gift shops. Enjoy lunch with a view at Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery, an island-themes restaurant on the water with a rotating bar.
West Cliff DriveWest Cliff Drive
We love driving and walking along West Cliff. It starts just after the boardwalk and ends at Natural Bridges beach. There is free parking along the way, so you can stop, walk, or just sit on a bench and enjoy unbeatable views at almost any point along the way. The Santa Cruz Surf Museum and lighthouse are also located along this drive.
Swift Street CourtyardSwift Street Courtyard
This local courtyard features a variety of shops and businesses, including a coffee shop, bakery, brewery, several wineries, restaurants and shops. You'll also find some other rad businesses near the courtyard, including: Margins Wine Cubby (one of our faves! reservations highly recommended), Tanuki Cider + Sones Cellars, Stockwell Cellars, Verve Coffee Roasters, Cat & Cloud Coffee, Humble Sea Brewing (founded by one of Kate's distant cousins), and our local favorite, Venus Spirits restaurant, distillery and tasting room.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State ParkHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park
In the mood for a hike in the redwoods? Visitors can explore over 20 miles of hiking trails or visit the nature center to learn about local wildlife and ecology. It also offers picnic spots, camping facilities as well as seasonal fishing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Roaring CampRoaring Camp
In the mood for redwoods, but not for a hike? Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest. In the 1880s, narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to haul giant redwood logs out of the mountains. This is one of Kate's favorite things to do over the hill and is a truly unforgettable experience! Please note the trains tend to sell out on weekends, so buy your ticket online a couple days before hand to guarantee your seat.
Capitola BeachCapitola Beach
Capitola is a small, seaside town not far from Santa Cruz. You can spend a day in the Capitola village, visiting the beach, checking out the local shops and restaurants, or taking a hike near town. Capitola is also home to one of our favorite romantic date night spots, the Shadowbrook restaurant.
17 Mile Drive17 Mile Drive
Interested in venturing out of Santa Cruz? Follow 17-Mile Drive’s red-dotted line to arrive at an enchanting world full of dramatic coastal cliffs, snow-white beaches, mystical forests and iconic golf courses. Discover one of the most scenic drives in the world as you meet the inspiring Lone Cypress, ponder the giant trees at Crocker Grove, digest the untouched beauty at Fanshell Beach, behold the power of the Restless Sea at Point Joe, stroll the boardwalk above the beach at Spanish Bay, and much, much more. If you'll be in town for several days, it's worth the drive or even an overnight at the wonderful Spinndrift Inn or Monterey Plaza Hotel. If you spend the night in Monterey, be sure to check out Cannery Row!
Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey Bay Aquarium
Interested in venturing out of Santa Cruz? Located at the ocean's edge on historic Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is your window to marine life. Visit sea otters, penguins, sharks, and more! Then check out the restaurants and shops on Cannery Row. If you'll be in town for several days, it's worth the drive or even an overnight at the wonderful Spinndrift Inn or Monterey Plaza Hotel.
The Mystery SpotThe Mystery Spot
The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. Within the Mystery Spot you will be stunned as your perceptions of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned. Be sure to book your tickets online or over the phone before you visit, as they have ample tour times available but can sell out on the weekends.