Romantic Santa Cruz for Couples

October 31, 2026

Santa Cruz suits couples who like sea air, redwoods and an easy pace. The romance here is mostly outdoors: sunset on the water, a cliff walk and a dinner with a view. Prices are in US dollars, and operators change schedules by season, so check before you book.

A Sunset Sail

Chardonnay Sailing Charters sails from the FF Dock at the Santa Cruz Harbor. Its yachts, Chardonnay II and Chardonnay III, are both 70 feet long. The line-up includes Sunset Sail, Coastal Sail, Winemaker Sail and Specialty Sails. The Winemaker Sail pairs the evening with local wineries, and its October 2026 dates list Sones Cellars and Bargetto Winery. Public sail prices start from about $80, so check the booking calendar for your date. Bring a jacket, as the bay turns cold after dark.

Sunset at Lighthouse Point

Walk West Cliff Drive toward Lighthouse Point as the light fades. From the cliff you can watch surfers at Steamer Lane below. The path was repaired and reopened in August 2025, but the bluff still erodes, so stay on the path and behind barriers.

Dinner at Shadowbrook

Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola is reached by the Hillevator funicular from the Wharf Road lot, which makes the arrival part of the evening. It is listed as open in 2026, but call 831-475-1511 to confirm before you drive over. Capitola Village is a few miles east of Santa Cruz.

Seafood on the Wharf

The Municipal Wharf, about half a mile long, has seafood restaurants and sea lions resting nearby. The winter parking rate is $1 per hour for the first 4 hours, then $2 per hour, with a $12 daily maximum. Tuesdays give two free hours with a validation stamp from a wharf business.

Wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Bargetto Winery appears on the Chardonnay Winemaker Sail schedule, so you can taste its wines on board. If you want a tasting room visit instead, ask at your lodging for the current opening hours.

Redwood Walks for Two

The 0.8-mile Redwood Grove Loop at Henry Cowell is flat and easy, and you can step inside the Fremont Tree. Entry is $10 per vehicle. Big Basin Redwoods State Park allows limited day use with reservations, and reserved parking is $8. Only a few trails are open, and there is no cell service.

Where to Stay

Book early for summer weekends and holidays. Parking near the Boardwalk and Wharf is paid, so ask your hotel about included parking.

Sail types are on the Chardonnay Sailing Charters site . Compare places to stay on Booking.com .