Santa Cruz Sightseeing Highlights

October 31, 2026

Santa Cruz packs a lot of looking into a small area. The Boardwalk and Wharf are on the Monterey Bay shore, downtown on Pacific Avenue is a few blocks inland, and West Cliff Drive and Natural Bridges run to the west. Prices are in US dollars and can change.

West Cliff Drive and Lighthouse Point

The cliff path gives wide views over the bay. Below Lighthouse Point is Steamer Lane, a surf break for experienced surfers that is fun to watch from above. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is at 701 West Cliff Drive, inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. It is open noon to 4pm, Thursday to Monday, and is free with donations welcome. It can close unexpectedly, so check before you go. Stay on the path and behind barriers, as the bluff is eroding.

Natural Bridges State Beach

The beach has a sea arch, tide pools at low tide and a Monarch Grove. The park is open 8am to sunset, with a $10 per vehicle fee. Monarchs are present from mid-October to mid-February, and late October and November are often best. The Visitor Center is open 11am to 4pm daily from 1 October to 31 January, then Friday to Monday from 1 February to 30 September. There are no lifeguards, so stay out of the surf.

The Municipal Wharf

The Wharf stretches about half a mile into the bay, with seafood restaurants and sea lions below. It reopened after the December 2024 collapse, and a repair project was finished in April 2026. Parking in winter costs $1 per hour for the first 4 hours, then $2 per hour, up to $12 a day. You get two free hours on Tuesdays with a validation stamp from a wharf business.

Boardwalk Views

Walking the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk costs nothing. Look for the Looff Carousel (1911) and the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster (1924), then browse the indoor and outdoor arcades. Rides need a wristband or tickets.

Seacliff State Beach

From the bluff or the sand you can see the concrete ship SS Palo Alto offshore. The pier beside it was demolished from 20 March 2023 after storm damage, so the ship is a view from the shore only.

Sanctuary Exploration Center

This free center at 35 Pacific Avenue has exhibits on the ecology of Monterey Bay. It is open 10am to 4pm, most days Thursday to Sunday, so check ahead.

Practical Tips

Start at Lighthouse Point for sunset light.
Check tides if you want tide pools.
Cowell Beach and Main Beach have lifeguards, while many other beaches do not.

See Natural Bridges hours and rules on the California State Parks page . To find guided outings, search GetYourGuide .