Top Santa Cruz Outdoor Activities

Get wet while learning to surf in Santa Cruz, a picturesque coastal California town popular with surfers. Your 3-hour lesson starts with the basics of how to paddle out, pop up, balance, and catch a wave, along with surfing etiquette and understanding the ocean. Your instructor has you practice on the beach before accompanying you into a spot with small waves that are ideal for beginners. Includes all necessary equipment and instruction.

Get out on the water to enjoy unobstructed views of Santa Cruz's marine life in Monterey Bay. Your guide knows the best spots for whale-watching, improving your odds of seeing one in the wild. In addition to different kinds of whales, you may also encounter porpoises, dolphins, sea otters, and more. Add context to what you see with insights from your guide.

Most fun individual guided ebike tour here in Santa Cruz. This tour is perfect for individuals, couples, and groups. See Santa Cruz's majestic coastline, Wharf, Beach Boardwalk, and historic downtown tour. All the breathtaking sights, both scenic and historic. See and enjoy Santa Cruz's natural beauty, including all the attractions riding our pedal-assist electric bike. Go, ride with us, here in California!

Our very unique, immersive adventures are the only ones of their kind. We, unlike other companies, provide your very own remote, interactive, live host to assist and encourage you along through your phone. We are an Austin, TX-based global custom event design company offering scavenger hunts and other events in 300+ cities in North America and beyond. Our specially hand-crafted adventures are equal parts tour, creative challenge, detective hunt, and social experiment! Guests get to discover in an alternate reality our favorite hidden gems off the beaten trail and creatively interpret fun art, history, and culture clues - for points! They get to enjoy fame and glory while appearing on our website’s international leaderboard, no matter what their score. They get to essentially race other teams in other cities, even if they don’t have competitors who have signed up in their city that day. Get ready to discover unusual oddities, laugh out loud, and make the experience your own!

This fun small group guided e-bike tour is a perfect tour for an adult group to experience. A 2-hour ride to Santa Cruz's majestic coastline, Wharf, Beach Boardwalk, and historic downtown. Enjoy the scenic and historic breathtaking sights here in Santa Cruz's seeing the natural beauty of this place, An unforgettable experience you’ll enjoy and won’t wanna miss! Ride with us here in Santa Cruz!

Imagine sipping tea by the sea and savoring local treats where the stunning ocean view and soothing sound of waves create a tranquil backdrop. The salty breeze and warm sunlight enhance the experience, making each sip of tea more refreshing. This peaceful setting offers a perfect escape from everyday life, inviting relaxation and mindfulness. The natural beauty and serene atmosphere of the sea elevate the simple act of enjoying tea into a beautiful and memorable moment. find us on Instagram by @teabytheseasantacruz

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour in Santa Cruz with your own local guide. On this walking tour, explore the city's celebrated coastline and welcoming downtown. Discover how the Pacific Ocean has shaped the identity, lifestyle and traditions of Santa Cruz. Visit the famous Beach Boardwalk and the historic wharf. Learn about the remarkable marine environment that makes Monterey Bay one of the world's most important protected coastal ecosystems. Continue into the heart of downtown where lively streets and inviting cafés reflect the city's creative spirit. Stroll through the historic district of Walnut Avenue, where beautifully preserved Victorian homes reveal another side of this beach town. This tour offers a look at Santa Cruz beyond the surf, exploring local culture and distinctive architecture Please note: The availability and accessibility of attractions may vary based on time of day and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience.

Take a 5-hour wilderness survival skills class in a beautiful Santa Cruz redwood forest. Learn and practice core wilderness techniques with an expert instructor-guide. Your course covers starting a fire by friction, creating shelter, identifying edible plants, and finding and preparing food in the wilderness. Without the tools of the modern world, you’ll build useful skills for a wilderness setting and hear about age-old skills used by the native peoples of California. Build confidence and expand your knowledge base during this fun and fascinating wilderness class.

Unleash your inner explorer on a captivating scavenger hunt through Santa Cruz, where history and fun collide. Navigate through the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the scenic University of California, Santa Cruz, while piecing together clues that unfold the city’s vibrant stories. This interactive adventure allows teams to discover historical landmarks and local culture at your own pace, creating a memorable outing for families, friends, or couples. With no time limits and an easy-to-use app, each group can choose their path and enjoy the sights of this beautiful coastal town.

We offer private and semi-private encounters with wildlife emphasizing on intimate experiences. During the trip, we will be looking for the Great White Shark, but we often encounter whales, porpoises, dolphin, seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and sometimes even Killer Whales. Once on the boat in Monterey, guests are in a unique position, each guests 1 of the 6 comfortable seats on the boat to view a lot of different wildlife. Everyday is different, expect to have a good time seeing lots of different wildlife. Don't have a group, give us a call for individual trips

Come Ride Santa Cruz's most fun, family-friendly guided e-bike tour. See Santa Cruz's majestic coastline, Wharf, Beach Boardwalk, and historic downtown tour. Ride to all the breathtaking sights, both scenic and historic. Enjoy Santa Cruz's natural beaut and see the whole town, including all the attractions on our pedal-assist electric bike ride tour. An experience you won't want to miss! Come Ride Santa Cruz with Ride California!

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour in Santa Cruz with your own local guide. Discover Santa Cruz on a relaxed electric bike ride. This journey blends famous coastal landmarks with quieter local favorites. Ride the scenic oceanfront paths of Santa Cruz while enjoying sweeping Pacific views. Visit Natural Bridges State Beach to admire its iconic coastal scenery. Continue to Lighthouse Field State Beach where you'll watch surfers at legendary Steamer Lane. Cruise along the historic Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy views across Monterey Bay. Learn about local history, marine wildlife and Santa Cruz's unique coastal culture from your guide. This experience is ideal for travelers who enjoy scenic rides and meaningful local stories. Please note: The availability and accessibility of attractions may vary based on time of day and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience.

Join us for a journey into the world of fungi with this comprehensive mushroom foraging workshop. Participants will gain essential skills in safe mushroom identification and ecological awareness under the guidance of expert Maya Elson. The experience begins with an informative presentation covering mushrooming basics, followed by an exciting outdoor foraging expedition. Together, you’ll gather and identify various fungi, discussing their ecological significance and culinary potential. Maya’s regenerative practices ensure that your foraging habits promote sustainability and community resilience, enriching your connection with nature and the vital role of mushrooms in our ecosystem.