Top Santa Cruz Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

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.

The Alpaca Walking Adventure offers a unique opportunity to connect with these charming creatures in the stunning Carmel Valley. Begin your journey with a mini-lecture about alpacas, discovering their origins, biology, and how their fleece is utilized. After meeting your alpaca buddy, embark on a one-mile scenic hike through a tree-lined trail, stopping to interact with the alpacas and enjoy breathtaking views of the neighboring 2,000-acre ranch. Pause to interact with your alpaca, learn some fun tricks, snap plenty of selfies, while enjoying provided snacks and water. We then continue on to complete the trek in the pastures with alpacas, goats, and horses, ensuring a memorable day filled with knowledge and delightful moments.

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!

Explore the birthplace of surfing on the Santa Cruz Surf Walk, where you'll learn about the evolution of surf culture from its Hawaiian roots to modern innovations. This 2-hour guided tour includes visits to iconic surf spots like Cowell Beach and Steamer Lane, alongside opportunities to observe local marine wildlife such as sea lions and otters. Gain insights from an expert guide about surf breaks and the town’s vibrant coastal community, while enjoying stunning ocean views along West Cliff Drive. - Guided tour of Santa Cruz's surfing history and culture - Visit key surf locations, including Cowell Beach and Steamer Lane - Small group size (maximum 10) for personalized attention - Opportunities to observe marine wildlife and learn about local surf traditions

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!

World class private tour, completely controlled by you! Come see the best sights in the Santa Cruz: Beach Paradise, at your leisure! Commentary by Jackie Woods, a local legend! This tour has been written by a local, who knows the very best spots of Santa Cruz. We have the best beach in all of Northern California, the best views, and best food and drinks available! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the Pintours App With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

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!

Join us for a scenic Santa Cruz walking tour along the coast and through downtown. Explore the beachside roots of local surf culture, wander lively streets, and uncover the history and architecture that reveal a hidden side of the city. One of the top-rated things to do in Santa Cruz, this guided experience is perfect for visitors looking for fun activities and local insight. Fun & Informative Our local guides share fascinating stories and little-known facts about Santa Cruz. Easy Walking Comfortable pace with some stairs. No special equipment needed. Small Groups Limited group sizes ensure a personalized experience with plenty of time for questions. Alternative route available for those who wish to avoid stairs.

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour with your own local guide in Santa Cruz. Discover the creative spirit that defines the city through its art, architecture and cultural landmarks. Explore Santa Cruz's historic Mission district, then walk through its vibrant downtown. Learn how local artists, performers and community spaces have shaped its identity. Visit public gathering places that continue to inspire creativity. Admire distinctive architecture and hear stories behind the city's cultural traditions. Explore lively streets filled with independent character and artistic expression. This relaxed walking experience is ideal for travelers seeking a deeper understanding of Santa Cruz beyond the beaches. 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.

Explore the vibrant heart of Santa Cruz on this engaging 90-minute walking tour. Discover hidden gems and captivating tales as local guides share their knowledge of the area's rich history and culture. This tour seamlessly blends the lively downtown scene with the historic charm of the Mission Hill district, ensuring an enlightening experience for both newcomers and locals. With a comfortable walking pace and small group sizes, participants enjoy a personalized adventure filled with insights and stories that bring Santa Cruz to life. - 90-minute guided walking tour of downtown Santa Cruz and Mission Hill - Led by knowledgeable local guides sharing unique stories - Comfortable walking pace with some stairs, no special gear needed - Small group sizes for a more engaging 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.

Start your Santa Cruz afternoon the right way with AFK Food Tours. In 2 hours, stroll the coast and hit four of the town’s most crave-worthy dessert spots in one perfectly paced small-group walk. You’ll enjoy samples + full scoops at every stop, so you’re not just tasting — you’re actually getting fed. Skip the guesswork. This route is deliberately built for contrast: refreshing Italian ice, small-batch house-made ice cream, creative cookie sandwiches, and frozen specialties most visitors never find. Each stop earns its place. No filler. The walk stays easy (under 2 miles) with ocean views and beach-town energy between bites. Your guide keeps it smooth with quick local insight, so you finish full, relaxed, and already ahead of the crowd. Group size is intentionally limited to keep it social and never crowded.

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.

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.

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.