Santa Cruz Activities: Surf, Redwoods, Boardwalk

Surf, redwoods and a classic amusement park all sit inside a few miles of each other in Santa Cruz, California, a city of about 60,000 on the north shore of Monterey Bay. Here is how to sort the options, with figures in US dollars that operators adjust through the year.

Quick Picks

  • Learn to surf: Cowell Beach, beside the Wharf.
  • Walk among redwoods: the Redwood Grove Loop at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
  • Ride a wooden coaster: the Giant Dipper at the Boardwalk.
  • Paddle: rentals near the harbor or from the Wharf.
  • Stroll or cycle: West Cliff Drive.

Surfing

Two schools list beginner lessons off Cowell Beach: Club Ed, which runs seasonally, and Richard Schmidt Surf School. Group and semi-private lessons commonly cost around $120 to $150 per person. Cowell Beach is lifeguarded, as is Main Beach near the Boardwalk. Steamer Lane, off Lighthouse Point, is a reef-and-cliff break for advanced surfers, which makes it a spectator spot for everyone else.

Henry Cowell Redwoods

The park charges $10 per vehicle, with a $9 senior rate for ages 62 and over. Its Redwood Grove Loop is flat and runs 0.8 mile (1.2 km) beneath coast redwoods. One tree, the Fremont Tree, is hollow enough to enter, so pack a flashlight. The Visitor Center keeps 10am to 4pm hours daily. Dogs and horses stay off the loop.

Boardwalk Rides

There is no charge to enter the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Rides use wristbands or tickets, and wristband prices swing from about $34.95 to $69.95 depending on the date. The Giant Dipper opened on 17 May 1924, and the coaster and the Looff Carousel became a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Because ride days vary by season, look at the Boardwalk calendar before you set out.

On the Water

Kayak Connection (413 Lake Avenue, near the Santa Cruz Harbor) is open 10am to 5pm. Venture Quest Kayaking operates from the Municipal Wharf with rentals and guided nature tours, keeping seasonal hours.

West Cliff Drive

The path covers roughly 3 miles each way between the Wharf and Natural Bridges, passing Lighthouse Point. The road reopened in August 2025, and the bluff continues to erode, so walkers and riders should keep behind the barriers.

Coastal Safety

Expect cold water, rip currents and sneaker waves. Plenty of beaches have no lifeguard, and sea cliffs are unstable.

Park rules for the redwoods are on the State Parks Henry Cowell page . For organised outings, try Viator .

Read more: Santa Cruz outdoor activities , plus adventure sports .