Santa Cruz Day Trip Ideas by Coast and Mountain
From Santa Cruz you can head south around the bay, north along the San Mateo coast or east over the mountains. Each option below lists distance, time and the costs that shape the day. Amounts are in US dollars.
Choosing a Direction
- South: Monterey and Cannery Row, about 45 miles.
- North: Año Nuevo, Pescadero and Pigeon Point.
- East: Capitola Village, a few miles along the bay.
- Over the hill: San Jose by bus, or Mission San Juan Bautista by car.
Highway 1 crawls between Santa Cruz and Aptos on busy summer weekends, so leave extra time on those days.
Monterey
The drive to Monterey takes roughly an hour when traffic is light. Monterey Bay Aquarium admission is $65 for ages 18 to 69, $50 for youth 5 to 17 and for seniors 70 and over, and free for ages 4 and under. Buying in advance is recommended.
Año Nuevo Elephant Seals
About 20 miles north on Highway 1, Año Nuevo lets visitors see elephant seals only on docent-led guided walks in the breeding season, December through March. Bookings go on sale 56 days before each date, and sales for 2026-27 began on 20 October 2026. The vehicle fee is $10, and the walk itself runs around $7 plus a booking fee. Avian flu was found in seal pups in February 2026 and the reserve reopened in April. Between April and November, a free permit covers a self-guided walk, with permits handed out from 8:30am to 3:30pm.
Pescadero and Pigeon Point
The Pigeon Point Light Station’s 115-foot lighthouse stands on the grounds, though its tower has been closed to climbing for years, so ask State Parks before counting on it. A Hostelling International hostel uses the old light-station buildings.
Capitola and Shadowbrook
Capitola Village lies a few miles east. Shadowbrook Restaurant is reached by the Hillevator funicular, which starts at the Wharf Road lot. Phone 831-475-1511 to check it is open.
San Jose
A Santa Cruz METRO express bus on Highway 17 goes to San Jose Diridon. The fare is $7 each way, or $14 for a day pass, and $3.50 at the discount rate. Plan on 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes.
Mission San Juan Bautista
Located in San Juan Bautista, San Benito County, roughly 35 to 40 miles by road, the Mission is a day trip on its own.
Check bus fares on the METRO fares page and elephant seal walks on the State Parks Año Nuevo page . Compare guided trips on Viator .
Read more: family friendly activities , or plan multi-day trips .