Santa Cruz Sights from Wharf to Redwoods
Most of Santa Cruz’s sights are within a short drive or walk of the shore. The Boardwalk and Wharf face Monterey Bay, Pacific Avenue downtown sits a few blocks inland, and the cliffs and Natural Bridges lie west. Prices are in US dollars.
Cliff Views at Lighthouse Point
West Cliff Drive offers sweeping bay views, and below Lighthouse Point is Steamer Lane, a break for expert surfers and a great watching spot. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, at 701 West Cliff Drive in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, opens from noon to 4pm Thursday through Monday. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Because it may close unexpectedly, check before you go. The bluff is eroding, so use the path and stay behind barriers.
Natural Bridges State Beach
A sea arch, tide pools and a Monarch Grove draw visitors here. The park opens at 8am and closes at sunset, with a $10 per vehicle charge. Monarchs stay from mid-October to mid-February, and late October and November are often the best weeks. The Visitor Center is open 11am to 4pm daily between 1 October and 31 January, then Friday to Monday between 1 February and 30 September. With no lifeguards on duty, stay out of the surf.
The Municipal Wharf
About half a mile of pier carries seafood restaurants out over the bay, with sea lions below. The Wharf reopened after the collapse of December 2024, and a repair project wrapped up in April 2026. Winter parking is $1 an hour for the first 4 hours and then $2 an hour, to a maximum of $12. Tuesday offers two free hours with a validation stamp from a wharf business.
The Boardwalk
You can wander the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at no charge. Highlights are the Looff Carousel from 1911, the Giant Dipper wooden coaster from 1924 and the arcades indoors and out. Wristbands or tickets are needed only for rides.
Seacliff State Beach
The concrete ship SS Palo Alto rests offshore and can be seen from the sand or the bluff. The pier that once led toward it was demolished starting on 20 March 2023 after storm damage, so viewing is from land.
Sanctuary Exploration Center
Free exhibits on Monterey Bay’s marine sanctuary fill the center at 35 Pacific Avenue. It is open from 10am to 4pm, most days Thursday to Sunday, so call ahead.
Sightseeing Tips
- Reach Lighthouse Point before sunset.
- Time Natural Bridges for low tide if you want the pools.
- Pick Cowell Beach or Main Beach if you want lifeguards.
Natural Bridges details are on the State Parks page . To find guided sightseeing, search Viator .
Read more: attraction tours and walking routes .