Santa Cruz tours, things to do and tickets
From San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Day Tour
Duration: 11 hours - 12 hours
Cruise along California's spectacular coastline on a relaxing day trip from San Francisco. Follow Highway 1 to the Monterey Peninsula, visit Steinbeck's Cannery Row, and stop at the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
$127*Per person
Private
From San Francisco: Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur Private Tour
Duration: 10 hours
Discover the natural beauty of California at your own pace on a private 10-hour scenic tour of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur from San Francisco.
$926.25*Per person
Alpaca Walking Adventure in Scenic Carmel Valley
Duration: 2 hours
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.
$85*Per person
California Audioguide for Self-Drivers (English & German)
Duration: a few seconds
Discover California by driving along the famous Highway 1 with the help of a handy audio guide. Create your perfect road trip with 169 stops in one app that cover famous sights and secret spots.
$20.84*Per person
Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour
Duration: 2 hours
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!
$110*Per person
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Duration: 3 hours
Learn to surf in Santa Cruz during a 2.5-hour clinic designed with the beginner in mind. Novices are welcome, as well as anyone who has tried surfing but could use some tips for balancing on the board and catching a wave. You'll get plenty of practice with paddling and pop-up techniques while learning about wave breaks, ocean conditions, and safety in and out of the water, including surf etiquette. Includes all necessary equipment.
$139*Per person
Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot
Duration: an hour
This is a unique opportunity to become the mermaid you've always dreamed of! Santa Cruz is the perfect beach town to fulfill your mermaid dreams.
$220*Per person
Ocean Safaris Whale Watching semi-private limited to 6 people max
Duration: 3 hours
Ocean Safaris offers private and semi-private encounters with wildlife emphasizing on intimate experiences. 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. During the trip, we often encounter whales, porpoises, dolphin, seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and many other varieties of marine mammals and sea birds. the most common whales we see are Humpback Whales, Gray Whales, Blue Whales and sometimes even Killer Whales. Don't have a group, give us a call for individual trips
$205*Per person
Tea By The Sea
Duration: 2 hours - a minute
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 @teabytheseacalifornia
$150*Per person
Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt
Duration: 2 hours
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!
$29*Per person
Santa Cruz: Sidecar Wine Tour with Guide and Wine Tasting
Duration: 3 hours
Delve into the history of Santa Cruz's Wine Country while gliding along the backroads in a tandem sidecar motorcycle. Hear about Santa Cruz's wine tradition from your guide and sample regional wines.
$199*Per person
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Duration: 3 hours
Learn to surf in Pacifica or Santa Cruz in this popular 2.5 hour course. Whether you’re a newbie or have tried surfing before, benefit from the experience of a professional coach!
$124*Per person
Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups
Duration: 2 hours
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!
$110*Per person
Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz
Duration: 5 hours
Learn the ancient skills of survival in the woods, including how to build a shelter, gather water, make a fire, and forage edible plants or set up traps for food. Both novice campers and seasoned backpackers will benefit from hands-on activities during this 5-hour class with a naturalist instructor. The session takes place in a redwood forest in Boulder Creek, located just north of Santa Cruz.
$145*Per person
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Duration: an hour - 2 hours
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
$45*Per person
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Duration: 3 hours - a minute
This Guided Food & History Tour is great way to experience Capitola, CA. Capitola is a gem! Located just 4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA. Let us guide you through this small beach town loaded with history, restaurants and shopping. Perfect for Locals, Visitors, Corporate Mixers, Team Bonding, Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Anniversaries, or any one looking for a Fun Evening! Includes the equivalent of a 5 course meal. Learn the best of Capitola all in one night! During this Foodie Friday experience you will learn how to make the most of your time in Capitola, CA - Voted Best Beach-Town! Private tours available, inquire on our web site. Make today memorable, fun and inspiring with group experiences. Our foodie tour is for all ages, line up of vendors changes and includes locals favorites and our favorite restaurants, BEST Spots & Stories, learn the area and culture better than a local while you eat and drink. Additional drinks available on tour. Meet restaurant owners.
$129*Per person
San Fran Monterey: Pacific Coast Self-Driving Tour App
Duration: 3 hours
Discover the Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco & Monterey using a smartphone audio-driving tour. Take the tour in either direction and experience one of the most scenic drives in the world.
$7.28*Per person
Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience
Duration: 3 hours
As a professional artist and teacher, it is one of my passions to teach others the joy of art making. I love watercolor sketch journaling and would love to share with you my years of tips and tricks so that you can learn how to easily draw and paint...even if you are a total beginner!
This art class is special because it is specifically designed for vacation travelers. I will show you the essential supplies you need to have a small, portable "art studio" that you can take traveling. You will be able to easily draw and paint anytime, anywhere and capture your vacation memories in your own watercolor journal!
$297*Per person
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Duration: 2 hours - 2 hours
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
$45*Per person
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Duration: 2 hours
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.
$45*Per person
Popular nearby destinations


