Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santa Cruz?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santa Cruz?
Most visitors spend one to two days in Santa Cruz when visiting. The coastal town offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the beaches, the nightlife, the museums and landmarks, and the hiking.
Located on the central coastline in California, Santa Cruz is a quintessential beach town. There's a classic boardwalk with traditional rides, a charming downtown, and plenty of shops and cafes. The beaches are beautiful and the rugged coastline is fun to explore.
Do you have one or two days to visit Santa Cruz? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Santa Cruz?
One day is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Santa Cruz. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the beaches, the nightlife, the museums and landmarks, and the hiking. To genuinely appreciate the coastal town, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for one to two days here, after all. After all, Santa Cruz is a small town that is quite popular with tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend a day in Santa Cruz
Don't miss Santa Cruz Wharf during your trip to Santa Cruz, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.
Santa Cruz is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Santa Cruz while also relaxing at the beach. Most visitors prefer to spend one to two days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Santa Cruz is popular with families and couples which enjoy visiting because the city offers fun activities for them.
Santa Cruz, California
How to spend 2 days in Santa Cruz
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Santa Cruz, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
The beautiful beaches await you in Santa Cruz, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz ($129)
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz ($35)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Santa Cruz, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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