Santa Cruz County attracts visitors of all ages. From children who eagerly await summer break to grandparents who can recall fond memories of seaside beauty pageants of yesterday, Santa Cruz County is the perfect spot for multi-generational families to spend time reconnecting.
LOOK FOR…
Year-around family-friendly events hosted by the Museum of Art and History, for the artistically-inclined.
The admission-free, legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – California’s oldest seaside amusement park – which has thrilled visitors for well over 100 years. Check out the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the Looff Carousel, two national historic landmarks.
Sea fossils embedded in the hillside as you ride Roaring Camp Railroads’ steam train up Bear Mountain. Millions of years ago, these forested trails were underwater. After the train ride, walk next door to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where a wide, stroller and wheelchair-accessible path offer a close-up view of the redwoods.
The boisterous sea lions at the Santa Cruz Wharf. Watch as they perform effortless water acrobats – and the not-so-effortless attempts to jump up onto docks and planks for some out of the water basking.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ms. Blue, the blue whale skeleton which sits outside the Seymour Marine Discovery Center is one of the largest blue whale skeletons in the world.
Now an indoor miniature golf course, The Plunge at the Cocoanut Grove was once a bathhouse where visitors enjoyed the benefits of “natural medicine” of bathing in salt water.
One of the best places for tidepool exploration is Natural Bridges State Beach, where little ones will delight at the tiny crabs, sea stars and sea anemones nestling in underwater crevices when the tide goes out. In wintertime, families can explore the park’s eucalyptus grove, thick with clusters of hibernating monarch butterflies.
During summer, you can enjoy music by the beach at Capitola’s Wednesday Night Twilight Concerts in Esplanade Park. This free event is perfect for families.
Astronomy programs, Bug Day, campfires and kid-friendly guided walks are hosted by State Parks on a year-around basis throughout the county.
In south county, free family nature walks begin at the Wetlands of Watsonville Nature Center, where binoculars are provided to help spot the amazing bird species that call this habitat home.