From towering redwoods to rugged coastlines, Santa Cruz County is one of California’s richest places to experience wildlife in its natural habitat. The forests, wetlands, beaches, and tidepools here create a patchwork of ecosystems that support creatures both familiar and rare. Sea otters float in kelp beds just offshore, banana slugs inch through the damp forest floor, and monarch butterflies gather by the thousands in eucalyptus groves each winter. Out at sea, migrating whales and playful dolphins share the waters, while the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary helps safeguard the marine life that makes this coastline world-famous. Whether you’re hiking under the redwoods, strolling the shoreline, or scanning the horizon from a cliffside lookout, Santa Cruz offers a chance to encounter some of California’s most remarkable wildlife year-round. Here’s your guide to some of the most fascinating creatures and the best places to find them.

Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo State Park

From December through March, Año Nuevo State Park hosts one of the most extraordinary wildlife events in North America. Thousands of northern elephant seals return to these beaches each winter to breed and give birth. Males weighing up to 4,000 pounds clash in noisy battles, while mothers care for their pups along the sand. The park requires guided walks into the rookery during the breeding season, which adds to the experience — naturalists share stories about the seals’ life cycle and behaviors as you walk along the dunes. The trails themselves are scenic, winding past coastal bluffs and sweeping ocean views. Even outside of the breeding season, Año Nuevo is worth a visit, with hiking paths, wildflowers in spring, and sea lion sightings year-round.

Sea Otters Along the Cliffs and Kelp Beds

Santa Cruz is a stronghold for the southern sea otter, and spotting them is one of the county’s great joys. Once hunted nearly to extinction for their thick fur, sea otters have made a remarkable comeback thanks to the protections of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Today, these charismatic animals are a symbol of the sanctuary’s success, and their playful presence is one of the most rewarding sights along the coast. Walk or bike West Cliff Drive or East Cliff Drive and keep an eye on the kelp forests just offshore — otters often float on their backs, cracking open shellfish or grooming their famously dense fur. If you’re lucky, you might even see a mother with a pup riding on her belly as they drift through the kelp. Their revival here is a living reminder of how conservation efforts can bring a species back from the brink.

Whales in the Monterey Bay

The Monterey Bay is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world, and Santa Cruz’s shoreline provides front-row seats. Humpbacks are regular visitors in spring through fall, gray whales pass by during their winter and spring migrations, and blue whales occasionally sweep through in summer. From the cliffs of West Cliff Drive or the wide beaches at Rio del Mar and Seacliff State Beach, you can often see spouts, breaches, or the flick of a tail on the horizon. Boat tours from Santa Cruz Harbor and Moss Landing bring you closer, often accompanied by pods of dolphins or flocks of seabirds diving for fish. Many tours operate year-round, so whether you’re here in summer or winter, there’s always a chance to see these giants. Even without a whale sighting, the sheer beauty of being out on the water with the curve of the bay stretching around you is worth the trip.

Great White Sharks at New Brighton Beach

Santa Cruz’s coastline is full of surprises, and one of the most fascinating is the seasonal arrival of juvenile great white sharks. In the warm, shallow waters off New Brighton State Beach, these young sharks gather during the hottest summer months to rest and feed on small fish and rays. Far from the fearsome image they have in movies, these sharks are still growing and pose little risk to people enjoying the beach. In fact, they’ve become a symbol of the healthy marine environment that Santa Cruz is known for. Visitors who want a closer look can even join guided tours, like those offered aboard the O’Neill Catamaran, where naturalists help you spot sharks safely from the boat while sharing insights into their behavior. Onshore, New Brighton remains one of the county’s most welcoming spots for families, with a wide sandy beach, scenic bluffs, and a popular campground. Whether you’re watching the waves or heading out on a boat tour, seeing sharks here is less about danger and more about wonder — proof that the Monterey Bay is a true sanctuary for marine life.

Banana Slugs in the Redwoods

Venture inland into the redwoods, and you’ll meet Santa Cruz’s most playful mascot: the banana slug. These bright yellow mollusks thrive in the damp understory, moving slowly but playing an important role in the forest by breaking down leaf litter and recycling nutrients. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, trails like the Redwood Grove Loop practically guarantee a sighting, especially in the cool, shaded morning hours. The park is a delight beyond slugs, too. Ancient trees tower overhead, and the San Lorenzo River winds through the landscape, offering picnic spots and swimming holes. Nearby Fall Creek, a northern unit of Henry Cowell, is a bit wilder and less crowded, where slugs and newts slip through fern-filled canyons.

Seasonal Highlights: Monarchs, King Tides, and Newts

Santa Cruz’s wildlife calendar shifts with the seasons, offering new spectacles throughout the year. In fall and winter, Natural Bridges State Beach becomes a sanctuary for thousands of monarch butterflies, clustering together in eucalyptus groves. Walking through the Monarch Grove Trail during peak season feels like stepping into a living kaleidoscope. Winter also brings king tides, when extreme low tides reveal tide pools full of anemones, crabs, and the occasional octopus at Natural Bridges, Wilder Ranch, or Davenport Landing. With careful steps, these tide pool visits feel like exploring a hidden underwater city full of wildlife. During rainy months, parks like Wilder Ranch, Fall Creek, and Nisene Marks come alive with California newts making their way to seasonal streams. Trails glisten with raindrops, and the forest seems to hum with new life.

Protecting and Enjoying Santa Cruz Wildlife

Every encounter with wildlife in Santa Cruz is part of a bigger story: these forests, beaches, and waters are home to delicate ecosystems that need protection. Whether you’re whale-watching from a cliff, walking quietly among monarchs, or exploring tide pools with children, the best way to enjoy these experiences is with care. Stay on trails, respect viewing distances, and remember that we’re visitors in their world. By treading lightly, we help ensure that these wild wonders remain part of Santa Cruz County for generations to come.