Even in an era with technology right at our fingertips, people are craving quieter moments and simpler times. According to 2025 Google trends data, “digital detox retreat” saw a sharp increase in searches. This desire for being “unplugged” shows no signs of slowing down, with Hilton’s trends report finding that travelers want to spend less time on their phones and more time focusing on relaxation.

For planners who want to tap into this growing trend, Santa Cruz County makes the ideal location for meetings with less screen time and more real time. With its unique proximity to nature plus a plethora of activities well-suited for both groups and more solo-minded people, everyone can find their perfect way to unwind. Here are a few ways planners can encourage digital detoxing in their events and make the most of what Santa Cruz County has to offer.

1) Provide Opportunities for Solo Growth & Enjoyment

Spiritual retreats and meditation/silent retreats are a rising trend among travelers. With the stress of traveling, plus full agendas and maximizing networking opportunities, offsite events can take their toll. Helping attendees find a way to unwind and enjoy some “me time” is crucial to prevent burnout and ensure they have an enjoyable experience. In fact, 27% of business travelers actively seek alone time during work trips.

Located right in the heart of downtown, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History’s three floors of galleries and exhibits is perfect for those seeking a quiet and cultural lunch break walk. Just a short walk down the road, coastal vibes and unique spa treatments abound at La Bahia Hotel & Spa – from seaside Himalayan salt stone massages to sea and sand glow scrubs, everyone can find their perfect tincture for relaxation.

Adding meditation clinics and yoga classes into the agenda or choosing hotels and venues centered on wellness and providing calming environments are ways to mix in mindfulness. Pleasure Point Sanctuary offers private yoga lessons as well as private dance parties where attendees can let loose and learn a choreographed dance with an instructor. For a weekend retreat, Chaminade Resort & Spa’s unplugged retreats encourage screen-free time and stress management through guided forest walks, nature journaling, and reconnecting with what matters most.

2) Embrace “Unplugged” Moments

Setting up an onsite crafts room with supplies, tables with board games, or a space with a record player instead of DJ Spotify can give attendees options for spending their downtime engaging in more tactile, here-and-now activities – sans screens.

For unplugging after event hours, painting classes or paint & sip events at The Painted Cork are a low pressure way for people to flex their creative muscles while sampling local wine. Planners can give their attendees a more hands-on experience at Good Life Ceramics where they can try their hand at making a mug, vase, or tray to take home. Classes are available in their Santa Cruz space or their mobile clay studio can travel to your event venue.

Blending arts and crafts with a dash of nature is the Little Shop of Horticulture’s specialty. This company runs a variety of unplugged workshops – no green thumb required. Flower arranging, wreath-making, terrarium creation, wood mosaic signs, and macrame are just a few of the programs they offer.

3) Slow Down with a Good Book

Literary tourism is a growing industry, predicted to reach $3.3 billion by 2034. In fact, 53% of U.S. travelers surveyed by Morning Consult said they’d be interested in attending a reading retreat. Hosting a reception at a local indie bookstore, a library, or a historic place with a cozy feel can be a great way for attendees to tackle their to-be-read list. Just a twenty-minute walk from Santa Cruz Main Beach, Bad Animal Books is a used bookshop with an expansive and curated selection, plus a kitchen and bar serving hand-selected wines and Parisian bistro delights. Attendees can tune in to author talks, browse the shelves solo, or chat about their favorite reads over a glass of red.

4) Reconnect with Nature

Morning Consult research found that American travelers are becoming more interested in nature immersion retreats (67%) and getting outside of the city’s hustle and bustle. Santa Cruz County rests between the mountains and the ocean with the redwood forests a stone’s throw away, making it the perfect locale for any kind of nature lover.

Planners can arrange for attendees to fly and frolic among the redwoods at Mount Hermon Adventures with zipline tours or a more adrenaline-pumping ropes course. For planners who want to host a more immersive wilderness experience, Waterfall Lodge & Retreat’s 32 cabins are nestled in the redwoods and the Santa Cruz mountains. Corporate groups can customize their experience with hiking, yoga, fine dining, s’mores, an 80-acre scavenger hunt, painting, wine tasting, and more.

5) Incorporate Movement as Mindfulness

Movement that is enjoyable and not just for checking the daily workout off of the to do list is a great way to encourage attendees to connect with all of the adventures awaiting them in Santa Cruz County.

Hiking, biking, surfing, golfing, tennis, and beach walking can allow attendees to connect with their bodies and with the beautiful scenery while engaging in movement that feels good. Surf School Santa Cruz is easy to access with manageable two-hour lessons at both Cowell Beach and Pleasure Point Beach. West Cliff Drive is a biker’s best friend, offering the perfect way to cruise and see all of the sights at a leisurely pace. For attendees who favor moving and grooving, Salsa by the Sea at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is a free, year-round event where there are occasionally lessons but always good dancing and good times.