Weekend getaway from San Francisco · #6 of 10
Santa Cruz
California beach-town classic: the historic Beach Boardwalk's wooden coaster, surfers at Steamer Lane, redwoods in the hills behind and a laid-back downtown. An easy drive over the hill or down coastal Highway 1.
Think vintage wooden coasters, surfers carving legendary waves, and towering redwoods right behind a cool, walkable downtown. It's the ultimate NorCal escape. Dive into the coast on day one, then head into the forest on day two.
Getting there
Your direct route at about 75 miles. Highway 17 is a twisty mountain road that gets packed; roll out early to beat the rush.
Slower, but way more scenic, hugging the cliffs past Pescadero and Ano Nuevo. Totally worth it if you have an extra half hour.
Day 1
Salt air, seaside thrills, and epic surf spots- 19:00 AMDrive
Drive south to Santa Cruz
Cruise south over the Santa Cruz Mountains on Highway 17. You'll drop out of the redwoods and into the beach town after about 90 minutes.
Tip · Set your alarm early! Highway 17 gets totally jammed on summer weekends if you wait past mid-morning.
- 210:30 AMActivity
Ride the Giant Dipper at the Boardwalk
Operating since 1907, this is the West Coast's last original seaside amusement park. Do not miss a ride on the Giant Dipper, one of the country's oldest wooden coasters.
📍 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Tip · It is free to enter; buy a day pass or pay per ride. Tip: look out for discounted tickets on select summer weeknights!
- 312:00 PMFood
Lunch on Pacific Avenue
Stroll up from the beach to this walkable downtown strip. It is lined with awesome local cafes, taquerias, and casual spots.
📍 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
Tip · Bring a reusable cup or dine in, since the city charges a small fee for disposable ones.
- 41:30 PMSight
Sea lions at the Municipal Wharf
Stroll along the historic wooden wharf to see sea lions basking below, right next to bustling seafood shacks and souvenir spots.
📍 Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz
- 52:30 PMSight
Steamer Lane and the Surfing Museum
Watch surfers ride the legendary Steamer Lane break from the lighthouse cliffs, then check out the museum next door for cool surf history dating to 1885.
📍 Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Santa Cruz
Tip · Bundle up and visit in winter if you want to see the biggest swells and the best crowds along the rail.
- 64:00 PMActivity
Walk or bike West Cliff Drive
This paved coastal trail winds past hidden beaches and surf breaks, making it the absolute best short stroll for sweeping ocean views.
📍 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
- 76:30 PMFood
Dinner downtown
Head back to Pacific Avenue for dinner. The downtown blocks stay lively late with a great mix of casual and sit-down eateries.
📍 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
- 88:30 PMStay
Overnight in Santa Cruz
Stay near the beach or downtown so tomorrow's redwood hikes and tide-pool explorations are just a short hop away.
📍 Santa Cruz, California
Day 2
Forest magic, tide-pool critters, and steam trains- 99:00 AMSight
Tide pools at Natural Bridges State Beach
Explore the rocky tide pools at low tide to spot colorful sea creatures, then visit the state beach's famous monarch butterfly grove.
📍 Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
Tip · The monarch butterflies cluster here from October through February, so plan accordingly.
- 1010:30 AMActivity
Hike among the redwoods at Henry Cowell
Head just north of town to hike among ancient redwood giants, and check out the Big Rock Hole swimming spot on the river, rope swing and all.
📍 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton
- 1112:00 PMActivity
Ride the Roaring Camp steam train
Right next door, hop on a vintage narrow-gauge steam train that chugs deep into the redwoods. It is an absolute blast for all ages.
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
- 121:30 PMFood
Lunch in Felton or downtown Santa Cruz
Grab a relaxed lunch in the mountain town of Felton near the tracks, or head back down to Santa Cruz on your way to the next stop.
- 133:00 PMSight
Browse Bookshop Santa Cruz
Browse the shelves at this legendary independent bookstore, a Pacific Avenue staple since 1966 with fantastic fiction and local sections.
📍 Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
- 144:30 PMDrive
Drive back to San Francisco
Head back north over the mountain pass on Highway 17, which takes about 90 minutes if you beat the Sunday traffic.
Tip · Northbound traffic on Sunday afternoons can get brutal; heading out early will save you a headache.
Where to eat
A vibrant, walkable downtown avenue lined with excellent cafes, taquerias, and easygoing spots.
Rustic seafood spots perched right over the ocean, with sea lions barking away beneath the planks.
Honestly, grabbing hot garlic fries, corn dogs, and sweet midway treats is half the reason to go.
When to go
Prime beach and coaster season, though fair warning: the Pacific water is freezing year-round.
See the monarch butterflies gather in the trees, and watch surfers tackle massive winter swells at Steamer Lane.
The redwoods and downtown are great any day of the year. Just bring a layer for that cool coastal breeze.
Good to know
- Pack a cozy layer, even in July. The water and ocean breezes keep the evening air pretty chilly.
- Get a head start on Highway 17 in both directions to avoid getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper mountain traffic.
- The beaches around the Boardwalk fill up in a flash on sunny days, so get there early to grab a parking spot.
- Keep a reusable cup handy. Santa Cruz cafes charge a small fee for paper ones to keep things green.
