PRIVATE VINEYARDS
AND Winery Tour
With more than 50 mountain wineries, from boutique rural barns to elevated estates, revel in private experiences tailored to your tastes.
Private Brewery
Tour
Tour three micro-breweries and tap the tastes and techniques of craft beer while exploring the Santa Cruz redwoods with your private guide.
Charter a private sailing yacht
Chart new vistas on Monterey Bay aboard a private sailing yacht sized for your inner circle, from seasoned sailors to first-time adventurers.
Whale Watching
Monterey Bay
The National Marine Sanctuary is the unofficial epicenter for spotting seven species of whales, dolphins and porpoises year-round.
Monterey Bay Kayak Tour
Monterey Bay is a National Marine Sanctuary for sea-life, where you can paddle with playful sea otters, seals, sea lions and lush kelp beds.
Private BEGINNER SURF LESSON
Dip your toes into Santa Cruz’s legendary surf with seasoned pros who know the best breaks to help you learn to ride the waves.
Santa Cruz Guided e-Bike tour
Take in a whirlwind route through Santa Cruz’s sweeping coastline, bustling wharf, Beach Boardwalk and historic downtown on two wheels.
MONDAY SUNSET SUP
Gather your convivial group of SUPers as you launch from the calm waters of the harbor, then paddle towards the open ocean for a sublime sunset.
MICHELIN GUIDE FARE
Santa Cruz’s downtown dining gem, Alderwood, earned its Michelin nod from a seasonally driven coastal menu rooted in live-fire cooking.
SANTA CRUZ EATERIES
From casual comfort to modern chic, multi-course farm-to-table feasts to small plates and shareables, the city’s diversity of creative fare has a vibe to match your mood.
ALFRESCO DINING
By warm sunlight or wondrous starlight, on buzzy beachfront decks or secret garden patios, Santa Cruz’s alfresco dining scene beckons with infinite fresh-air forays.
CAPITOLA VILLAGE
Well worth the 15-minute pilgrimage, immerse in the many wonders of Capitola’s pastel-painted storefronts, locally curated shops, waterfront cafés, seaside views and Mediterranean flavor.
SANTA CRUZ SHOPPING
Whether it’s surf wear and vintage clothes on Downtown Pacific Avenue, indie reads at Bookshop Santa Cruz or one-of-a-kind finds at the Santa Cruz Antique Faire, the city serves up an eclectic mix.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
Peruse the best in regional flavors and artisan-made goods at five farmers’ markets, including Downtown Santa Cruz’s year-round offering, Wednesdays from 1-5pm.
FIRST FRIDAY ART TOUR
Get a street-level view of local artists and galleries in different creative scenarios with the beloved First Friday monthly art tour across the county.
DOWNTOWN ART TOUR
Stroll downtown, map in tow, in search of colorful murals, permanent sculptures and a curated rotating public art exhibit totaling 42+ pieces.
SANTA CRUZ ART LEAGUE
Part art gallery, part theater and part artisan gift shop, this community haven celebrates the visual and performing arts in local and national works.
Open Studios
If you’re staying at La Bahia over the first three weeks of October, the annual Open Studios event invites you to mingle with artists at work.
BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE
A community cornerstone since the late 1980s, this intimate, 62-seat, black box theatre hosts an impressive roster of live theatre, music, literature, film and storytelling events.
ALL-SEASON EVENTS
From food and wine festivals, artisan fairs and live music concerts to chili cook-offs, fishing tourneys and outrigger races, all-season events are plentiful.
