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.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a classic seaside amusement park packed with fun for all ages—but its true icons are the 1911 Looff Carousel and the 1924 Giant Dipper. Ride hand-carved horses and toss brass rings on the vintage carousel, then race along the wooden tracks of the Giant Dipper, one of the country's oldest coasters. From games and arcades to ocean views, it’s a perfect blend of history and thrills.
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.
Cat & Cloud Coffee Tasting
Cat & Cloud’s introduction to coffee takes you on a journey from seed to cup, shining a light on where coffee comes from, the processes it goes through from harvest to roastery, and how all of this relates to what we taste. This is all tied together with a traditional coffee tasting (cupping), where we dive into the unique nuances of this amazing product.
The full 1.5 hours experiences includes Intro to Coffee Presentation, Traditional coffee cupping (tasting), Cat & Cloud Lab and Roastery Tour, a bag of Cat & Cloud Coffee to take home
Exclusive event takes place every second Friday of the month.
For more information and reservations, please email our team at experiences@labahiahotel.com
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 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.
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.
THE BOARDWALK HISTORIUM
Housed on the second floor of Neptune’s Kingdom, the Boardwalk Historium is a captivating gateway into a century of Boardwalk photos and memorabilia.
SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY
Housed in the downtown McPherson Center, the MAH hosts year-round interactive exhibitions, hands-on events and only-in-Santa-Cruz experiences.
SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Known affectionately by locals as “the Whale Museum,” this early California ode to the natural world hosts enriching artifacts, exhibits and events.
THE SANTA CRUZ CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY
Catering to kids 12 and under, the MOD inspires young minds to learn, play and explore the wonders that surround.
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
No sojourn to Santa Cruz is complete without a stop at the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium at the ocean’s edge for a world-class window into our prolific underwater world.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
This mountain sanctuary offers 360-degree views, 15 miles of trails and 1,750 acres of old-growth redwoods nearly 1,800 years old.
NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH
Named for the rock formation that bridges across the beach, this 65-acre park features tide pools and a winter habitat for Monarchs.
SEYMOUR MARINE DISCOVERY CENTER
Take a deep dive into this 20,000-square-foot seaside learning center, where you can touch sea life and immerse in the world of ocean exploration.
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Nestled at the northern tip of Monterey Bay, this popular beach is home to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in a 1967 lighthouse.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Step into 7,000 acres of scenic wilds, home to 34 miles of coastal hiking, biking and equestrian trails and a historic 1800’s-era dairy ranch.
Seal Viewing at AÑO NUEVO STATE PARK
Glimpse nature at her most magical as thousands of mighty northern elephant seals return to breed, birth their pups and thrill onlookers.
UC SANTA CRUZ ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN
Visit the stunning UC Santa Cruz campus and explore 135 conserved acres of rare, endangered and exotic plants from around the world.
SANTA CRUZ HARBOR
Home to small watercraft and pristine beaches, the Santa Cruz Harbor is a mecca for land and sea pursuits like sunset paddles and sand volleyball.
