Santa Cruz, California
classic californian coast
The Californian climate makes Santa Cruz a perfect destination throughout the year, filled with beach based activities that are sought throughout the world. The Santa Cruz pier recently celebrated its centenary as the longest on the West Coast, providing the public with spectacular views and a variety of foods. Natural Bridges State Beach is a National Park that bridges out into the water, producing one of the most stunning sunsets in the world.
PRICES FROM JUST £1599 pp - includes flights, hotels, car hire & a fab road trip pack
Visit Santa Cruz, California
‘Cruz’ your way along the Pacific Coast and enjoy this classic Californian Beach Town.
Where is Santa Cruz, California?
Santa Cruz is on the central coast of California. South of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is only 1.5 hours drive along the coast, 40 minutes drive from San Jose and 50 minutes drive from Monterey along Highway 1.
What to do in Santa Cruz?
Visit the iconic Santa Cruz beach boardwalk where stepping into the amusement park is like stepping back in time, with classic rides and carousels and the smell of kettle corn and deep-fried Twinkies all around. Take a steam train through the Redwoods and marvel at the giants or walk amongst the tallest trees in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. No visit to Santa Cruz would be complete without checking out the surfers! Pleasure Point and West Cliff Drive are prime spots to watch the spectacular surfers in action. If you fancy hitting the waves yourself there are many surf schools within the city. The Mystery Spot can be found here, where the laws of gravity are questioned. There are also loads of interesting trails and hikes to be taken. Berry Creek Falls Trail at Big Basin State Park, is just one of the many where you can climb and walk to reach to most gorgeous views. Get outdoors and visit Natural Bridges State Beach where you can search tide pools filled with sea anemones, crabs and creatures. Thousands of Monarch butterflies flock to the nearby grasslands each year.
explore the road trips that visit Santa Cruz, California below...
Classic Highway 1
Visit San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Point Lobos, Big Sur, Cambria, Santa Barbara, Malibu & Los Angeles
Cali Coast & Vegas
San Francisco > Monterey > Carmel > Big Sur > Pacific Coast Highway > Santa Barbara > Los Angeles > Palm Springs > Joshua Tree NP > Las Vegas
Classic California
Visit San Francisco, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur, Santa Barbara & Los Angeles
Northern California
San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Yosemite NP, Lake Tahoe, Lassen Volcanic NP, Redwoods NP, Napa Valley & more
Northern Cali Loop
San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Cambria, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley & more
The Golden Arch
Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Los Angeles & more
Portland to LA
Portland, Oregon Coast, Redwood NP, Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles & more
Best Of The West
Visit Laguna Beach, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree NP, Grand Canyon NP, Las Vegas, Death Valley NP, Yosemite NP, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur & LA
The Big Two
Chicago, St Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Grand Canyon NP, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara,Big Sur, Monterey, San Francisco & more
Ultimate Southwest
Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Big Sur, Los Angeles, San Diego & more
