Things to Do in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a region characterized by its diverse landscape, where towering redwood forests meet the Pacific coastline. This unique geography provides a varied terrain for outdoor activities, ranging from coastal bluffs to mountain ridgelines. The area's natural features, including extensive trail networks and a mild climate, make it suitable for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more throughout the year.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz offers a wide range of outdoor activities…
60
Routes
4.6
(2475)
Average rating
16109
People visited
4.8
(790)
4,942
hikers
17.5km
04:57
360m
360m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(412)
2,573
hikers
20.4km
06:07
500m
500m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.9
(194)
1,511
hikers
20.5km
07:44
1,160m
1,160m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.9
(79)
371
hikers
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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135
runners
25.6km
03:53
920m
920m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(3)
46
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
42
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
17
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
49
riders
16.3km
01:33
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(4)
35
riders
75.5km
07:07
620m
620m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(5)
6
riders
28.1km
01:42
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
6
riders
20.2km
01:41
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
28
hikers
11.7km
03:33
390m
390m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
10
hikers
20.1km
07:37
760m
760m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5.0
(2)
7
hikers
7.85km
02:33
370m
370m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.5
(2)
9
riders
24.8km
02:11
250m
250m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
4
riders
36.8km
03:17
620m
620m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(3)
2
riders
8.92km
00:49
240m
240m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
Top attractions in the region
Most popular attractions in Santa Cruz
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, and Mountaineering. The region features diverse landscapes from redwood forests to coastal bluffs, providing varied terrain for exploration.
What are the best hiking trails in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz features numerous hiking trails, with many routes winding through redwood forests and along coastal bluffs. Popular areas include Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Wilder Ranch State Park. For more information, refer to the Hiking in Santa Cruz guide.
Are there family-friendly hiking options in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz provides family-friendly hiking options suitable for various ages and skill levels. Many trails in redwood forests offer accessible paths for families. A dedicated guide, Family-friendly hikes in Santa Cruz, is available.
Where can I find easy hiking trails in Santa Cruz?
Easy hiking trails are available throughout Santa Cruz, particularly in areas like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park which offers paths through ancient redwoods. The Easy hikes in Santa Cruz guide provides specific routes.
What are the best mountain biking trails in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is known for its mountain biking trails, particularly in Wilder Ranch State Park and Soquel Demonstration State Forest. These areas feature technical trails like the Flow Trail and Braille Trail. More details are available in the MTB Trails in Santa Cruz guide.
Are there good routes for touring cycling in Santa Cruz?
Touring cyclists can find scenic routes in Santa Cruz, including coastal paths like West Cliff Drive and inland paths through state parks. The Cycling in Santa Cruz guide offers various options. Traffic-free bike rides are also available.
Where can I go jogging or running in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers numerous routes for jogging and running, including scenic coastal paths along West Cliff Drive and trails within state parks. The Running Trails in Santa Cruz guide provides detailed information on suitable routes.
What are the main natural features to see in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz features diverse natural landscapes, including towering redwood forests in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Coastal bluffs, pristine beaches, and natural rock formations like those at Natural Bridges State Beach are also prominent.
How popular are outdoor routes in Santa Cruz on komoot?
Santa Cruz is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 62,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's 74 routes across various sports have an average rating of 4.66 out of 5 stars.
What komoot guides are available for Santa Cruz?
Komoot offers several guides for Santa Cruz, including Hiking in Santa Cruz, Family-friendly hikes, Cycling in Santa Cruz, and MTB Trails in Santa Cruz. Guides for easy hikes, bus station access, running, and mountain hikes are also available.
What is the official website for Santa Cruz visitor information?
For general visitor information regarding Santa Cruz, the official website for Visit Santa Cruz County is https://www.visitsantacruz.org/. The City of Santa Cruz also maintains an official website at https://www.cityofsantacruz.com.
What is the general phone number for Santa Cruz inquiries?
For general inquiries related to Santa Cruz County, the phone number is 831-454-2000. For general city administration inquiries for the City of Santa Cruz, the number is 831-420-5030.
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