A couple of weeks ago our family went camping in Scotts Valley, California near Santa Cruz. We’ve visited that area several times, but we had fun exploring some new (to us) sights on this trip. With a handful of trips under our belts and experiences, well, experienced, I’ve come up with two fun-filled ways to spend your weekend in the Santa Cruz area. Either one would be a blast for you and your kids, so keep reading for what I think is the ideal Santa Cruz weekend itinerary for families. Some links contain affiliates, all opinions are my own.
Santa Cruz weekend itinerary for families #1: full of non-stop fun
This weekend family getaway is heavy on the fun–it’s also the more expensive option. However, you can totally tailor it for your family and your travel budget!
Friday: arrival options
Depending on where your staying I say for your first day you head to the beach or you head to the pool. There’s no better way to start off a California beach trip than to head to the water. Did you bring your pup with you on your family getaway? You’ll be happy to know that several beaches in the area are dog-friendly!
Saturday: classic beach boardwalk vibes
When you hear Santa Cruz you probably either think of the iconic boardwalk first, or maybe surfing. Or, if you’re of a certain generation, you might think of vampires. If you know, you know.
Anyway, your big Saturday activity is going to be the boardwalk. You can definitely focus solely on the boardwalk rides. Or you can plan to soak up some rays on the sandy beach! My two biggest tips are to plan ahead and get there early. You can purchase ride wristbands, boardwalk cards, and more ahead of time online.
If it were me, I would head there early to stake out a spot on the beach. Then I would jump on a couple of rides right when they open in the late morning. After that, I would spend a good portion of the hot afternoon on the beach and head back to the attractions later in the after noon or evening. The boardwalk is open late so it’s the perfect time to enjoy all the classic boardwalk lights!
Sunday: the fun doesn’t stop
Before you head home on Sunday, I’ve got one more fun activity for the family to enjoy. The Mystery Spot is a Santa Cruz legend! And even though it’s a pretty cheesy tourist attraction, it really is so fun! It’s hard to explain, but you can head to their website to learn more and reserve your spot ahead of time.
| Related: Camping Near Monterey |
Santa Cruz weekend itinerary for families #2: relaxing in nature
For those who definitely want to have fun, but also want to escape to nature, this is the plan for you!
Friday: let the relaxing begin
Take things slow for your first day when you check in! Either head to the pool (if your accommodations have one) or go take a walk through the boardwalk and grab a treat! The point is not to ride rides, just to people walk and enjoy some good food.
Saturday: a beautiful beach day
For this itinerary I’ve chosen the perfect beach for your family to spend the day. Natural Bridges State Beach is not only the perfect sandy beach to spend the day with little ones, but there’s also lots of beautiful things to see! There’s a Visitor Center, monarch hiking trail, tidepools, and seasonal Junior Ranger programs.
Sunday: take a hike
Before you head home, get an early start and head to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. You can spend as much or as little time here as you like, btu at the very least head to the Visitor Center so your kids can fill our their Junior Ranger books, and take a stroll around the Redwood Grove Loop Trail.
| Related: Weekend in Carmel with Kids |
where to stay in Santa Cruz with kids?
The greater Santa Cruz area is a very popular tourist spot so the great news is there are a ton of options for family-friendly accommodations!
On our recent trip we took our travel trailer and stayed at the Santa Cruz Ranch Campground in Scotts Valley, inland about 20 minutes from Santa Cruz. This is a Thousand Trails location and it’s a great little campground! Bathrooms are clean and recently updated, and the pool and hot tub were really nice for my kids. The location was also super convenient for everything we wanted to do!
If traditional accommodations are more your style, click on the links below to check out hotels and vacation rentals in the area!
Have you ever been to Santa Cruz? Which weekend itinerary fits into your travel style better?
