Top Santa Cruz Sightseeing Tours: Explore the Best Local Spots
Santa Cruz, California, now that’s like your postcard-perfect spot with that classic boardwalk vibe, gorgeous beaches, and a real laid-back atmosphere. To take it all in, choosing a sightseeing tour is just a brilliant idea. I mean, seriously, it means you can chill and soak everything in while somebody that really knows the area shows you around. The aim here? Well, to show you my top picks for sightseeing tours that will help make the most of any visit. Read our full review: Santa Cruz Sightseeing Tours Full Review and Details
1. Santa Cruz Wharf Walking Tour
A walk down the Santa Cruz Wharf is totally iconic, is that right? This tour is like your relaxed stroll packed with great stories. You’ll see cool sea lions, maybe check out the fishing scene, and possibly grab a bite at a local eatery. It’s almost a way to get the feel for the place without rushing. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Santa Cruz Wharf Walking Tour)
What to Expect
The Santa Cruz Wharf, which dates back to 1914, happens to be more than just a long wooden pier, that’s right? It’s like your hub of activity loaded with restaurants, stores, and loads of marine life. On this walk, your tour guide could point out the best spots for wildlife watching (keep an eye out for those playful seals). Then, too, they could share tales about the Wharf’s history, from its beginnings as a commercial fishing dock to how it is today. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Santa Cruz Wharf Walking Tour)
Why It’s Great
This tour is arguably cool for loads of reasons. First off, it’s fairly easy, that means most people are able to keep up without struggling. Next, you’re outside soaking in the salty air and the views. Lastly, you might discover some of those tucked-away gems and also some stories you’d totally miss if you are by yourself. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Santa Cruz Wharf Walking Tour)
2. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Tour
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is like your timeless amusement park that’s sitting right next to the beach. So, this tour is more or less a trip down memory lane, exploring iconic rides such as the Giant Dipper, some cool games, and definitely a lot of that classic boardwalk grub. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Tour)
Highlights
The Boardwalk first opened back in 1907 and it could be just packed with history. On this tour, hear stories of the Great Depression, how it bounced back after a tsunami, and then again all of those fun facts about the rides. The Giant Dipper, that’s almost like your landmark, is an antique wooden rollercoaster that you would want to learn the backstory of. Then there’s that Looff Carousel, that is featuring hand-carved horses and, like your calliope music. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Tour)
Why You’ll Love It
It’s almost perfect for families, or really, that group of friends wanting a relaxed, upbeat day. Then there’s the mixture of excitement and learning. Plus, all of the photo ops! It is quite perfect for capturing all of those classic California moments. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Tour)
3. Mystery Spot Tour
That Mystery Spot is just this gravitational anomaly that’s really a local legend. On this tour, get prepared to question what you are seeing as balls roll uphill and people might appear to be standing at wild angles. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mystery Spot Tour)
The Experience
First discovered in 1939, the Mystery Spot is pretty much famous for that weird bending of natural laws. During a guided tour, a guide is like your demonstrator of these illusions and will give you what some have said as all kinds of scientific-ish explanations. Could be interesting to watch water flow upwards and, well, it’s just interesting to struggle to stand up straight. But then, there’s probably more to the trick. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mystery Spot Tour)
The Fun Factor
This is kind of great for people who have an interest in puzzles, that which might include anyone into optical illusions, and seriously, just anybody wanting a memorable adventure. Plus, all of the photos you take there are just super Instagrammable, in some respects making all of your friends wonder “how did they do that?” See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mystery Spot Tour)
4. West Cliff Drive Bike Tour
West Cliff Drive, now that’s your stunning coastal road, and there is arguably no more fantastic way to enjoy that than on a bike. On this tour, enjoy views of the ocean, maybe see some surfers riding waves, and then breathe in that ocean air. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (West Cliff Drive Bike Tour)
What You’ll See
Riding along West Cliff Drive could mean stopping at several must-see locations. You’ll more or less hit the Surfing Museum, so dedicated to the history of surfing here, plus the well-known Surfer Statue. The route might feature several pretty overlooks that arguably give you an opportunity to stop and get all of those fantastic photos. It’s typically awesome if you can ride it when the sun’s going down. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (West Cliff Drive Bike Tour)
Why It’s Awesome
The cycling is often mostly flat and just super manageable, is that right? It can be a fairly active option that still allows you to soak up your surroundings. Plus, you might get to visit a handful of small, local cafes along how for a little pick-me-up. It’s possibly a very refreshing way of seeing the coastline. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (West Cliff Drive Bike Tour)
5. Natural Bridges State Beach Tour
That Natural Bridges State Beach, featuring its signature rock arch, now that is a place of seriously gorgeous beauty. The tour will likely revolve around tide pools, then that monarch butterfly preserve (if the timing’s great), and maybe some of those breathtaking ocean views. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Natural Bridges State Beach Tour)
Tour Highlights
Natural Bridges got its name from those naturally-carved arches in the cliffs, is that so? And, for the tour, one could go out to find sea stars, crabs, plus quite a few other tide pool critters throughout low tide. Then in the winter months (usually from October to January), one is able to watch out for butterflies who migrate here in droves. It could be magical! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Natural Bridges State Beach Tour)
Why Go?
This one might be fantastic for lovers of the outdoors, maybe that family hoping to teach their kids more about what they have. Natural Bridges will offer more educational experiences and opportunities to engage with how pretty everything around us truly is. Also, seriously picture those vistas. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Natural Bridges State Beach Tour)
- Santa Cruz Wharf Walking Tour: Cool, that is easy, packed with interesting facts.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Tour: Fun, that takes people down memory lane, just loads of nostalgia.
- Mystery Spot Tour: Unique, could bend reality, perfect that can be Instagram.
- West Cliff Drive Bike Tour: Rather Active, breathtaking scenes, probably great photo ops.
- Natural Bridges State Beach Tour: Now something educational, possibly beautiful, really good for someone that loves seeing all of nature’s handiwork.
Read our full review: Santa Cruz Sightseeing Tours Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Natural Bridges State Beach Tour)
