Year-Round Outdoor Activities in Santa Cruz County
The mild climate and natural beauty of Santa Cruz mean that outdoor enthusiasts can participate in outdoor activites and sports throughout the year. In addition to the numerous Attractions and Annual Events in Santa Cruz, you can enjoy activities from surfing to birding to competitive sports. Miles of sandy beaches and the towering redwood forests create unlimited opportunities for biking and hiking. The north county's Wilder Ranch State Park includes gentle hills with ocean breeze and the south county's Forest of Nisene Marks is terrific for off-road biking and hiking surrounded by the soaring redwoods.
Biking
Birding
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The Monterey Bay, Elkhorn Slough, Santa Cruz County beaches, and the redwoods provide a wide range of habitats for hundreds of species of birds. Join the Santa Cruz Bird Club for their birding walks, or head out on your own using the detailed list of the best birding locations in the Club’s Guide to Birding in Santa Cruz County, California. Popular birding locations in the Santa Cruz area include:
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Disc Golf
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Santa Cruz County is home to six disc golf courses, including DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course, which is one of the most highly rated disc golf courses in the world. Disc Golf courses in Santa Cruz include:
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Fishing
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The Santa Cruz area offers wonderful fishing opportunities, including fishing in the surf, from a wharf, and in lakes and streams. Popular fishing locations in the Santa Cruz area include:
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Golf
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The Santa Cruz County is home to beautiful golf courses in some of the most spectacular natural settings. Golf courses in the Santa Cruz area include:
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Hiking/Walking
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Santa Cruz is home to beautiful areas that are perfect for hiking, strolling, and nature walks. Popular walks include:
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Skateboarding
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Santa Cruz County is home to six skate parks:
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Surfing
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Santa Cruz is known as one of the best surfing spots in the world. From gentle waves that welcome new surfers at Cowell's and Capitola Beach to monstrous big waves at Maverick's that attract the best surfers from around the world, Santa Cruz has a wave for every surfer. Be sure to take a lesson on technique and etiquette before you jump in, or just enjoy watching the surfers from the safety of the beach or cliffs. Popular surfing spots in Santa Cruz include:
- Capitola Beach
- The Hook
- Manresa State Beach
- Steamer Lane
- Cowell's
- 36th and East Cliff
- 30th and East Cliff
- Natural Bridges
- Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay
- Mavericks
- Moss Landing
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Swimming
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In addition to swimming in the beautiful Monterey Bay, you can also swim in these Santa Cruz County swimming pools that are open to the public:
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Tennis
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Santa Cruz has a vibrant year-round tennis community. Courts at schools are open when school is not in session. Play a few sets at any of the many public tennis courts in Santa Cruz County:
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Volleyball
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In addition to beach volleyball, you can also find public volleyball courts throughout Santa Cruz County:
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Look for the Chamber decal
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For more than 120 years, Santa Cruz Chamber members have been committed to improving our community for everyone who visits, works, or lives in Santa Cruz County.
For a list of local Santa Cruz Chamber member attractions, visit the Attractions section of the Chamber business directory.
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Events this Week and Beyond
For more ideas on what to do while you're in Santa Cruz, view the complete Calendar of Annual Events.
Looking for something to do this month? Check out the Santa Cruz monthly calendar of events»