Family Friendly Activities in Santa Cruz

If you are looking for fun things to do in Santa Cruz with you family this summer, check out this list we have put together. Santa Cruz beaches provide many options for daytime and nighttime fun!

Surfing & Surfing Lessons

The best place for family surfing is Captiola Beach. Capitola offers a mellow surf break that is perfect for the beginner surfer or anyone just wanting to get out and cruise. Capitola’s gentle waves make it fun for anyone wanting to grab hold of the California surf culture. Not to worry. No bad attitudes here. Capitola’s made up of mostly family wanting to have a fun time. Access to the beach is easy and parking is ample. Additionally, the quaint Capitola Village offers many shopping and eating options that are never more than a short walk away. If you are looking to branch out on your own check out our post on a list of Santa Cruz Surfing Breaks.

We offer surfboard and wet suit rentals right by the stage through our Capitola Beach surf rentals trailer, or you can sign the whole family up for daily surfing lessons. We offers surfing lessons for all ages. Surfing lesson times are scheduled around the low tides. Check the schedule on the right for upcoming, available lesson times or call us for more information: 831-462-5222.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding Lessons & Rentals

Spend the day exploring off Capitola Beach on a stand up paddleboard.  It’s the closest thing to walking on water. Find what the locals call Capitola’s Na Pali coast, a stretch of small hidden beaches up coast of Capitola Wharf. These hidden beaches are accessible only by stand up paddle boards at high tide. Paddle down the coast to New Brighton Beach at the base of the Depot Hill cliffs. If you time it right you might come across harmless leopard sharks or sea rays of the clear water days. Also relaxing is a paddle out amongst the boats moored off the Capitola Wharf. We really think Capitola is the best place to launch your SUP adventure! If you need gear, remember we’ve got you covered through our rental trailer or SUP lessons.

Boogie Boarding

Boogie boarding is a fun option for the whole family. Many Santa Cruz beaches provide great boogie boarding waves. Again, we think Capitola Beach is one of the best options around. You can rent or purchase boogie boards at Capitola Beach Company. We are the closest retail store (skipping distance!) to the waves in Capitola. The area between first and second jetty is a perfect place for the kids to get started. A few other beaches you might want to check out are New Brighton, Seacliff State Beach, Twin Lakes Beach or Natural Bridges. If you go to these other beaches you’ll want to bring your own gear, food and sunscreen! These beaches do not sit close to any amenities, so you’ll want to be prepared for your day at the beach.

Tide Pool Exploring

You want to explore the coast at low tide. We offer the daily tides to the right in our Surfline widget or you can also check the NOAA site to track when these are during your visit. There are a few prime places to go tide pooling. Capitola Beach offers a few great walkable options going up or down the beach. Some additional spots include Pleasure Point (walk down the stairs at 38th and walk up the beach, best at very low tides), Natural Bridges (good at many tide options, but be very careful walking around the slippery rocks). If you are Capitola we suggest that you head towards New Brighton for a beach walk and explore the many tide pools. You’ll be able to see ancient fossils, sea anemones, sea urchins, snails and many other Montery Bay Sanctuary sea animals that line the rocks along the water’s edge. Also, keep your eye on the ocean so you don’t miss the dolphins and whales!

Fishing

How about fishing off the Capitola Wharf? No fishing license is required when fishing off the wharf in Capitola! The Capitola Wharf offers boat rentals and gear rental or you can just bring a pole and drop line right there. Outdoor World on 41st Avenue would be a great place if you are looking to purchase any gear. Great fun.

Kite Flying

Bring your kite and let the afternoon sea breeze lift it up to the bright blue sky.

Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise

Catching a Sunrise or Moonrise from any of the great beach and bluff walking options around Santa Cruz. Starting at New Brighton you have miles of sand for walking. Starting at the bottom of 41st offers you a walk along Pleasure Point. Then moving to the westside you’ll find the walk along West Cliff. If starting from Capitola walk west (towards 41st Ave.), turn left at Opal Cliffs and you will catch the Pleasure Point walk at the end of Opal Cliffs. Or walk out of the village, turn right on the rail road tracks and take the path down to New Brighton Beach. Evening sunsets are best from Cliff Ave on Depot Hill overlooking Capitola Village. Hike the set of 86 stairs (behind Geisha Sushi) to catch the sunset!