Top Outdoor Activities In Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, known as Surf City, is a vibrant blend of coastal charm and adventurous spirit. Our outdoor activities offer the perfect way to explore this captivating city, from thrilling scavenger hunts along the famous Boardwalk to discovering hidden gems in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Whether you are a local or visiting for the first time, these adventures promise excitement and unforgettable memories.
Outdoor Experiences in Santa Cruz, California
Dive into our expertly curated list of outdoor activities in Santa Cruz! Each adventure is designed to highlight the unique beauty and thrill of this coastal paradise. From exhilarating challenges to serene explorations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through one of California's most iconic destinations.

Surf's Up Santa Cruz
Downtown, Santa Cruz
Surf's up, clue-seekers! Discover Santa Cruz's quirky murals, iconic theaters, and a...

Santa Cruz Captivating Excursion
Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Surf's up, clue seekers! Dive into our Santa Cruz scavenger hunt through the vibrant...

Hidden Gems of UCSC
UCSC, Santa Cruz
Cruise through UCSC as we see hidden gems on our scavenger hunt! Discover quirky art,...

Capitola Scavenger Hunt
Downtown, Capitola
Beach, please! Unearth hidden gems in Rio del Mar‘s Downtown neighborhood on our...
An epic Santa Cruz, California experience
Gather your team for trivia quests, daring photo challenges, and thrilling scavenger tasks that earn points in real-time—celebrate victories together with our app-based scoring system.
How Our Santa Cruz, California Outdoor Activities Work
Our team meticulously researches over 3,050 cities worldwide including 50+ locations within California alone ensuring every detail enhances your experience whether it be bar crawls museum challenges more—all come equipped clear instructions route maps challenge quizzes tailored specifically each event Embark foot during these immersive expeditions solving trivia questions historical markers taking photos murals completing puzzles public art installations earning points unlocking achievements award-winning app comparing scores others participating same events
See our Top Outdoor Activities By Neighborhood
Experience outdoor activities like never before in Santa Cruz's top neighborhoods. From the bustling energy of Downtown to the tranquil beauty of Redwoods Retreat, each area offers it's own unique charm. Click on these neighborhoods to see the related activity.

Downtown
Downtown, Santa Cruz
Discover Downtown Santa Cruz, a hub of excitement with it's famous Giant Dipper and charming Surfrider Cafe. Perfect for sightseeing and unique experiences, this...

Boardwalk
Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Explore Santa Cruz's Boardwalk, a top attraction for visitors seeking unique experiences. With it's lively atmosphere and landmarks like the Giant Dipper and Santa Cruz...

UCSC
UCSC, Santa Cruz
UCSC is a top Santa Cruz attraction with it's vibrant street art and landmarks like the Sacrificial Goat. Perfect for sightseeing, this neighborhood offers unique things...
See what people say about our outdoor activities in Santa Cruz
Our customers love exploring Santa Cruz through our engaging outdoor activities! With glowing reviews and high star ratings, it is clear that these experiences leave lasting impressions. 'An unforgettable adventure!' says one happy participant.

What an enjoyable adventure! The Muse was one of my favorite stops on this great walking tour of downtown Santa Cruz—highly recommended!
Brian W.

This scavenger hunt was an awesome way to see iconic spots like Sentinel. A must-do experience for anyone visiting Santa Cruz!
Megan L.

Exploring the Frat Fried Koi: In Memoriam was such a unique experience! I highly recommend it as a thing to do in this vibrant neighborhood.
Chris D.

I loved this interactive walking tour through Santa Cruz. It made sightseeing fun and engaging, perfect for tourists and locals alike!
Laura H.

A great way to explore downtown Santa Cruz! This self-guided tour revealed so many interesting landmarks we never knew existed.
Daniel M.

The outdoor experience around UCSC was amazing. We discovered beautiful sights and learned about local culture along the way.
Jessica G.

What a fun date idea! We explored The Wave and uncovered some local history while enjoying each other's company in the city.
David B.

We enjoyed a lovely day at the Edna L. Scott Fountain, perfect for families looking for things to do in the Boardwalk area.
Sarah W.

This was a fantastic experience in downtown Santa Cruz. I loved discovering unique spots like California Crude while wandering around.
Michael S.

I had a blast exploring the Lifetree Totem #4 on this fun walking tour. A great way to see the hidden gems of Santa Cruz.
Emily J.

I highly recommend this as a fun thing to do in Santa Cruz! Our walking tour revealed so many interesting historical facts about the area.
Ryan A.

A wonderful way to see iconic spots like Untitled in UCSC. This experience truly brought out the beauty of Santa Cruz.
Megan W.

This self-guided tour through Santa Cruz was such a cool thing to do. I loved finding the Frat Fried Koi: In Memoriam!
Chris L.

We had so much fun with ScavengerHunt.com! It was a great way to explore all that downtown has to offer, including unique art pieces.
Laura H.

Exploring downtown was a highlight of our trip. The murals and sights made for an unforgettable Santa Cruz tour.
Daniel M.

The outdoor experience around UCSC was incredible. We loved visiting the California Crude piece while enjoying the fresh air.
Jessica G.

A great date night idea! We explored Lifetree Totem #4 and had an amazing time discovering hidden gems in this charming city.
David B.

This walking tour was perfect for our family. We enjoyed seeing The Wave and making memories together in beautiful Santa Cruz.
Sarah W.

What a fantastic experience in downtown Santa Cruz! We discovered the Edna L. Scott Fountain and learned so much along the way.
Michael S.

I had a blast exploring the Boardwalk area. The hunt led us to the Sentinel, and it was such a fun way to uncover local history.
Emily J.

Such a cool thing to do in Santa Cruz! We enjoyed every moment and learned so much about local art and culture along the way.
Kevin W.

I absolutely loved using the ScavengerHunt.com app! It made exploring Neary Lagoon an unforgettable experience.
Laura L.

We had so much fun on this walking tour of downtown. It felt like we were part of the city's history as we explored!
Daniel H.

This scavenger hunt was such a great UCSC experience! I loved how engaging it was, perfect for families or groups.
Ashley M.

A fantastic way for tourists to see iconic landmarks like the Sentinel while enjoying some fresh air in Santa Cruz.
Chris G.

What a fun thing to do in the beach town! The interactive walking tour made it easy to find interesting points of interest.
Jessica D.

Exploring the downtown neighborhood was such a highlight. I loved learning about its history and discovering cool spots.
David B.

The Lifetree Totem #4 was an amazing stop on our adventure. A great outdoor activity for anyone looking to explore Santa Cruz.
Sarah W.

This was a fun date night experience in the downtown area. We discovered hidden gems while enjoying each other's company.
Michael S.

I had a blast exploring the Edna L. Scott Fountain on this self-guided walking tour. Such a unique way to see Santa Cruz.
Emily J.

What an incredible day exploring Santa Cruz! The Frat Fried Koi: In Memoriam was definitely one of my favorite stops along the way.
Ethan W.

This walking tour of UCSC is a must-do! We found ourselves captivated by the art installations and beautiful views all around.
Isabella L.

A great experience that brought us closer together! The Santa Cruz tour helped us appreciate our city more than ever.
Lucas H.

We had so much fun on this scavenger hunt! It was an entertaining way to discover historical spots like the Sentinel.
Sophia M.

I highly recommend this as a great thing to do in Downtown. The interactive elements kept us engaged while we explored.
Mason G.

Exploring the Lifetree Totem #4 was such a unique experience. The outdoor activity made it even better in sunny Santa Cruz.
Ava D.

This self-guided tour was perfect for our family. We loved visiting the Edna L. Scott Fountain and learning about its history together.
Noah B.

What a fantastic date idea! We enjoyed wandering around UCSC, taking in the art and scenery while connecting with each other.
Olivia W.

The walking tour around Downtown was an amazing experience. I discovered hidden gems and learned so much about local history.
Liam S.

I had a blast exploring the Santa Cruz Beach Volleyball Courts. It was a fun way to see the iconic spots in this beautiful coastal town.
Emma J.
FAQs.
What are some fun Outdoor Activities in Santa Cruz?
Are scavenger hunts good for groups in Santa Cruz?
I am new to Santa Cruz what do you recommend?
I am a Santa Cruz local would this be fun for me?
What is the full list of all the scavenger hunts and activities that I can do in Santa Cruz
Fun Santa Cruz Facts and Hidden Gems
From it's origins as a mission settlement to becoming a hub for surfers worldwide, Santa Cruz continues to captivate visitors with it's unique blend of past