Best places in Santa Cruz County

Discover the best places in Santa Cruz County, curated using our unique algorithm blending 'Top Rated' and 'Most Reviewed' establishments. Uncover the city's gems and must-visit locales for an unforgettable experience. Please note that certain places categories are intentionally excluded to ensure a refined selection. Ratings are based from 124 places in the city.

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Big Basin Redwoods State Park image
1
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
State park
California's oldest state park offers backpacking, mountain biking & other outdoor activities.
4.80 (4.7K reviews)
Castle Rock State Park image
2
Castle Rock State Park
State park
Park offering 34 miles of hiking & horseback riding trails among redwoods & other regional trees.
4.80 (2.6K reviews)
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park image
3
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
State park
Hiking, biking & jogging trails on varied terrain rising from sea level to steep coastal mountains.
4.80 (1.3K reviews)
Mount Hermon Camp & Conference Center image
5
Mount Hermon Camp & Conference Center
Conference center
👍👍 We recently attended one of the summer family camp weeks at Mount Hermon last week and fully enjoyed our time! The camp counselors really made our children's first family camp experience magical. We loved all the family based activities - from hiking, to archery, to scavenger hunts, to ropes courses...
4.90 (463 reviews)
Greyhound Rock County Park image
6
Greyhound Rock County Park
Park
👍👍 One of the issues about the beaches along Highway 1 when traveling between Santa Cruz and San Francisco is the fact that anything next to the road is usually crowded as heck. The Greyhound Rock Spot is a protected area and absolutely beautiful without all the random people to ruin your experience. T...
4.80 (573 reviews)
Madera Canyon Picnic Area image
7
Madera Canyon Picnic Area
Picnic ground
4.90 (331 reviews)
Santa Rita Lodge image
8
Santa Rita Lodge
Lodge
Casual quarters with kitchens & kitchenettes on 4.5 acres, plus hiking & bird watching.
4.80 (510 reviews)
Coast Dairies State Beaches image
9
Coast Dairies State Beaches
Nature preserve
A series of small beaches with bluffs & rock formations following a stretch of the Coastal Trail.
4.70 (1.2K reviews)
Tumacacori National Historical Park image
10
Tumacacori National Historical Park
Historical place
Park comprising ruins of 3 Spanish mission communities, including a restored church, plus a museum.
4.70 (1.2K reviews)
Gizdich Ranch image
11
Gizdich Ranch
Ranch
Farm & ranch featuring apples, berries, baked goods & juices, plus a gift shop & an antique shop.
$ $$$
4.70 (1.1K reviews)
Castle Rock State Park Parking image
12
Castle Rock State Park Parking
Parking lot
👍👍 We had a great day at Castle Rock State park, did a moderate trek. Went down on the Saratoga gap and came back on the Goat rock trail. Amazing views, great places to do rock climbing along the way but best of all the trek was adventurous, with some interesting bunny climbs over the rocks, yet not d...
4.80 (410 reviews)
Roaring Camp image
13
Roaring Camp
Tourist attraction
Family-friendly park offers train rides amid natural landscapes, seasonal routes & special events.
4.60 (3.6K reviews)
Patagonia Lake State Park image
14
Patagonia Lake State Park
State park
Park with a 265-acre, manmade lake as its main attraction also features camping & fishing.
4.60 (2.6K reviews)
Nickel's Diner image
15
Nickel's Diner
Diner
👍👍 Great diner. 👍 The atmosphere and jukebox is straight outta yesteryear. There's popular albums on the wall, the style is 50's / 60's and the food was EXCEPTIONAL !! I'd go back again and again. Friendly & cute staff.
$ $$$
4.70 (578 reviews)
Old Baldy Trailhead image
16
Old Baldy Trailhead
Hiking area
👍👍 Lots of gorgeous scenery. It was a hard steep incline all the way up. It also gets prettier the further up you go. It's much easier down. It's a long hike not for the faint of heart.
4.80 (307 reviews)
Scott Creek County Beach image
17
Scott Creek County Beach
Public beach
👍 Peaceful, wide, and cool beach with big waves which is the perfect place to surfing. But be careful with the waves! I saw a post about searching a kid who lost in the beach. Hope the kid is safe and safe to be back to his or her parents. You may park along the road with more than 20 availabilities....
4.70 (486 reviews)
Tubac Golf Resort & Spa image
18
Tubac Golf Resort & Spa
Resort hotel
Elegant, golf-oriented property offering hacienda-style quarters, plus a spa & horseback riding.
4.60 (1.1K reviews)
La Entrada de Tubac image
19
La Entrada de Tubac
Shopping mall
👍👍 Amazing place to walk around. Lots of art stores.
4.60 (1.1K reviews)
Soquel Demonstration State Forest image
20
Soquel Demonstration State Forest
Nature preserve
Scenic forested park featuring redwoods, natural springs & a series of cycling trails.
4.80 (248 reviews)
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