Things to Do with Kids in Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz has 12 kid-tested activities for families across museums, parks, zoos, restaurants, and outdoor adventures. Every listing includes age ratings (infants through teens), stroller access, cost estimates for a family of 4, and real parent tips you won't find anywhere else.
By Kit, KidPaths editor
Covers 71 cities. Reads a lot of parent reviews.
Santa Cruz family activity overview
Santa Cruz is one of the best family travel destinations in the US.
From world-class museums to outdoor adventures, there's something for kids of every age. Our guide helps you find exactly what works for your family. The KidPaths guide for Santa Cruz currently includes 12 KidPaths-vetted activities, including 4 free options, 6 indoor or mixed-weather picks, 7 outdoor or partly outdoor picks, 8 stroller-friendly stops.
Use it to balance one anchor outing with a backup plan, especially when weather, naps, or meal timing start driving the day. Start with Mount Hermon Adventures, The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, Neptune's Kingdom if you want a quick scan of the strongest local picks, then use the filters below for age fit, stroller access, cost, and rainy-day backup options.
Top kid-friendly places in Santa Cruz
Plan Santa Cruz by age, weather, and budget
Jump straight to the pages parents search for most, with only indexable KidPaths listings linked here.
Santa Cruz with kids: common questions
What are the best free things to do with kids in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has 4 free family activities. Top picks: Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Pogonip Open Space, Visit Santa Cruz County. See all free activities at kidpaths.com/santa-cruz.
What can we do with kids on a rainy day in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has 6 rainy-day options. Top indoor picks: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, Neptune's Kingdom, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Altitude Trampoline Park.
What are the best activities for toddlers in Santa Cruz?
7 activities in Santa Cruz are rated for toddlers (ages 1 to 3). Parent favorites: Bill's Backyard, Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery.
Which Santa Cruz attractions are stroller-friendly?
8 of 12 activities in Santa Cruz are fully stroller-friendly. KidPaths rates stroller access as yes, limited, or no for every listing.
What are fun things to do with teens in Santa Cruz?
7 activities in Santa Cruz are rated for teens (ages 13 to 17). Top picks: Mount Hermon Adventures, Neptune's Kingdom, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Natural Bridges Monarch Trail, Altitude Trampoline Park.
How much do family activities cost in Santa Cruz?
KidPaths tracks family-of-4 cost estimates for 12 activities in Santa Cruz. 4 are completely free. Each listing shows the real cost for a family of four, not just per-person pricing.
Tours & ExperiencesMount Hermon Adventures
Ages: 7–17
Tours & ExperiencesThe Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery
Ages: 0–10
EntertainmentNeptune's Kingdom
Ages: 5–17
Tours & ExperiencesPartially FreeUC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Ages: 0–12
Tours & ExperiencesFreePogonip Open Space
Ages: 4–17
Tours & ExperiencesFreeVisit Santa Cruz County
Ages: All ages (planning resource)
MuseumsBill's Backyard
Ages: 0–10
Tours & ExperiencesFreeMonterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
Ages: 2–17
Outdoor AdventuresPartially FreeNatural Bridges Monarch Trail
Ages: 2–17
Tours & ExperiencesPartially FreeSanta Cruz Museum of Natural History
Ages: 3–13
Tours & ExperiencesFreeNeary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge
Ages: 2–12
EntertainmentAltitude Trampoline Park
Ages: 4–17
Browse by Age
Common Questions About Santa Cruz with Kids
- What are the best free things to do with kids in Santa Cruz?
- Santa Cruz has 4 free family activities. Top picks: Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Pogonip Open Space, Visit Santa Cruz County. See all free activities at kidpaths.com/santa-cruz.
- What can we do with kids on a rainy day in Santa Cruz?
- Santa Cruz has 6 rainy-day options. Top indoor picks: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, Neptune's Kingdom, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Altitude Trampoline Park.
- What are the best activities for toddlers in Santa Cruz?
- 7 activities in Santa Cruz are rated for toddlers (ages 1 to 3). Parent favorites: Bill's Backyard, Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery.
- Which Santa Cruz attractions are stroller-friendly?
- 8 of 12 activities in Santa Cruz are fully stroller-friendly. KidPaths rates stroller access as yes, limited, or no for every listing.
- What are fun things to do with teens in Santa Cruz?
- 7 activities in Santa Cruz are rated for teens (ages 13 to 17). Top picks: Mount Hermon Adventures, Neptune's Kingdom, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Natural Bridges Monarch Trail, Altitude Trampoline Park.
- How much do family activities cost in Santa Cruz?
- KidPaths tracks family-of-4 cost estimates for 12 activities in Santa Cruz. 4 are completely free. Each listing shows the real cost for a family of four, not just per-person pricing.
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