Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in Santa Cruz
13 outdoor adventures for families in Santa Cruz. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and fresh-air fun for every age group.
Highest rated: LEO's Haven Accessible Playground, Mount Hermon Adventures, Anna Jean Cummings County Park. 11 listings are free. Every listing includes age ratings, stroller access, and parent tips.
How to use this outdoor activities list
Check shade, bathrooms, and weather before you commit, especially with younger kids. KidPaths is currently tracking 13 indexable picks for this page in Santa Cruz, CA, with details for cost, age fit, stroller access, weather backup, and parent logistics.
Quick fit
7 for infants, 11 for toddlers, 12 for little kids, 11 for big kids.
Weather and access
13 outdoor or partly outdoor picks. 7 stroller-friendly stops.
Cost scan
11 free picks. 1 paid pick. Open the cards for family-of-4 cost notes and savings tips when we have them.
Top Picks

LEO's Haven Accessible Playground
4.9 starsA fully accessible, inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities, with wheelchair-accessible structures, sensory features, and play ele

Mount Hermon Adventures
4.8 starsSoaring through a redwood forest canopy on zip lines feels like a superhero moment, kids talk about it for weeks afterward.

Anna Jean Cummings County Park
4.7 starsA beautiful, well-maintained community park with playground equipment, open green space, and a welcoming neighborhood vibe.

Hidden Beach County Park
4.6 starsA cliff-top park with a playground overlooking the ocean, plus beach access below, the combination of elevated views and beach fun makes every visit f

Natural Bridges Monarch Trail
4.6 starsDuring monarch season (October, February), the eucalyptus grove overhead literally glows orange with thousands of butterflies, it's one of the most ma
FreeLEO's Haven Accessible Playground
Ages: 0, 12

Mount Hermon Adventures
Ages: 7, 17
FreeAnna Jean Cummings County Park
Ages: 0, 10
FreeHidden Beach County Park
Ages: 3, 17
Partially FreeNatural Bridges Monarch Trail
Ages: 2, 17
FreeDeLaveaga Park
Ages: 2, 17
FreeHighlands County Park
Ages: 2, 17
FreeOcean View Park
Ages: 0, 10
FreePogonip Open Space
Ages: 4, 17
FreeSanta Cruz Gardens County Park
Ages: 0, 10
FreeJose Avenue County Park
Ages: 0, 10
FreeCoffee Lane County Park
Ages: 0, 7
FreeFloral County Park
Ages: 0, 7
Common Questions
- What are the best outdoor activities for kids in Santa Cruz?
- 13 outdoor family activities in Santa Cruz. Highest rated: LEO's Haven Accessible Playground, Mount Hermon Adventures, Anna Jean Cummings County Park, Hidden Beach County Park, Natural Bridges Monarch Trail. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and more.
- Are there free outdoor things to do with kids in Santa Cruz?
- 11 outdoor activities in Santa Cruz are free, including LEO's Haven Accessible Playground, Anna Jean Cummings County Park, Hidden Beach County Park.
- How many outdoor activities in Santa Cruz are stroller-friendly?
- 7 of the 13 outdoor activities in Santa Cruz are fully stroller-friendly.
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