Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in Santa Cruz

An outdoor exhibit space where kids can dig, explore, and engage with nature-themed interactive installations in a safe, stimulating museum environmen

Herons, egrets, ducks, and coots going about their business up close — kids who are curious about animals get surprisingly captivated by real wildlife

Soaring through a redwood forest canopy on zip lines feels like a superhero moment — kids talk about it for weeks afterward.

The hummingbirds are everywhere and totally fearless — kids stand still with wide eyes as they dart inches from their faces. The Australian garden sec

During monarch season (October–February), the eucalyptus grove overhead literally glows orange with thousands of butterflies — it's one of the most ma