8 days in Santa Cruz Itinerary

Santa Cruz remains synonymous with surfing, but this counterculture bastion offers plenty even if you don't plan to catch any waves.

Visiting Carmel River State Beach and Natural Bridges State Beach will get you outdoors. For shopping fun, head to A Taste of Monterey-Wine Market & Bistro or Coast Gallery Big Sur. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Santa Cruz: Big Sur (McWay Falls & Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park), Pacific Grove (Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard, Asilomar State Beach, &more) and Monterey (Spas & Casa Serrano, Historic Adobe). There's lots more to do: identify plant and animal life at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, get a new perspective on things with Elkhorn Slough Safari, play a few rounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links, and enjoy the sand and surf at Santa Cruz Harbor Beach.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Santa Cruz trip planner.

Expect a daytime high around 65°F in February, and nighttime lows around 43°F.