things to do in Santa Cruz, CA

Ride historic steam engines through redwood groves, trestles, and Bear Mountain

Spot whales from a reduced-capacity yacht with a naturalist guide

Fish Monterey Bay’s deep local reefs for cod, ling cod, and rockfish

Cruise Elkhorn Slough by electric catamaran with a naturalist guide

Build surf-skate skills with expert-led, hands-on coaching

Cruise Monterey Bay with narrated wildlife viewing from a heated vessel

Build surf skills with one-on-one coaching at Pleasure Point

Spot whales and dolphins with expert naturalists on a 4-hour cruise in Monterey Bay.

Look closer at Monterey's intertidal life with a naturalist

Spot whales and dolphins on a 4-hour morning cruise with marine biologists onboard

Kayak Cannery Row’s kelp forest near Monterey Bay Aquarium

Cruise Monterey Bay with a marine biologist on a small-group whale watch

Grab a picnic basket and enjoy the redwoods

Cruise Monterey Bay on a spacious yacht with a naturalist guide

Fish nearshore Santa Cruz reefs without an all-day offshore trip

Sail Monterey Bay's coastline as the day gives way to sunset

Paddle Santa Cruz Harbor at your own pace

Drive the Carmel coast with GPS-guided stories and oceanfront views

Build surf skills together with focused private instruction

Build surf skills with ocean-safety instruction and time in the water

Fish deep offshore waters with gear and bait included

Look for seasonal whales and dolphins with onboard marine biologists

Spend 7–8 hours rock cod fishing out of Monterey

Explore a protected underwater landscape with an experienced dive guide