Santa Cruz with Kids (Weekend)
2 days · Santa Cruz
This 2-day Santa Cruz itinerary is built from real, hand-verified listings — every restaurant, beach, trail, and view below has been checked and photographed by the MontereyBay.app team. Use it as a starting point for with kids travelers, then swap stops based on weather, season, and what's open. Use the Expedia search box to book a hotel near day one's starting point, and tap any listing on the itinerary to see its full page with hours, address, and parking notes.
Day 1 — Arrival & Iconic Sights
Morning. Start the day at **Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk** — The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California's oldest surviving amusement park, offering a charming blend of historic rides like the Giant Dipper wooden roller . Arrive by 9–10am to beat parking pressure and catch the morning light along the coast.
Afternoon. Mid-day, head to **Stagnaro Bros. Seafood** — Third-generation family seafood restaurant on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, in business since 1937. Specializes in fresh Dungeness crab, clam chowder, and loc. Plan ~2 hours here.
Evening. End the day at **Ideal Bar & Grill** — Ideal Bar & Grill is a classic beach bar situated steps from Cowell's Beach and the Santa Cruz Wharf. Popular for its ocean views from the upstairs deck, the es. Sunset on the bay is the local ritual — bring a layer.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California's oldest surviving amusement park, offering a charming blend of historic rides like the Giant Dipper wooden roller
- Stagnaro Bros. Seafood — Third-generation family seafood restaurant on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, in business since 1937. Specializes in fresh Dungeness crab, clam chowder, and loc
- Ideal Bar & Grill — Ideal Bar & Grill is a classic beach bar situated steps from Cowell's Beach and the Santa Cruz Wharf. Popular for its ocean views from the upstairs deck, the es
Day 2 — Final Day & Last Stops
Morning. Start the day at **Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar** — Downtown Santa Cruz pizza and pasta institution open since 1975, known for generous portions, a festive atmosphere, and consistent Italian-American favorites th. Arrive by 9–10am to beat parking pressure and catch the morning light along the coast.
Afternoon. Mid-day, head to **The Santa Cruz Spa** — The Santa Cruz Spa is a serene wellness destination in Santa Cruz, offering a range of spa services designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation. With a focu. Plan ~2 hours here.
Evening. End the day at **Best Thai Spa** — Best Thai Spa in Santa Cruz offers a tranquil escape with a variety of traditional Thai wellness treatments. Visitors can unwind in a calming atmosphere and enj. Sunset on the bay is the local ritual — bring a layer.
- Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar — Downtown Santa Cruz pizza and pasta institution open since 1975, known for generous portions, a festive atmosphere, and consistent Italian-American favorites th
- The Santa Cruz Spa — The Santa Cruz Spa is a serene wellness destination in Santa Cruz, offering a range of spa services designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation. With a focu
- Best Thai Spa — Best Thai Spa in Santa Cruz offers a tranquil escape with a variety of traditional Thai wellness treatments. Visitors can unwind in a calming atmosphere and enj
What it costs
Rough per-person budget for 2 days in Santa Cruz: • Lodging: $180–$450 per night (Big Sur and Carmel run high; book early) • Food: $60–$90/day for casual meals + one nicer dinner • Activities: free coastal stops; $40–$120 if you add the Aquarium or a tour • Parking: free at most beaches; $10–$15 at metered downtown lots Use the Expedia search above to compare hotels right now.
FAQ
What's the best time of year for this Santa Cruz itinerary?
April–October offers the most reliable weather along the Monterey Bay coast — mornings are typically foggy, with afternoons clearing to sun. The window from mid-September to mid-October is the regional sweet spot: smaller crowds, warmer water, and clear skies. Winter trips (December–February) still work for this plan — just pack layers and treat the included hikes as rainy-day backup options.
Where should we stay for Santa Cruz with Kids (Weekend)?
Base yourself in Santa Cruz, CA so you're a short drive from every stop on this itinerary. Use the Expedia search above to compare hotels, vacation rentals, and inns near the day-one starting point. Most travelers find Santa Cruz-area lodging fills up fastest on weekends — booking 3–4 weeks ahead is usually enough.
Are restrooms easy to find on this itinerary?
Every major stop in the plan above has public restrooms — beaches list them at parking lots, restaurants and the aquarium have full facilities, and state parks maintain pit toilets at trailheads. We've avoided stops with restroom-less viewpoints when kids are along.
How much should I budget for this trip?
Lodging is the largest variable: Carmel and Big Sur run $250–$450/night for a mid-tier hotel, Monterey and Santa Cruz typically $180–$300, and Pacific Grove sits in between. Food budgets land around $60–$90 per person per day for casual meals plus one nicer dinner. Most attractions on this plan are free (beaches, scenic drives, parks); the Aquarium and a whale-watching tour add roughly $50–$120 per person if you include them.