Top 10 cultural & heritage things to do in Santa Cruz

1. Family-friendly guided electric bike tour in Santa Cruz

Two hours on pedal-assist e-bikes — explore Santa Cruz’s coastline, Wharf, Beach Boardwalk, and historic downtown with a guided tour.

2. Self-guided walking tour of UC Santa Cruz

Flexible walking tour through UC Santa Cruz's redwoods and landscapes, guided by an app for tailored exploration.

3. Santa Cruz scavenger hunt walking tour

Explore Santa Cruz on a self-guided scavenger hunt—navigate the Beach Boardwalk and UC Santa Cruz at your own pace using an interactive app.

4. 90-minute walking tour of downtown Santa Cruz and Mission Hill

Ninety-minute guided stroll through downtown Santa Cruz and Mission Hill, led by local guides sharing historical insights and stories at a comfortable pace.

“This tour provided a fascinating and informative view of Santa Cruz. Matt was friendly, making the walk from the Boardwalk to downtown enjoyable. As a local, I believed I knew the area's history, but I discovered there is so much more to learn. It was a fun experience.”— tamraa2026

5. Santa Cruz Surf Walk — a coastal history and culture tour

Two-hour guided tour covering the evolution of surfing at Cowell Beach and Steamer Lane, with insights on local marine wildlife and surf culture.

“What a fantastic experience! We enjoyed stunning views of the surfers, and our guide brought along historical images of surfing and newspaper articles about Hawaiian royalty. We shared plenty of laughs. I valued how involved he was with my friend and me, who were staying at the SC hostel, and he even offered to meet us, turning it into a relaxed and friendly beach stroll filled with history. As a local, he made me feel welcomed and gave me a deeper appreciation for the area and surfing. Thank you!”— Happiness27112205269

6. Santa Cruz coastal and downtown walking tour

Two hours along the San Lorenzo River and downtown — learn about surf culture, local history, and notable architecture from a knowledgeable guide.

“The Mission Hill and Beach Hill walking tour was outstanding. I love learning about a place's history through local stories, and Walk Santa Cruz truly delivers that. Our guide, Matt, shared a wealth of local history and encouraged contributions from other locals and tourists. A highlight was when we were unexpectedly invited inside a historic home that was formerly a Victorian-era foundry. This delightful surprise made an already great tour even better. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to both locals and visitors.”— Calirockstar_Alison

7. Guided eBike tour of Santa Cruz coastline and downtown

Three-hour guided eBike tour covering Santa Cruz’s coastline, Wharf, Beach Boardwalk, and historic downtown attractions.

“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the eBike tour of Santa Cruz. Joseph provided an excellent overview of the city, sharing fascinating insights about its history and landmarks. The ride was well-paced and very enjoyable, without any sense of being rushed. This is definitely a must-do when in Santa Cruz.”— Camper464906

8. Santa Cruz eBike tour of the coastline and downtown

Two-hour guided eBike tour through Santa Cruz, covering the coastline, wharf, boardwalk, and historic downtown in small groups.

“It was an enjoyable experience that offered plenty of information and stunning views. The guide was both friendly and well-informed, providing excellent suggestions for the remainder of our stay.”— Extraordinary231750

9. Santa Cruz scavenger hunt with interactive host

Two to three hours of exploring Santa Cruz — a scavenger hunt guided by a remote host, complete with art, history clues, and a chance to compete on an international leaderboard.

“This is not so much a scavenger hunt as it is an improv session. It involves more acting and taking selfies than actually searching for items. I find it quite misleading.”— L9366SWmelissap

10. Capitola guided food and history tour

Three hours walking tour of Capitola — a five-course meal with local vendors, storytelling, and insight into the beach town's culture and history.

“The walking tour in Capitola was exceptionally organized. The guides were informative and chose a fantastic variety of tastings from the area's top local businesses. Our family declared the clam chowder at Castagnola as 'the best ever.' The nuggets of local history made us feel like part of the community. I highly recommend starting any vacation in the area with this excursion for great recommendations on food, drinks, music, and scenic views.”— Freedom33359510567