The Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery is a fun place for young kids to take our all their…read moreenergy out in the morning and perfect before their afternoon nap. We took our boys here and they had the best time. It does get a little too crowded and if you don't have a close eye on your kids you could lose them for a second but overall great place and we will definitely come back the next time we're in town.

It was my family's first time and I wish we went my toddler was a baby. This place was so cute and…read morehad a lot of activities for kids and adults too. My 4 year old loved the different zones and kept jumping from one section to another. While we were there we joined the science activity and my toddler made an interesting airplane. It was a little busy in the afternoon on a Saturday mainly due to birthday parties. They only have one bathroom so be aware that you might have to wait in line especiallyif theres a party. Other than that, for $10 my kid had a great time for a couple of hours. We'll come when we visit Santa Cruz again.

For anyone that is a fan of visual anomalies that simply defy the laws of physics and gravity, I…read morewould definitely put the "Mystery Spot" in Santa Cruz, CA on anyone's bucket list of quirky and interesting things to do. I am a science enthusiast as this attraction has been on my radar for quite some time. Located in a secluded redwood forest amongst the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains, this very popular tourist destination was discovered back in 1939 while being officially opened to the general public in 1940. Since then, this wildly popular destination has brought thousands of people over the years while it officially became a designated a California Historical Landmark in 2014. After making reservations online through their website, https://www.mysteryspot.com (which is highly recommended), I came here during the afternoon on Friday 9/4/2026 for a 12:00pm reservation. The drive in was absolutely breathtaking, serene, and tranquil as the bright sun was shining through the redwoods. In case you're wondering, it is about a 40-minute drive (roughly 30 miles) south from San Jose as you can arrive here north from Granite Creek Rd or south from Branciforte Dr. The signs leading here are clearly visible while the dedicated parking lot makes it simple for anyone who's never ventured here before. My lady and I arrived around 11:45am as we were able to park, take some photos of the exterior grounds, and even checked out their gift shop. If you do plan on purchasing same day tickets, they sell for $12 (as of late-2026) and are available in the gift shop. In addition to the tickets, this is where you can purchase Mystery Spot clothing, mugs, magnets, keychains, books, and other various gifts. If you do plan on arriving extra early, there is also a 30-minute self-guided hiking trail where you can see the vast plant and animal life. While on the trail, you are gifted with a variety of beautiful redwood, oak, and eucalyptus trees. Best of all, this trail is opened year-round and even better, dogs are welcome as much of the trail is fairly simple. When our tour officially began, a group of about 20 of us were all greeted by Bonnie, one of the staff members that told us about the history behind the Mystery Spot. We walked up a fairly steep trail while demonstrating visual illusions that included balls rolling uphill, water pouring at an upward angle and people leaning farther than normally possible without falling down. Once we made our way into the actual Mystery Spot house, we all tested ourselves on a balancing beam when visually, we were leaning forward when in reality, we were on a leveled surface. All in all, the "Mystery Spot" is absolutely worth checking out if you're into science and how visually distorted illusions are represented. Especially when our senses feel more heavy and weighed down. To be honest, I haven't been to a place like this since I was a kid visiting the Exploratorium in San Francisco. For some, this is something I do not recommend for the more sensitive groups that suffer from vertigo and dizziness. However, my experience was one that was absolutely fascinating. With the overall experience, amazing tour (which lasted around 45 minutes), and enjoying this history of this, I am giving the "Mystery Spot" in Santa Cruz a perfect five-star rating.

We visited during covid times and had made reservations in advance, it was fun to check out and…read morewalk the area plus hike nearby! if you wait the day of, it may be hard to get in as this place has gotten popular over the decades. Good for everyone to check out as its a fun little spot plenty of parking

My toddler son loves it here! He loves the big slide into the ball pit the most. I also like how…read morethey have so many activities from cars, to toys, to trampoline, to kitchens to obstacle corse. We spend two fun filled hours there. We look forward to returning. Update: we went back and my son 22 months still lives it but I feel it needs a good cleaning and many of the 0-3 toys that are supposed to make sounds don't work and need new bAtteries. The floors look like they need a mopping.

I'm not sure how this place received more than one star except maybe because the reviews are super…read moreold. I went recently and the first thing I noticed was the urine smell. We had already paid and my son was too excited so I couldn't turn back. The place looked like it hadn't been cleaned for a long, long time. The person working there was sitting on the sofa on her phone. Honestly, this place was gross and I definitely wouldn't come back. I caught a cold two days later and I can bet it was from that place. This place is not suitable for children.

What an AMAZING Team-Building Day!…read more Our team had an incredible time at Mount Hermon Adventures taking on the Redwood Canopy Tour! It was the perfect combination of adventure, teamwork, laughter, and a little bit of adrenaline! A HUGE shout-out to our amazing guides, Sarah and Emily! They were absolutely fantastic! They kept us safe every step of the way, made everyone feel comfortable, and brought so much fun and energy to the experience. They were also extremely knowledgeable about the magnificent redwood trees and shared some really interesting information throughout the tour. We laughed, challenged ourselves, encouraged each other, and made some great memories together. If you're looking for a fun, exciting, and unforgettable team-building experience, we HIGHLY recommend the Redwood Canopy Tour at Mount Hermon Adventures! And Sarah and Emily -- THANK YOU for making our day so incredible! You two were AWESOME!

I've been on several retreats and always love it. What really stood out this time is that I forgot…read moremy bag at the site and had to drive back after work to get it. Christi Robertson and her boss Daniel coordinated a pickup after MH normally closes. So they practice AND preach the way of Jesus!

Love this park! It is so huge, seems so clean...and so much to do…read more There are bocce ball courts, playgrounds, a dog park, what looked like a skate park but was closed, a big field that we definitely saw a coyote running rampant on, picnic tables for birthdays, trails... So much in one park!

We were on our way to Santa Cruz, when we needed to make a pit stop for our dogs. We had stopped by…read morenext door at the dog park,but didn't even bother getting out. This park was a much better option. A paved trail to walk on. Water stations that worked and a very clean bathroom. There's also a huge green grassy field. We saw plenty of people walking their dogs on the lawn. Almost everyone had their dogs on leash. A much better option than the dog park

Adj: marvelous marine center…read more This is the UC Santa Cruz's marine research center. We've been here several times, but I keep forgetting to write a review. It's a gem, maybe I'm secretly and subconsciously gatekeeping, who knows lol. Anyways on this latest visit, only the little one wanted to go with me so the two of us had some mom and son bonding time. We both had a great time, we share a same fascination with natural wonders and laugh at silly things, so it was a terrific time. Most of marine center looks about the same, but they added and changed some things. We looked at the long timers in their aquarium tanks and enjoyed and marveled at how interesting and unique they look and took lots of pictures of them. We also spent a good amount of time learning about the sea creatures in the touch tanks area where you're allowed to gently touch sea stars, sea urchins, anemones, and sea snails, as well as non animals like sea weed, (empty) shark eggs. All fascinating! Afterwards, we went out to the back and this time there were no tours to join, so we just walked along the trail and enjoyed looking out at the Pacific Ocean, at the native plants growing all over, and listened to the waves crashing against the rocks. Overall, another lovely visit to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and a wonderful time of bonding for my son and me as we discovered and discussed the various different marine creatures who call this place home. Please check out my pictures to include the gift shop ones.

Keep it Reel Marine…read moreScience Center is run by the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) and is located right on campus. They focus on the education of ocean research and the conservation of our oceans. The Good: * Good place to bring young kids as it's not very large, and you can see the whole thing in way less than two hours. * One-mile loop trail along the UCSC campus if you want to add a little hike to your visit. * Guided tours available, as well as self-guided. * Hands-on experiences--they currently even have a shark in the touch tank! * Picnic areas outside with an ocean view. * The whale skeleton outside is pretty "bitchin'." * EV charging available. * Bike rack. * Buy tickets online or at the door. * Very affordable at $12/adult and $9/student. The Meh: * Hours and days change depending on the season. The Ugly: * Paid parking during the week, but free on weekends. Conclusion: Great little museum located right on the coast, but don't expect it to be an all-day affair.

The Cave Train is still fun, with lots more to see! I don't remember it ever being this "busy", as…read morein so much to see that you might miss something. It's as mild a ride as they come, so I'm glad it's still on the Boardwalk as an option for people seeking mellow rides. It's always been one of my favorite rides for kids -- used to bring them here on field trips -- and it's also great to ride with your SO or other family members or friends. Not terribly romantic, as it's silly and whimsical, but it's pretty dark in there if you want to steal a kiss. The wait wasn't too bad on a Friday afternoon. You have to walk all the way down the Boardwalk and downstairs to get to it (think the opposite direction from the arcade). FYI: If you don't have a wrist band and are paying for tickets a la carte, this ride comes out to be four dollars per person. Expensive, yes. But it was the only ride we did (our main focus was getting to the beach early enough for the Eddie Money concert) all day so oh well.

For some reason, none of the operators of this ride can operate the trains at a constant speed. I'm…read morenot sure if something is wrong with the trains or if the drivers are just really bad at measuring their speed, but they go back and fourth between going really fast and then going incredibly slow. And the times that they go fast vs slow is different each ride. I should be able to enjoy each set equally. However, putting the speed problem aside, the ride still looks pretty good.

Wow what a great park! Was driving on our way to the boardwalk after visiting The Mystery Spot ( I…read moregot lost, don't ask me how,) when its "huge blue balls," (not even joking,) caught our attention. It wasn't until we had parked that we realized just how adventurous this park was. The huge slide intimidated my little girl at first, but after a bit of comforting motivation she was blasting down on her own many many times. The bridge and castle like playground offers a great photo opp. The park itself seems like a really safe place to enjoy the day. At no point did I feel worried either because of the playground structure or the environment.

Really nice park with a lot of space. It is right by a school. There is a big playground for the…read morekids. If you head up the stairs, there is a huge field with a large running track around it which worked out well for me. BTW, what's the scoop with the blue balls all around, someone has a sense of humor!

Such a cool neighborhood park with 3 different sets of slides and some shade. One set of slides is…read morea long run, old school metal with several dips and generally there is cardboard at the bottom you can use to help you get more lift. There is a kiddie playground, too. And there is a basketball half court. Benches and picnic tables for snacks. Nice views of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in the distance.

A beautiful spot to sit in the shade and read, shoot hoops,or just gaze at the Boardwalk and ocean…read more Street parking only (including two handicapped spots), so try to come on a weekday. Several benches, but we take our folding chairs. Bring the dog -- they can be unleashed in part of the park. A functional restroom with two unisex stalls near the entrance -- an outside sink and soap dispenser complete the facility. I'm experiencing a profound sense of peace, despite the occasional screams from people on the rides at the Boardwalk.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is always a fun time! I've been coming here since I was a kid, and…read moreit's still a great place to spend the day. This time, we were back for my cousin's bachelor party, which made for another fun memory here. There's something about the rides, games, and the beach that makes this place enjoyable for all ages. Whether you're visiting for the first time or coming back as I have over the years, it's a classic Santa Cruz destination.

I always like to preface my reviews with the fact that I grew up in the Bay Area, San Jose born and…read moreraised, and I'm an elder millennial, which means I remember life here before all the tech people invaded our Valley of the Heart's Delight. That said, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is STILL pure California magic, even if it's now overcrowded and overpriced. There's something so special about this place, from the old school rides like the Pirate Ship, the Giant Dipper, the arcade aka Casino, to the beach, the food, and that perfect mix of nostalgia and fun. It somehow still feels like stepping back in time, and experiencing it with my toddler recently made it even more memorable. We had the BEST day and will absolutely be back. My one complaint, aside from too many people: HOW are the Boardwalk and surrounding merch shops not fully stocked with The Lost Boys gear?! This is literally Santa Carla! Give us the T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, posters--all of it. The movie is such an iconic part of Santa Cruz pop culture, and they are seriously missing an opportunity here. What are you guys thinking at The Walk?! Otherwise, such a fantastic, nostalgic California experience.