Daytrips for Santa Cruz Families

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Recreation: Day Trips

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kid-friendly one day to a week campgrounds, hiking, classes beaches, camps, equipment rental leagues, clubs, camps, rinks dance, art museums, classes birthdays, balloons, cakes, places, entertainment

Day Trips for Families Weekend or Overnight Trips Week-Long Adventures, 5-7 days

North on Hwy 1

Go visit the Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo State Reserve. It is located about 25 miles north of Santa Cruz, off Highway 1. The guided tours are the only way to see the seals during their mating and birthing season. Tours are held daily, from early morning until mid-afternoon, rain or shine. The season is the middle of December through the end of March and cost about $4.00. (Kids 3 and under are free) Reservations must be made in advance at 800-444-4445. Weekend reservations sell out immediately when they go on sale (56 days prior to the desired tour date). Park information is 650-879-0227 or www.parks.ca.gov
Other sites along Hwy 1: Half Moon Bay, Pidgeon Point Lighthouse, picking berries in season at the farms along the way, hiking at Pescadero State Beach, watching the windsurfers at Waddell Beach, touring the little Natural History Museum at Rancho del Oso across from Waddell Beach.

South on Hwy 1

Head south towards Monterey to see the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California 93940 24-Hr. Info: (831) 648-4888 Español (800) 555-3656. Open every day except Dec. 25, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Daily 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Summer & Holidays.
Other activities south on Highway 1: walking the beaches at Carmel-by-the Sea, kayaking near Fisherman's wharf in Monterey, renting bicycles and riding on the bike path between Monterey and Pacific Grove, walking along Cannery Row, hiking in Pt. Lobos State Reserve south of Carmel.