Santa Cruz Wharf: Has about 10 restaurants, numerous shops offering gifts and touristy stuff, and various educational stops. This area also has an abundance of sea lions and sea otters.
Boardwalk, Santa Cruz: Is a wonderful and funky amusement park located right on the beach in Santa Cruz. This has a real old fashioned feel with roller coasters, haunted houses, all the greasy grub you can handle, The best part is that you can stroll right from the park to the wonderful beach. Their is also live concerts all summer.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Consists of 1,800 acres of towering redwoods, steep canyons, and chaparral-covered ridges. It features 15 or 20 miles of trails and limited access roads, for use by horses, bikes, and hikers. The park also offers camping, a visitors center and store, seasonal fishing, and day-use picnic areas.
Downtown, Santa Cruz: Downtown Santa Cruz has several movie theaters. More highly regarded by locals are two other movie theaters downtown: the Nick and the Del Mar.