Best Sports & Recreation in Santa Cruz for Kids & Families

Looking for the best sports & recreation in Santa Cruz for kids? As surf town with a vintage boardwalk and redwood forests, Santa Cruz offers active play, sports venues, and recreation centers that families won't find anywhere else. Whether you're visiting for the first time or looking for something new, we've rated every option for age-appropriateness, stroller access, and value so you can skip the guesswork.

Sports venues are great for burning energy — critical on family trips. We cover everything from batting cages to indoor trampolines, noting minimum ages, safety gear requirements, and whether parents need to participate or can sit and watch. In Santa Cruz, expect mild year-round, foggy mornings, warmest in September-October. Pro tip: The Beach Boardwalk is free to walk — you only pay per ride. Henry Cowell Redwoods is 10 minutes from the boardwalk.

Below you'll find our curated list of sports & recreation in Santa Cruz, CA — each with detailed age ratings (infants through teens), cost estimates for a family of four, and the practical parent details that matter: parking, stroller access, nursing rooms, and honest reviews of what makes each spot worth your time.