Best Tours & Experiences in Santa Cruz for Kids & Families

Looking for the best tours & experiences in Santa Cruz for kids? As surf town with a vintage boardwalk and redwood forests, Santa Cruz offers guided activities and unique local experiences 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.

Tours with kids are hit or miss. Walking tours over 90 minutes lose most children. We rate each for pace, engagement level, and whether there are enough stops to keep little legs moving. Private and small-group tours almost always work better with families. 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 tours & experiences 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.