The best things to do in Santa Cruz County

Seascape Golf Course-Restaurant serves crowd-pleasing breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch in a relaxed spot overlooking manicured fairways with a peek of the ocean. Swing by for deck seating, watch-the-game energy, and a friendly bar where catching up this week feels easy... even if you never touch a club.

From the Morgan Hill newsletter, August 3, 2026

Chasing that perfect walk spoiled? Spring Hills Golf Course sneaks you into Watsonville’s foothills with tight fairways, meandering streams, and elevated tees, then rewards you with back nine views over Monterey County. It’s the kind of local challenge that keeps the short game honest and the mind pretty zen.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, August 7, 2026

SUP Shack Santa Cruz has SUP and kayak rentals, quick intro lessons, and private coaching in the calm harbor, so you can slide past the kelp with otters and seals. Sneak in a weekday session, reset the brain, then brag about “cross-training” at work.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, September 21, 2026

Skip the overthinking and make a quick coast run, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk brings rides for all ages, the Casino Arcade, mini golf, and even bowling under one salty breeze. This week the Looff Carousel 115th Anniversary is spinning all month, so go claim your nostalgia.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, October 3, 2026

Santa Cruz Cinema keeps it local with multiple screens, plush seating, and the full popcorn situation, plus presale tickets so you can actually sit where you want. New releases, occasional events, and the Movie Perks program make it an easy favorite when the fog rolls in.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, October 7, 2026

Skip the couch and hit CineLux Scotts Valley Café & Lounge for first-run hits and curated throwbacks, then make it a full night with local beer, wine, cocktails, and legit snacks from the café. Perfect midweek reset this week when you need big-screen energy without leaving the bubble.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, August 25, 2026

Pasatiempo Golf Course is a historic Alister MacKenzie design with restored 1929-style greens and bunkers, a legit Top 100 track that still sets aside public tee times each day, delivering beauty, strategy, and the kind of short-game education you feel in your calves.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, October 13, 2026

Landmark's Del Mar Theatre nails the sweet spot between indie discoveries and crowd-pleasers, with an art deco grand auditorium, weekly Midnight Movies, beer and wine, and organic popcorn with real butter. Locals love it for the community feel and those Santa Cruz Waves Swellies bragging rights.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, October 18, 2026

Need a quick reset that beats doomscrolling? Seascape Golf Club is celebrating 100 years with 18 holes among Monterey pines and eucalyptus, small punchy greens, and a breezy peek of the Pacific. Play a round, then debrief over a casual bite and drink with fairway views.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, August 21, 2026

Undertow Spinning Coaster is your quick dopamine tune-up, flinging you into grin-inducing spins that turn marine layer blues into pure cackle energy. Grab a friend and let a couple laps reset the week the Santa Cruz way.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, October 4, 2026

Tricksy 9-hole golf course in the Santa Cruz mountains with an on-site bar.

DeLaveaga Golf Course keeps locals honest with that notorious 10th, ocean-view vibes, and a two-level range when you just want to groove the swing. The shop is dialed, and post-round eats at the on-site grille and bars make it easy to stretch nine into social time.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, October 21, 2026

Neptune’s Kingdom turns mini golf into a two-story, 18-hole adventure inside the Boardwalk, complete with ship-shape theming that makes every tap feel like treasure hunting. Round up your crew, trade some friendly smack talk, and settle who the real captain is this week.

From the Santa Cruz newsletter, September 29, 2026