Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
#9 in Best Things To Do in Santa Cruz
Price & Hours
Details
scorecard
- 5.0Value
- 3.5Facilities
- 4.0Atmosphere
The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum overlooks one of the most renowned surfing spots in Santa Cruz – Steamer Lane. Along with historic surfing photographs and boards, the museum features a bevy of surfing memorabilia. Visitors can also purchase souvenirs, such as books, the proceeds of which support the nonprofit museum.
Many travelers say this small museum is worth a short pit stop, and they recommend popping in during a walk on West Cliff Drive. Others suggest building in some time to watch the surfers on Steamer Lane.
The free museum is located inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer, except for Wednesdays. During the wintertime, the museum is open daily from noon to 5 p.m., except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, check out the City of Santa Cruz's website.
More Best Things To Do in Santa Cruz
1 of 8
2 of 8#1 West Cliff Drive
This 3-mile walking and biking path offers some of the best views of the county – and it's a great workout too. Along the way, you'll be treated to pristine vistas of the Pacific Ocean and you might even spot some surfers riding the waves at Steamer Lane or whales and dolphins cresting the water at Lighthouse Point. You can also stop in to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum along your stroll, which is stationed inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse.
Recent travelers and locals said West Cliff Drive is a must-do. According to reviewers, the beauty is unparalleled, and the benches that line the path are a nice pit stop along the 6-mile round-trip walk. To avoid crowded paths, some travelers recommend visiting on a weekday and also note parking can be difficult to come by on weekends.
Explore More of Santa Cruz
If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.
Recommended
The 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World
Holly JohnsonJanuary 16, 2020
50 Amazing Honeymoon Ideas
Kyle McCarthyJanuary 8, 2020
The Cheapest Days to Fly: A Guide to the Best (and Worst) Times to Travel
Lyn MettlerDecember 23, 2019
30 Top Florida Weekend Getaways
Gwen PratesiDecember 9, 2019
The Best Travel Backpacks for 2020
Lyn MettlerNovember 25, 2019
30 Top Wellness Retreats
Kyle McCarthyNovember 21, 2019
30 Fun All-Inclusive Family Vacations
Holly JohnsonNovember 14, 2019
5 Ways Cruise Lines Are Becoming More Environmentally Friendly
Gwen PratesiNovember 12, 2019