Santa Cruz
Museums & Historical Sites
Santa Cruz, CA
THINGS TO DO
Museums & Historical Sites in Santa Cruz
Our guide to Santa Cruz Museums and Historical Sites will help you explore Santa Cruz' history.
Click here to search Half Moon Bay (45 miles north) or Monterey (40 miles south).
Featured Santa Cruz Hotels & Resorts
West Cliff Inn ─ Click for b&b review or to book online
174 West Cliff Drive
Situated on a bluff across from the beach West Cliff Inn was originally built In 1877 as a private home. This stately three-story Italianate Victorian with its spacious wraparound porch was completely renovated and features a breezy coastal decor with fabrics in crisp blues and whites
Santa Cruz Museums
410 Capitola Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 464-0322
The Capitola Historical Museum maintains an extensive collection of photographs and artifacts related to Capitola's history, and offers quarterly changing exhibits on the history and art of the area, as well as on special seasonal and topical themes.
2 Davenport Ave., Davenport (408) 425-7278
The Davenport Jail Museum features a historical perspective on native settlements, the natural environment, major industries, and community life.
Museum of Natural History – City of Santa Cruz
1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz (831) 420-6115
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has been bringing the delights and wonders of the natural world to Santa Cruz residents and visitors for 100 years. With it's early beginnings in the Santa Cruz public library, the Museum collections and displays have been housed in various locations in the City.
Plans are underway to build a new, larger Museum at Depot Park. While construction is still several years away, we invite you to enjoy the exhibits and programs at our Seabright location, and keep checking back for news on our progress.
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 429-1964
The Museum of Art & History is a non-profit educational institution that promotes a greater understanding of contemporary art and the history of Santa Cruz County, through its exhibitions, collections, and programs, for the benefit of residents and visitors to Santa Cruz County.
West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz (408) 429-3429
The Surf Museum covers over 100 years of Santa Cruz surfing history.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center – at Long Marine Lab
100 Shaffer Road Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-3800
Visit a working marine laboratory. Exhibit halls, aquarium, touch tanks, tours to marine mammal research overlook, Ocean Discovery Shop, and unsurpassed vistas of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Hold a sea star — marvel at the world's largest whale skeleton — see full-size elephant seal sculptures — think like a scientist!
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Santa Cruz Historical Sites
Evergreen Cemetery
Hwy 1 north of Bonny Doon Road, Davenport (831) 429-1964
The Evergreen Cemetery is one of California's oldest Protestant grave sites.
Mission La Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz
Emmet and High Streets, Santa Cruz (831) 426-5686
Founded in 1791, the mission was the 12th California mission built by the Spanish.
Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
Graham Hill Road off Mount Herman Road, Felton (831) 335-4400
The Big Trees Railroad takes visitors on a 75 minute trip through the redwood forest.
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
144 School St. at Adobe, Santa Cruz (831) 425-5849
The site of a complex of buildings erected around the original Santa Cruz Mission.
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