- The list below includes 112 free or cheap things to do in or near Big Sur, California, including 69 different types of inexpensive activities like National & State Parks, Hiking Trails, Beaches and Camping Site.
- From Big Sur Tours & More to Point Sur State Historic Park, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Big Sur and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Carmel, Monterey, Seaside and Pacific Grove.
Showing 181-190 of
225
48.6 Miles
86%
307 votes
West Cliff Drive at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz, CA
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The water is warm at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Surfers and beach babies enjoy the many exhibits dedicated to board design, safety practices and the physics behind successful surfing.
48.6 Miles
74%
35 votes
Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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In 1986, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum opened inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. It is one of the oldest museums in the world dedicated to surfing, and visitors can see how surfboards progressed from huge paddleboards to modern surfboards, along with surf club patches, surf movie posters, and wetsuits,
48.6 Miles
Visitors can enjoy a wide stretch of beach with fire pits at Rio Del Mar Beach. The beach is close to a variety of shopping venues and restaurants and leashed dogs are allowed.
48.6 Miles
Hidden Beach is a small 1.5 acre beach-side neighborhood park. The park maintains a play structure for children, as well as picnic tables, a large open field, and public restrooms.
48.7 Miles
All kinds of wildlife are found at Lighthouse Field State Beach including the black swift, monarch butterflies and sea lions. The beach is popular with dog owners and surfers and is even home to a surfing museum.
48.7 Miles
A scenic seaside park overlooking Monterey Bay, SeaCliff Mini Park offers wildlife viewing, birding, and beach activities. Visitors can also see the SS Palo Alto tanker, or fish or crab from the pier.
48.9 Miles
87%
2454 votes
2531 West Cliff Drive near Swanton Blvd., Santa Cruz, CA
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True to its name, Natural Bridges State Park contains natural rock bridges created by eons of water and wind erosion. The modern park is managed by the state and is a wonderful destination for adults and families.
49.0 Miles
Ultimate Fish Charters takes its passengers out on a charter boat and teaches them how to fish. Guests can keep some of the fish they catch.
49.0 Miles
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach is situated adjacent to the harbor operations and provides an ideal setting for visitors to spread out a towel, and enjoy the fresh ocean breezes. The beach is conveniently located near many shops and eateries.
49.0 Miles
93%
60 votes
E Cliff Dr at 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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Twin Lakes State Beach is a public beach that provides a number of outdoor amenities for its guests. In addition to swimming in the ocean, visitors also commonly enjoy having picnics in the sand or exploring the nearby nature trails.