- The list below includes 175 free or cheap things to do in or near Santa Cruz, California, including 101 different types of inexpensive activities like Beaches, Movie Theaters, Fishing and Walking Trails.
- From West Cliff Drive to Wilder Ranch State Park, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Santa Cruz and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Cupertino, Capitola, Aptos and Saratoga.
Showing 111-120 of
688
0.0 Miles
Subtle, food-friendly wines from local, organic grapes are among the more than 25 wines available from the winemaker’s library
22.3 Miles
83%
750 votes
3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020
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At the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, guests will be able to ride a Ferris wheel, a swing, a sky trail monorail, and a roller coaster. The site also hosts special Christmas events, including lunch with Santa.
22.4 Miles
81%
27 votes
13100 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95015
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Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve features a brick winery building and farm complex. The open space lands offers a respite from everyday life and an opportunity to experience and learn about the diverse natural environment in the Bay Area.
22.4 Miles
Camera 7 Cinema is a movie theater that shows current films both major and independent. There is a Pizza My Heart in the lobby, and guests can take the pizza into the theater and bring in snacks from outside.
22.8 Miles
Housed inside a beautiful 1911 Craftsman style once belonging to famed organist John Acton, the Morgan Hill Museum is now a popular attraction for visitors to the Morgan Hill area. The museum holds archives, artifacts, maps and clippings from the towns past.
22.9 Miles
83%
12 votes
16 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1, Half Moon Bay, CA
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At the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, visitors can go hiking, surfing, swimming, boating, geocaching and fishing. The location also contains picnic areas, interpretive exhibits, and restrooms for visitors to use.
22.9 Miles
83%
6 votes
116
Tony Look Trail
Stevens Creek County Park, 11401 Stevens Canyon Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
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Tony Look Trail is a short hiking trail for hikers of all skill levels. The trail is reputed as being narrow at points as it winds though forested areas. Tony Look may interest those in search of scenic forest views.
22.9 Miles
Glorya Tate Park is a small and traditional city park which is open to the public. The entire park is fenced in for additional safety, and it features an on-site building that can be rented for small gatherings for up to 60 people.
23.1 Miles
Linda Vista Park is a public park situated in a residential area, providing visitors with two separate playgrounds as well as picnic areas with grills. The park is made up of open green lawns, with walking trails marked throughout.
23.1 Miles
Open daily, Morgan Hill Dog Park allows owners to unleash their pets into separate areas for large and small dogs. The grassy park has benches and shade trees for owners' comfort.
23.2 Miles
Cupertino's Jollyman Park is a neighborhood park that features two separate playgrounds, one for toddlers and one for older kids. The park also has picnic areas and open green space.