We went on a Friday in December. The arcades are open, but none of the rides are open during the week until spring or summer. However the boardwalk is open to walk and check out. It was a very nice calm environment… A stroll down memory lane. My wife and I went here years ago when we were dating and it was fun to visit the same place without crowds and chaos. If you want a chill place to walk with lots of fun stuff to look at go mid week; if you want to enjoy the rides and crowds visit on the weekends. There is a parking lot across the street for five dollars, or you can park on the street and feed the meter. You need an app to pay parking meters with a credit card, or …. Meters still take good old American quarters.

Super great! Buy the tickets and game card online before we went and it was a great decision. The lines weren't super long and the weather was absolutely perfect. The bathrooms weren't bad. Food is pricey!! So be prepared to spend some money! The boardwalk is cashless though so keep that in mind when you visit. HIGHLY recommend the mini golf. It was 10/10 fun 😊

Not a ton of rides or shops but definitely a fun afternoon. Do not be fooled by the oldest roller coaster. It is an insanely fun & thrilling ride. Lines weren’t too terrible but going earlier in the day is smart. The beach is beautiful & a nice spot to have lunch.

We went on weekend with children and grandchildren and we all lost in crowd and fun. The ride Typhoon and the Haunted Castle terrifying. The Sky Gliders and the one wooden boat water ride were exiting. We enjoyed good food alongside. We played hilarious Jungle Climb and The great water race and yes the Break the Plates was rewarding and a great fun. At the beach we played to the full of our energy and also with the forming waves, it was really very good experience we ever had, than we relaxed. In the evening it was too cold for us. The Board Walk and the beach, as we felt, is safe and secured and good for full day family outing. Though a bit heavy on pocket.

The boardwalk is a bit pricey (free to enter, but $69.95 for an unlimited ride wrist band at the time of our visit), but genuinely it felt worth every penny. Each ride was better than expected. The Giant Dipper is a national historic landmark and the 5th oldest coaster in the US, but it rides like something built recently. Wipe Out is also a sneaky good time. The food fare is pretty solid, but I recommend packing a cooler to enjoy the excellent beach as well.

I’ve been dreaming to go this place since 2021 when I saw it on US (movie). My dream came true in August, 2023! It was a sunny day! Very hot btw, so please wear your best beach outfit (shorts, sandals, Sleeveless blouse or T-shirt), use sunscreen! The boardwalk is free! However, if you want to play you need buy a card or a bracelet. I do recommend to buy a card, because you can gain points in arcade and buy things with the points that you’ve gained through the day. Also, the card never expires ;)! In arcade games, you don’t need to wait. But if you want to get on the roller coaster, you need to wait. I went on a Sunday, at 10am, there was no line but after 12pm, You had to wait around 30 minutes for each game. Water and food: I recommend bring your big bottle of water and food! There’s a lot of places to buy food here but it’s not cheap and they give you a small portion. Imagine if you go with your big family, you have to buy A LOT, so it’s better if you bring sandwiches! :D Parking: there’s a private parking that cost $30 a day. We parked our car in the street and it cost 2/hour but at the end of the day, they didn’t charge us anything ^-^ awesome! After all that has been said, I do recommend this place if you want to play, spend your day with your loved ones and ending the day walking around the beach or if you only want a little adrenaline and escape :)

I have to come here and spend the day. I love the boardwalk rides, the food/drinks, the beach, and the wharf. It is so spectacular and so much fun. You have got to come and experience it😁‼️

What an amazing place to visit. We were here on our daughter's spring break and absolutely enjoyed our time at the boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk is packed with rides, shops, food, and fun. We spent the entire day soaking it all in. Plenty of restrooms, so no long walks from one end to the other looking for relief. The rides are fun and clean, and we really enjoyed taking the gondola over the crowd. If you're lucky, you can see seals in the ocean or dolphins. Parking out of the area was free and only a short walk to the boardwalk. Lots of memories were made here during our stay.

I loved this place! It has good vibes. Beach and rides I like both! Boardwalk has a lot of food options too. The restrooms were clean when I visited. Long lines for some rides though (not too bad). I went in the afternoon so there were many parking spots right in front of the boardwalk. I would love to visit this place in the evening some day with lights!

Great rides! Not a lot of under 48"rides yet they have some. Amazing carnival food!! Spectacular view!!! After 5pm we got unlimited rides for $20 and the family had a blast! The moon was full and reflected of the ocean for a magical glow. Definitely recommend!

I've been going here since I was a kid. One of my favorite places. It's not cheap. Pack food and drinks to save money. Rides are around $8 each per person, but there's no entry fee. Beach is quite crowded but still doable. Free concerts in the summer. I saw Eddie Money here years ago. Family friendly and a lot of fun if you don't mind dropping $50-100 per person.

Loved it!! I visited there on my birthday 🎂 and enjoyed a lot all day.. Beautiful place, shows, rides and good food. Beach ⛱️ is beautiful but there is no cleanliness like other beaches. But overall good experience!! I like horror show and skyline. Highly recommend as it's not so far and you can explore all day... Have to go again soon 💕

Amazing experience visiting the place. The rides are decently priced as compared to famous theme & amusement parks. There is not so much waiting time for ride to enjoy. The food stalls in the area are good. However, I felt couple of addition of small souvenir shop can make it more appealing. Because of my experience, would love to get the common room area (washroom) to be more maintained

Grew up in Cali, never been to Santa Cruz till the last summer. Rode famous roller coaster, an Ariel tram. Was amazing! Would recommend getting the seasonal pass if you are going to go for more than a day. It takes more than one day to ride all the rides due to the wait times an lines. Did the freight walk.. awesome!!!!! Bought matching sweatshirts for me an my daughter. Had more fun in the 3 hrs we were there than at six flags.

🌞⛱️🎢🎠 A Day of Pure Fun at Santa Cruz Boardwalk! 🌊🍦🤩 I recently spent a fantastic day at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and I can’t say enough about the incredible experience! It was a true dose of California beach magic. The moment I stepped onto the boardwalk, I was greeted with the sound of crashing waves and the scent of salty sea air. The vibrant colors of the rides and games set against the backdrop of the ocean were simply breathtaking. And let’s talk about the food! I indulged in some scrumptious cotton candy, tried a variety of delicious treats, and relished some of the best clam chowder ever. The best part was the genuine, laid-back, and friendly atmosphere. It’s a place where families, friends, and even solo adventurers can have a blast. Everyone was so cheerful, and the staff was incredibly helpful. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a perfect blend of seaside serenity and thrilling amusements. It’s a gem on California’s coast that never loses its shine. I’m already planning my next visit because one day is just not enough to experience all the fun and beauty this place has to offer. 🌅🎡🏖️🌊🎉

If you don't like The Boardwalk something is wrong with you. I take my daughter and a friend here at least twice a years and it's always a blast. It's clean, the staff is always nice and there's tons of shops and food options. Plus, you're right on the beach and just a few minutes away from the pier. I even buy a wristband for myself so I can go in the rides with the kids.

The beach is very accessible by walking from the street. Once you reach the beach, you do have to walk a bit from the beach through the boardwalk to reach the end where you can get an amazing view of the ocean and inland. But totally worth it. Give yourself an hour to stroll through the boardwalk and an hour more if you are grabbing food here. The boardwalk itself offers great options to be entertained.

Went with the wife and kids And we had so much fun! So many cool rides, shops, and food. I had lost my wallet while riding the giant dipper roller coaster but thanks to guest services for finding it ! You guys are awesome. Thank you . We will be back 😎

Such a fun spot to spend a whole day roaming along the boardwalk, playing games or just taking in all the different activities. It’s great to see the diversity of people at all life phases who come out and enjoy it. We played a few games to try and win toys, took a ride on the chairlift that goes across and did a few other rides while visiting for a post lunch afternoon on a mostly sunny day. We’ll be back to check out the mini golf and other rides we didn’t get to try.

Good place for a family outing by the sea. Many restaurants and entertainment options are available with rides, stalls,games and other entertainment options. A clean and well maintained place with adequate and clean rest rooms make things convenient. The sea beach is inviting and on a warm day one can wade into the water.

We came to the boardwalk for spring break and had an amazing time! The staff were helpful and kind, there was a free magician show, and the rides were super fun as well. The beach area was also super clean. We are looking forward to our next visit!

What a amazing day with so much of fun and rides were amazing especially the luck games and few other rides . i liked it personally as we had fun riding . Tickets can be taken directly near the place and recharge based on the requirement .must visit place

Haven't been to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk in years. We were here on the weekend, so we thought we'd take a look see. I am impressed. The last time we were here, the area was very sketchy. Loitering, crime ridden, etc. The city and the owners of the boardwalk have done a tremendous job of cleaning up the area of trash, and crime. I watched families and children gather for fun times. Security was saturated as well as police patrols. I felt very safe, but was during the day. In all a very satisfying experience.

It is a delightful experience to visit the wharf at sunset/dinner time. I love to go there and take a stroll, check out the stores, and have dinner as I watch the sunset, the seagulls, the sea lions, and the sailboats through the windows of the restaurants. Great experience that never disappoints.

Nice wooden wharf. Largest on the west coast. Over a century old. Recently took a wave beating, so parts of the wharf are closed due to safety reasons. There were many people fishing from the pier all ages, but on this day the fish were not biting. Again, this is a touristy area and attraction, so food is priced accordingly. So be aware. I'll post some menus and prices here, but the food is good.

It was a fairly nice walk. Am glad it wasn't a busy day. There are several restaurant options and souvenir shops. My girls liked looking at the seals. Personally, would like some more shade to hangout longer, but it is a wharf.

A must visit when in the Bay area. The scenery while driving there was marvelous! Enjoyable... we had a blast just absorbing nature... majestic While arriving, we parked on the pier. A bit scary, wooden boards would rattle and shake... but we were okay, and it was a fun experience. There are so many great little shops for souvenirs, amazing restaurants... visit makai! . The views are great... great place for photos and walks and even jogs. The sea lions always are belching their voices.... such a surreal experience. Top marks across the board!

Santa Cruz Wharf is a beloved landmark and popular tourist destination located in Santa Cruz, California. Scenic Beauty: Santa Cruz Wharf boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz coastline. The sight of the expansive blue ocean, crashing waves, and coastal cliffs is truly mesmerizing. Visitors can stroll along the wharf and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze while taking in the stunning vistas. Attractions and Activities: The wharf offers a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. From unique shops and boutiques to delicious dining options, there is something for everyone. You can browse through souvenir stores, art galleries, and specialty shops to find unique gifts and local crafts. There are also several restaurants and eateries serving fresh seafood, classic American fare, and international cuisine. It's a great place to satisfy your taste buds while enjoying the ocean views. Fishing and Wildlife: Santa Cruz Wharf is a haven for fishing enthusiasts. Many visitors enjoy casting their lines off the wharf and trying their luck at catching various fish species. The wharf is also a fantastic spot for birdwatching, as numerous seabirds and shorebirds can be seen flying and resting in the area. If you're lucky, you might even spot sea lions or seals lounging on the nearby rocks. Wharf Activities: The wharf hosts several activities and events throughout the year, adding to its vibrant atmosphere. From live music performances to art exhibitions and festivals, there's always something happening at Santa Cruz Wharf. These events create a lively and festive environment, making each visit a memorable experience. Beach Access: Adjacent to the wharf is the popular Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which offers a wide sandy beach and a variety of amusement park rides and attractions. Visitors can easily access the beach from the wharf, making it a convenient spot to enjoy a day in the sun, build sandcastles, or take a refreshing dip in the ocean. Family-Friendly Environment: Santa Cruz Wharf is a family-friendly destination with activities and attractions suitable for all ages. Children will particularly enjoy the boardwalk's amusement park rides and games, as well as the chance to spot marine life from the wharf. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal place for a family outing or a relaxing day by the sea. Overall, Santa Cruz Wharf offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, seaside attractions, dining options, and entertainment. Whether you're seeking a peaceful stroll along the ocean or a fun-filled day with family and friends, the wharf provides a charming and enjoyable experience for visitors of all kinds.

Perfect place for sea Lion 🦭 observation. Not a good place for sunset 🌅 though. The village buildings are blocking the view.

This would be one of my favorite place in California. Those sea lion are too adorable. They fight each other’s with their neck 🤣🤣🤣 also sleeping while there’s are sea lions fighting beside, how could they be so chill. I could just want their fight for one hour still not feeling bored.

The wharf was fascinating! They have cute shops and eateries. We just went to walk around and explore. It wasn’t super crowded but we got there about 4pm on a Sunday. It was a lovely walk on a beautiful evening and fun to see the boats and the fishermen. My favorite part was being able to see the sea lions. There are multiple spots to watch them at the end of the pier. They are loud but adorable! We didn’t go to the amusement park so I’m not sure about there. We did have to pay for parking, we were there for about an hour or so, we ended up only paying $2. So definitely go if you’re here cuz it’s lovely!!

Nice place to hangout. Has a lot of shops for souvenir, good food and has kayaking rental shops too. On a good day you will find it crowded with lots of cars and people.

Known for fishing, boat tours, viewing various marine life, delicious dining, nightlife and gift shops, the Santa Cruz wharf was built in 1914, the last of six built on the site, and is operated by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Office. Composed of over 2000 70 ft. Douglas fir pilings driven 21 feet into the ocean floor, the wharf was 2,745 feet long and is revered as the longest pier on the entire West Coast. It is the crown, pride, and jewel of Santa Cruz's tourism.

Cool sea air. Mild temperature. Lots of people fishing on the wharf and swimming on the beach. Many nice seafood restaurants, fast food and souvenir shops. There are also many cycling services around the beach to take people from the parking lots to the beach and vice verse. $20 per ride (one way). We came here to get away from the hot temperature in San Jose and to see the sea lions 🦭 The only minus point is that many people with similar thoughts. Hence. The route here is always jammed with traffic, even on the freeway.

Visiting Santa Cruz for the first time! Especially since I’m a skateboarder!!! I made my way around the city by foot since you are not allowed to use your bicycle roller-skate,skate board, any-wheel devices are not allowed throughout Santa Cruz. ((It’s literally illegal)) Which caught me off guard as I am an avid a bicyclist, skateboarder, skate, roller skater, and so forth. Santa Cruz is known for skateboarding, and yet you cannot skateboard. I want to make that very clear that if you get caught biking skateboarding skating by the police, you will get in trouble. Walking along the wharf at Santa Cruz first you notice shops start to appear on the right hand side. The further you walk down the wharf you start to hear noises from the sea lions. As you’re walking the wharf you’ll have majority of your shopping in the center of the pier. There’s also spots to where you can look down and see the sea lions. There’s opportunities to catch fish and clean them while at the pier. There are cleaning stations on either side and on the front towards the ocean. There’s also opportunities for you to use the binoculars for some change. I definitely recommend taking a walk down the Santa Cruz wharf. It’s definitely an experience that you cannot find anywhere else. You get to have an up close and personal experience with sea lions watch dolphins in the waves and see whales making spouts! From diving seagulls to the beautiful crashing of the ocean sound. This is definitely a nice stroll on the quieter side. So if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the every day loud noise. This is a place for you.

We had been here during the evening, right at the sun downer. It’s lovely to watch the sea loin when they go to sleep. The view is also very nice and the shops are nice if you want to buy some Santa Cruz clothes.

Walk on the wharf is so good to smell the ocean air and look at these incredible views. There are seals too and they are fun to watch. Nice shops and little seafood restaurants.

Very nice relaxing place to visit and very beautiful! Myself and my family really enjoyed our visit here and can't wait to come back! Strongly recommend if visiting Santa Cruz!

Hadn't heard anything about this wharf when we stopped by for a stroll. Imagine the fun when I saw the sea lions. They were so loud! Echoing off the underside of the wharf, they really demand your attention. Which was fine, because they were so fun to watch. The battles for perches and their playful way of swimming around the piers were entertaining to watch from the special viewing hatches at the end of the wharf.

One of the must go to’s if visiting Santa Cruz . The wharf has everything from beach area to great food . If your looking to go kayaking or fishing those are available as well . Recommend the MaKia tiki bar, great drinks. Majority of the food on the wharf isn’t the best and would recommend the Jack O’Neil restaurant if you want something good kinda on the wharf . Humble sea has a pop up spot for great bear in the spring/summer time . All around a great time for the family and only a few steps away from the boardwalk area .

Neat strip of tourist traps on the warf. Great candy and chocolate store, a couple nice surf shops.... well tshirt shops, no surf gear.... and the absolute best clam chowder I have ever had.

So beautiful! So serene 😍 lots of stores around for souvenirs and there was a cute ice cream place too

Love parking near the wharf. Great food shops and beach

Went here 10/22 with my family. We all really enjoyed ourselves! There is a bit of a steep climb up the hill, most of which is handicapped accessible. Make reservations ahead of time as they get quite busy. They are open every day of the year. The site hasn’t changed much and really emphasize the strange physics of the place. They have a cute little gift shop, some vending machine snacks, clean restrooms, and a snack bar when they are really busy. Their parking lot can handle a tour bus or RVs and they had plenty of parking.

This place was, indeed, a mystery. The ticket price isn't bad, $10 per person and $5 for parking. It's located in the forest, lots of beautiful trees, and the waiting area has a beautiful vine and flower roofed veranda. The website gives you most of the details but should probably add one; if you have motion sickness, be prepared. The building where the phenomenon happens seems to be right at the center, and the closer you get to the middle of the tour building, the stronger it gets. My daughter and I couldn't explore much because we were trying not to be sick. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience. The tour guide was a little funny with some good dad jokes. The gift shop was cute and had plenty of inventory, and the weather was great. I'm not sure if I'd go back for myself unless I took someone who hadn't experienced it before.

Overall it’s a cool experience. The earth gives us some cool tricks. But I feel the tilted house was built in purpose, giving false illusion, to attract tourists. If the house is leveled, it would be more impressive to experience the earth’s tricks of the area. You need to reserve ahead, space is limited. I came on a Wednesday and it was crowded. It has a canteen and a gift shop. I love the trail, front of the spot/house, it’s nice to walk up hill under the red wood trees. The road leads to the spot is beautiful/scenic with many switchbacks, though you can get lost

So much peace and tranquility in this place! Friendly, and enthusiastic, staff and interesting sights. It is a nice escape from life's fast pace. My little kid enjoyed it a lot. Sitting there at the table, under super high trees, with cool breeze, in a nicely designed area, you get a surreal feeling, that is rare to have in crowded California. So I guess the trip here is not so much about experiencing the "mystery unbalance" as much as it is about feeling the holistic calmness and peacefulness of the place that can be great for relieving stress. You can bring your own food or buy from their "canteen". I was supposed to get a ticket fee waiver as a military discount, but for some reason ended up only getting free parking. The hike up in the forest across from the gate was a nice one although a little steep in some parts.

This was such a nice experience, especially for couples & families. The place is BEAUTIFUL with amazing quality air. I wish I could take more photos, but it was a Saturday, so it was crowded EVERYWHERE. We decided to go early for an hour to beat traffic. When we arrived, there was a cute gift shop to your right and a patio with restrooms. Though, it smells extremely horrible when you sit near the restrooms. Please be mindful when you drive due to the road quality. 10/10 would recommend

Came here with the family. This place is really interesting and cool. There are many weird things here that defy logic. Our your guide was fun and informative. There is an extremely steep walk up to the cabin, so beware. The only reason I did not rate 5 stars is that I think they allow too many people in each group, which makes the cabin quite crowded to try out the features and to wait longer to get photos of those in your party. Prices were good for the value received.

Definitely get tickets in advance. When we were picking up our tickets (that we purchased online the day before), people who hadn't bought in advance were being told it would be over an hour to 2 hr wait. It was very interesting. Cute, funny tour. Our tour guide was sweet, there were several young kids and she let them all be helpers with her experiments. The walk up is very steep, and you feel the gravity pulling you down. The cabin was very interesting, but it did make me and 2 other ladies pretty nauseous. Definitely worth checking out tho. I've never experienced anything like it.

Spent the day at mystery spot with my family. Guided tours only. The tour guide gives history of the the mystery spot along with different activities that are unexplainable but very interesting. I personally got a little sick in the mystery spot which stuck with me for awhile but way cool to check out. The only way I can describe my feelings here were like vertigo. I would suggest buying tickets in advance tickets get sold out quickly. No problem with parking, admission was 10$ a person 5$ for parking hiking trails, merchandise and food available on site. Out of this world experience!

First things first - book your ticket in advance to avoid the tours being sold out for another hour or two. I had no idea that a weekday would be that busy, and that you can't enter without the guide. So this place was on my list for a while and so clubbed it with our Santa Cruz trip. Reached directly at the spot and was told that the tours were booked for next 90 mins. We bought the next available tour and paid for parking immediately and left to spend an hour on a nearby beach. That's also an option if you don't want to book in advance. Coming to the spot, it's a good experience and kids would love it. Our guide was pretty entertaining. She demonstrated some visual anomalies and distributed the "Mystery Spot" stickers. We didn't see the famous banana slug. Not sure if that's seasonal. They have a cool restaurant with vegetarian options and a gift shop. Clean restrooms. Recommended 👍🏻

During my summer break, I had the chance to explore the Mystery Spot last Friday. It's conveniently located close to Santa Cruz, but I'd advise booking reservations in advance, given its popularity and the potential unavailability of tours on the day of your visit. Admission tickets are priced at $10 per person, and parking comes at an additional cost of $10. The site is encompassed by majestic redwood trees, though it's worth noting that cell reception isn't very reliable in the area. The staff provided an excellent experience, and our tour guide led us through the site while sharing captivating stories. The entire adventure lasted approximately 2-3 hours and involved a moderate uphill walk. The Mystery Spot stands out for its unparalleled optical illusions and intriguing gravitational phenomena. You'll encounter remarkable phenomena, including people appearing to tilt strangely and objects defying gravity and rolling uphill due to these unique effects. Facilities such as a gift shop, a compact snack bar, and well-maintained restrooms are available for visitors. Having personally taken my family and friends on tours around the Bay Area, I've consistently recommended the Mystery Spot as a must-see experience.

First time being here..it was fun the tour guide was excellent at what she does. Its crazy I would say it is sure a mystery a bit pricy 10 dollars for kids 3 and older plus parking is 4 bucks. But I definitely would visit again.

Mystery Spot is a must visit if you sway along Santa Cruz! It is a fun, mind boggling place that will play tricks on your mind. You can also enjoy the great natural scenery of Santa Cruz!

I didn’t know what I was getting into when we bought tickets. Definitely buy them ahead of time to get a time that works best for your group. They book up quick. I can see why too it’s so funny and just a strange overall place to be! Our tour guide (Bennett) was funny and not shy to show how the gravity there works. He also took a picture or two for us which was really nice. The tour isn’t long at all and a great price. There is a small trail too at the end of the parking lot. We went just to look at redwoods and we ended up seeing 3 banana slugs in the wild. Definitely check out the trail too.

Fun attraction. $8 for a visit which I think it's pretty fair however It is a very short tour - too short on my opinion (I can understand that, because they don't have much to show, and yet.... We drove there for an hour and a half so at least I wish it was a little bit longer. I love how they present the anomaly. The staff is young and fun and they really play in that. Their presentation and the jokes are super fun. Definitely a unique experience, you don’t experience every day. Cons: Too short.

Interesting spot. Our tour guide was awesome 👌! It did take about 40 minutes to get in and make our way up to the cabin but that was our fault for not having a reservation. They have a nice little gift shop and the prices are reasonable.

This place is really different from other mystery houses one would have seen. Does play with your mind with gravity defying objects. Involves hiking in the woods in serene surroundings. Our guide Vanessa made it fun. Has a lot of seating to have your picnic after the visit. You can also buy snacks from there. Gets booked very quickly so online buying is better. The team was pretty flexible with rescheduling our slot for a later time. Reasonably priced@$10 per person, free for kids 3 and under. Would recommend. Pets are not allowed inside, however they have a separate hiking trail in the redwoods (~30 minutes) where the pets can accompany.

Definitely an interesting visit. Worth the $15 ($10 ticket, $5 parking). Be prepared to trek up the side of a hill (not far) and stand on the side of a hill for the tour. This is a gravitation anomaly so it may mess with your head and balance making you feel slightly nauseous. Not bad though. Still worth it. I don’t recall the website saying it’s uneven ground and up a hill, which is why I took off a star. Definitely not accessible for some or older individuals.

An absolute blast is the phrase that comes to mind for this local attraction. A somewhat indescribable experience of an anomaly, you just have to see for yourself! Their location is down a narrow road and tucked into the rolling hills surrounded by forest. There is plenty of parking and they also have a dedicated area for larger vans and busses. The gift shop has a fun assortment of items, there is a cantina (closed during visit), seating areas, and restrooms at the entrance. Maurice or "Moe" was our guide into this unique adventure and was engaging, enthusiastic, and definitely enjoying his job. He was fantastic with getting children and adults to participate during demonstrations and explaining the theories surrounding this strange place. The trail leading to the center of the spot is steep, but there are railings to help support visitors who need it. I would suggest wearing sturdy shoes because sandals or flip-flops may not have the best traction for inclines and declines. I highly recommend this location for young and old visiting the area because you will not be disappointed!

Our first time there but we had a great experience, staff is very courteous, gift shop has lots of souvenirs and prices are not to bad. Plenty of tables and benches to enjoy some snacks or food. Parking is $5, and there's a lot of it. That if people leave right after their tour ends.

A short, dizzy and fun experience among the dense woods. Beautiful scenery and pleasant experience. Parking is a bit hectic here, plan ahead in holidays. Reservation required and check for tour timings before going.

Our guide was so fun and funny. This place is crazy and the activity was so fun. We can lean forward or lean back and change heights in spots that were level and water or ball went upwards instead of down. The stuff here is like a mystery. So weird and so cool to check out.

Definitely worth the visit for the price you pay. A couple of interesting mysterious spots around here which the guide takes you through. Cool spot for some great photo opportunities, too. There is also a gift shop here with plenty of souvenirs. We clubbed this with the roaring camp train ride and the state park next to it. Not recommended for people with mobility issues as it is a steep climb. If you do have any elderly/mobility impaired person, there is plenty of seating in the cafe area.

Great place to visit to experience alternate gravity points. Guess what can create that gravity that seems to pull you in different direction: cause to lose balance. Be sure to buy the tickets online or expect some wait time; they only allow in batches per assigned time zone. Bring food and drink as this is in remote area. Cell connectivity is zero; be sure to download the map offline for navigation. Overall good place to visit.

an interesting place for the whole family, the program is about an hour, there is parking, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance, on weekdays you can order a couple of days in advance, on weekends there are a lot of people, there is a place to eat and an interesting souvenir shop. The tour guide tells interesting things about this place. At this point you go up into the house and immediately start to feel very dizzy, I couldn’t even walk and even felt nauseous, an unusual reaction on my body to the vestibular apparatus, in general, if you have a problem with blood vessels and you’re not ready for this, it’s better not to walk, for Children and youth will certainly be interested.

Definitely worth to go if you’re in Santa Cruz area! Very interesting tour. I’m not sure if there are self guided tours, doesn’t seem like it. But the tour is definitely worth it. Our tour guide was humorous, witty, and was really fun at showing us how funky the mystery spot truly is! Parking is plenty and they also have a cool gift store!

The mystery spot is a must see when coming to Santa Cruz area. You can buy tickets in advance online or show up and hangout. Thanks to Dean ?(Ruben or Owen)¿ we laughed and had fun as a crowd. It's a quick 40 or so minutes tour that was well worth the $10 per person!

Everyone at mystery spot were super cool, very accommodating and amazing. Made our first time and definitely not the last experience super memorable. The shop team played classic rock and were also Rockstars themselves. Finally but certainly not the last, special mention to our awesome tour Master Owen as he was hilarious, spontaneous and genuinely nice all through out. The crowd was laughing hysterically all throughout the tour. Thanks to everyone and Godspeed to all.

Fun place for all ages! Must see spot while in Santa Cruz. Make sure to do a reservation online or over the phone or you might not be able to tour. I believe you can do same day but it might be full or long wait. Also you can't go to mystery spot without group tour. It's only $10 p/p. Parking was $5. So it's a super cheap and fun tourist attraction.

What a place! Visiting this spot is a must! Even if it's only one, as6 in my case. The feel in the cabin made me hot, dizzy, and nauseous. I love the ambiance. A big courtyard with many interests. Their food is even decently priced. It isn't the best for people with back and knee issues, but we accomplished the 40-minute, highly intriguing tour. Our guide was the best! -Regina

We had Eric as our magical guide through the enchanted forest of the mystery spot. His tour was like hugging a ball of cotton candy while majestically riding a unicorn. The disorientation was like your trip was turning bad, but then Eric pulls you back on the right guided path. 5 thumbs up. Grand experience. Would recommend. Needs better jokes though. And a pay raise!

This was our first time here. Eric our tour guide, did a AMAZING JOB! From his knowledge to his humorous jokes! And even after the tour was over. We were looking at the Banana Slugs we could see that were far away. He was able to pick it up so gentle so we could see it closer and take a picture. Highly recommend to see this Mystery Spot! Thanks Eric for your great work!

Thankful for this small visitor center! Get some good facts and a good souvenir shop inside too. I would say this is a part of visiting this beach. Stop in!

One of the best place I traveled more then 20 times

It’s a beautifully clean and tidy beach. Not too big in the area but good for anyone who loves the beach. If you love the beach and want a peaceful place to enjoy your beach time this is a must-visit place. Washrooms were okay, not bad not too good. But the overall experience is good and the view is just mesmerizing.

It was freezing and really windy the day my cousin and I went to visit. Because of the cold weather, we looked down onto the beach and took in the salty air and the coolness of the wind, instead of walking down to the sand. The view from up top was clear, a bit grayish, and really crisp, but it was still refreshing, just to be at a beach. It wasn't very crowded, some cars were using the upper lot as a turn out space. If I had a better camera or if the day wasn't so hazy, a better clearer picture of the two rock formation bridges would be visible. It really is a nice pleasant calm beach, the waves are low and smooth and parking was really easy, the day my cousin and I visited. We found parking really quick. There's a paid lot, a free lot with a small handful of spaces that overlook the beach, so you can stay in your warm car and still enjoy the view, and there's plenty of free street / residential parking. It's also a nice drive along the shoreline. If I still live in the Bay Area, I'd like to be able to return to the beach on a warmer sunnier day.

Nice place to walk and enjoy the peace. But the beach will close from 11am to 5pm, the parking lot was closed. But you may find a place along the street. Biking here is so fun with the different sceneries.

Very good for all ages. I personally like the time during sunset. One thing to consider here is the weather is so unpredictable you can see some myst or clouds all of a sudden in between bright sunny day. Apart of this rest all are fine. You can do bird watching and hear the so many other birds chirping. I would love to see this place more cleaner.

⛱️🌊🏄🥾🌼📷 💡Here's a tip: walk off to the right of the beach, climb the ridge (it can be slippery at some points) and keep walking. You'll find a more secluded beach section down a bit Popular beach spot, with surfers and sail boats right off the shore. This beach is known for its natural stone arch. If you head towards the back you can find some nice trails with boardwalks through the park.

Nice location with great views and hikes by the ocean! If you are in the area, should stop by and spend few hrs. I have heard sunsets at this point are great, but haven’t been here for sunsets. You are on your own without lifesavers on duty. But this beach isn’t so much for water play, due to the waves and water flow etc. The beach is pretty clean and rock formations are interesting as you walk around the beach. Santa Cruz is popular for boardwalk etc, but this place should be on the list for visitors.

Beautiful formation of the rock...so photogenic...the walk along the Coastline to the lighthouse is very scenic. A good 4 mile easy walk round trip. Absolutely gorgeous coastline!

GREAT!! A must do for families and individuals. Make sure you buy your tickets online and check in and pickup your boarding pass before boarding the train. We had to wait for several people to get off the train and go do this. The staff are friendly and Charles the Conductor provided full time education and entertainment. Thank you to him, Doug the engineer and George the steam guy(maintained the steam was at the right levels to keep the engine going). The tour was about 90 minutes and they take you through the beautiful Coastal Redwood trees hundreds of years old. They let you get off for about 8 minutes while they prepare the train for the return ride. The roots of these magnificent trees could go for thousands of years. The information provided on the regeneration of these trees and their ability to be fire retardant was fascinating. They offer a place to recharge with food, drinks and ice cream. Overall an excellent experience! It’s pricey like $100 for 2 adults and parking but worth it!

I visited Roaring Camp for the round trip train ride to the top of Bear Mountain and back. It was such a cute little cowboy town built to resemble a different camp. The weather really made it feel like we were no longer in the Bay Area until we boarded the train to travel into the redwood forest. I really enjoyed the conductor’s commentary about the history of the area and fun facts about the environment including the old tracks, the trees, and warnings of poison oak! It was really relaxing riding the train and breathing in the crisp air. Parking in the Roaring Camp lot is included when you purchase a train ticket online and it’s also right beside the redwood state park, so I enjoyed walking around both after returning from the train ride.

You like the train or not. It was a fun place for all ages! We visited this camp in a cold January Saturday morning, the temperature was in the high 40’s, but did not reduce the excitement and anticipation of the crowds! We was originally on the 12:00 PM train, but they were able to change us to the 10:30 one because we arrived early. The 120 years old Shay steam locomotive preformed flawlessly but we encountered a down tree about half way. It took four crew members and about 30 minutes with three chainsaw to clear the down tree. The narration alone the whole ride not only informative, also highly educational. They introduced the history of the camp, how the redwood forest grows and special species of the trees in this area! My wife and I had a lots of fun and looking forward to coming back in the summer time.

This was a fun, educational, and easy activity to do with the family. Basically you book a ticket (or just show up on the property and buy a ticket there), and then board the train at your designated time. The train takes you through the redwood forests while the conductor talks about the history of the forest and steps taken to preserve its beauty. The whole ride takes about an hour. It goes pretty slow and there was plenty of space for passengers. All of the seating is along the side of the cars so everyone can get a good view. They do have one covered car but the rest are open with just a sun shade on top. The little town where the train picks you up is fun too. There is a general store there with souvenirs and candy/drinks. There are also bathrooms (that were exceptionally clean), and other activities like panning for gold. I believe you can also have birthday parties and weddings on the property.

Great experience and great way to see some of the redwoods and the mountain. Conductor was knowledgeable and made it fun. Good time for kids and adults. Tip: sit toward the back if you want to hear some of the facts that the conductor talks about. The engine is loud and drowns him out sometimes - even when it isn't blowing its whistle.

I don't write a lot of reviews, but this place is worth your time. Friendly staff, easy parking, good food, and the main attraction (the train ride) is incredible. Hands down the best way to roll to the beach. However, I recommend also doing the ride through the forrest. Very nice.

This was our second visit. Last time we drove here and took the Forest Train, and it was awesome! A 90 minute round trip up into the mountains where the train uses switchbacks to gain elevation with a 15 minute stop at the top for photos and stretching. This time, we took the Beach Train from Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back. A 45 minute ride each way with a one hour layover at Roaring Camp, where you can eat, shop, listen to music, pan for gold, watch the trains switch, and check out the camp. Entry to Roaring Camp is free but train rides aren't. Check their website for schedules and prices. I highly recommend a visit!

I took my girlfriend who has lived in the Bay area her entire life and has never heard of this place. It was such a fun ride and we especially LOVED how they are dog-friendly. The little town provided a full experience from food to their General Store to a Press Shop. There was a child's party and we could see their awe as the train came in. The staff was amazing and very knowledgeable. The grounds are clean, plenty of parking and the train ride intertwined thru the park.

A wonderful day. We took the train through the redwoods down to the beach in Santa Cruz - and it stops right by the boardwalk. Definitely worth getting the 10am train there, and the 4pm return - so you have lots of time to do the rides at the boardwalk. It’s also fantastic watching the train make its way down the roads of Santa Cruz.

Great place for families! We did the steam engine through the redwoods. We sat in the first car and it was great!!! You were able to have an unobstructed view since you sit in the middle and no one is in front of you. Make sure your little ones go to the restroom before the ride, otherwise you will spend your 10 minute break in the restroom line instead of enjoying the scenery and exploring. The guide was comical and had some good info. But don't worry, he doesn't talk the entire time! The BBQ place was closed, and the other food place didn't have a good selection of kids meals, which was surprising. The general store had all the souvenirs even little tiny redwood trees to take home and plant.

Great steamed train experience. Very chill and peaceful ride. We also saw the deer! The ride is ~75 mins and they gave you a 10mins break during the trip. We booked ticket online first then picked up at the station.

This place is absolutely gorgeous! The train ride was an amazing experience. There is a small 10-minute break to snap a couple of photos . You get to experience a lovely sight of the redwoods and while listening to a little backstory of the park and railroad. It is located on the state park grounds, which in itself is beautiful. The visitors center is a few steps away . There are beautiful walking trails to visit too. I took my 5 and 2 year old, and they loved every min of it . The trails were flat and safe for them to enjoy and also went crazy for the train!

We absolutely love the Roaring Camp Railroad, a highlight of our trip to California. The time spent on the railroad was time to relax and time to remember, wonder at the enormity of the surroundings and the effort in building the railroad through this country. Just a wonderful way to spend a day. Could not recommend any more highly.

We've been visiting Roaring Camp since our children were little. Now in their 30's, we have found memories of great times and train rides. So, when Thomas the Tank was featured this month, we had to go back and experience the joy of train rides. The Thomas and Percy trains are connected to a passenger train so you can ride into the Redwood Forrest. They had a large assortment of Thomas merchandise, BBQ & other foods. There was a guitarist playing kids songs. Both adults and kids were dressed for Halloween as well. After we rode the train we walked over to the Henry Cowell Redwood trail. If you're a train lover like my family, I would encourage you to take your family out to Roaring Camp in Felton, Ca.

Overall neat experience to ride the steam train through the redwoods! A conductor narrates the history of the camp, railroad, and forest during the 75 min trip. You get to stop for a break to see 9000 year old trees. I got slightly bored during some parts since the train moves slowly and there wasn’t too much to see in the forest. The campgrounds were cool to walk around. You can get s’mores! Don’t forget to bring a jacket since it’s cold during winter!

This was a superb experience through the redwood forest in Santa Cruz county. If you are in the area and you have never done this, I highly recommend it. It is well worth the price. Make sure you make a reservation online. We made a reservation for the last train of the day. We did the redwood train and not the one that goes to the Santa Cruz boardwalk which looked amazing as well as we Saw that train pulling into the depot as our train was ending its tour. It was a really cool experience waving at all the folks on the other train coming in from the boardwalk. I think we will definitely try that one next time. The last train of the day was nicer as the park was not as busy. We also went during the weekday which helped. The history the conductor narrates and talks to you throughout the entire ride is really great. The history is just amazing. He played the violin when we stopped for our 10 minute break in the forest while the engineer checked the engine. The switchbacks on the railway were amazing. You can also see an old trestle that had burned down many years before. It was crazy to see that the train used to do such a tight hairpin turn on it. It was just so peaceful and beautiful. The train is in its 60th year though the redwoods. It is on a 99-year lease. I hope it stays in place far past 99 years. Such a superb and amazing experience. Highly recommend!

ℹ️There's no point waiting in line to board the train, BTW. (You can get on at any point. The beginning of the line isn't gonna board 1st) The overall experience was very mediocre, from the food to the ride. 🚞 We did the diesel train. It drives you 40 minutes into the woods, stops, and returns, then you have lunch if you bought it. 🥪 The Salami/Turkey w/ provolone cheese - was very dry. (the food building was closed, so you could only eat if you pre-bought your food). 😊 I'll never return, thank you. It's not as fun and cool as the website advertised it would be.

The train ride was an excellent experience. If the food spots were open we would have potentially given it 5 stars. We walked along the easy trail after the train ride and continued to admire the majestic beauty of the redwood trees.

What a cool place to walk through! We were here to visit Henry Cowell and walked through to Roaring Camp when we heard the train. We didn't take the train ride, but it looks awesome! The town is super cute, very picturesque with tons of activities and things to see for kids and families. Recommend checking this place out, even just for a walkabout and photo op!

Must visit place having such a nice and pleasant view of red wood trees . Best to picnic over here and have the best time around the trees . Would love to visit again and walk around the trees . The steam engine train experience was funny and amazing with a very good host

This is must go for locals and tourists. The train ride is spectacular and the views are unparalleled. Seeing the redwoods as you pass through the forest on a train is a magical experience. It was worth every penny, and the guide is incredibly informative and interesting to listen to as well.

This is a family must do, must see. We came here with 70 teenagers on a tour and it had plenty of activities, awesome train ride. Very educational and ENTERTAINING!

Breath taking place. Loved loved this place so much. Definitely going to have my dream wedding here. Place is beautiful, friendly staff and very clean and really well organized and perfect for a family trip or romantic getaway.