Santa Cruz Rainy Day Tips
Bad Weather Activities on the California Central Coast
Family vacationers in Santa Cruz have a lot of activity choices, even in bad weather.
Santa Cruz, California is the perfect destination for a family vacation, but it has been known to have some foggy and rainy moments (or weeks). Not to worry. There are plenty of things to keep travelers occupied until the weather clears.
Hit the Boardwalk Anyway
Just because the weather is bad doesn’t mean vacationers have to give up on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. There are plenty of boardwalk activities that are under cover. The casino arcade has a seemingly endless supply of video games, from the latest and greatest to the classics.
Families that prefer something a little more low-tech can go next door to Neptune’s Kingdom where they will find an indoor mini-golf course. Or they can go upstairs for a game of pool. Right across the way is a bowling alley. If there are any pre-teens in the group, they may enjoy the loud music and black lights during Boardwalk Bowl’s atomic bowling nights.
Get Some Exercise
Those families going stir crazy because their action packed week of outdoor activities has been called off for bad weather don’t have to sit around and mope. Pacific Edge offers one-day passes for their rock climbing gym. Toadal Fitness also offers one-day passes and has programs just for kids. Teens may dig Toadal's kickboxing or hip hop classes. The Palomar Ballroom offers group and private dance lessons in everything from Salsa to Swing.
Get Creative
After burning off some energy climbing and dancing, everyone can tap into their more artistic side. At Petroglyph, kids can paint their own ceramics. At Bead It (1325 Pacific Ave.), families can fish through bins of beads and make their own souvenir jewelry. Palace Art and Office Supply, just down Pacific Avenue, has an abundance of art supplies for the painter, drawer, or sculptor in the family.
Catch a Show
Of course, there is always the old tried and true movie route. Santa Cruz has several movie theaters right downtown. Two theaters, The Riverfront and Santa Cruz 9, show blockbusters. Two others, the quaint Nickelodeon and the historic Del Mar, show smaller independent films.
Families might also try a live performance at the Santa Cruz Actors Theater or one of the wildly popular Shakespeare Santa Cruz productions at UC Santa Cruz. Shakespeare Santa Cruz has been known to do hilarious, modern productions of kid-friendly stories like Hansel and Gretel.
Families planning their California beachside vacation shouldn't worry about the weather. They'll find plenty to do in Santa Cruz.
