Romantic Things to Do in Santa Cruz

Sure, you can grab an intimate, candle lit dinner in Santa Cruz, but there are countless entertaining, energetic, and interesting romantic things to do in this town. Take a gander at the list for creative, out of the box ideas on how to swoon your sweetheart without inducing yawns.

Number 1 on this list is as effortless a date spot as they comes. Natural Bridges is a secluded, pristine beach perfect for a relaxing stroll, a quick dip, and a nap in the sun. Scramble of the rocks to check out the rustling tide pools and if it's the right time of year, walk over to the eucalyptus grove and marvel at the Monarch butterflies congregating here.

"Beer" usually isn't the ambrosia of love, but at the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing company (Number 7) chatting over pints of complex and delicious in-house drafts is a recipe for romance. This hole-in-the-wall tasting room is in the hip Swift Street complex, home to a plethora of wineries and local restaurants. Locals love to come here for a post-work decompression session or before heading off for the beach. The Brewing co. is warm and welcoming, the perfect place to forget about the world and remember that you are on vacation.

Bonding in the great outdoors is a surefire way to grow closer to one another, and Garden of Eden (Number 5), Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Number 7), and the Forest of Nisene Marks (Number 8) are all far enough off the beaten path to give you privacy and a reprieve from the stresses of the outside world. Take a dip in the natural swimming pools of the Garden, stroll through the towering redwoods at Henry Cowell, and bask in the cool forest of Nisene Marks. Without a doubt, your romance will bloom in Santa Cruz's natural beauty.