Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Loading...

Loading...

Loading...

Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

Paris
London
New York
Berlin
Rome
Los Angeles

Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

All

the United States

California

Santa Cruz

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Santa Cruz

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Cruz, California

Updated July 10, 2017

Email

Unusual Attractions in Santa Cruz

Court of the Mysteries at night

Santa Cruz, California

Court of Mysteries

A strange house built only at night, with rumored mystic inspiration.

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz Mystery Spot

A "gravitational anomaly" located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California.

The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

Housed in a memorial lighthouse, this museum relays the history of surfing, beginning with the antics of royal Hawaiian teenagers.

Are we missing something unusual?

The museum.

Felton, California

Bigfoot Discovery Museum

This quirky roadside attraction dives into the many theories surrounding North America's most infamous hairy cryptid.

5 miles from Santa Cruz

Soquel, California

Land of Medicine Buddha

A Buddhist retreat built on more than 100 acres of California Redwood forest.

5 miles from Santa Cruz

SS Palo Alto, the cement ship at Seacliff State Beach

Aptos, California

SS Palo Alto

This concrete ship has had four careers - World War I tanker, floating amusement park, fishing pier, and artificial reef.

6 miles from Santa Cruz

Vending machine at Glaum Egg Ranch

Aptos, California

Egg Vending Machine at Glaum Ranch

At this California chicken ranch, four bucks will get you 18 eggs and a chorus of dancing animatronic poultry.

9 miles from Santa Cruz

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz Leaderboard

Places Added

cjwvos

1
jmarcusfrost

1
Cosmic Joke

1

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Santa Cruz.

Places Edited

cjwvos

1
Avoiding Regret

1
Martin

1
itsmebrandi

1
cmijoredux

1

Join the Ranks!

Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

SBrink

3
thecraftpirate

3
leapbecca

3
joannemellor19

3
catdoglover49

3

Join the Ranks!

Visit a place in Santa Cruz.

Recent Santa Cruz Activity

christierussell81

has been to Santa Cruz Mystery Spot
Rocketsauce

wants to go to Court of Mysteries
Rocketsauce

has been to Santa Cruz Mystery Spot
Rocketsauce

wants to go to Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
russellwillner

has been to Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

Stories About Santa Cruz

Thousands of Surfers 'Paddled Out' to Honor a Legendary Wetsuit Pioneer

Jack O'Neill died on June 2.

by Erik Shilling

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App

Places

All Places
Latest Places
Most Popular
Places to Eat
Random
Nearby
Add a Place

Editorial

Stories
Food & Drink
Itineraries
Lists
Video
Podcast
Newsletters

Trips

All Trips
Family Trip
Food & Drink
History & Culture
Wildlife & Nature
FAQ

Community

Membership
Feedback & Ideas
Community Guidelines
Product Blog
Unique Gifts
Work With Us

Company

About
FAQ
Advertise With Us
Advertising Guidelines
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Terms of Use

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.