Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Cruz - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Santa Cruz

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.

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 in Santa Cruz?

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

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

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

Davenport, California

Davenport Pier Beach

Here, visitors can swing with the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

9 miles from Santa Cruz

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Atlas Obscura Trips

City of Secrets: Underground in Los Angeles

On this an insider’s journey into the City of Angeles, we'll discover the murals and art of the famous Arts district with a resident artist, clink glasses at an underground speakeasy, and hike through hidden ruins with a suspicious past, all in pursuit of the less angelic side of the City of Angels.

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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

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