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 22 eggs and a chorus of dancing animatronic poultry.

9 miles from Santa Cruz

Bonny Doon, California

The Kingdom of Boomeria

A science teacher's kingdom, complete with castle, enormous pipe organ, and area for epic water battles.

10 miles from Santa Cruz

Atlas Obscura Trips

Desert Canvas: Art of Joshua Tree and the Mojave

Join us as we venture deep into the High Desert, glimpsing massive sculptures, revitalizing domes, and fluorescent painted mountains along the way.

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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