
Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz worth booking?
Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz is a 5-hour experience in Santa Cruz, United States, from $145 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $145 per person
Learn the ancient skills of survival in the woods, including how to build a shelter, gather water, make a fire, and forage edible plants or set up traps for food. Both novice campers and seasoned backpackers will benefit
What you get
About this experience
Learn the ancient skills of survival in the woods, including how to build a shelter, gather water, make a fire, and forage edible plants or set up traps for food. Both novice campers and seasoned backpackers will benefit from hands-on activities during this 5-hour class with a naturalist instructor. The session takes place in a redwood forest in Boulder Creek, located just north of Santa Cruz.
What's included
Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Professional guide
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Instructor Gratuity
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Santa Cruz
We'll meet you in the parking lot of the Boulder Creek Scout Reservation - 250 Scout Ranch Rd, Boulder Creek, CA
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We'll meet you in the parking lot of the Boulder Creek Scout Reservation - 250 Scout Ranch Rd, Boulder Creek, CA
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Adventure Out LLC
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beneficial experience
It was a good family outing. It was informative & definitely intro to wilderness survival. If electricity went out or war came to the U.S I can survive with this basic training for a week.
via Viator
Amazing outdoor experience!
I loved the whole experience, especially how great it felt to accomplish making fire with a bow drill!! Jack was a great and inspiring teacher, with tons of knowledge and experience. ! Can't wait for the next class!
via Viator
Had a conscience raising experience
I really enjoyed the the Intro to Wilderness Survival. The course fulfilled its goals. Not only did we receive valuable and interesting information, the hands on was the best. Its one thing hearing or reading about something and its completely another to attempt to do it yourself. I loved the experience of building a debris shelter and I learned so much useful information regarding it. And ...it was quite an experience attempting to create fire with matches. I loved the Zen of the whole process involved before making the fire and building the fire finally was so rewarding. Our group leader Jack was the best. Actually excellent combining his education with the education of real life experience. I loved his passion. It was what made the whole experience really memorable. I have more confidence now that I will have a better chance of survival in the wilderness after taking this class. thank you.
via Viator
Great activity for larger groups
Our company team had a great time in the Santa Cruz mountains at the one-day Survival Skills workshop. We had a group of ten, which was a great size for a private class. We participated in a wide variety of activities with different sized teams so that everyone on our team could interact with everyone else. Cliff was an awesome instructor. Coordinating logistics and booking was very easy. They even handled the boxed sandwich lunches (vegetarian options available) and got them delivered from a local restaurant for a reasonable add-on price. Would highly recommend for a fun team bonding / family reunion activity idea.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent class! I will definitely...
<p>Excellent class! I will definitely look into more classes offered by Adventure Out. Jack, the instructor was really an expert on wilderness survival skills and I got so much value from this class.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Cruz.
How much does Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz cost?
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Prices start at $145 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Cruz usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Cruz is not rushed.
Is Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Cruz, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Cruz can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Cruz and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Cruz within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Santa Cruz?
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Santa Cruz, CA packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Santa Cruz by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Santa Cruz experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Alpaca Walking Adventure in Scenic Carmel Valley, Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour, Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Santa Cruz, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Santa Cruz?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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