San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun in San Francisco
San Francisco, United States

San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun

Outty Ranking 54 5.0 · 1 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $100

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$100
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Outty Ranking

54/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun worth booking?

San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun is a 9-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $100 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
54 / 100
Rating
5/5 (1)
Duration
9 hours
From
$100 per person

Venture from San Francisco to Santa Cruz for a day filled with nature and seaside excitement. First stop at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where you can stroll among towering redwoods. Next stop Santa Cruz, where the

What you get

    About this experience

    Venture from San Francisco to Santa Cruz for a day filled with nature and seaside excitement. First stop at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where you can stroll among towering redwoods. Next stop Santa Cruz, where the boardwalk awaits with its vibrant attractions, tasty food options, and stunning beach. Whether you ride roller coasters, relax on the sand, go out on the water or explore tide pools, this trip offers something for everyone.

    What's included

    Included

    • Towels
    • SPF 50 Sunscreen

    What you'll see and do

    1. San Francisco

      Pick up in San Francisco: 9am for Green Tortoise meeting point & 9:15am for Union Square meeting point. After picking up guests we will drive 1.5 hours south to Henry Cowell Redwoods.

      90 minutes here

    2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

      Walk amongst the giant coastal redwoods and learn about California's endangered ancient forests.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Santa Cruz

      30 minute drive from Henry Cowell to Santa Cruz

      30 minutes here

    4. Santa Cruz

      Guests will have 4 hours of free time to explore beautiful Santa Cruz. Drop of will be at Santa Cruz Warf where they can enjoy a day on the beach, rent a surf board or paddle board at a nearby rental shop, go on a scenic coastal walk to see natural bridges and tide pools, ride California's oldest roller coaster at it's oldest amusement park and much much more! While time in Santa Cruz is unguided staff are happy to answer questions at drop off.

      240 minutes here

    5. San Francisco

      Return to San Francisco: The 2 hour drive home will be along scenic California Coastal highway 1.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    San Francisco

    We pick up in front of the Westin St. Francis Entrance on Powell St.

    Meeting point

    San Francisco

    We pick up in front of the entrance to Green Tortoise Hostel on Broadway

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We pick up in front of the Westin St. Francis Entrance on Powell St.

    Ends at

    We pick up in front of the entrance to Green Tortoise Hostel on Broadway

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 5 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Howling Coyote Transport

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • parents must bring their own rear facing car seat for children under 2 years of age

    Photos

    San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun in San Francisco, photo 2San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun in San Francisco, photo 3San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun in San Francisco, photo 4San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun in San Francisco, photo 5San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun in San Francisco, photo 6San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun in San Francisco, photo 7

    Traveler reviews

    1 verified traveler reviews for San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Relax728035 · November 2025

    A Perfect Day in Nature Thanks to Maggie

    The experience was fantastic. Maggie was an outstanding host and guide—thoughtful, knowledgeable, and fun. The van was stocked with great snacks, and she gave us plenty of freedom and time to explore both the Redwoods and the beach. We spent most of the day immersed in stunning nature, watching surfers, and enjoying hot dogs—not stuck in a van. I’d absolutely book this again. Thanks, Maggie!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 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
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 54

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)70
    Review evidence (18% weight)9
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)71
    Local standing (8% weight)53
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.

    How much does San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun cost?

    +

    Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun take?

    +

    Plan for about 9 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 San Francisco is not rushed.

    Is San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun?

    +

    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 San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun?

    +

    Around 0 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 San Francisco 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?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does San Francisco to Santa Cruz Day Trip: Redwoods and Beach Fun start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

    +

    San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. 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 San Francisco?

    +

    September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. 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 San Francisco?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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