What to do in Aptos, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

A beach with a pier, houses, and palm trees.
A waterfront residential area with colorful houses and a bridge at dusk.
A three-seater cart with a yellow canopy, parked on a paved area with rocks and the sea in the background.
A pier extending into the ocean with waves crashing against it during sunset.
Colorful houses by a waterfront with palm trees in the background.

Things to do

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

฿1,478
per adult
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity

Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity

฿1,642
per traveller
Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

฿1,478
per adult
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories

UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

฿164
per traveller
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

฿4,566
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

฿4,566
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

฿2,924
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Mermaid family photoshoot Santa Cruz

Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot

฿7,227
per adult
Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot
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Most fun & popular experiences in Aptos

Tours & day trips

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Santa Cruz Spooks & Shadows Ghost Tour

Santa Cruz Spooks & Shadows Ghost Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿798 per adult
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 4 activities
Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

Activity duration is 1 hour
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿831 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz

Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz

Activity duration is 4 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿1,164 per traveller*
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What to do in Aptos

Stay near popular Aptos attractions

A pier extending into the ocean at sunset with the sun reflecting on the water.

Rio Del Mar Beach

9.2/5 (216 reviews)
Rio Del Mar Beach offers a spacious sandy shoreline with a scenic paved promenade perfect for coastal strolls. Enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere where Aptos Creek sometimes forms a natural lagoon during summer months.
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Where to stay in Aptos

Find the best Aptos areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A beach at sunset with the sun low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the sand and water.
Photo by Lingling ❤️
Open Photo by Lingling ❤️

Rio del Mar

While visiting Rio del Mar, you might make a stop by sights like Monterey Bay and Seascape Golf Club.

A pier extending into the ocean with waves crashing against it during sunset.

Seacliff

If you're spending some time in Seacliff, Monterey Bay and Seacliff State Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Aptos Village

Aptos Village might not have many top sights, but Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Day trip destinations from Aptos

A beach with clear water, palm trees, and a cruise ship in the background.

Los Gatos

Frequently asked questions

Is Aptos worth visiting?
Providing a mix of walking trails and coastal beaches, there are plenty of things to do in Aptos. While you're here, head to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Aptos?
Kick your day off with a visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Wharf. Then, check out other areas of Aptos for local restaurants and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Aptos?
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the top tourist attractions in Aptos and deserves a place on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Aptos?
You can easily tick off top attractions like La Selva Beach, Seacliff State Beach and Twin Lakes State Beach with a three-day trip to Aptos. On average, many travellers book two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to San Jose.
Is Aptos a walkable city?
With leading attractions like Seacliff State Beach close by, Aptos is every bit a place to explore on foot. Want to visit some vibrant neighbourhoods within walking distance of the city centre? Rio del Mar is about 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Aptos with kids?
Deciding what to do in Aptos with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're travelling with little ones or teenagers, there's a range of family-friendly attractions to keep everyone happy here.

What to do in Aptos for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Aptos, with experiences for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Soquel Vineyards or Nicholson Vineyards.
Are there free things to do in Aptos?
One of the best ways to learn about free things to do in Aptos is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can enjoy without opening your wallet. La Selva Beach is one spot that doesn't have an entrance fee.