- TripBuzz found 224 things to do with kids in or near Aptos, California, including 208 fun activities for kids in nearby cities within 25 miles like Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove, Morgan Hill and San Jose.
- From Manresa State Beach to Seacliff State Beach, the Aptos area offers 98 different types of family activities, including: Beaches, History Museums, Parks and Bike Paths.
- An unincorporated area, Aptos has several small communities within its borders. Redwood timber harvesting was a major industry in Aptos in the late 1800s and early 1900s but the area did not hit a development boom until the early 1960s with additions including Cabrillo College and Seascape Resort. Aptos is less than 10 miles from Santa Cruz.
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695
7.2 Miles
In 1986, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum opened inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. It is one of the oldest museums in the world dedicated to surfing, and visitors can see how surfboards progressed from huge paddleboards to modern surfboards, along with surf club patches, surf movie posters, and wetsuits,
7.2 Miles
All kinds of wildlife are found at Lighthouse Field State Beach including the black swift, monarch butterflies and sea lions. The beach is popular with dog owners and surfers and is even home to a surfing museum.
7.3 Miles
There is no better way to learn about mastering the waves than taking lessons with Club Ed Santa Cruz Surf School. Their experienced trainers will have you up on the board in no time through a variety of lesson plans or surf camps.
7.5 Miles
A movie multiplex with all-digital video and sound, Green Valley Cinema screens first-run movies. The theater features stadium seating, is available for party rentals, and offers a variety of discounts and specials.
7.8 Miles
93%
60 votes
Shell Road, 16mi South of Santa Cruz Via Highway 1 and San Andreas Road, Watsonville, CA
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The Sunset State Beach is open throughout the year for many activities like swimming, camping, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. In addition to large sand dunes, the beach has on-site parking, restrooms, showers, and drinking water.
8.4 Miles
Located inside the UCSC campus, the Arboretum is a great place to explore a variety of plants and trees of many different countries. Bird watching is a popular activity here with a good population of hummingbirds and other resident and visiting species.
8.4 Miles
93%
361 votes
1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95064
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The University of California at Santa Cruz is a major research institution with ten component colleges. It is most respected for its programs in medicine, biology, biological engineering and chemistry.
8.7 Miles
The City of Watsonville's Flodberg Park is a city park that features wide open areas, shade trees, and playground areas with a variety of equipment including jungle gyms and slides.
8.8 Miles
Cowell's Beach is good for surfers and windsurfers. It may not be the cleanest beach in the area.
8.8 Miles
87%
2454 votes
2531 West Cliff Drive near Swanton Blvd., Santa Cruz, CA
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True to its name, Natural Bridges State Park contains natural rock bridges created by eons of water and wind erosion. The modern park is managed by the state and is a wonderful destination for adults and families.