San Francisco to Santa Cruz & the Redwoods
Coastal viewpoints, classic rides and a walk among towering redwoods.
OVERVIEW
Why Make this Journey
This is a trip I particularly like for families: coastal scenery on the way south, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and redwoods near Felton. It can be a very full day, but an overnight makes it easier to enjoy the coast and choose between a train ride and a longer forest visit. I would use a rental car and make a loop rather than drive the same route both ways.
Illustrated Santa Cruz day trip from San Francisco along Highway 1, returning inland through the redwoods via Silicon Valley.
EXPLORE
Places & Experiences
Route & Time
San Francisco → Pacifica → Devil's Slide → Half Moon Bay → Santa Cruz → Felton → Highway 17 and the Peninsula → San Francisco. Allow a full day with an early start, or one night in Santa Cruz. Distances depend on your starting point and coastal detours; this is considerably more driving than a simple short hop south.
Morning Along the Coast
Follow Highway 1 through Pacifica and stop at Devil's Slide if the weather and parking allow. The former road is now a coastal trail above the cliffs, while through traffic uses the tunnel. It is one of the stops I most enjoy on this route.
Continue through Half Moon Bay, with a detour toward Pescadero if you have time. Keep the morning stops selective if the Boardwalk is the main family priority; it is easy to use up most of the day before reaching Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz & the Boardwalk
I think the Boardwalk is one of the best classic seaside amusement experiences on the West Coast. The Giant Dipper is the ride I would especially look for, alongside the other attractions. This is a beachfront amusement park rather than an amusement pier.
Leave time to watch surfers, walk beside the coast or explore downtown. A few rides and a waterfront stroll work well in a day; a full amusement-park visit is a good reason to stay overnight.
Felton's Redwoods & the Return
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton offers a chance to walk beneath large old-growth trees. Nearby Roaring Camp has a steam train experience that can work particularly well with children. The park and train are separate visits, with their own timing and arrangements.
If doing the route in one day, choose the forest walk or the train according to available time. Trying to combine a long coastal morning, a full Boardwalk afternoon and both redwood activities is too much. Return using Highway 17 toward the South Bay and the Peninsula, allowing for traffic.
Sunlight catches the Pacific Ocean below steep coastal cliffs and a stone overlook at Devil's Slide.
Planning Notes
Boardwalk ride operations and train departures are seasonal and scheduled, so check them before choosing the date. Bring layers for the coast and appropriate shoes for the forest. Highway 17 is a winding, busy mountain road; leave the final drive to someone who is rested.
Official park information: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
A Roaring Camp steam train carries passengers through a wooded curve.