Santa Cruz is such a cool place to visit, I've been there a few times and I always have a blast. If you're into beaches, you've got to check out Natural Bridges State Beach and Santa Cruz Main Beach, they're both really beautiful and great for soaking up the sun. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is also a must-visit, it's a classic amusement park right on the beach with some really fun rides. If you're looking for something a bit more low-key, the redwood forests just outside of town are amazing, you can hike and explore for hours. And of course, you can't miss the Santa Cruz Wharf, it's got some great seafood restaurants and shops to browse.