What to do in Aptos, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

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You'll be hard pressed to find an uncrowded #beach in the Santa Cruz/Capitola area but New Brighton is a must visit anyway. Beautiful sandy beach, sail boats, parasailing, volleyball, camping and a #lighthouse ! You just can't beat it.
Seacliff is a California State Beach located off Highway 1 in the town of Aptos about 5 miles south of Santa Cruz, on State Park Drive. The beach is most known for the concrete ship SS Palo Alto lying in the water. After the recent storms the ship broke in half and it's sinking. #Beachbound

Aptos Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Aptos has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Aptos is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Aptos to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Aptos Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Aptos.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Aptos attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Aptos

Discover the most popular places to visit in Aptos

500px Photo ID: 99992469 - Doing a series of shooting Sunset on California Coast. If you are from California, you know the challenge that the photographers face.

Rio Del Mar Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Rio Del Mar Beach during your travels in Aptos? Discover the sunsets while you're in the area.

Rio Del Mar Beach
Seacliff State Beach in California. Summer 2009. , Shutterstock ID 1014567673, Purchase Order: SP-1891 Wave 0, Client/Licensee: Hotels.com

Seacliff State Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Seacliff State Beach during your travels in Aptos? Wander the seaside or discover the area's sunsets.

Seacliff State Beach
Coastal Golf Course California

Seascape Golf Club

Play a round of golf in Aptos at Seascape Golf Club, and enjoy other activities such as biking. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

Seascape Golf Club
New Brighton Beach State Park - cliffside campsites above the beach. Gorgeous day & typical mild weather for this time of year. #rallyvogey #orangeoctober #gogiants #rallyenchiladas

New Brighton State Beach

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, New Brighton State Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Aptos. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

New Brighton State Beach
Beautiful pregnant couple walking along the coastal beach shore

Potbelly Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Potbelly Beach during your trip to Aptos? Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Potbelly Beach

Cabrillo College

Walk around the campus at Cabrillo College during your visit to Aptos. You can seek out the surfing spots and biking trails in this walkable area.

Cabrillo College

Nicholson Vineyards

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Nicholson Vineyards during your travels to Day Valley. You can seek out the biking trails and surfing spots in this walkable area.

Nicholson Vineyards

Aptos History Museum

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Aptos History Museum during your travels in Aptos. You can seek out the biking trails and surfing spots in this walkable area.

Aptos History Museum

Explore areas of Aptos

The pavllion has habitate that attract Hummingbirds and Toucans.

Rio del Mar

If you're spending some time in Rio del Mar, Monterey Bay and Seascape Golf Club are top sights worth seeing.

Rio del Mar
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Seacliff

While visiting Seacliff, you might make a stop by sights like Monterey Bay and Seacliff State Beach.

Seacliff
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Aptos Village

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Aptos Village and surrounding area, you can visit Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar Beach.

Aptos Village

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Aptos

Los Gatos Beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Los Gatos

You'll be hard pressed to find an uncrowded #beach in the Santa Cruz/Capitola area but New Brighton is a must visit anyway. Beautiful sandy beach, sail boats, parasailing, volleyball, camping and a #lighthouse ! You just can't beat it.

Capitola

Capitola Village Reflections. Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California, USA.

Soquel

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.