Santa Cruz / Capitola / Felton with kids

Santa Cruz / Capitola / Felton is a 1h 17m drive from Dublin, CA (60 miles) and rates 4.4 out of 5 for families with young kids. An old-fashioned seaside amusement park at one end and a steam train through redwoods at the other. Good for 2–4 days. Budget roughly $1,200–2,500 against a fixed yardstick of 2 nights, family of four. Best months: April / August.

What to do with kids in Santa Cruz / Capitola / Felton

• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Free entry / Ride tickets
  Historic oceanfront amusement park, Giant Dipper, arcade & beach.
• Roaring Camp Railroads (Felton) $35 adult, $24 kid
  Real steam train rides through towering redwood groves!
• Capitola Beach & Venetian Houses Free
  Charming colorful Mediterranean beach village.
• Henry Cowell Redwoods $10 day use
  0.8-mile flat old-growth redwood loop hike.

Prices link to the operator, last checked 2026-08. They change - check before you go.

Where to eat

• Crow's Nest — Oceanfront harbor dining
• Shadowbrook Restaurant — Iconic Capitola redwoods restaurant with vintage cable car entry
• Riva Fish House — Pier seafood dining
• Betty Burgers — Kid-friendly local burger joint

How it scores

Weather by season

Common questions

• How long is the drive from Dublin, CA?
  About 1h 17m - roughly 60 miles.
• What does it cost for a family of four?
  Around $1,200–2,500 for 2 nights, family of four, including lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.
• When is the best time to go?
  April / August.
• What is the catch?
  Southbound SR-17 through Los Gatos drops to 10 mph or slower right through the weekend, and the northbound return is congested after 4pm, worst between 8 and 10 - go early and plan the drive home around it.

This trip appears in

Under two hours from home · Enough to fill four days or more · Beach days that actually work with kids · Redwoods with short, stroller-friendly trails · Places with a real train ride · Trips you can do for under $1,500 · Best in April · Best in August

What we checked, and when

True on the dates above. Prices and opening hours change without notice - check with the operator before you drive.

Other trips near here

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Half Moon Bay / Pacifica

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Big Sur

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Pinnacles National Park

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Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.