🌧️ Rainy Day & Family Friendly
Perfect indoor activities for families
📅 Rainy Day Itinerary
Don't let the weather dampen your Santa Cruz experience! This itinerary is packed with indoor activities perfect for families, keeping everyone entertained and engaged throughout the day.
🎯 Perfect For
- • Families with children of all ages
- • Rainy or cold weather days
- • Educational and entertaining experiences
- • Mixed groups with different interests
📋 What to Bring
- • Umbrella or rain jackets
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Camera for memories
- • Snacks for picky eaters
- • Small bag for souvenirs
🍳 Brunch at a Cozy Café
Start your rainy day adventure with a hearty brunch at a cozy café with a kids-friendly menu. Warm up with hot drinks and fuel up for the day ahead.
☕ Family-Friendly Cafés:
- • Look for cafés with kids' menus and high chairs
- • Try locally-owned spots with character
- • Consider cafés with indoor play areas
- • Order hot chocolate and warm pastries
🐠 Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Visit the Seymour Marine Discovery Center for fascinating marine exhibits. This educational experience is perfect for curious minds of all ages, with interactive displays and real marine specimens.
🌊 Museum Highlights:
- • Interactive touch tanks and exhibits
- • Blue whale skeleton and marine artifacts
- • Educational programs and guided tours
- • Gift shop with marine-themed souvenirs
- • Indoor and covered outdoor areas
🛍️ Shopping & Sweet Stop
Take a short drive to downtown Santa Cruz or nearby Capitola for some shopping and a sweet treat. Browse local shops and indulge in ice cream or fresh pastries.
🛍️ Shopping Destinations:
- • Pacific Garden Mall in downtown Santa Cruz
- • Capitola Village for boutique shopping
- • Local bookstores and toy shops
- • Art galleries and craft stores
- • Ice cream shops and bakeries
🎨 Indoor Craft Session or Movie
Choose between an indoor craft or pottery session at a local art studio, or catch a movie at a family-friendly theater. Both options provide entertainment and creativity.
🎨 Activity Options:
- • Pottery painting studios
- • Art classes for kids and adults
- • Movie theaters with family-friendly films
- • Craft workshops and DIY sessions
- • Indoor playgrounds and activity centers
🎪 Indoor Playground & Arcade
Let the kids burn off energy at an indoor playground or arcade near the boardwalk. This is perfect for active play while staying dry and warm.
🎪 Play Options:
- • Indoor playgrounds with climbing structures
- • Arcade games and ticket redemption
- • Mini golf courses (some covered)
- • Laser tag and escape rooms
- • Boardwalk arcade games
🍽️ Early Family Dinner
Enjoy an early dinner at a family-friendly restaurant. Look for places with kids' menus, comfortable seating, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for families.
🍽️ Family Dining:
- • Restaurants with kids' menus
- • Casual dining with quick service
- • Places with high chairs and booster seats
- • Consider pizza, Mexican, or American cuisine
- • Indoor seating away from drafts
🎵 Evening Entertainment
If it's still raining, enjoy boardwalk arcade games, visit a local gallery, or find a low-key live music venue with a coffee house atmosphere for a relaxing end to the day.
🎵 Evening Options:
- • Boardwalk arcade and indoor games
- • Art galleries with evening hours
- • Coffee houses with live music
- • Bookstores with reading areas
- • Indoor mini golf or bowling
💡 Pro Tips for Rainy Days
🌧️ Weather Preparation
- • Check weather forecasts before heading out
- • Pack extra layers and rain gear
- • Have backup indoor plans ready
- • Consider umbrella-friendly venues
👨👩👧👦 Family Considerations
- • Book activities in advance when possible
- • Pack snacks and entertainment for kids
- • Allow extra time for bathroom breaks
- • Have a flexible schedule for tired little ones