Where Surfing Came to America

"I highly recommend Walk Santa Cruz tours with Matt. I took the Santa Cruz Surf Walk - History and Culture Tour. Our walk was along beautiful Westcliff Drive and we stopped at different spots and Matt would share his knowledge not only about surfing culture but wave breaks, historical buildings, wetsuit history and even movies that were filmed in the area. Matt made it fun and enjoyable. Whether you're a tourist or a local, like myself, take his tour, you'll be glad you did!"

"The Mission Hill and Beach Hill walking tour was amazing! My favorite way to learn about a destination and its history is through stories told by locals. Walk Santa Cruz experience provides exactly that. The tour guide Matt has extensive local history to share and also invites hearing stories from other locals and visitors. On our tour we were spontaneously invited inside a historic home that was once a Victorian-era former foundry. This was an enchanting addition to an already enjoyable walking tour. I highly recommend this experience for all locals and visitors!"

"What an informative and interesting perspective of Santa Cruz! Matt was very personable and it was a lovely walk from the Boardwalk to downtown. As a local, I thought I knew the history of the area, but turns out there is more to learn! Fun tour!"

Tamra

January 2026

TripAdvisor Review

"Matt is engaging and informative, but he doesn't pontificate or try to dominate his walks, which is what makes them great. He is gracious and allows conversation to flow naturally with the stops, letting people relax and take in the scenery without forcefully corralling them around or sticking strictly to an itinerary, like other tours I have experienced. You can tell how knowledgeable Matt is by how little he double-checks his notes while speaking: he has it memorized, confidently, like a tried-and-true local would. His tours are relaxed, entertaining, enlightening, and highly recommended for anyone seeking a bigger, more flavorful slice of Santa Cruz history."

"This tour was a fun way to learn about SC while also moving and connecting. Definitely recommend!"

Michelle

January 2026

Airbnb Review

"My wife, baby, and I had such a great time on this tour with Matthew! We've lived here for 5 years and learned so much about the history of the town. We could ask Matthew anything and he always had an informed answer. It was also the perfect morning walk/workout!"

Alex

January 2026

Airbnb Review

"I went on Matt's tour this morning and loved it! The tour is fun and interesting with a great combination of history, fun facts, and architecture. I would never have noticed on my own the details he pointed out on the buildings. His knowledge is truly impressive and you can tell he really loves telling the history of Santa Cruz. I highly recommend this tour!"

"It was a really fun tour! Learned a lot of history about Santa Cruz and different styles of architectures!"

"Great knowledge of his hometown history. Enjoyed learning about Santa Cruz from someone very familiar with it. Great downtown and mission choice of route."

Paul

November 2025

Viator Review

"I took my husband and two toddlers on this tour with Matt and we had a great time! My three year old even enjoyed the fun facts! Matt has a genuine enthusiasm about every fact he shares, and it gave us a deeper appreciation for Santa Cruz!"