Mystery Spot Santa Cruz
Experience gravity-defying illusions and quirky fun at Santa Cruz's iconic Mystery Spot, nestled in a redwood forest.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Mystery Spot Santa Cruz
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience gravity-defying illusions and quirky fun at Santa Cruz's iconic Mystery Spot, nestled in a redwood forest.
"It's a fun and trippy experience nestled in the beautiful redwoods that will have you questioning reality!"
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot and avoid long waits by purchasing tickets in advance online.
📱 No Cell Service Here!
Plan your return trip before you arrive; cell reception is unreliable.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Gravity-Defying Shack
Main attraction building
Experience optical illusions where your body leans, water rolls uphill, and a compass goes haywire. It's a mind-bending visual treat!
Uphill Water & Rolling Balls
Demonstration areas
Witness firsthand how objects appear to defy gravity, rolling uphill and creating a truly bizarre and fun spectacle.
Redwood Forest Setting
Surrounding grounds
Nestled amidst towering redwoods, the scenic drive and waiting areas offer a beautiful natural backdrop to the quirky attraction.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Tickets in Advance
Prepare for Limited Cell Service
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot and avoid long waits by purchasing tickets in advance online.
📱 No Cell Service Here!
Plan your return trip before you arrive; cell reception is unreliable.
🥾 Wear Comfy Shoes
You'll be walking around the grounds and experiencing the tilted house.
😂 Enjoy the Tour
Guides are known for their humor and make the experience even more fun!
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Secure your spot and avoid long waits by purchasing tickets in advance online.
📱 No Cell Service Here!
Plan your return trip before you arrive; cell reception is unreliable.
🥾 Wear Comfy Shoes
You'll be walking around the grounds and experiencing the tilted house.
😂 Enjoy the Tour
Guides are known for their humor and make the experience even more fun!
📸 Photo Ops Galore
Take advantage of the unique angles for hilarious and memorable photos.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Mystery Spot for its unique, mind-bending illusions and the entertaining, humorous tour guides. The redwood setting adds to the charm, making it a fun and memorable stop. However, some note that it's not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs, and booking tickets in advance is crucial to avoid long waits.
"Fun and unique place to visit! 🌲 Buy tickets online ahead of time (we waited 3½ hours because we didn’t know). No cell service, but we enjoyed a beautiful hike while waiting (watch little ones — steep drop-offs!). Downtown Santa Cruz and the boardwalk are only about 10 minutes away, so you can explore while you wait. Tour was short but our guide Megan was hilarious and made it great. Overall, awesome experience and worth checking out!"
Renee
"Wow this is definitely a very cool and trippy experience nestled in the beautiful redwoods. There’s a few demonstrations which are cool and some photo opportunities as well. Whole tour takes about 45 minutes and the tour guides are always interesting. The gift shop is great too and totally worth the 10 bucks. Buy advance tickets if you plan on visiting during a busy weekend."
Andrew
"The mystery spot is tucked away in the gorgeous spot in the woods. I love their little sitting area to relax while you wait for your tour time, and the gift shop was fun to look through as well. The waiting area and the bathrooms were kept clean, and the weather was just right when we went. The drive into/out of this spot can be a little sketchy in certain spots depending on how big your vehicle is as some spots of the road are a bit narrow for two cars to be going side by side.
This was a fun spot to visit with my family, our tour guide was energetic and did a great job. The Mystery spot itself is neat, it was pretty crazy to see the demonstrations because they really do seem to defy gravity and how you perceive what is 'normal'. I honestly can not remember how long the tour was, but it was a decent amount of time and they allow you enough time to take some fun photos.
This spot is not handicap or stroller friendly. The slope up to the little shack which is the mystery spot is quite steep and with the slanted angles your ankles/body will be in while walking through the shack will be hard on certain people."
Luna H. (The Moonlit Nook Blog)
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Mystery Spot is located at 465 Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065. It's a short drive from downtown Santa Cruz and the boardwalk. While Uber is an option, be aware of limited cell service for return trips.
Yes, there is parking available at the Mystery Spot. Some visitors note that the drive in can be narrow in places, so larger vehicles might need to be cautious.
Public transport options are limited, and many visitors opt for ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. Due to spotty reception, it's advisable to pre-arrange your return trip.
The drive winds through beautiful redwood forests. Some sections of the road can be narrow, so drive with care, especially if you have a larger vehicle.
Yes, the Mystery Spot is conveniently located just about 10 minutes away from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, making it easy to combine visits.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets are generally around $10 per person for the tour, plus a $5 parking fee. It's highly recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to avoid long wait times.
It is strongly recommended to buy tickets online in advance, especially for weekend visits, as you might otherwise wait for 3.5 hours or more.
Operating hours can vary, but typically the Mystery Spot is open daily. It's best to check their official website for the most up-to-date hours and tour availability.
Refund policies can vary. It's advisable to check the terms and conditions when purchasing your tickets online or contact the Mystery Spot directly for specific information regarding refunds or rescheduling.
While specific discounts aren't always advertised, purchasing tickets online in advance is the best way to ensure you get a spot at the standard price. Keep an eye on their website for any special promotions.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly where optical illusions make you feel like you're walking at an angle, water appears to roll uphill, and objects behave strangely. The experience includes a guided tour with demonstrations and photo opportunities.
The guided tour at the Mystery Spot typically lasts about 45 minutes, offering a fun and engaging experience with demonstrations and explanations of the illusions.
The Mystery Spot is not considered handicap or stroller friendly. The path to the main shack is steep, and the tilted angles inside can be challenging for some individuals.
Expect to be amazed by visual illusions that challenge your perception of gravity and space. Your tour guide will lead you through demonstrations and share the quirky backstory of the spot.
Yes, restrooms are available at the Mystery Spot, and visitors have noted they are kept clean.
📸 📸 Photography
The entire experience is designed for fun photos! Capture yourself appearing to shrink or grow, leaning at impossible angles, and objects rolling uphill. The tilted shack itself is a prime spot.
Yes, you are encouraged to take photos inside the Mystery Spot shack to capture the unique optical illusions and share the fun with friends.
Look for areas where you can stand to create the illusion of shrinking or growing relative to others, and experiment with angles to make objects appear to defy gravity.
Any smartphone or camera will work well. The key is creativity in framing your shots to emphasize the optical illusions.
There isn't a dedicated professional photographer, but your tour guide might offer to take a group photo. The best shots are usually the ones you capture yourself playing with the illusions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Pro-tip: While the main attraction is fun, be aware that the terrain can be steep and the tilted house might be challenging for very young children or those with mobility issues. The gift shop also offers fun souvenirs that kids will love.
🚗 Road Trippers & Day-Trippers
+1It's a relatively short experience (around 45 minutes for the tour), making it ideal for a day trip from the Bay Area or other nearby locations. The proximity to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and downtown also allows for a fuller day of exploration.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Science (or Illusion) Behind the Mystery
+1While some theories suggest a UFO crash or a magma pool, the most accepted explanation is that it's a clever optical illusion. The tour guides are adept at demonstrating these effects, making it a fun and engaging experience that leaves visitors questioning their own senses. It's a classic roadside attraction that plays on our perception of reality.
+1It's important to note that the Mystery Spot is not scientifically proven to have actual gravitational anomalies. Instead, it's a testament to how our brains interpret visual information and how cleverly designed environments can create compelling illusions. The quirky backstory involving a spacecraft landing adds to the mystique and entertainment value.
Navigating the Mystery Spot Experience
The tour itself is the main event, where guides lead you through a series of demonstrations within the tilted house. They are known for their energetic and humorous approach, which significantly enhances the visitor experience. Be prepared for interactive elements and plenty of opportunities for unique photos.
After the tour, you can spend more time browsing the gift shop, which offers a variety of souvenirs, including the iconic Mystery Spot bumper stickers. Remember that cell service is limited, so plan your onward journey before you leave the site.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit