One of the most popular places to visit on Santa Cruz Island is Scorpion Anchorage, which is accessible by boat from Ventura Harbor. Here, you can explore the historic Scorpion Ranch, kayak through the sea caves, hike to scenic viewpoints like Cavern Point and Potato Harbor, and spot the endemic island foxes. You can also camp at the Scorpion Canyon Campground or visit the visitor center in the ranch house.

Another option is to visit Prisoners Harbor, which is also reachable by boat from Ventura Harbor. This area is more remote and rugged, and offers hiking trails that lead to the Montañon Ridge, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the island and the ocean. You can also see some of the native plants and animals that live on the island, such as the island scrub-jay and the island oak.

If you are interested in visiting another country, you can also go to Santa Cruz Island in Ecuador, which is part of the Galapagos Islands. This island is famous for its wildlife and natural beauty, and you can see giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and more. You can also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about the conservation efforts and scientific research on the islands.

Santa Cruz Island is not to be confused with Santa Cruz in California, which is a coastal city that has its own attractions. Some of the things you can do in Santa Cruz are visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which is an amusement park with rides and games; watching a Shakespeare play at the Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival, which takes place in a redwood forest; or learning about the history and culture of surfing at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum .

Whether you choose to visit Santa Cruz Island or Santa Cruz city, you will find plenty of things to do and see that will make your trip memorable and enjoyable.

» La Loberia: This is a beach where you can see hundreds of sea lions resting, playing, and swimming. You can also snorkel with them and observe other marine life such as turtles, rays, and fish.

» Kicker Rock: This is a spectacular rock formation that rises 150 meters above the sea. It is also known as Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion) because of its shape. You can take a boat tour around Kicker Rock and see different kinds of birds, such as frigatebirds, boobies, and pelicans. You can also snorkel or dive in the clear water and encounter sharks, dolphins, and sea lions.

» El Junco Lagoon: This is a freshwater lake located in the highlands of San Cristobal. It is the only permanent lake in the Galapagos Islands, and it is home to various species of plants and animals. You can hike around the lake and enjoy the scenic views of the island and the ocean.

» Interpretation Center: This is a museum that showcases the natural and cultural history of the Galapagos Islands. You can learn about the geology, ecology, evolution, and conservation of this unique place. You can also see exhibits about the human history of the islands, from the first explorers to the current inhabitants.

» Puerto Baquerizo Moreno: This is the capital of San Cristobal Island and the second largest town in the Galapagos Islands. You can stroll along the waterfront and see more sea lions lounging on the benches and sidewalks. You can also visit the local shops, restaurants, bars, and markets. You can also take a day trip to nearby islands such as Santa Fe, Espanola, or Floreana.

These are just some of the main tourist attractions in San Cristobal Island that you can enjoy during your visit. San Cristobal Island is a place where you can experience nature at its best and discover its amazing diversity and beauty.

» Volcanoes: Isabela Island is home to six active volcanoes, and you can hike to the rim of some of them to admire the stunning views and the unique wildlife. The most popular volcano to visit is Sierra Negra, which has the second largest caldera in the world. You can also explore the lava fields and tunnels of Volcan Chico, or see the fumaroles and geysers of Alcedo Volcano.

» Beaches: Isabela Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, where you can relax, swim, snorkel, or surf. Some of the best beaches are Puerto Villamil, Concha de Perla, Playa del Amor, and Playa Barahona. You can also see marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, flamingos, and other animals on the shore or in the water.

» Tintoreras: Tintoreras is a group of small islands near Puerto Villamil, where you can take a boat tour and see white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, and other marine life. You can also snorkel or kayak around the islands and observe the underwater world.

» Los Tuneles: Los Tuneles is a natural wonder formed by lava flows that created arches and tunnels in the sea. It is one of the best places to snorkel or dive in Isabela Island, as you can see a variety of fish, coral, sharks, turtles, seahorses, and more. You can also spot blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and pelicans on the rocks.

» Wall of Tears: Wall of Tears is a historical site that was built by prisoners when Isabela Island was a penal colony. The wall is made of volcanic rocks that were carried by hand by the inmates as a form of punishment. The wall is about 25 meters high and 100 meters long, and it is a reminder of the harsh conditions that the prisoners faced. You can reach the wall by bike or by foot from Puerto Villamil.

» Devil’s Crown: This is a volcanic crater that has been eroded by the waves and forms a ring of rocks that resembles a crown. It is one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos, as it is home to a variety of colorful fish, coral, rays, sharks and sea lions .

» Post Office Bay: This is a historic site where sailors used to leave letters in a wooden barrel for other ships to pick up and deliver. The tradition continues today, as visitors can leave their own postcards and take others to mail when they return home . There is also a chance to snorkel with sea turtles and rays at this site.

» Cormorant Point: This is a beautiful beach with green sand, due to the presence of olivine crystals. It is also a nesting site for green sea turtles, which come to lay eggs from December to May. Behind the beach, there is a brackish lagoon where flamingos and other shorebirds can be seen .

» Asilo de la Paz: This is a hill that offers a panoramic view of the island and its surroundings. It is also a place of historical interest, as it was where the first settlers of Floreana lived and where a pirate cave can be found. There is also a corral where tortoises from San Cristobal Island are kept.

» Playa Negra: This is a black sand beach that is ideal for relaxing and swimming. It is also where the Wittmer family, one of the first permanent settlers of Floreana, built their house and hotel. Visitors can learn more about their story and the mysteries of Floreana at their museum.

» La Compania de Jesus: This is one of the most beautiful churches in Quito, and one of the top 100 most important buildings in the world. It was built in the early 1600s by the Jesuits, and it features a stunning Baroque style with lavish gold leaf decorations. The church is located in the heart of the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

» Cotopaxi: This is the second highest summit in Ecuador, and one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It has a snow-capped peak that can be seen from Quito on a clear day, and a glacier that starts at 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level. Cotopaxi is a popular destination for hiking, climbing, and camping, and it is part of the Cotopaxi National Park, which also has other attractions such as lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife.

» Nariz del Diablo: This is a thrilling train ride that goes up and down a steep mountain slope called the Devil’s Nose. The train uses a series of switchbacks to climb 500 meters (1,640 feet) in 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), offering spectacular views of the Andean landscape. The train departs from the town of Alausi and arrives at Sibambe, where you can visit a museum and a local community.

» Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve: This is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and home to more than 500 species of birds, 15 species of monkeys, and many other animals such as tapirs, caimans, anacondas, and butterflies. The reserve is located in the Amazon basin, and covers an area of 6,033 square kilometers (2,329 square miles). The best way to explore it is by taking a guided tour that includes canoeing along the Cuyabeno River and staying at an eco-lodge.

» Galápagos Islands: These are the most famous tourist attraction in Ecuador, and one of the most unique places in the world. The Galápagos Islands are a group of volcanic islands that host a remarkable diversity of endemic species that evolved without human interference. Some of the animals you can see here include giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and Darwin’s finches. The islands are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park that can only be visited with a licensed guide.