Connie & Frank’s guidebook
Our favorite restaurants
These few spots we recommend.
This place is old school but a great romantic getaway. We recommend staying in the bar. Weekends life music.
You get a ride in a fernicular.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdThis place is old school but a great romantic getaway. We recommend staying in the bar. Weekends life music.
You get a ride in a fernicular.
Best sushi in Soquel/Capitola. Sustainable food. Friendly folks. Tell them that Connie and Frank send you.
8 locals recommend
Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House
200 Monterey AveBest sushi in Soquel/Capitola. Sustainable food. Friendly folks. Tell them that Connie and Frank send you.
Good food and fantastic pizza. We like their award winning chili, clam chowder and best fish and chips in town. Pricing is reasonable too.
51 locals recommend
Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AveGood food and fantastic pizza. We like their award winning chili, clam chowder and best fish and chips in town. Pricing is reasonable too.
Chill Out Cafe
860 41st AveBest Breakfast Burittos
Very good food and drinks directly on the beach/Soquel river outlet. A bit on the pricier side but worth it. Weekends with music.
50 locals recommend
Paradise Beach Grille
215 EsplanadeVery good food and drinks directly on the beach/Soquel river outlet. A bit on the pricier side but worth it. Weekends with music.
Expensive great food and drinks, best view in Santa Cruz, directly on the beach. You can watch the surfers.
13 locals recommend
Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
175 W Cliff DrExpensive great food and drinks, best view in Santa Cruz, directly on the beach. You can watch the surfers.
They have $7.00 Margarita and Taco combo at happy hour. Overlooked place on the Santa Cruz Pier on the second floor, but with the best view specially around sunset. Try their lobster roll.
32 locals recommend
Olitas Cantina & Grille
49 Municipal WharfThey have $7.00 Margarita and Taco combo at happy hour. Overlooked place on the Santa Cruz Pier on the second floor, but with the best view specially around sunset. Try their lobster roll.
Great Seafood restaurant at Santa Cruz Harbor. View of the boats and seals in the Harbor. Try their appetizers and they also have great oysters.
57 locals recommend
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveGreat Seafood restaurant at Santa Cruz Harbor. View of the boats and seals in the Harbor. Try their appetizers and they also have great oysters.
A Santa Cruz all time favorite. Great breakfast, old school steak house with view of beach and harbor, directly on the water. Upstairs a bar with patio and almost every night life music.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrA Santa Cruz all time favorite. Great breakfast, old school steak house with view of beach and harbor, directly on the water. Upstairs a bar with patio and almost every night life music.
Hiking
We got a secret entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks to go hiking or mountain biking. Just about half a mile away from the dome.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadWe got a secret entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks to go hiking or mountain biking. Just about half a mile away from the dome.
Neighborhoods
Great drive or walk to see the Santa Cruz scene and beautiful houses directly by the beach.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveGreat drive or walk to see the Santa Cruz scene and beautiful houses directly by the beach.
Surfers, locals and tourists. Great slow drive to check out the scene.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveSurfers, locals and tourists. Great slow drive to check out the scene.