Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveGreat bakery and sandwiches/salads
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayGreat habor brunch. Only open until 4pm
Java Junction
519 Seabright Avewalking distance
GREAT bakery and hot brunch, lunch and dinner items. You can eat there or take home prepared food. Favorite place to get bread. Very popular. When you arrive, make sure to grab a number for service
155 locals recommend
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveGREAT bakery and hot brunch, lunch and dinner items. You can eat there or take home prepared food. Favorite place to get bread. Very popular. When you arrive, make sure to grab a number for service
Very nice restaurant. Great bar upstairs with patio seating. Perfect for afternoons and sunsets. For dinner I would recommend reservations as they get very busy.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrVery nice restaurant. Great bar upstairs with patio seating. Perfect for afternoons and sunsets. For dinner I would recommend reservations as they get very busy.
Great hole in the wall place just down the street near Rio Theater/Ace Hardware. Best Thai food I’ve had in town so far. Free delivery within 4 mile radius with $25 minimum
18 locals recommend
Real Thai Kitchen
1632 Seabright AveGreat hole in the wall place just down the street near Rio Theater/Ace Hardware. Best Thai food I’ve had in town so far. Free delivery within 4 mile radius with $25 minimum
Gilda's
37 Municipal WharfMy favorite clam chowder and nice views of west cliff surfing
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright AveGreat milkshakes!
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveGREAT breakfast!!!
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveOne of the top rank restaurants in Santa Cruz.
Harbor Café
535 7th AveGood breakfast place
Santa Cruz Antique Fair
Fun little dinner with local decorations
Opened in 1985, Zachary's is known for its breakfast and a homemade menu and known for the sourdough pancakes.
47 locals recommend
Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific AveOpened in 1985, Zachary's is known for its breakfast and a homemade menu and known for the sourdough pancakes.
Great place for calamari and clam chowder. Windows have great views seals and surfing.
18 locals recommend
Riva Fish House
31 Municipal WharfGreat place for calamari and clam chowder. Windows have great views seals and surfing.
Local favorite that's built into a hillside overlooking Soquel Creek. Great for a romantic dinner. You can also just grab drinks and apps at the Rock Bar.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdLocal favorite that's built into a hillside overlooking Soquel Creek. Great for a romantic dinner. You can also just grab drinks and apps at the Rock Bar.
Cole's Bar-B-Q
2590 Portola DrTacos Moreno
1053 Water StNext to See's Candy. Shrimp burrito is outstanding
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StYum!
Paradise Beach Grille
215 Esplanade$$$ nice dinners, bar, sit outside on patio.
Casablanca Restaurant & Bistro
101 Main StGood food - celebration; across from Boardwalk
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveChill Out Cafe
860 41st AveGreat breakfast burritos
Great to pick up mexican burritos. They get busy, so you can consider calling in your orders
17 locals recommend
Pleasure Point County Park
East Cliff DriveGreat to pick up mexican burritos. They get busy, so you can consider calling in your orders
hole in the wall, breakfast, order at the counter; can eat in a VW bus up front. $2.99 special
30 locals recommend
Paula's
3500 Portola Drhole in the wall, breakfast, order at the counter; can eat in a VW bus up front. $2.99 special
Great Hawaiian food and fun little bar. Has small outdoor seating, but most is inside. Can get pretty busy.
102 locals recommend
Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StGreat Hawaiian food and fun little bar. Has small outdoor seating, but most is inside. Can get pretty busy.
Great spot and crepes and walking distance from the house. There is a bar upfront and restaurant in the back with a nice outdoor patio as well. Can have live music at night too.
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveGreat spot and crepes and walking distance from the house. There is a bar upfront and restaurant in the back with a nice outdoor patio as well. Can have live music at night too.
Local coffee and roastery. Just a few blocks from the house. Good place to buy beans too.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveLocal coffee and roastery. Just a few blocks from the house. Good place to buy beans too.
Seabright Deli
415 Seabright AveGreat for picking up lunch for the beach
Great local fresh raw seafood counter. This is a great place to get fresh crab and other seafood for you to cook AT HOME.
H & H Fresh Fish
493 Lake AvenueGreat local fresh raw seafood counter. This is a great place to get fresh crab and other seafood for you to cook AT HOME.
Drinks & Nightlife
Close place for beer and nice outdoor patio and live music. Order the flight of beers to get a sample and find what you like. Food isn't my favorite, just tyipcal bar food
74 locals recommend
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveClose place for beer and nice outdoor patio and live music. Order the flight of beers to get a sample and find what you like. Food isn't my favorite, just tyipcal bar food
The O'Neill Lounge at the Dream Inn is heavily decorated with surfing pioneer Jack O'Neill's memorabilia.
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
175 W Cliff DrThe O'Neill Lounge at the Dream Inn is heavily decorated with surfing pioneer Jack O'Neill's memorabilia.
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel Ave$$$
Local brewery. Two-story space doubles as a working brewery providing live demo-style insight for drinkers. Check website for hours www.nubobrew.com
42 locals recommend
New Bohemia Brewing Co.
1030 41st AveLocal brewery. Two-story space doubles as a working brewery providing live demo-style insight for drinkers. Check website for hours www.nubobrew.com
Entertainment & Activities
A gravitational anomaly in the middle of the redwoods. Individuals $6, parking $5. I know it sounds crazy, but you really do need a reservation. You can make then 24 hours up to 24 hours in advance.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdA gravitational anomaly in the middle of the redwoods. Individuals $6, parking $5. I know it sounds crazy, but you really do need a reservation. You can make then 24 hours up to 24 hours in advance.
Local Santa Cruz ice cream and REALLY busy. Grab a number when you arrive and make sure you try samples!
38 locals recommend
Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean StLocal Santa Cruz ice cream and REALLY busy. Grab a number when you arrive and make sure you try samples!
Rollar coasters and rides. Free summer concerts on Fridays and movies on Wednesdays
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StRollar coasters and rides. Free summer concerts on Fridays and movies on Wednesdays
SUP Shack Santa Cruz
2214 E Cliff DrRent stand-up paddle boards for the harbor
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel AveMovie theater that plays documentaries and independant films
Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright AveLocal roller skating!
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff StBowling
Neptune's Kingdom
400 Beach StIndoor mini-golf and arcade games
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowAmazing aquarium in Cannery Row
Kayak rentals, instruction and tours in the harbor. Great in good weather with minimal wind.
31 locals recommend
Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveKayak rentals, instruction and tours in the harbor. Great in good weather with minimal wind.
www.oneillyachtcharters.com - $20-$40. ChardonnayII is a former racing yacht, offers a number of themed cruises and have daytime and sunset cruises.
45 locals recommend
Chardonnay Sailing Charters
790 Mariner Park Waywww.oneillyachtcharters.com - $20-$40. ChardonnayII is a former racing yacht, offers a number of themed cruises and have daytime and sunset cruises.
a 65 foot Team O'Neill catamaran open to the public 5 days per week with 60-90 min sails available during the day and evening. $20-$40 www.oneillyachtcharters.com
20 locals recommend
O'Neill Yacht Charters
275 Lake Avea 65 foot Team O'Neill catamaran open to the public 5 days per week with 60-90 min sails available during the day and evening. $20-$40 www.oneillyachtcharters.com
There are a couple locations, but they are a local candymaker since 1915 and are known for their saltwater taffy and caramel apples
Marini's At the Beach
400 Beach StThere are a couple locations, but they are a local candymaker since 1915 and are known for their saltwater taffy and caramel apples
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdFun train rides through the redwoods. http://www.roaringcamp.com/
Club Ed Surf School and Camps
For those that want to learn to surf :)
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
35 Pacific AveFun area for kids
Pacific Edge Climbing Gym
104 Bronson St Rock climbing wall
Haven't done this myself, but they tandem drop from the highest point in the world (18,000') for 90 seconds of free fall. 8:30 or 10:30am by appointment and pending weather. From $279. 888-229-5867
6 locals recommend
Skydive Monterey Bay
721 Neeson RdHaven't done this myself, but they tandem drop from the highest point in the world (18,000') for 90 seconds of free fall. 8:30 or 10:30am by appointment and pending weather. From $279. 888-229-5867
www.montereybaykayaks.com. Daily guided ours of Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough, $45-$60.
20 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Kayaks - Monterey Location
693 Del Monte Avewww.montereybaykayaks.com. Daily guided ours of Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough, $45-$60.
www.montereybaykayaks.com. Eklhorn Slough bird-watching tours as well
17 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Kayaks - Elkhorn Slough
2390 CA-1www.montereybaykayaks.com. Eklhorn Slough bird-watching tours as well
Stadium for Golden State Warriors minor league and other events. http://santacruz.dleague.nba.come
7 locals recommend
Kaiser Permanente Arena
140 Front StStadium for Golden State Warriors minor league and other events. http://santacruz.dleague.nba.come
Nearby shop to rent bikes. They also have an online reservation system. http://www.bicycletrip.com/en-US/page01/
11 locals recommend
Bicycle Trip
1001 Soquel AveNearby shop to rent bikes. They also have an online reservation system. http://www.bicycletrip.com/en-US/page01/
If you’re looking for a rad 2nd gen female surf instructor pls check out Katy Collins, & her company Capitola Surf and Paddle!! She will have you confident & shredding in no time!!
6 locals recommend
Capitola Surf and Paddle
120 Monterey AvenueIf you’re looking for a rad 2nd gen female surf instructor pls check out Katy Collins, & her company Capitola Surf and Paddle!! She will have you confident & shredding in no time!!
Sightseeing
Museum overlooking Steamer Land features photographs, surfboards and videos chronicling over 100 years surfing in Santa Cruz. It’s very small and in a lighthouse, but has some cool stuff and fun facts
75 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrMuseum overlooking Steamer Land features photographs, surfboards and videos chronicling over 100 years surfing in Santa Cruz. It’s very small and in a lighthouse, but has some cool stuff and fun facts
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayNatural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrGreat beach and state park
Gizdich Ranch
55 Peckham RdPick your own fruit. Call for open hours and what's in season
Cute downtown, nice little beach and great views. Really busy during season and parking is a little challenging
151 locals recommend
Capitola
Cute downtown, nice little beach and great views. Really busy during season and parking is a little challenging
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadGood hiking area
Monarch butterflies: Festival usually early Oct. Tours Sat & Sun Oct-mid Jan. Typically 11am & 2pm, Free. Parking $10. www.parks.ca.gov 831-423-4609
2531 W Cliff Dr
2531 West Cliff DriveMonarch butterflies: Festival usually early Oct. Tours Sat & Sun Oct-mid Jan. Typically 11am & 2pm, Free. Parking $10. www.parks.ca.gov 831-423-4609
www.elkhornslough.org 9am-5pm Wed-Sun. Free admission to visitor center; $4 (credit card only) for 16+ to walk trails (younger free). Free guided tours at 10am & 1pm
14 locals recommend
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
www.elkhornslough.org 9am-5pm Wed-Sun. Free admission to visitor center; $4 (credit card only) for 16+ to walk trails (younger free). Free guided tours at 10am & 1pm
Off Lighthouse Ave. www.pgmuseum.or/monarch-viewing. Sunrise to sunset daily. Free. Docents available noon-3pm, weather permitting pending time of year
50 Forest Ridge Rd
50 Forest Ridge RoadOff Lighthouse Ave. www.pgmuseum.or/monarch-viewing. Sunrise to sunset daily. Free. Docents available noon-3pm, weather permitting pending time of year
Whale-watching and coastal safaris from Moss Landing and Monterey for ages 8+; most 3-4 hours, $140-$185. Private charters available. www.fastraft.com
Fast Raft
32 Cannery RowWhale-watching and coastal safaris from Moss Landing and Monterey for ages 8+; most 3-4 hours, $140-$185. Private charters available. www.fastraft.com
8am-5pm daily. $10/vehicle ($9 with senior). Free guided walks most days - see www.pointlobos.org/calendars for detals. www.parks.ca.gov
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-18am-5pm daily. $10/vehicle ($9 with senior). Free guided walks most days - see www.pointlobos.org/calendars for detals. www.parks.ca.gov
Essentials
Full body massages with your clothes on an a towel placed over you; Asian style massage and terrible music on their webpage! Not a spa experience, but totally worth the $25!!
Health Foot Massage
347 Soquel AveFull body massages with your clothes on an a towel placed over you; Asian style massage and terrible music on their webpage! Not a spa experience, but totally worth the $25!!
Safeway
117 Morrissey BlvdWhole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveLots of ready made food, but pricey
Trader Joe's
700 Front StGood specialty foods and snacks
Minimal groceries, drinks, ice cream bars, etc... but just a few blocks away to walk to. Great when you don't want to drive!
Day's Market Liquors & Deli
526 Seabright AveMinimal groceries, drinks, ice cream bars, etc... but just a few blocks away to walk to. Great when you don't want to drive!
Great selection of wine and a nice butcher. Sort of a local Whole Foods.
76 locals recommend
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveGreat selection of wine and a nice butcher. Sort of a local Whole Foods.
Everything Else
The Laundry Room
419 Seabright AveClose place for washing clothes
United States Postal Service
1146 Soquel AveJust incase you need it :)
In 2008, the Greatful Dead gave their entire archive to the university. It includes 100s of artifacts, audio, and video recordings, artwork, tickets, and other memorabilia. 1156 High St. 831-459-4053
McHenry Library
414 McHenry RoadIn 2008, the Greatful Dead gave their entire archive to the university. It includes 100s of artifacts, audio, and video recordings, artwork, tickets, and other memorabilia. 1156 High St. 831-459-4053
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific AveLocal bookstore open since 1966
Branciforte Branch Library
230 Gault StShopping
Great outlet prices on athletic clothing!
10 locals recommend
Patagonia Outlet: Open for Curbside Pickup
415 River StGreat outlet prices on athletic clothing!
Flagship surfing shop in Pleasure Point. Big selection of wet suits, accessories and locally shaped surfboards. www.oneill.com
36 locals recommend
O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper StFlagship surfing shop in Pleasure Point. Big selection of wet suits, accessories and locally shaped surfboards. www.oneill.com