Anchors Away Beach House Guidebook

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Anchors Away Beach House Guidebook

Neighborhoods

Aptos, California is located on Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County. Several sandy seaside beaches with fantastic sunset views of the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by famous California Redwood trees and coastal Cypress trees makes this a perfect California vacation. *Rio Del Mar State Beach ~ In front of beach house rental. Expansive beach, walk or jog for miles. Tide pools for kids to play in. Rio Del Mar has a laid back, local feel. Surfing, boogie boarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, skim boarding, fishing, seashell collecting all available on this beach. Plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and locally made ice cream shop nearby. *Seacliff State Beach ~ Walking distance from rental. Popular beach for sunbathing, bird watching, aquatic museum, SS Palo Alto "cement ship" history.
17 locals recommend
Aptos
17 locals recommend
Aptos, California is located on Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County. Several sandy seaside beaches with fantastic sunset views of the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by famous California Redwood trees and coastal Cypress trees makes this a perfect California vacation. *Rio Del Mar State Beach ~ In front of beach house rental. Expansive beach, walk or jog for miles. Tide pools for kids to play in. Rio Del Mar has a laid back, local feel. Surfing, boogie boarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, skim boarding, fishing, seashell collecting all available on this beach. Plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and locally made ice cream shop nearby. *Seacliff State Beach ~ Walking distance from rental. Popular beach for sunbathing, bird watching, aquatic museum, SS Palo Alto "cement ship" history.
Great restaurants, shops, pubs & wine tasting!
Aptos Village Square
7960 Soquel Drive
Great restaurants, shops, pubs & wine tasting!

Fun things to do!

Beautiful walking trails in California Redwoods. Just 15ish minutes (drive) from our place. You can rent mountain bikes for the trail at the entrance to the park- Epicenter Bike Shop.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Road
272 locals recommend
Beautiful walking trails in California Redwoods. Just 15ish minutes (drive) from our place. You can rent mountain bikes for the trail at the entrance to the park- Epicenter Bike Shop.
Historic Giant Redwood Trees, walking & biking trails for miles. A hike to the top of the mountain is a family favorite. 20ish minute drive from the beach house.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park Rd
335 locals recommend
Historic Giant Redwood Trees, walking & biking trails for miles. A hike to the top of the mountain is a family favorite. 20ish minute drive from the beach house.
We have 2 kayaks you can take out & enjoy. The Kayak Connection at Elkhorn Slough is another great way to spend the afternoon where you can see Sea Otters, Sea Lions and a variety of coastal birds. 30 minutes from the beach house.
46 locals recommend
Elkhorn Slough
46 locals recommend
We have 2 kayaks you can take out & enjoy. The Kayak Connection at Elkhorn Slough is another great way to spend the afternoon where you can see Sea Otters, Sea Lions and a variety of coastal birds. 30 minutes from the beach house.
Super fun for the whole family. Beach Boardwalk features rides, from old-fashioned merry-go-round to knuckle gripping roller coaster ride. Free concerts on Friday nights in the summer & an arcade, bowling alley nearby. Only 20ish minutes from the beach house.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach St
745 locals recommend
Super fun for the whole family. Beach Boardwalk features rides, from old-fashioned merry-go-round to knuckle gripping roller coaster ride. Free concerts on Friday nights in the summer & an arcade, bowling alley nearby. Only 20ish minutes from the beach house.
One of the best aquariums you will ever see! You can buy your tickets online in advance. It is beautiful & worth the 45ish minute drive from the beach house.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
668 locals recommend
One of the best aquariums you will ever see! You can buy your tickets online in advance. It is beautiful & worth the 45ish minute drive from the beach house.
A quirky fun outing that holds a mystery! Only 20ish minutes from the beach house.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot Rd
208 locals recommend
A quirky fun outing that holds a mystery! Only 20ish minutes from the beach house.
This train runs through the redwood trees (of course) the Santa Cruz Mountains down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It's great fun for all ages but especially for kiddos who love trains! Only 20ish minutes from the beach house.
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill Rd
150 locals recommend
This train runs through the redwood trees (of course) the Santa Cruz Mountains down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It's great fun for all ages but especially for kiddos who love trains! Only 20ish minutes from the beach house.

Food scene

Love this place! Outdoor seating with beach view, the breakfast burritos & salmon sandwiches are my favorite!
40 locals recommend
Pixie Deli
111 Venetian Rd
40 locals recommend
Love this place! Outdoor seating with beach view, the breakfast burritos & salmon sandwiches are my favorite!
Best coffee, lattes & scones!
17 locals recommend
Pacific Coffee Roasting Co
7554 Soquel Dr
17 locals recommend
Best coffee, lattes & scones!
Delicious food! Gyros, Falafels, homemade hummus & fries are the best! Lots of vegetarian options.
49 locals recommend
Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
7528 Soquel Dr
49 locals recommend
Delicious food! Gyros, Falafels, homemade hummus & fries are the best! Lots of vegetarian options.
Quaint, french, with vegetarian and gluten free options. Nice atmosphere.
79 locals recommend
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel Dr
79 locals recommend
Quaint, french, with vegetarian and gluten free options. Nice atmosphere.
Patio & indoor seating. Family friendly local fresh sushi. My daughter's favorite is kogan roll & hand grenade.
54 locals recommend
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave
54 locals recommend
Patio & indoor seating. Family friendly local fresh sushi. My daughter's favorite is kogan roll & hand grenade.
Local family owned pizzeria that is amazing! They deliver or eat in.
9 locals recommend
Mangiamo Pizza
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd
9 locals recommend
Local family owned pizzeria that is amazing! They deliver or eat in.
Time for ice cream - local, delicious, old fashioned ice cream shop. Walk or bike from the beach house.
45 locals recommend
Marianne’s Ice Cream
218 State Park Dr
45 locals recommend
Time for ice cream - local, delicious, old fashioned ice cream shop. Walk or bike from the beach house.
We recommend the Fresh Spring Rolls, Pad thai & yellow curry.
16 locals recommend
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine
5050 Soquel Dr
16 locals recommend
We recommend the Fresh Spring Rolls, Pad thai & yellow curry.
Our favorite Indian food, you can pick your level of spicy.
24 locals recommend
Ambrosia India Bistro - Aptos
207 Sea Ridge Rd
24 locals recommend
Our favorite Indian food, you can pick your level of spicy.
Local family owned grocery store nearby. You can get english tea, cadbury chocolate & biscuits there.
78 locals recommend
Deluxe Foods of Aptos
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd
78 locals recommend
Local family owned grocery store nearby. You can get english tea, cadbury chocolate & biscuits there.
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Beachside
Venus Pie Trap

City advice

Getting around

Shuttle or Uber are available from SJ Airport to Aptos/SC

Santa Cruz/Aptos is approximately 1 1/2 hours south of San Francisco. Famous Coastal Highway 1 is a beautiful route to take. We are by the coast so the weather can vary. Be sure to bring clothes for warm & cool weather.