Beach Cottage Guidebook
Food scene
A short walk and beautiful views of the Santa Cruz harbor and lighthouse. The more formal dining room is downstairs. Upstairs it's more casual for burgers, fish & chips, etc. with lots of patio seating.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrA short walk and beautiful views of the Santa Cruz harbor and lighthouse. The more formal dining room is downstairs. Upstairs it's more casual for burgers, fish & chips, etc. with lots of patio seating.
A favorite brunch spot 2 blocks away. There is usually a line to get in, but it's worth it. A favorite of our guests.
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th AveA favorite brunch spot 2 blocks away. There is usually a line to get in, but it's worth it. A favorite of our guests.
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayCafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff DrCasual with great location.
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveDogs allowed on the patio.
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveLinda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveAnother favorite breakfast spot of our guests.
Great Italian food. Order the tiramisu - you'll remember why you used to order it.
125 locals recommend
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveGreat Italian food. Order the tiramisu - you'll remember why you used to order it.
El Jardin Restaurant
655 Capitola RdCasual Mexican restaurant a short drive away with a patio.
I've been meaning to try this new tiki restaurant. I follow them on Instagram. A rotating bar on the wharf.
Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery
49A Municipal WharfI've been meaning to try this new tiki restaurant. I follow them on Instagram. A rotating bar on the wharf.
Woodstock's Pizza Santa Cruz
710 Front StA local Santa Cruz favorite. And they deliver!
A very fun tiki restaurant with a private room for large groups. A family favorite.
102 locals recommend
Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StA very fun tiki restaurant with a private room for large groups. A family favorite.
Mexican restaurant in a beautiful historic hotel building. Notice the tiled ceiling. Inventive margaritas. There is also a sister casual taqueria appended to it - great food at budget prices.
37 locals recommend
El Palomar Restaurant
1336 Pacific AveMexican restaurant in a beautiful historic hotel building. Notice the tiled ceiling. Inventive margaritas. There is also a sister casual taqueria appended to it - great food at budget prices.
Sweet and charming with good food to boot. Small dining room and smaller patio. A favorite of Kim's for lunch or dinner.
31 locals recommend
Gabriella Café
910 Cedar StSweet and charming with good food to boot. Small dining room and smaller patio. A favorite of Kim's for lunch or dinner.
Unique restaurant by the river. A funicular ride down the landscaped hillside to a hidden treasure. Sit on the deck by the river for a more casual meal, or in the historical dining room for a step up. The go-to restaurant for our family's special occasions.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdUnique restaurant by the river. A funicular ride down the landscaped hillside to a hidden treasure. Sit on the deck by the river for a more casual meal, or in the historical dining room for a step up. The go-to restaurant for our family's special occasions.
The name says it all. Sit on the deck with a margarita or planter's punch and gaze at the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful cliff side village of Capitola. Life is good.
40 locals recommend
Margaritaville
231 EsplanadeThe name says it all. Sit on the deck with a margarita or planter's punch and gaze at the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful cliff side village of Capitola. Life is good.
Sightseeing
We take all of our visitors here - there is a flat easy 1 mile loop trail (will even work for strollers & wheelchairs) through the giant redwood trees. In nearby Felton - about a 15 minute drive (approximately 5 miles) away.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdWe take all of our visitors here - there is a flat easy 1 mile loop trail (will even work for strollers & wheelchairs) through the giant redwood trees. In nearby Felton - about a 15 minute drive (approximately 5 miles) away.
You've seen the bumper stickers - you need to see it. Pretty kitschy but a perfect little jaunt and fun for the whole family. About 15 minutes away.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdYou've seen the bumper stickers - you need to see it. Pretty kitschy but a perfect little jaunt and fun for the whole family. About 15 minutes away.
Yes, there's the Boardwalk, but a stroll on the wharf is nice too. The wharf is just beyond the Boardwalk and has shops, restaurants, fish market, ice cream parlor - even a tiki restaurant with a rotating bar. Towards the end of the wharf you can see and hear the seal lions lounging on the pylons.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfYes, there's the Boardwalk, but a stroll on the wharf is nice too. The wharf is just beyond the Boardwalk and has shops, restaurants, fish market, ice cream parlor - even a tiki restaurant with a rotating bar. Towards the end of the wharf you can see and hear the seal lions lounging on the pylons.