Awesome Guidebook for Santa Cruz Guesthouse local insider tips
Food scene
Some of our local favorites
Trestles Restaurant
Make a reservation, on the pricier end but really great.
East End Gastropub
1501 41st AveWe love this place, it's closeby and has great happy hour
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Beachside
In Aptos, finer dining. Great cocktails & menu
Want something different? This place fills that niche in Santa Cruz, incredible food and get a table outside in their garden, it's the best place to sit and dine.
104 locals recommend
Laili
101 Cooper StWant something different? This place fills that niche in Santa Cruz, incredible food and get a table outside in their garden, it's the best place to sit and dine.
Best place for a very special meal, check the menu and sit in the garden if the weather is nice
32 locals recommend
HOME
3101 N Main StBest place for a very special meal, check the menu and sit in the garden if the weather is nice
Café Cruz
2621 41st AveThe best place for a special meal
Süda
3910 Portola DrOurdoor dining and drinks close to the beach
Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StGreat happy hour food and drinks, fun warm atmosphere
Always a favorite. Get a reservation for a table as it fills up fast.
125 locals recommend
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveAlways a favorite. Get a reservation for a table as it fills up fast.
Zameen At The Point
851 41st AveGreat for a quick bite, salad and Mediterranean food
Barceloneta
1541 Pacific AveTapas!!
Gotta have a Penny Ice Cream while you're in town
45 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveGotta have a Penny Ice Cream while you're in town
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayCharlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel AveGet take-out, it's delicous
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveAlways a line and a wait, but if you're in no hurry it's a local favorite
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th AveAlways a line and a wait, but if you're in no hurry it's a local favorite
Great local place at Pleasure Point to grab a breakfast burrito or lunch to go
38 locals recommend
The Point Market
23040 E Cliff DrGreat local place at Pleasure Point to grab a breakfast burrito or lunch to go
Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AveTacos el chuy
402 Ingalls StreetFood trucks in Santa Cruz offer so many great option.
Otoro Sushi
235 Mt Hermon RdBest sushi in our area.
Roux Dat Cajun Creole
118 Cooper StCloseby and great food
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveGreat sushi
Sunday’s - a mile from the Guesthouse. Tons of delicious food to eat.
29 locals recommend
Live Oak Farmer's Market
21400 E Cliff DrSunday’s - a mile from the Guesthouse. Tons of delicious food to eat.
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel DrSaturday’s in Aptos.
Venus Spirits
200 High RdNew on the Westside
At the Harbor, close to our Guesthouse- local seafood, nice views, full bar. Check their happy hour menu and hours
57 locals recommend
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveAt the Harbor, close to our Guesthouse- local seafood, nice views, full bar. Check their happy hour menu and hours
At the beach in Rio Del Mar, finer dining, great cocktails
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Beachside
At the beach in Rio Del Mar, finer dining, great cocktails
Lago di Como
21490 E Cliff DrGreat authentic Italian cuisine right in our neighborhood
Abbott Square
118 Cooper StFun spot downtown for live music and a variety of food and drink
BREWERY SCENE!
So many places to stop and grab great beer snd delicious food. Often outdoors and live music
Shanty Shack Brewing
138 Fern StDiscretion Brewing
2703 41st AveGreat beer and food
Beer 30
2504 S Main StLively popular outdoor hang spot
New Bohemia Brewing Co.
1030 41st AveCloseby neighborhood spot. Food trucks and often music
Great place on the west edge of town. Perfect for after hiking or mountain biking. Music and food trucks
94 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StGreat place on the west edge of town. Perfect for after hiking or mountain biking. Music and food trucks
Outdoor patio, lots of mountain bikers. Rotating food trucks on the Westside of Santa Cruz
50 locals recommend
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StOutdoor patio, lots of mountain bikers. Rotating food trucks on the Westside of Santa Cruz
East Cliff Brewing Company
21517 E Cliff DrNeighborhood pub
Lots of great beers and menu changes on the daily
15 locals recommend
Sante Adairius Santa Cruz Portal
1315 Water StLots of great beers and menu changes on the daily
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart StDowntown brew pub
Local favorites
Some fun spots to stop at and grab a beer and something to eat
great post mountain bike ride, hike or trip up the coast
94 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls Stgreat post mountain bike ride, hike or trip up the coast
load of choices, a mix of bars, wine and creative food with indoor and outdoor seating-
14 locals recommend
Abbot square market
725 Front Stload of choices, a mix of bars, wine and creative food with indoor and outdoor seating-
Closeby, local brewery on 41st Ave. Usually there is a food truck
42 locals recommend
New Bohemia Brewing Co.
1030 41st AveCloseby, local brewery on 41st Ave. Usually there is a food truck
Cool West Side spot post hike or ride to grab beer and tasty lunch
50 locals recommend
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StCool West Side spot post hike or ride to grab beer and tasty lunch
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific AveBig Acts and our largest venue in Santa Cruz
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayOnly good if there is music you want to see playing
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel AveLarge venue for music
West side of town, Thursday-Sunday wine tasting and usually a food truck
17 locals recommend
Stockwell Cellars
1100 Fair AveWest side of town, Thursday-Sunday wine tasting and usually a food truck
Venus Spirits
200 High RdGrab some of our local spirts at this great spot
The Point Market
23040 E Cliff DrAldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayGarden Liquors & Deli
1815 Soquel DrMain Street Bagels
1475 41st AveGayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveCafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff DrDiscretion Brewing
2703 41st AveMain Street Bagels
1475 41st AveGreat fresh bagels very close to us
The Point Market
23040 E Cliff DrSandwiches breakfast burritos right at The Point
Lago di Como
21490 E Cliff DrRight down the street from our Guesthouse. Real Italian food
Parks & Nature
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Roadamazing and tons of trails
Hike to Bluff Trail or Mountain Bike awesome trails on the other side of HWY1
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdHike to Bluff Trail or Mountain Bike awesome trails on the other side of HWY1
Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire RoadLush forest hiking
We can direct you to the trail head behind Chaminade Resort, from our Guesthouse you can be deep in the giant Redwoods in 5 minutes driving.
30 locals recommend
The Spa at Chaminade
1 Chaminade LnWe can direct you to the trail head behind Chaminade Resort, from our Guesthouse you can be deep in the giant Redwoods in 5 minutes driving.
Don't miss a visit to this beach, low tide allow access to the main feature. You'll probably have the place all to yourself
Greyhound Rock County Park
1551 Cabrillo HwyDon't miss a visit to this beach, low tide allow access to the main feature. You'll probably have the place all to yourself
Ano Nuevo is a gem- the drive up the coast is part of the fun and the hike to the beach gorgeous. Giant Elephant seals, pristine sand beach, historic barn, the spot is not to be missed
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
Ano Nuevo is a gem- the drive up the coast is part of the fun and the hike to the beach gorgeous. Giant Elephant seals, pristine sand beach, historic barn, the spot is not to be missed
Arana Gulch Park
101 Mentel AveDelaveaga Park
855 Branciforte DriveHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdMount Hermon Adventures is home to the world-famous Redwood Canopy Tours zip line tour, Sequoia Aerial Adventure course
49 locals recommend
Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference DrMount Hermon Adventures is home to the world-famous Redwood Canopy Tours zip line tour, Sequoia Aerial Adventure course
Fantastic National Monument about an hour and half drive from Santa Cruz. Best to visit this amazing place in Fall and Spring.
79 locals recommend
Pinnacles National Park
Fantastic National Monument about an hour and half drive from Santa Cruz. Best to visit this amazing place in Fall and Spring.
Free the first Tuesday of each month, this world class Arboretum and botanical garden is a great way to spend a few hours. Bring a picnic lunch
UCSC Arboretum
Free the first Tuesday of each month, this world class Arboretum and botanical garden is a great way to spend a few hours. Bring a picnic lunch
Shopping
Pacific Ave downtown is our central shopping and walk around place for eating and drinking
88 locals recommend
Pacific Avenue
Pacific AvenuePacific Ave downtown is our central shopping and walk around place for eating and drinking
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveYou can find a local farmers market every day of the week in our area. Wednesday is downtown for example and Sunday you can walk to the farmers market at 14th Ave from our guesthouse
44 locals recommend
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel DrYou can find a local farmers market every day of the week in our area. Wednesday is downtown for example and Sunday you can walk to the farmers market at 14th Ave from our guesthouse
Black Point Market
21400 E Cliff DrZen Island
126 San Jose AveO'Neill Wetsuit Outlet
1149 41st AveRip Curl - Santa Cruz (Outlet)
1604 Mission StRip Curl - Santa Cruz
753 41st AveTarget
1825 41st AveGroceries & Laundry & Essentials
Need to grab groceries etc...
Trader Joe's
700 Front Stvery close
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveNatural food store
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveCVS
1750 41st Avecloseby on 41st Ave if you need beach supplies etc..
Costco Wholesale
220 Sylvania AveSpin Cycle
3908 Capitola RdFrom Night Life to the Forest Entertainment & Activities
Disc golf, the links, mountain biking, hiking, beach combing, surfing, music? We’ve got it all
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff StFun and they have a karaoke bar
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal Wharffun to walk around on the Wharf
Best place to see a movie close to our Guesthouse. Tuesday is locals $5 tickets all day. Grab happy hour at East End Gastro Pub step away and then see a great movie!! So close to our place
23 locals recommend
CineLux Capitola Cafe and Lounge
1475 41st AveBest place to see a movie close to our Guesthouse. Tuesday is locals $5 tickets all day. Grab happy hour at East End Gastro Pub step away and then see a great movie!! So close to our place
Felton Music Hall
6275 Hwy 9Great place to see live music
DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course
1468 Upper Park RdThe Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdSeascape Golf Club
610 Clubhouse DrDelaveaga Park Golf Course
401 Upper Park RdMount Hermon Adventures is home to the world-famous Redwood Canopy Tours zip line tour, Sequoia Aerial Adventure course, Team Building programs and more!
49 locals recommend
Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference DrMount Hermon Adventures is home to the world-famous Redwood Canopy Tours zip line tour, Sequoia Aerial Adventure course, Team Building programs and more!
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayWorld
Class music
Abbot square market
725 Front StLive music food and drink
MIDTOWN PARTY on Friday nights all summer. Bands food and drinks. On Soquel Ave in midtown Santa Cruz. City closes the street to cars and it’s a ton of fun
Event Santa Cruz
MIDTOWN PARTY on Friday nights all summer. Bands food and drinks. On Soquel Ave in midtown Santa Cruz. City closes the street to cars and it’s a ton of fun