Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Everything Else
2 parking spots:
1. Directly in front of garage (apt #3)
2. Directly in line with garage, 20 feet further South (away from door)
We normally reserve 1 spot for guests. Plenty of street parking
1552 Merrill St
1552 Merrill Street2 parking spots:
1. Directly in front of garage (apt #3)
2. Directly in line with garage, 20 feet further South (away from door)
We normally reserve 1 spot for guests. Plenty of street parking
Friendly, kid-safe beach that doesn't get as crowded as the boardwalk. Beach bonfire pits in the evening (easy to snag in winter, come early in summer -- they close at 10pm year round)
65 locals recommend
Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak AvenueFriendly, kid-safe beach that doesn't get as crowded as the boardwalk. Beach bonfire pits in the evening (easy to snag in winter, come early in summer -- they close at 10pm year round)
Food Scene
21231 E Cliff Dr
21231 East Cliff Driveclose, tranquil, gluten free
Grab your coffee to go and walk the extra 200 feet down 17th street to some nice benches overlooking the ocean
29 locals recommend
Starbucks
21620 E Cliff DrGrab your coffee to go and walk the extra 200 feet down 17th street to some nice benches overlooking the ocean
Quaint, local cafe with homemade whip cream in beautiful corner of Capitola by the Sea
20 locals recommend
Mr Toots Coffeehouse
231 EsplanadeQuaint, local cafe with homemade whip cream in beautiful corner of Capitola by the Sea
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveHip coffee spot with a powerful ice coffee "missle"
Best view in Santa Cruz. Great food. Some very cool local functions (Sunday evening comedy nights, Thursday evening beach BBQ in summers)
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrBest view in Santa Cruz. Great food. Some very cool local functions (Sunday evening comedy nights, Thursday evening beach BBQ in summers)
Best Thai food in Capitola, bar none. Call in advance, they close randomly outside of tourist season.
16 locals recommend
Thai Basil
101 S Murphy AveBest Thai food in Capitola, bar none. Call in advance, they close randomly outside of tourist season.
Great sushi for a decent price. Located in a strip mall, but we think their cuts are better than the fancier spots further South on 41st (we also like the fancier spots, they are also delicious)
18 locals recommend
Naka Sushi Restaurant
1200 41st AveGreat sushi for a decent price. Located in a strip mall, but we think their cuts are better than the fancier spots further South on 41st (we also like the fancier spots, they are also delicious)
This is a really cool property with a cool local story. One of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdThis is a really cool property with a cool local story. One of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz
Short walk, great staff. We always feel at home and seem to have more fun here than at Lago Di Como (slightly higher reviewed restaurant a few blocks further)
11 locals recommend
Star Bene
East Cliff DriveShort walk, great staff. We always feel at home and seem to have more fun here than at Lago Di Como (slightly higher reviewed restaurant a few blocks further)
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveLocal brewpub. Fun scene
"Barrel" breakfast burrito is heavenly. This place doesn't look like much, but it always delivers. Grab coffee and stroll down "East Cliff" - the surf and spiritual capital of the "East side"
17 locals recommend
Pleasure Point County Park
East Cliff Drive"Barrel" breakfast burrito is heavenly. This place doesn't look like much, but it always delivers. Grab coffee and stroll down "East Cliff" - the surf and spiritual capital of the "East side"
110 Church St
110 Church StreetFavorite Mediterranean spot in Santa Cruz. Lots of good options along Pacific Street
Drinks & Nightlife
Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
320 Cedar StBest downtown (Irish) dive bar
The Pocket
3102 Portola DrBest walkable dive bar. Very local. Two pool tables
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayBest music venue in Santa Cruz. They do a good job scheduling shows
Vino Prima Wine Bar
55 Municipal WharfBest view. Best wine
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart StBest for craft and microbrews
Capitola Wine Bar & Merchants
115 San Jose AveFavorite wine bar in Capitola by the Sea
Sightseeing
One of the world's top aquariums, with incredible insights on the "life and death" of Monterey Bay. We are "ocean advocate" members and can get you a discount if you warn us in advance
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowOne of the world's top aquariums, with incredible insights on the "life and death" of Monterey Bay. We are "ocean advocate" members and can get you a discount if you warn us in advance
Artistic (but dreadfully expensive) town with Pebble beach golf, gorgeous beaches, and nearby hiking. Clint Eastwood was once its mayor.
354 locals recommend
Carmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenueArtistic (but dreadfully expensive) town with Pebble beach golf, gorgeous beaches, and nearby hiking. Clint Eastwood was once its mayor.
Big Sur
Some of the West Coast's best hiking. We like Andrew Molera State Park.
Beach. Boardwalk. Roller Coasters. Games. This is a kid's dreamland in the daytime, and the do some cool beachside shows and movies in the evenings
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StBeach. Boardwalk. Roller Coasters. Games. This is a kid's dreamland in the daytime, and the do some cool beachside shows and movies in the evenings
Kayak with sea-otters (go earlier in the AM before the wind picks up)
55 locals recommend
Kayak Connection
2370 CA-1Kayak with sea-otters (go earlier in the AM before the wind picks up)
Beautiful beach at end of pleasant walk along West Cliff Drive (surf and spiritual center of West Side Santa Cruz)
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrBeautiful beach at end of pleasant walk along West Cliff Drive (surf and spiritual center of West Side Santa Cruz)
Miles of beaches without crowds. Waves are safest to North (almost flat in New Brighten Park), and get bigger, more dangerous, and less kid safe as you travel South (dangerous on a 5' day at Manresa)
24 locals recommend
Sunset State Beach
Sunset Beach RoadMiles of beaches without crowds. Waves are safest to North (almost flat in New Brighten Park), and get bigger, more dangerous, and less kid safe as you travel South (dangerous on a 5' day at Manresa)
Nice and informational redwoods walk.
Too many hikes to list here, but ask your morning barista for tips on less known and less crowded hikes to suit your day.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdNice and informational redwoods walk.
Too many hikes to list here, but ask your morning barista for tips on less known and less crowded hikes to suit your day.