Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Acai bowls are a very Santa Cruz thing to eat while you're here! These are the best. Try the one with peanut butter: sounds weird, but it's delicious!
8 locals recommend
Samba Rock Acai Cafe
291 Water StAcai bowls are a very Santa Cruz thing to eat while you're here! These are the best. Try the one with peanut butter: sounds weird, but it's delicious!
Best sushi in town by a landslide! The Shogun Special role #2 is the one I always get.
20 locals recommend
Shogun Japanese Restaurant
1123 Pacific AveBest sushi in town by a landslide! The Shogun Special role #2 is the one I always get.
No Santa Cruz trip is complete without a stop at the Buttery! Amazing array of baked goods and yummy breakfasts.
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveNo Santa Cruz trip is complete without a stop at the Buttery! Amazing array of baked goods and yummy breakfasts.
Sadly companion is no where near our house, but it's the best bread we've ever eaten in our lives so it's worth the drive to the West Side.
64 locals recommend
Companion Bakeshop Westside Santa Cruz
2341 Mission StSadly companion is no where near our house, but it's the best bread we've ever eaten in our lives so it's worth the drive to the West Side.
Delicious and reasonably priced Italian food. Kid friendly as well! They give kids crayons to draw on the table AND have fabulous misto mare, as well.
6 locals recommend
Cafe Mare
740 Front StDelicious and reasonably priced Italian food. Kid friendly as well! They give kids crayons to draw on the table AND have fabulous misto mare, as well.
My favorite breakfast place, becuase they bake their own cinnamon rolls! It's crowded on weekends, so go early. Also, they're cash only so bring paper money.
67 locals recommend
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveMy favorite breakfast place, becuase they bake their own cinnamon rolls! It's crowded on weekends, so go early. Also, they're cash only so bring paper money.
Parks & Nature
It takes 5 minutes to bike to the bottom of Emma McCrary, which is a world-famous mountain biking trail. Once you're there, you can enjoy an endless network of trails around UCSC campus.
Emma McCrary Trail
Emma McCrary TrailIt takes 5 minutes to bike to the bottom of Emma McCrary, which is a world-famous mountain biking trail. Once you're there, you can enjoy an endless network of trails around UCSC campus.
DeLa, as we call it, is a stone's throw from our house. Bike or walk there in just a few minutes, and enjoy the redwooded hike up to the "Top of the World" above the disc golf course. At night, you can see Capitola and Monterey lit up. It's beautiful!
17 locals recommend
Delaveaga Park
855 Branciforte DriveDeLa, as we call it, is a stone's throw from our house. Bike or walk there in just a few minutes, and enjoy the redwooded hike up to the "Top of the World" above the disc golf course. At night, you can see Capitola and Monterey lit up. It's beautiful!
Gotta see the big trees!! The old growth redwoods in Henry Cowell are truly stunning. This is an easy one mile loop walk that the whole family will enjoy. A must see.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdGotta see the big trees!! The old growth redwoods in Henry Cowell are truly stunning. This is an easy one mile loop walk that the whole family will enjoy. A must see.
Best local beach. Long beautiful unbroken beachfront with lots of shells and drift wood in the winter. There's a shore break in the summer, so it's not the best swimming beach for very small kids.
59 locals recommend
Seabright State Beach
Best local beach. Long beautiful unbroken beachfront with lots of shells and drift wood in the winter. There's a shore break in the summer, so it's not the best swimming beach for very small kids.
Greatest North Coast beach, through a cave to incredible sandstone cliffs.
13 locals recommend
Panther Beach
Greatest North Coast beach, through a cave to incredible sandstone cliffs.
Arts & Culture
Always a cool exhibit at the MAH, plus on most weekend's there's an outdoor band in the outdoor courtyard called Abbot Square.
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StAlways a cool exhibit at the MAH, plus on most weekend's there's an outdoor band in the outdoor courtyard called Abbot Square.
Ashtanga Yoga Institute at Pacific Cultural Center
1307 Seabright AveThe place to do yoga!
Entertainment & Activities
Want to be a true local? Try out some dance classes at our community art's center. Great for families and kids of all ages
14 locals recommend
Tannery Arts Center
1010 River StWant to be a true local? Try out some dance classes at our community art's center. Great for families and kids of all ages
Iconic old theater features cool indie movies with original elegant bathrooms, indoor balconies, and THE BEST popcorn anywhere in Santa Cruz. If they don't have what you want to see, try the Nick down the street—also great popcorn. (Can you tell I like popcorn?!?)
51 locals recommend
Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific AveIconic old theater features cool indie movies with original elegant bathrooms, indoor balconies, and THE BEST popcorn anywhere in Santa Cruz. If they don't have what you want to see, try the Nick down the street—also great popcorn. (Can you tell I like popcorn?!?)
Essentials
Our closest grocery store is just a few minutes away, just up the hill.
157 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveOur closest grocery store is just a few minutes away, just up the hill.
The original Santa Cruz health food stores, has the best produce in town!
69 locals recommend
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel AveThe original Santa Cruz health food stores, has the best produce in town!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is the quintessential Santa Cruz bar. Velvet couches, craft cocktails, lots of hipsters.
16 locals recommend
The Redroom
1003 Cedar StThis is the quintessential Santa Cruz bar. Velvet couches, craft cocktails, lots of hipsters.
Great downtown beer house. Lots of seating and delicious pours.
34 locals recommend
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart StGreat downtown beer house. Lots of seating and delicious pours.
The brewery with the best food by a landslide. Their popcorn has duck fat on it instead of butter. Don't ask, just try it!
125 locals recommend
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StThe brewery with the best food by a landslide. Their popcorn has duck fat on it instead of butter. Don't ask, just try it!