Guidebook for Aptos
Sightseeing
a mere 5 minute walk from our house to the beach trail. fishing pier with snack shack and the "cement ship" (aka the palo alto).
97 locals recommend
Seacliff State Beach
State Park Drivea mere 5 minute walk from our house to the beach trail. fishing pier with snack shack and the "cement ship" (aka the palo alto).
located 5 minutes from our home - beautiful hiking and mountain bike trails in the redwoods
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Roadlocated 5 minutes from our home - beautiful hiking and mountain bike trails in the redwoods
favorite beach. sandy bottom, great for surfing and boogie boarding, watch the riptide. cleaner than other santa cruz county beaches
55 locals recommend
Manresa State Beach
1445 San Andreas Rdfavorite beach. sandy bottom, great for surfing and boogie boarding, watch the riptide. cleaner than other santa cruz county beaches
a must for first timers and one of our all time favorite places to visit. from hwy 1 take the 41st ave exit and head towards the oceans park in the lot where the road dead ends into a one way and enjoy a beautiful stroll along the cliff ... you’ll pass by prime surf spots along the way.
Pleasure Point Drive
Pleasure Point Drivea must for first timers and one of our all time favorite places to visit. from hwy 1 take the 41st ave exit and head towards the oceans park in the lot where the road dead ends into a one way and enjoy a beautiful stroll along the cliff ... you’ll pass by prime surf spots along the way.
Next to Seabright beach, walk to Aldo’s in the harbor for brunch
10 locals recommend
Walton Lighthouse
East Cliff DriveNext to Seabright beach, walk to Aldo’s in the harbor for brunch
drive starts at dream inn, past great surf spots, lots of spots along the way to park and walk/bike/run - past cowell’s, steamer’s lane & lighthouse museum all the way to natural bridges
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drivedrive starts at dream inn, past great surf spots, lots of spots along the way to park and walk/bike/run - past cowell’s, steamer’s lane & lighthouse museum all the way to natural bridges
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff Drbeautiful location at the end of the scenic west cliff drive. great tidepools for kids and adults alike.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Drbeautiful location at the end of the scenic west cliff drive. great tidepools for kids and adults alike.
Davenport
Ano Nuevo State Park
Asilomar State Beach
Sunset DriveCarmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenuePacific Grove Gate
2790 17 Mile DrBig Sur
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdFood Scene
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park Wayawesome bbq (go early, they sell out!), local beers and free music from 6-8pm every night. very casual. Music currently suspended due to Covid. Owners built a large outdoor patio!
95 locals recommend
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos Stawesome bbq (go early, they sell out!), local beers and free music from 6-8pm every night. very casual. Music currently suspended due to Covid. Owners built a large outdoor patio!
Café Cruz
2621 41st Avegreat local favorite reservations a must on weekends
Great views and happy hour - go straight upstairs for lower prices as well
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrGreat views and happy hour - go straight upstairs for lower prices as well
El Palomar Restaurant
1336 Pacific Avedelicious. reservations recommended or take out. all of 5 minute walk from our home. added outdoor seating in garden out back but note they stop seating after 8pm.
91 locals recommend
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Avedelicious. reservations recommended or take out. all of 5 minute walk from our home. added outdoor seating in garden out back but note they stop seating after 8pm.
Mentone
174 Aptos Vlg WyOswald Restaurant
121 Soquel Avewe prefer this ice cream over marianne's, even though it is a bit of a drive. there is another one located in downtown santa cruz and a kiosk outside of bookshop santa cruz.
45 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st Avewe prefer this ice cream over marianne's, even though it is a bit of a drive. there is another one located in downtown santa cruz and a kiosk outside of bookshop santa cruz.
we prefer this ice cream over marianne's, even though it is a bit of a drive. there is another one located in downtown santa cruz and a kiosk outside of bookshop santa cruz.
45 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st Avewe prefer this ice cream over marianne's, even though it is a bit of a drive. there is another one located in downtown santa cruz and a kiosk outside of bookshop santa cruz.
amazing lunches - dine in or take out. across from boardwalk down towards the pier.
50 locals recommend
The Picnic Basket
125 Beach Stamazing lunches - dine in or take out. across from boardwalk down towards the pier.
Walk and pick up a slice or order a full pizza before (otherwise wait will be 30+ mins)
10 locals recommend
Pizza 1
253 Center AveWalk and pick up a slice or order a full pizza before (otherwise wait will be 30+ mins)
Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AveRiva Fish House
31 Municipal Wharficonic cable car to take you down the ravine - pricey menu for special occasions
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Rdiconic cable car to take you down the ravine - pricey menu for special occasions
Sushi Garden Aptos
38 Rancho Del MarVim Dining and Desserts
2238 Mission StBittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar BlvdTrestles Restaurant
Abbott Square
118 Cooper StShopping
Berdels
1233 Pacific AveBerdels Westside
345 Swift StreetBookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Avefavorite bookstore!
best parking lot sales twice a year - Memorial Day weekend and a slightly smaller one Labor Day weekend - but with Covid they were suspended
36 locals recommend
O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper Stbest parking lot sales twice a year - Memorial Day weekend and a slightly smaller one Labor Day weekend - but with Covid they were suspended
O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper StClosest location, opened in 2020
Wallflower Boutique
107 Locust Stcute downtown boutique
Pacific Wave
1502 Pacific AvePatine
1001 41st AveRootstock Artisan Collective
861 41st AveStripe Design Group LLC
107 Walnut AveZen Island
126 San Jose Avelocally owned boutique, great finds especially handmade jewelry
Everything Else
John is a local artist and he and his wife Suzy own both the antique furniture store and his art gallery.
Crawford Antiques
4401 Soquel DrJohn is a local artist and he and his wife Suzy own both the antique furniture store and his art gallery.
Shen's Gallery
1521 Pacific AveDrinks & Nightlife
Cantine Winepub
8050 Soquel DrJack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
175 W Cliff DrSoif
105 Walnut Avegreat wine bar in downtown Santa Cruz.
Vinocruz Wine Bar + Kitchen
4901 Soquel Drmore of brewery restaurant vs. bar only - really good beers, wine by the tap (try tempranillo) and food. across from santa cruz brewing company.
125 locals recommend
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls Stmore of brewery restaurant vs. bar only - really good beers, wine by the tap (try tempranillo) and food. across from santa cruz brewing company.
Essentials
Costco Wholesale
220 Sylvania Aveclosest grocery store, also safeway gas station on corner of soquel and state park
82 locals recommend
Safeway
2720 41st Aveclosest grocery store, also safeway gas station on corner of soquel and state park
Trader Joe's
700 Front StWhole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveFavorite brunch places
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayGreat bakery + pasteries (line to the left) and hot/cold prepared foods (on the right) - everything is casual and has large outdoor seating area
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveGreat bakery + pasteries (line to the left) and hot/cold prepared foods (on the right) - everything is casual and has large outdoor seating area
Number 1 favorite brunch place - go early or you will wait. they added extra outdoor seating
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th AveNumber 1 favorite brunch place - go early or you will wait. they added extra outdoor seating