Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveGreat coffee & off the beaten path.
Tramonti
528 Seabright AveCasual & family-style Italian.
A local favorite - delicious wood-fired pizza. With a ping pong table, great for kids.
29 locals recommend
Engfer Pizza Works
537 Seabright AveA local favorite - delicious wood-fired pizza. With a ping pong table, great for kids.
La Posta
538 Seabright AveHigher-end Italian - a GREAT winelist!
Bakery! And deli! And coffee! Best combo - with pleasant outdoor seating.
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveBakery! And deli! And coffee! Best combo - with pleasant outdoor seating.
Harbor Café
535 7th AveThey will serve the perfect Bloody Mary with your breakfast.
The Picnic Basket
125 Beach StGood for ice cream, snacks & a good cup of coffee.
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveSushi. Is. Awesome.
Drinks & Nightlife
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveBeer brewed on-site & good pub food & outdoor seating.
Boasts the most Jameson consumed in all of California. Very much a dive-bar local hangout.
12 locals recommend
Brady's Yacht Club
413 Seabright AveBoasts the most Jameson consumed in all of California. Very much a dive-bar local hangout.
Essentials
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveOldest (and friendliest) family-run market in Santa Cruz.
Arts & Culture
A beautiful 1940's theater that features both movies & musical events.
52 locals recommend
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel AveA beautiful 1940's theater that features both movies & musical events.
Delicious crepes & cocktails as well as evening musical entertainment.
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveDelicious crepes & cocktails as well as evening musical entertainment.
Downtown Association
740 Front StShops, restaurants, movie theaters & people-watching.
Sightseeing
Many restaurants to choose from here. Go to the end and say hi to the sea lions.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfMany restaurants to choose from here. Go to the end and say hi to the sea lions.
Free admission & packed with info about the Monterey Bay & its sealife.
25 locals recommend
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
35 Pacific AveFree admission & packed with info about the Monterey Bay & its sealife.
Watch the surfers & stroll the cliffs. A beautiful view of the Boardwalk & Wharf.
29 locals recommend
Lighthouse Point Park
700 W Cliff DrWatch the surfers & stroll the cliffs. A beautiful view of the Boardwalk & Wharf.
From the edge of the San Lorenzo river to the mouth of the harbor, this beach has firepits for bonfires & restroom facilities.
59 locals recommend
Seabright State Beach
From the edge of the San Lorenzo river to the mouth of the harbor, this beach has firepits for bonfires & restroom facilities.
Santa Cruz Harbor
135 5th AveA beautiful place for a morning run.
Entertainment & Activities
Giant Dipper
400 Beach StA classic wooden roller coaster built in the 1920's
Views of the boardwalk and the best slides in town. Kid & dog friendly.
18 locals recommend
Ocean View Park
102 Ocean View AveViews of the boardwalk and the best slides in town. Kid & dog friendly.