Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Mathew
Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Food Scene

Best coffee roasters in town. They also have a downtown coffee place, but actual roasting warehouse is here in Seabright, and they also serve coffee here too. Check out the latest coffee trend here.
220 helybéli ajánlásával
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Ave
220 helybéli ajánlásával
Best coffee roasters in town. They also have a downtown coffee place, but actual roasting warehouse is here in Seabright, and they also serve coffee here too. Check out the latest coffee trend here.
Best Restaurant in town, Northern Italian oriented, good for special occasions.
62 helybéli ajánlásával
La Posta
538 Seabright Ave
62 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Restaurant in town, Northern Italian oriented, good for special occasions.
Pizza and Pasta - Very good food, reasonable prices. Great salads, pasta, soup, and handmade pizza's. Friendly staff!
38 helybéli ajánlásával
Tramonti
528 Seabright Ave
38 helybéli ajánlásával
Pizza and Pasta - Very good food, reasonable prices. Great salads, pasta, soup, and handmade pizza's. Friendly staff!
Great views and great bar. Watch the sailboats go in and out of the harbor. Very cool bar on 2nd floor, views.
276 helybéli ajánlásával
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff Dr
276 helybéli ajánlásával
Great views and great bar. Watch the sailboats go in and out of the harbor. Very cool bar on 2nd floor, views.
Best cafe' in town, best desserts and cakes. Also, good for breakfasts and sandwiches.
133 helybéli ajánlásával
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave
133 helybéli ajánlásával
Best cafe' in town, best desserts and cakes. Also, good for breakfasts and sandwiches.
Best seafood in town
57 helybéli ajánlásával
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake Ave
57 helybéli ajánlásával
Best seafood in town
Best Sushi in town - located Downtown Santa Cruz
20 helybéli ajánlásával
Shogun Japanese Restaurant
1123 Pacific Ave
20 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Sushi in town - located Downtown Santa Cruz
Best international wine and tapas menu in town. Located downtown.
55 helybéli ajánlásával
Soif
105 Walnut Ave
55 helybéli ajánlásával
Best international wine and tapas menu in town. Located downtown.
An institution in the area - cakes, desserts, coffee, eat-in or take-out. Specializes in "Blue Plate Specials" - comfort food that does well for take-out.
155 helybéli ajánlásával
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave
155 helybéli ajánlásával
An institution in the area - cakes, desserts, coffee, eat-in or take-out. Specializes in "Blue Plate Specials" - comfort food that does well for take-out.
Great for patio lunch, lots of shops and wineries nearby.
98 helybéli ajánlásával
Kelly's French Bakery
402 Ingalls St
98 helybéli ajánlásával
Great for patio lunch, lots of shops and wineries nearby.
Best Ice Cream in town.
38 helybéli ajánlásával
Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean St
38 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Ice Cream in town.
Nice views, good food. Seafood. Bar.
22 helybéli ajánlásával
Aquarius
175 W Cliff Dr
22 helybéli ajánlásával
Nice views, good food. Seafood. Bar.
Family friendly seafood on the wharf.
25 helybéli ajánlásával
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal Wharf
25 helybéli ajánlásával
Family friendly seafood on the wharf.
Nice menu, reasonable prices, family friendly.
6 helybéli ajánlásával
Hoffman's Downtown
1102 Pacific Ave
6 helybéli ajánlásával
Nice menu, reasonable prices, family friendly.
Sunday brunch atop hill. Buffet brunch.
30 helybéli ajánlásával
The Spa at Chaminade
1 Chaminade Ln
30 helybéli ajánlásával
Sunday brunch atop hill. Buffet brunch.
Best Pizza in Town. Iconic atmosphere.
141 helybéli ajánlásával
Pizza My Heart
209 Esplanade
141 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Pizza in Town. Iconic atmosphere.
Gourmet Italian. Cozy.
22 helybéli ajánlásával
Lago di Como
21490 E Cliff Dr
22 helybéli ajánlásával
Gourmet Italian. Cozy.
Seafood, oysters, beach, bar.
48 helybéli ajánlásával
Café Rio Aptos
131 Esplanade
48 helybéli ajánlásával
Seafood, oysters, beach, bar.
Nice menu, a little slanted to comfort food.
70 helybéli ajánlásával
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel Ave
70 helybéli ajánlásával
Nice menu, a little slanted to comfort food.
Cute, good food, romantic.
31 helybéli ajánlásával
Gabriella Café
910 Cedar St
31 helybéli ajánlásával
Cute, good food, romantic.
Large menu selection, fun decorations inside, pho'a noodle soups, pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, family and budget friendly.
8 helybéli ajánlásával
Santa Cruz Antique Fair
8 helybéli ajánlásával
Large menu selection, fun decorations inside, pho'a noodle soups, pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, family and budget friendly.
Best Burgers in town!
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Burgers in town!
Most romantic restaurant around, anniversaries and joyful get-togethers. Park at the top of the bluff and take cable car down to restaurant, or walk down hillside with gardens and waterfalls. Great bar room too.
205 helybéli ajánlásával
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Rd
205 helybéli ajánlásával
Most romantic restaurant around, anniversaries and joyful get-togethers. Park at the top of the bluff and take cable car down to restaurant, or walk down hillside with gardens and waterfalls. Great bar room too.
Great breakfasts! Not very big, and a line can form especially on weekends, but they serve coffee outside for people waiting.
67 helybéli ajánlásával
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright Ave
67 helybéli ajánlásával
Great breakfasts! Not very big, and a line can form especially on weekends, but they serve coffee outside for people waiting.
Innovative sushi restaurant nearby.
7 helybéli ajánlásával
I Love Sushi
516 Front St
7 helybéli ajánlásával
Innovative sushi restaurant nearby.
Probably my 3rd choice sushi, I would favor Shogun and I Love Sushi, but this is on the east side of town and sometimes easier to just drop in here.
54 helybéli ajánlásával
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave
54 helybéli ajánlásával
Probably my 3rd choice sushi, I would favor Shogun and I Love Sushi, but this is on the east side of town and sometimes easier to just drop in here.
Best Thai food in town. We've been going to their Soquel restaurant for years, and they opened up in the old Casablanca hotel right near the Boardwalk recently. Would recommend to all Thai food lovers.
13 helybéli ajánlásával
Sawasdee By The Sea
101 Main St
13 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Thai food in town. We've been going to their Soquel restaurant for years, and they opened up in the old Casablanca hotel right near the Boardwalk recently. Would recommend to all Thai food lovers.
Right on the beach, good Mexican food and drinks. Watch beach volleyball during the day. Family friendly - kids can run onto the beach and still be seen from restaurant. Nice bar too.
35 helybéli ajánlásával
Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff Dr
35 helybéli ajánlásával
Right on the beach, good Mexican food and drinks. Watch beach volleyball during the day. Family friendly - kids can run onto the beach and still be seen from restaurant. Nice bar too.
It's right on the beach, and 10am on Saturday mornings, people gather to play their Ukuleles.
8 helybéli ajánlásával
Kind Grind
2222 East Cliff Drive
8 helybéli ajánlásával
It's right on the beach, and 10am on Saturday mornings, people gather to play their Ukuleles.
Asian street food, very casual, very delicious! Good take-out choice or eat-in. Open until 11pm.
80 helybéli ajánlásával
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave
80 helybéli ajánlásával
Asian street food, very casual, very delicious! Good take-out choice or eat-in. Open until 11pm.
The only Mongolian restaurant in the 'extended' SF Bay Area. Nice people and nice food for the more adventurous diners.
12 helybéli ajánlásával
Oyunaa's Mongolian Cuisine
1209 Soquel Ave
12 helybéli ajánlásával
The only Mongolian restaurant in the 'extended' SF Bay Area. Nice people and nice food for the more adventurous diners.
Very unusual - they take crepes to the next level; they put anything in them you can imagine and they taste great! Try the Greek crepe (artichokes, olives, feta) or the Jambalaya crepe (Andouille sausage, shrimp, etc). Good for any meal of the day, outdoor patio dining in the back in the garden. Creative Santa Cruz, relaxed style. Good for late breakfasts/brunch, casual. Evening live music, full bar, and open late.
109 helybéli ajánlásával
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel Ave
109 helybéli ajánlásával
Very unusual - they take crepes to the next level; they put anything in them you can imagine and they taste great! Try the Greek crepe (artichokes, olives, feta) or the Jambalaya crepe (Andouille sausage, shrimp, etc). Good for any meal of the day, outdoor patio dining in the back in the garden. Creative Santa Cruz, relaxed style. Good for late breakfasts/brunch, casual. Evening live music, full bar, and open late.
A hole-in-the-wall that doesn't look like much, but they have the best burritos in town - sometimes the line goes out the door. Cash only. Try the Green Chili Beef (Chili Verde). They have a location in Capitola as well that's a little larger. Satisfying mexican food.
28 helybéli ajánlásával
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St
28 helybéli ajánlásával
A hole-in-the-wall that doesn't look like much, but they have the best burritos in town - sometimes the line goes out the door. Cash only. Try the Green Chili Beef (Chili Verde). They have a location in Capitola as well that's a little larger. Satisfying mexican food.

Parks & Nature

Closest park with giant redwoods.
335 helybéli ajánlásával
Henry Cowell Redwoods Állami Park
101 N Big Trees Park Rd
335 helybéli ajánlásával
Closest park with giant redwoods.
Best beach. It's big and sandy, clean, and across the street. Listing cover photograph taken on this beach.
59 helybéli ajánlásával
Seabright Állami Strand
59 helybéli ajánlásával
Best beach. It's big and sandy, clean, and across the street. Listing cover photograph taken on this beach.
Beautiful beach.
261 helybéli ajánlásával
Natural Bridges Állami Strand
2531 W Cliff Dr
261 helybéli ajánlásával
Beautiful beach.
Hiking above cliffs, wildlife, hiking, biking.
219 helybéli ajánlásával
Wilder Ranch Állami Park
1401 Coast Rd
219 helybéli ajánlásával
Hiking above cliffs, wildlife, hiking, biking.
Huge beach, walk for miles.
63 helybéli ajánlásával
Rio Del Mar State Beach
63 helybéli ajánlásával
Huge beach, walk for miles.
Beautiful, small beach town. Parking can be a challenge.
167 helybéli ajánlásával
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey Ave
167 helybéli ajánlásával
Beautiful, small beach town. Parking can be a challenge.
Iconic surfing, year around.
81 helybéli ajánlásával
Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff Dr
81 helybéli ajánlásával
Iconic surfing, year around.
Nice beach across yacht harbor from Seabright Beach. Beautiful sunset views.
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak Avenue
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Nice beach across yacht harbor from Seabright Beach. Beautiful sunset views.

Getting Around

They can pickup.
6 helybéli ajánlásával
Hertz
2724 Soquel Avenue
6 helybéli ajánlásával
They can pickup.
Sometimes you need Avis.
Avis Car Rental
630 Ocean St
Sometimes you need Avis.

Arts & Culture

Jazz performances, world music.
52 helybéli ajánlásával
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar St
52 helybéli ajánlásával
Jazz performances, world music.
Learn history of city/location.
133 helybéli ajánlásával
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St
133 helybéli ajánlásával
Learn history of city/location.
A little neighborhood nature museum only 2 minute walk away. Kids climb on the outdoor full-scale gray whale in the yard for fun and photos. Be sure to see the creek nearby with native plants gardens (both sides of East Cliff Dr) built and maintained by neighborhood volunteers.
50 helybéli ajánlásával
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff Dr
50 helybéli ajánlásával
A little neighborhood nature museum only 2 minute walk away. Kids climb on the outdoor full-scale gray whale in the yard for fun and photos. Be sure to see the creek nearby with native plants gardens (both sides of East Cliff Dr) built and maintained by neighborhood volunteers.

Essentials

Best Grocery and Butcher shop in town. Huge variety in a medium/small space, largest wine selection, quick checkout.
76 helybéli ajánlásával
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel Ave
76 helybéli ajánlásával
Best Grocery and Butcher shop in town. Huge variety in a medium/small space, largest wine selection, quick checkout.
Great groceries and deli-made sandwiches. Aka Whole Paycheck.
157 helybéli ajánlásával
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel Ave
157 helybéli ajánlásával
Great groceries and deli-made sandwiches. Aka Whole Paycheck.
Good, basic grocery store. Has wide variety of cereals/sodas, household goods at low prices.
15 helybéli ajánlásával
Safeway
117 Morrissey Blvd
15 helybéli ajánlásával
Good, basic grocery store. Has wide variety of cereals/sodas, household goods at low prices.
Shockingly low prices, hit-and-miss quality. The Santa Maria Tri-tip is a winner for grilling!
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
120 Morrissey Blvd
Shockingly low prices, hit-and-miss quality. The Santa Maria Tri-tip is a winner for grilling!
Another Drug Store and more nearby.
8 helybéli ajánlásával
Walgreens
1718 Soquel Ave
8 helybéli ajánlásával
Another Drug Store and more nearby.
Drug Store and more.
20 helybéli ajánlásával
CVS
1700 Mission St
20 helybéli ajánlásával
Drug Store and more.
Very basic conveniences near beach, 2 blocks away - Firewood, liquor/beer, bread, ice cream.
Day's Market Liquors & Deli
526 Seabright Ave
Very basic conveniences near beach, 2 blocks away - Firewood, liquor/beer, bread, ice cream.

Entertainment & Activities

Iconic amusement park
745 helybéli ajánlásával
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach St
745 helybéli ajánlásával
Iconic amusement park
Independent Films
51 helybéli ajánlásával
Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific Ave
51 helybéli ajánlásával
Independent Films
Art House movies.
63 helybéli ajánlásával
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln St
63 helybéli ajánlásával
Art House movies.

Sightseeing

Beautiful views, surfers, houses.
193 helybéli ajánlásával
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive
193 helybéli ajánlásával
Beautiful views, surfers, houses.
Sailing cruises - 2 hours usually. 70 foot long boat, serve snacks and beverages.
45 helybéli ajánlásával
Chardonnay Sailing Charters
790 Mariner Park Way
45 helybéli ajánlásával
Sailing cruises - 2 hours usually. 70 foot long boat, serve snacks and beverages.
Beautiful Campus.
67 helybéli ajánlásával
University of California at Santa Cruz
Arboretum Road
67 helybéli ajánlásával
Beautiful Campus.
Humpback and Gray Whales abound ! Dolphins, others....
21 helybéli ajánlásával
Santa Cruz Whale Watching
1718 Brommer St
21 helybéli ajánlásával
Humpback and Gray Whales abound ! Dolphins, others....