Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Jennifer
Guidebook for Santa Cruz

Food Scene

They have never disappointed. Super good food and service. They are known for their rotisserie chicken, fresh fish, good burgers.
88 lokalaca preporučuje
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave
88 lokalaca preporučuje
They have never disappointed. Super good food and service. They are known for their rotisserie chicken, fresh fish, good burgers.
They have a dog-friendly patio. They have live music on occasion - please check in with them prior to expecting it. Great local brewery - there is a growler above the stove in the cupboard that can be used during your visit. My fave is the Pelican Pale.
74 lokalaca preporučuje
Seabright Social
519 Seabright Ave
74 lokalaca preporučuje
They have a dog-friendly patio. They have live music on occasion - please check in with them prior to expecting it. Great local brewery - there is a growler above the stove in the cupboard that can be used during your visit. My fave is the Pelican Pale.
The highest end restaurant in the Neighborhood. I've had some amazing meals there and it's super peaceful! Sort of a hidden gem.
62 lokalaca preporučuje
La Posta
538 Seabright Ave
62 lokalaca preporučuje
The highest end restaurant in the Neighborhood. I've had some amazing meals there and it's super peaceful! Sort of a hidden gem.
Best sushi restaurant in town. They get packed up very easily so get there early or late but not during rush hours as you will find yourself waiting in long lines!
54 lokalaca preporučuje
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave
54 lokalaca preporučuje
Best sushi restaurant in town. They get packed up very easily so get there early or late but not during rush hours as you will find yourself waiting in long lines!
Best Prime Rib in town! They have specials every night so check in with them when you arrive to see if you may be interested. One of the most iconic restaurants in Santa Cruz County - they have been in business since 1947. They have an amazing garden you see as you walk down to the restaurant via the stairs or you can use the TRAM. This place is amazing!
205 lokalaca preporučuje
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Rd
205 lokalaca preporučuje
Best Prime Rib in town! They have specials every night so check in with them when you arrive to see if you may be interested. One of the most iconic restaurants in Santa Cruz County - they have been in business since 1947. They have an amazing garden you see as you walk down to the restaurant via the stairs or you can use the TRAM. This place is amazing!
This place is always busy. It is in walking distance - sort of pricey though.
67 lokalaca preporučuje
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright Ave
67 lokalaca preporučuje
This place is always busy. It is in walking distance - sort of pricey though.
This is by far my favorite breakfast location. Priced right and large portions. I always get the seafood omelette and they always prepare my hash browns to order. They also have a dog-friendly patio. This is in walking distance but across the harbor.
102 lokalaca preporučuje
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave
102 lokalaca preporučuje
This is by far my favorite breakfast location. Priced right and large portions. I always get the seafood omelette and they always prepare my hash browns to order. They also have a dog-friendly patio. This is in walking distance but across the harbor.
Great pizza and gnocchi! Fairly quiet place. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
38 lokalaca preporučuje
Tramonti
528 Seabright Ave
38 lokalaca preporučuje
Great pizza and gnocchi! Fairly quiet place. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
I used to live a block from here and it was my go-to spot. They always have the freshest oysters! They have a dog-friendly patio and have live music on occasion.
48 lokalaca preporučuje
Café Rio Aptos
131 Esplanade
48 lokalaca preporučuje
I used to live a block from here and it was my go-to spot. They always have the freshest oysters! They have a dog-friendly patio and have live music on occasion.
This is my favorite coffee. I don't drink coffee often but when I do, it's VERVE. They also have some amazing pastries. It's a short walk from here. Not much in the way of inside seating but they do have a few tables outside.
220 lokalaca preporučuje
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Ave
220 lokalaca preporučuje
This is my favorite coffee. I don't drink coffee often but when I do, it's VERVE. They also have some amazing pastries. It's a short walk from here. Not much in the way of inside seating but they do have a few tables outside.
This place is closer than VERVE but not as good in my opinion. They do have inside and outside seating though and less expensive than VERVE...
26 lokalaca preporučuje
Java Junction
519 Seabright Ave
26 lokalaca preporučuje
This place is closer than VERVE but not as good in my opinion. They do have inside and outside seating though and less expensive than VERVE...
Most delicious corned beef and cabbage. Also have yummy shepherds pie and bangers & mash. Oh and their fish and chips aren't too shabby either...
19 lokalaca preporučuje
Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant
355 Santana Row
19 lokalaca preporučuje
Most delicious corned beef and cabbage. Also have yummy shepherds pie and bangers & mash. Oh and their fish and chips aren't too shabby either...
So this place has some amazing beers as well as some yummy food!
34 lokalaca preporučuje
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart St
34 lokalaca preporučuje
So this place has some amazing beers as well as some yummy food!
Another local brewery that delivers strong in food and brews. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly on the patio.
55 lokalaca preporučuje
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st Ave
55 lokalaca preporučuje
Another local brewery that delivers strong in food and brews. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly on the patio.
They are just a short drive away or about a 20 minute walk. My favorite is the Pho but they have plenty of bowls that are delicious.
80 lokalaca preporučuje
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave
80 lokalaca preporučuje
They are just a short drive away or about a 20 minute walk. My favorite is the Pho but they have plenty of bowls that are delicious.
Great Mexican food!
91 lokalaca preporučuje
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave
91 lokalaca preporučuje
Great Mexican food!
Best Thai around and super close!
18 lokalaca preporučuje
Real Thai Kitchen
1632 Seabright Ave
18 lokalaca preporučuje
Best Thai around and super close!
One of the highest rated Italian places in town - I literally refused to go there my first couple years here because they always had ridiculous lines and I hate waiting in lines. Now they have expanded almost four times the size and are still always busy. I recommend reservations. Their risotto balls are so good. So is there Gnocchi. And their Lasagna. I could go on and on... Beer and wine only...
125 lokalaca preporučuje
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave
125 lokalaca preporučuje
One of the highest rated Italian places in town - I literally refused to go there my first couple years here because they always had ridiculous lines and I hate waiting in lines. Now they have expanded almost four times the size and are still always busy. I recommend reservations. Their risotto balls are so good. So is there Gnocchi. And their Lasagna. I could go on and on... Beer and wine only...
They have great cheese plates, wine, food and are in a wonderful location downtown.
32 lokalaca preporučuje
Assembly
1108 Pacific Avenue
32 lokalaca preporučuje
They have great cheese plates, wine, food and are in a wonderful location downtown.

Getting Around

19 lokalaca preporučuje
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
919B Ocean St
19 lokalaca preporučuje
16 lokalaca preporučuje
Family Cycling Center
914 41st Ave
16 lokalaca preporučuje
Bike Rentals - never used them but have heard good things!
6 lokalaca preporučuje
Pacific Ave Cycles
153 Pacific Ave
6 lokalaca preporučuje
Bike Rentals - never used them but have heard good things!

Parks & Nature

32 lokalaca preporučuje
Seabright Beach
32 lokalaca preporučuje
If you like to Mountain Bike - this is your spot. Also great for hiking. You can park outside the park and walk or ride in to pay for parking or you can drive in and pay to park.
272 lokalaca preporučuje
Државни парк Нисене Маркс
Aptos Creek Road
272 lokalaca preporučuje
If you like to Mountain Bike - this is your spot. Also great for hiking. You can park outside the park and walk or ride in to pay for parking or you can drive in and pay to park.
It's absolutely beautiful - you can witness the Monarch migration October through early February.
261 lokalaca preporučuje
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Dr
261 lokalaca preporučuje
It's absolutely beautiful - you can witness the Monarch migration October through early February.
So this is probably my favorite beach in Santa Cruz County. The views will not disappoint. It is directly off highway one about 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz.
15 lokalaca preporučuje
Waddell Beach
15 lokalaca preporučuje
So this is probably my favorite beach in Santa Cruz County. The views will not disappoint. It is directly off highway one about 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz.
Great hiking trail - flat land with an amazing ocean view. No beach access unless you want to risk your life. There is also a great hiking/biking trail opposite side of highway one.
219 lokalaca preporučuje
Државни парк Вајлдер Ранч
1401 Coast Rd
219 lokalaca preporučuje
Great hiking trail - flat land with an amazing ocean view. No beach access unless you want to risk your life. There is also a great hiking/biking trail opposite side of highway one.

Shopping

This is the iconic Santa Cruz Boardroom that has plenty of Santa Cruz gear as well as skateboards.
9 lokalaca preporučuje
Santa Cruz Boardroom
825 41st Ave
9 lokalaca preporučuje
This is the iconic Santa Cruz Boardroom that has plenty of Santa Cruz gear as well as skateboards.
Great book and even funky socks available!
57 lokalaca preporučuje
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave
57 lokalaca preporučuje
Great book and even funky socks available!
Great surf gear!
36 lokalaca preporučuje
O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper St
36 lokalaca preporučuje
Great surf gear!
Sock and shoe store...
8 lokalaca preporučuje
Sockshop & Shoe Company
1515 Pacific Ave
8 lokalaca preporučuje
Sock and shoe store...
They have plenty of CD's and Vinyls for every genre - must visit for all you music lovers out there!
Streetlight Records
939 Pacific Ave
They have plenty of CD's and Vinyls for every genre - must visit for all you music lovers out there!

Arts & Culture

This museum is located on East Cliff Drive just a short walk from the apartment and is on the opposite side of the stree of the coastline of Seabright beach.
50 lokalaca preporučuje
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff Dr
50 lokalaca preporučuje
This museum is located on East Cliff Drive just a short walk from the apartment and is on the opposite side of the stree of the coastline of Seabright beach.
Local stories that make up the history of Santa Cruz. Enjoy!
133 lokalaca preporučuje
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St
133 lokalaca preporučuje
Local stories that make up the history of Santa Cruz. Enjoy!
Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting artifacts tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. The museum shop specializes in great surfing books and surfing related items.
75 lokalaca preporučuje
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff Dr
75 lokalaca preporučuje
Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting artifacts tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. The museum shop specializes in great surfing books and surfing related items.
Have not been there personally but have read some great reviews.
Felix Kulpa Gallery
107 Elm St
Have not been there personally but have read some great reviews.

Everything Else

There are quite a few restaurants and shops on the wharf. You can fish from eat, check out all the Sea Lions, rent boats etc. A huge tourist attraction.
143 lokalaca preporučuje
Санта Круз пристаниште
21 Municipal Wharf
143 lokalaca preporučuje
There are quite a few restaurants and shops on the wharf. You can fish from eat, check out all the Sea Lions, rent boats etc. A huge tourist attraction.

Drinks & Nightlife

So this place has a great eclectic nightlife. They have a downstairs and upstairs portion on different entrances. I prefer the upstairs lounge. They also serve food and is reasonably priced.
16 lokalaca preporučuje
The Redroom
1003 Cedar St
16 lokalaca preporučuje
So this place has a great eclectic nightlife. They have a downstairs and upstairs portion on different entrances. I prefer the upstairs lounge. They also serve food and is reasonably priced.
They always bring good music to town.
81 lokalaca preporučuje
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific Ave
81 lokalaca preporučuje
They always bring good music to town.
Dancing and live music.
83 lokalaca preporučuje
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial Way
83 lokalaca preporučuje
Dancing and live music.
Irish pub that only serves beer...
10 lokalaca preporučuje
Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
320 Cedar St
10 lokalaca preporučuje
Irish pub that only serves beer...
They are dog-friendly. Have a ton of seating! Have corn hole, ping-pong and darts for your amusement. Super great staff. There is a limited food menu.
82 lokalaca preporučuje
Beer 30
2504 S Main St
82 lokalaca preporučuje
They are dog-friendly. Have a ton of seating! Have corn hole, ping-pong and darts for your amusement. Super great staff. There is a limited food menu.
Great food and wine bar!
55 lokalaca preporučuje
Soif
105 Walnut Ave
55 lokalaca preporučuje
Great food and wine bar!