Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveGreat local spot for coffee.
Best breakfast in town. Make sure to order the cinnamon rolls. They aren't on the menu.
67 Einheimische empfehlen
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveBest breakfast in town. Make sure to order the cinnamon rolls. They aren't on the menu.
La Posta
538 Seabright AveUpscale dinner. Have wine, you can walk home!
Tramonti
528 Seabright AveCasual Italian. Big portions.
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright AveEasy and quick burgers. Great milkshakes and onion rings.
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st AveOur go-to for burritos.
Walk to breakfast, watch the boats and drink mimosas.
56 Einheimische empfehlen
Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
790 Mariner Park WayWalk to breakfast, watch the boats and drink mimosas.
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel AveOur favorite date restaurant.
If you want to eat seafood with a beautiful view, this is the place to do it. Reservations recommended. Also have generous happy hour in bar upstairs.
276 Einheimische empfehlen
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrIf you want to eat seafood with a beautiful view, this is the place to do it. Reservations recommended. Also have generous happy hour in bar upstairs.
Best food near the Boardwalk. If you don't want to eat funnel cake and deep fried anything, go here.
50 Einheimische empfehlen
The Picnic Basket
125 Beach StBest food near the Boardwalk. If you don't want to eat funnel cake and deep fried anything, go here.
四姐 Special Noodle
Bet Chinese in town
Great coffee (Blue Bottle from SF) and pastries from Manresa
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Companion Bakeshop Aptos
7486 Soquel DrGreat coffee (Blue Bottle from SF) and pastries from Manresa
Essentials
Great place for fresh produce and meat/seafood. Lots of local products.
76 Einheimische empfehlen
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveGreat place for fresh produce and meat/seafood. Lots of local products.
Our favorite locally owned grocery store - lots of organic and healthy food options
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Staff of Life
1266 Soquel AveOur favorite locally owned grocery store - lots of organic and healthy food options
Shopping
Want to try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking.... this is the place to go. Do not go to the SUP Shack.... terrible customer service!
31 Einheimische empfehlen
Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveWant to try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking.... this is the place to go. Do not go to the SUP Shack.... terrible customer service!
Pacific Edge Climbing Gym
104 Bronson StFun place to get out some energy!
Everything Else
Cheap and entertaining for the little ones. Learn a little about local history plus there is a great whale sculpture to climb. Kids can spend HOURS scaling it.
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Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff DrCheap and entertaining for the little ones. Learn a little about local history plus there is a great whale sculpture to climb. Kids can spend HOURS scaling it.
Arts & Culture
Fabulous collections. They host lots of events.... worth checking out.
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Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StFabulous collections. They host lots of events.... worth checking out.
Gotta go and ride the Merry-Go-Round. They run specials on Monday and Tuesday evenings so rides are a lot cheaper if you just want to try a few and not make a day of it. Parking is a pain. We walk.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StGotta go and ride the Merry-Go-Round. They run specials on Monday and Tuesday evenings so rides are a lot cheaper if you just want to try a few and not make a day of it. Parking is a pain. We walk.
Sightseeing
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdWe love hiking in the redwoods here.
It's Santa Cruz. Go to the beach! Not the best for surfing, but nice and mellow. And cleaner water than Cowell's.
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Seabright State Beach
It's Santa Cruz. Go to the beach! Not the best for surfing, but nice and mellow. And cleaner water than Cowell's.
Great place to see Big Trees. Good one-mile loop.
335 Einheimische empfehlen
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdGreat place to see Big Trees. Good one-mile loop.
Fabulous walk... you will see surfers, wildlife, and lots of other people looking at the ocean. End at Natural Bridges and check out Monarch butterflies.
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West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveFabulous walk... you will see surfers, wildlife, and lots of other people looking at the ocean. End at Natural Bridges and check out Monarch butterflies.