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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave
88 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Seabright Social
519 Seabright Ave
74 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
La Posta
538 Seabright Ave
62 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel Ave
54 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Rd
205 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright Ave
67 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave
102 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Tramonti
528 Seabright Ave
38 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Café Rio Aptos
131 Esplanade
48 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Ave
220 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Java Junction
519 Seabright Ave
26 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant
355 Santana Row
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart St
34 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st Ave
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave
80 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave
91 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great Mexican food!
Best Thai around and super close!
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Real Thai Kitchen
1632 Seabright Ave
18 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave
125 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Assembly
1108 Pacific Avenue
32 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have great cheese plates, wine, food and are in a wonderful location downtown.

Getting Around

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

Parks & Nature

32 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Seabright Beach
32 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Лесной парк Нисене Маркс штата
Aptos Creek Road
272 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Природный мост государственный пляж
2531 W Cliff Dr
261 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Пляж Вадделл
15 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Государственный парк Вайлдер Ранч
1401 Coast Rd
219 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Santa Cruz Boardroom
825 41st Ave
9 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great book and even funky socks available!
Great surf gear!
36 (рекомендации местных жителей)
O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper St
36 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great surf gear!
Sock and shoe store...
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sockshop & Shoe Company
1515 Pacific Ave
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Казино Black Mesa
1305 E Cliff Dr
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Art Museums,History Museums
705 Front St
133 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff Dr
75 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Пирс Санта-Круз
21 Municipal Wharf
143 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Redroom
1003 Cedar St
16 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific Ave
81 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They always bring good music to town.
Dancing and live music.
83 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial Way
83 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Dancing and live music.
Irish pub that only serves beer...
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
320 Cedar St
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Beer 30
2504 S Main St
82 (рекомендации местных жителей)
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 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Soif
105 Walnut Ave
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great food and wine bar!