Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Sightseeing
Walking along the coast here is magical! I regularly see sea otters, pelicans, sea lions, cormorants, sea gulls, whales, surfers, paddle boarders, boogie boarders, and sail boats!
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveWalking along the coast here is magical! I regularly see sea otters, pelicans, sea lions, cormorants, sea gulls, whales, surfers, paddle boarders, boogie boarders, and sail boats!
Everything Else
Classic American beach boardwalk with rides, games, and snacks!
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StClassic American beach boardwalk with rides, games, and snacks!
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel AveGreat venue to hear live music!
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar StJazz club just about 5 blocks from the home.
All natural grocery store 5 minute walk from the home!
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveAll natural grocery store 5 minute walk from the home!
Great lounge and restaurant for fancy coctails, beers, dinner or brunch. Try brunch on the upstairs balcony area!
43 locals recommend
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar StGreat lounge and restaurant for fancy coctails, beers, dinner or brunch. Try brunch on the upstairs balcony area!
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific AveBest locally owned bookstore!
Take dance classes upstairs or have great mexican food in the cantina or taco bar for a cheaper deal. I love the homemade fresh tortillas used with tacos!
6 locals recommend
Palomar Ballroom Santa Cruz
1344 Pacific AveTake dance classes upstairs or have great mexican food in the cantina or taco bar for a cheaper deal. I love the homemade fresh tortillas used with tacos!
Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific AveOld movie theatre just 5 minutes from the home.
Small independent films here are great! 5 minutes from the home!
63 locals recommend
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln StSmall independent films here are great! 5 minutes from the home!
Toadal Fitness
1200 17th AveGreat Local Gym 5 minutes away!
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdLots of hiking options here!
Fall Creek is a hidden gem of a hiking area just 15 minutes away in the hills of Felton. Walk along a lush creek canyon!!
10 locals recommend
Fall Creek Unit
1101 Felton Empire RdFall Creek is a hidden gem of a hiking area just 15 minutes away in the hills of Felton. Walk along a lush creek canyon!!
Cute mountain town with antique shops and local color! Take a hike at nearby Big Basin State Park. This is 30 minutes away!
18 locals recommend
Boulder Creek
Cute mountain town with antique shops and local color! Take a hike at nearby Big Basin State Park. This is 30 minutes away!
Bike or drive here in 10-20 minutes and hike either inland or along the coast to see amazing views!
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdBike or drive here in 10-20 minutes and hike either inland or along the coast to see amazing views!
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff StGo bowling here one day or night!
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfRent a kayak or have some seafood on the wharf!
Trader Joe's
700 Front StWalk to Trader Joes!
Yoga Center Santa Cruz
846 Front Styoga just 3 blocks away!
LOGOS BOOKS & RECORDS
1117 Pacific AveUsed books and CD's
The Penny Ice Creamery
913 Cedar StYummy boutique Ice Creamery!
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadPopular hiking and running park.
Take a free walk through the woods here and get a peaceful experience. They also have Buddhist workshops and seminars.
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdTake a free walk through the woods here and get a peaceful experience. They also have Buddhist workshops and seminars.
Go to Big Sur for the day and reserve a 1.5 hour massage here. You can use their hot tubs overlooking the ocean before and after your massage! $150 for 1.5 hr massage and hot tubs!!!
17 locals recommend
Esalen Institute
55000 CA-1Go to Big Sur for the day and reserve a 1.5 hour massage here. You can use their hot tubs overlooking the ocean before and after your massage! $150 for 1.5 hr massage and hot tubs!!!
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowBest Aquarium on the West Coast!
Seabright State Beach
Great Beach to get a big long beach experience.
Food Scene
Regional Mexican food from a small sidewalk stand. The food is AMAZING and you get to sit on the sidewalk and people watch too!
Café Campesino
1130 Pacific AvenueRegional Mexican food from a small sidewalk stand. The food is AMAZING and you get to sit on the sidewalk and people watch too!
Shogun Japanese Restaurant
1123 Pacific AveMy favorite Sushi Restaurant 5 blocks from the home!
Gabriella Café
910 Cedar StRomantic small restaurant within walking distance.
Lulu Carpenter's
1545 Pacific AveNice cafe for tea or coffee
The Walnut Avenue Cafe
106 Walnut AveGreat local Breakfast place!
Drive or walk here for Brazilian Breakfast. Plan to wait for about 20-40 minutes. You can call and pick up carry out too!
79 locals recommend
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission StDrive or walk here for Brazilian Breakfast. Plan to wait for about 20-40 minutes. You can call and pick up carry out too!
Avanti Restaurant
1917 Mission StPopular Italian Restaurant 5 minutes away by car.
Local Vegetarian establishment which has a lot of character in large portions and fun tables!
21 locals recommend
Saturn Cafe
145 Laurel StLocal Vegetarian establishment which has a lot of character in large portions and fun tables!
Drinks & Nightlife
Nepenthe
48510 CA-1Drive down to Big Sur for a day and eat here!
Shopping
The Picnic Basket
125 Beach StGourmet lunches here near the boardwalk for reasonable prices!