Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Assembly
1108 Pacific AvenueGreat food and a nice patio.
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel AveThis is probably the nicest restaurant in Santa Cruz.
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveSome of the best coffee anywhere.
Looking for a decent burrito, but only have $5 to spare? Then El Palomar is the place for you.
37 locals recommend
El Palomar Restaurant
1336 Pacific AveLooking for a decent burrito, but only have $5 to spare? Then El Palomar is the place for you.
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal WharfSeafood on the wharf. Need I say more?
Laili
101 Cooper StGreat food and not as pricey as Oswald's.
Locals love this place and for good reason. Extensive menu, amazing food, and a nice ambiance.
88 locals recommend
Café Cruz
2621 41st AveLocals love this place and for good reason. Extensive menu, amazing food, and a nice ambiance.
It over looks the yacht harbor and if you're around on a Wednesday in the summer, you can watch the yacht race while sipping on a cool beverage.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrIt over looks the yacht harbor and if you're around on a Wednesday in the summer, you can watch the yacht race while sipping on a cool beverage.
Hands down the best breakfast/brunch place in Santa Cruz. Anticipate having to wait for 15 - 45 minutes for a table, especially on the weekends. But it's worth it.
38 locals recommend
The Walnut Avenue Cafe
106 Walnut AveHands down the best breakfast/brunch place in Santa Cruz. Anticipate having to wait for 15 - 45 minutes for a table, especially on the weekends. But it's worth it.
Pizza My Heart was founded in Santa Cruz and is now a successful regional chain. It's solid pizza.
141 locals recommend
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadePizza My Heart was founded in Santa Cruz and is now a successful regional chain. It's solid pizza.
The food is okay, not great. But there is always live music and the drinks are just as good here as anywhere else. They also have a nice patio and it's less than a block from the house.
13 locals recommend
Pono Hawaiian Grill
120 Union StreetThe food is okay, not great. But there is always live music and the drinks are just as good here as anywhere else. They also have a nice patio and it's less than a block from the house.
Decent coffee right on the water. If you can find room on their (small) balcony even better.
20 locals recommend
Mr Toots Coffeehouse
231 EsplanadeDecent coffee right on the water. If you can find room on their (small) balcony even better.
It's a pretty good Mexican restaurant. Be careful, they make a strong margarita!
91 locals recommend
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center AveIt's a pretty good Mexican restaurant. Be careful, they make a strong margarita!
Drinks & Nightlife
Restaurant and lounge/bar. It's a great place to meet friends, have a drink, and chat.
43 locals recommend
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar StRestaurant and lounge/bar. It's a great place to meet friends, have a drink, and chat.
If you're looking for more of a party scene, this is a good place to check out.
21 locals recommend
The Reef Bar & Restaurant
200 Locust StIf you're looking for more of a party scene, this is a good place to check out.
Arts & Culture
You can't come to Santa Cruz without experiencing the Boardwalk!
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StYou can't come to Santa Cruz without experiencing the Boardwalk!
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrJust like the names says, it's the Surfing Museum.
From their website:
The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. Come experience these phenomena for yourself!
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdFrom their website:
The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. Come experience these phenomena for yourself!
Essentials
An easy stroll down the street, it's easier to walk here for groceries than drive.
165 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
700 Front StAn easy stroll down the street, it's easier to walk here for groceries than drive.
An easy walk to get groceries, but be ready to pay top dollar for these organic products.
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveAn easy walk to get groceries, but be ready to pay top dollar for these organic products.
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveWhole Foods.
Sightseeing
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrNatural Bridges is beautiful.
There is no other campus in the world like UC Santa Cruz's campus. Redwoods, million dollar views of Monterey Bay...it's worth the short drive up the hill.
67 locals recommend
University of California at Santa Cruz
Arboretum RoadThere is no other campus in the world like UC Santa Cruz's campus. Redwoods, million dollar views of Monterey Bay...it's worth the short drive up the hill.
It's the Monterey Bay Aquarium - one of, if not the best, aquarium in the world.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowIt's the Monterey Bay Aquarium - one of, if not the best, aquarium in the world.
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveNice beach, cute downtown.
Seabright State Beach
Great beach, no crowds.
Everything Else
Pleasure Point
Some of the best surfing anywhere.
Shopping
Target
1825 41st AveIt's Target. Go if you need things. :)