Stephanie’s guidebook
Beach. Restaurants. Shops
The village with all the shops, dining and beach is always great fun. Bike there from our house and avoid the parking
151 locals recommend
Capitola
The village with all the shops, dining and beach is always great fun. Bike there from our house and avoid the parking
Food scene
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdFabulous upscale dining and beautiful property.
Farm to table and everything from scratch. Fabulous! Reservations recommended
32 locals recommend
HOME
3101 N Main StFarm to table and everything from scratch. Fabulous! Reservations recommended
Café Cruz
2621 41st AveA fantastic local favorite with patio dining.
Best Breakfast! Patio seating and dog friendly. The wait is worth it!
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th AveBest Breakfast! Patio seating and dog friendly. The wait is worth it!
A destination in itself. Sits on the beach at the Santa Cruz harbor. Best salad bar, views, entertainment.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrA destination in itself. Sits on the beach at the Santa Cruz harbor. Best salad bar, views, entertainment.
Johnny's Harborside
493 Lake AveA locally owned favorite! great menu
Tramonti
528 Seabright AveGreat Italian
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel DrOur favorite charming French restaurant
Sits on the beach. Great Mexican food. Outdoor seating. They loan volleyballs for the courts out front.
35 locals recommend
Cafe El Palomar
2222 E Cliff DrSits on the beach. Great Mexican food. Outdoor seating. They loan volleyballs for the courts out front.
Laili
101 Cooper StMozaic
110 Church StMediterranean food
Famous fish house at the Santa Cruz wharf. Overlooks beach and Boardwalk
25 locals recommend
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal WharfFamous fish house at the Santa Cruz wharf. Overlooks beach and Boardwalk
The perfect morning walk for the best breakfast burrito around. Watch the surfers at Pleasure Point.
38 locals recommend
The Point Market
23040 E Cliff DrThe perfect morning walk for the best breakfast burrito around. Watch the surfers at Pleasure Point.
KAITO
RAMEN! Need I say more. Easily share huge portions
Can walk
New York style thin crust. Locally famous. Several locations around town but this is the original. Grab a slice and head to the beach. My fave!
141 locals recommend
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadeNew York style thin crust. Locally famous. Several locations around town but this is the original. Grab a slice and head to the beach. My fave!
Great menu, Patton seating and dog friendly. Walk to
51 locals recommend
Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AveGreat menu, Patton seating and dog friendly. Walk to
Margaritaville
231 EsplanadeOverlook Capitola beach.
Sits on the beach in Capitola. Great place for drinks. Patio dining and dog friendly
68 locals recommend
Zelda's on the Beach
203 EsplanadeSits on the beach in Capitola. Great place for drinks. Patio dining and dog friendly
Paradise Beach Grille
215 EsplanadeThe location, the food and the view. Has it all!
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveFavorite roll: Eternal sunshine! Yum. Local fave and always hopping
Large for a sushi restaurant, so much easier to get into, especially with a large group. Food is great. Dine here and check out downtown Santa Cruz
28 locals recommend
Mobo Sushi
105 River St SLarge for a sushi restaurant, so much easier to get into, especially with a large group. Food is great. Dine here and check out downtown Santa Cruz
Lively. Fabulous wood fired pizza and salads. But everything is great
32 locals recommend
East End Gastropub
1501 41st AveLively. Fabulous wood fired pizza and salads. But everything is great
Within a very cool industrial setting of wine tasting, shops, dining and top notch bakery.
125 locals recommend
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls StWithin a very cool industrial setting of wine tasting, shops, dining and top notch bakery.
Santa Cruz finally has fine dining! Pricy but great for special occasions
11 locals recommend
Alderwood Santa Cruz
155 Walnut AveSanta Cruz finally has fine dining! Pricy but great for special occasions
Farm to table fantastic dining in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz
70 locals recommend
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel AveFarm to table fantastic dining in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz
Our favorite hole in the wall Mexican. Chili Arellano super cheesy!
15 locals recommend
Taqueria Michoacan
21401 E Cliff DrOur favorite hole in the wall Mexican. Chili Arellano super cheesy!
Live Oak Farmer's Market
21400 E Cliff DrAptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel DrTap Rooms
I’ve highlighted just a few of the many tap rooms around town. Check internet for a full list.
New Bohemia Brewing Co.
1030 41st AveCan walk
Beer 30
2504 S Main StShanty Shack Brewing
138 Fern StCoffee shops
Coffeetopia
3701 Portola DrCan walk
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveCan walk
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrCan walk
Starbucks
21620 E Cliff DrCan walk
Beaches
Main Beach
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveTwin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak AvenuePleasure Point
Cowell Beach
Front StSeacliff State Beach
State Park DriveLighthouse Field State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach Vista Point
2531 W Cliff DrWaddell Beach
Mitchell's Cove Beach
Seabright Beach
New Brighton State Beach
1500 Park AveNature, Parks, and Hike
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadWilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdManresa State Beach
1445 San Andreas RdRoaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdOutdoor Activities
Roaring Camp, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad Station
North Big Trees Park RoadSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach St17-Mile Drive
17 Mile DrivePebble Beach Golf Links
1700 17 Mile DrLovers Point
631 Ocean View BlvdGilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
3050 Hecker Pass HwyChardonnay Sailing Charters
790 Mariner Park WaySanta Cruz Whale Watching
1718 Brommer StCapitola
More than a beach. Great shopping and restaurants
Big Sur
Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveSanta Cruz Mission State Historic Park
144 School StSurf School Santa Cruz
3548 Portola DrCarmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenueSUP Shack Santa Cruz
2214 E Cliff DrSurf School Santa Cruz
3548 Portola Dr