Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Entertainment & Activities
Santa Cruz Surf School
Surf City, don't you want to learn to Surf?
Richard Schmidt Surf School
30 Front StreetSurf School!
Club Ed International Surf School & Camps
SUP, is all the rage....time to learn!
Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveTours of the bay...
The meeting place for surf lessons, kayak tours and a handful of seafood restaurants.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfThe meeting place for surf lessons, kayak tours and a handful of seafood restaurants.
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff StWhen you want to take the kids out but can't bear the arcade!
Some rides for the little kids, some for the bigger. When your tired of the rides, grab a chocolate dipped cone and go walk along the beach or play in the sand...
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StSome rides for the little kids, some for the bigger. When your tired of the rides, grab a chocolate dipped cone and go walk along the beach or play in the sand...
Learn about the original "locals"-the Ohlone Indians. Native crafts, storytelling and Games every Saturday @11am.
50 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff DrLearn about the original "locals"-the Ohlone Indians. Native crafts, storytelling and Games every Saturday @11am.
It's not the Monterey Bay Aquarium, little local gem. Have a peek to see what swims in the Bay!
80 locals recommend
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayIt's not the Monterey Bay Aquarium, little local gem. Have a peek to see what swims in the Bay!
Covewater Paddle Surf
726 Water StStand Up Paddle Boarding lessons!
Epicenter Cycling
8035 Soquel DrRent a bike, see Santa Cruz a different way.
Mike Fox Skate Park
299 San Lorenzo BlvdShred here! Bring your pads and helmets please!
Santa Cruz Skate School
8 Cabernet CtNeed to learn some new moves?
Depot Park BMX Bike Park
119 Center StreetTwo wheel action your thing? BMX park!
Depot Park
119 Center StWhen you want a break from the sand!
Take the train, pick up at the Boardwalk!
58 locals recommend
Roaring Camp, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad Station
North Big Trees Park RoadTake the train, pick up at the Boardwalk!
Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak AvenueAll Beach, all the time!
Want to watch the Surfers? Catch some surf yourself? Here's the place, also used for filming of Chasing Mavericks!
116 locals recommend
Pleasure Point
Want to watch the Surfers? Catch some surf yourself? Here's the place, also used for filming of Chasing Mavericks!
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrA museum for all things SURF!
Shopping
Surf Gear, who wants to schlep back to the hotel when you can get it here?
11 locals recommend
Cowell's Beach Surf Shop
30 Front StSurf Gear, who wants to schlep back to the hotel when you can get it here?
Skateworks
131 Center StShred Gear...
@$3.50 a cone it's splurge, home made, small batch ice cream. Nectarine & Strawberry are seasonal favorites. I'm partial to the Turkish Coffee.
13 locals recommend
Mission Hill Coffee & Creamery
1101 B Pacific Ave@$3.50 a cone it's splurge, home made, small batch ice cream. Nectarine & Strawberry are seasonal favorites. I'm partial to the Turkish Coffee.
CVS
1700 Mission StForgot something. Ten minutes by foot!
Essentials
Trader Joe's
700 Front StA ten minute stroll for groceries!
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveSame ten minute stroll for groceries
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel Drwhat do you want in the way of produce?
Safeway
2203 Mission StChain grocery store
Whole Foods Market
911 Soquel AveChain Grocery Store featuring Organics, pricey
This little store dates back to 1928. Selection of local organic products, great wine department and a great butcher.
76 locals recommend
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveThis little store dates back to 1928. Selection of local organic products, great wine department and a great butcher.
Drinks & Nightlife
In case the strolling has worn you out! Beers on tap, in the bottle...yes 99 of them and even a few gluten free!
20 locals recommend
99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall
110 Walnut AveIn case the strolling has worn you out! Beers on tap, in the bottle...yes 99 of them and even a few gluten free!
Thursday Beach Parties! 5;30-8;30 through August 29th!
Live entertainment, outside Bar and BBQ!
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrThursday Beach Parties! 5;30-8;30 through August 29th!
Live entertainment, outside Bar and BBQ!
Food Scene
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st Avehmmm, this is the good stuff!
On your way to an out of town adventure Fins is my stop for coffee. I'm partial to the Capucinno and Chai lattes.
7 locals recommend
Fins Coffee
1104 Ocean StOn your way to an out of town adventure Fins is my stop for coffee. I'm partial to the Capucinno and Chai lattes.
Directly across from Fins Coffee, this is the mothership which means they have about 40 flavors at any one time.
38 locals recommend
Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean StDirectly across from Fins Coffee, this is the mothership which means they have about 40 flavors at any one time.
Dr. Midnight is the cookie for the chocolate fiend! They also carry about ten flacors of Marianne's ice cream.
12 locals recommend
Pacific Cookie Company
303 Potrero StDr. Midnight is the cookie for the chocolate fiend! They also carry about ten flacors of Marianne's ice cream.
Sports Bar/Pizza joint -Gluten Free Pizza, outside heated patio seating!
17 locals recommend
Woodstock's Pizza Santa Cruz
710 Front StSports Bar/Pizza joint -Gluten Free Pizza, outside heated patio seating!
Need a quick slice? Try the vegetarian with artichocke hearts! The quick place to have a bite! Cheapest souvenir in SC-buy a slice and get a t-shirt for $5!
141 locals recommend
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadeNeed a quick slice? Try the vegetarian with artichocke hearts! The quick place to have a bite! Cheapest souvenir in SC-buy a slice and get a t-shirt for $5!
Woodies Café
25 Municipal WharfKid friendly, lively-more of an event. Stick with the classics and you will have fun!
it's a wait, but usally worth it for breakfast! they also have take out and serve until 7pm.
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel Aveit's a wait, but usally worth it for breakfast! they also have take out and serve until 7pm.
Lulu's at the Octagon
118 Cooper StGreat coffee, pretty building to enjoy your cup or grab a walk away.
If you're going to eat down here, at least you have a chance of running into a seasonally fresh salad. They do a baked mac and cheese. Simple, fresh food, locally sourced, locally made.
40 locals recommend
Cowell Beach
Front StIf you're going to eat down here, at least you have a chance of running into a seasonally fresh salad. They do a baked mac and cheese. Simple, fresh food, locally sourced, locally made.
Sightseeing
Mountain Bike? For those 12 years and up, it's a splurge @$99 a person but 80% is downhill and they pick you up at local hotels.3 hour ride through the redwoods
19 locals recommend
Epicenter Cycling
8035 Soquel DrMountain Bike? For those 12 years and up, it's a splurge @$99 a person but 80% is downhill and they pick you up at local hotels.3 hour ride through the redwoods
Arts & Culture
When I was a kid we were allowed to hang out with the 'rents and swill ginger beer. I beleive kids are no longer allowed but it's a live music venue.
32 locals recommend
Regal Santa Cruz 9
1405 Pacific AveWhen I was a kid we were allowed to hang out with the 'rents and swill ginger beer. I beleive kids are no longer allowed but it's a live music venue.