Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
Best sandwiches in town, and an easy walk from the house through downtown along Pacific or the river levee.
16 locals recommend
Zoccoli's Delicatessen
1534 Pacific AveBest sandwiches in town, and an easy walk from the house through downtown along Pacific or the river levee.
Sabieng
1218 Mission StThis is our take-out meal about once a week. We love this Thai food.
Very pricey but the classiest and tastiest restaurant in town, even though it's under a parking garage. You HAVE to get the chocolate souffle for dessert if you go.
70 locals recommend
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel AveVery pricey but the classiest and tastiest restaurant in town, even though it's under a parking garage. You HAVE to get the chocolate souffle for dessert if you go.
Best falafel and gyros in town... good low key atmosphere. Great for bringing kids or for take-out.
Falafel Of Santa Cruz
1501 Mission StBest falafel and gyros in town... good low key atmosphere. Great for bringing kids or for take-out.
Pizza by the slice, fresh and tasty. They have a good deal $5 for a slice and a t-shirt.
141 locals recommend
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadePizza by the slice, fresh and tasty. They have a good deal $5 for a slice and a t-shirt.
You have to drive there, but it's the best Mexican in town for lunch. Usually there's a line out the door for burritos to go.
28 locals recommend
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water StYou have to drive there, but it's the best Mexican in town for lunch. Usually there's a line out the door for burritos to go.
You can walk down the wharf to get here from the house, and this Mexican food is very good. This is a great fancy dinner and drinks place.
32 locals recommend
Olitas Cantina & Grille
49 Municipal WharfYou can walk down the wharf to get here from the house, and this Mexican food is very good. This is a great fancy dinner and drinks place.
Good lounge atmosphere with sofas and plush chairss though it gets extremely crowded as the night goes on.
21 locals recommend
The Reef Bar & Restaurant
200 Locust StGood lounge atmosphere with sofas and plush chairss though it gets extremely crowded as the night goes on.
Everything Else
Great rides and deals! Monday and Tuesday nights after 5 all rides only cost $1. Wednesday and Thursday nights unlimited ride pass for $12.95 with Pepsi can. Free concerts on Friday nights.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StGreat rides and deals! Monday and Tuesday nights after 5 all rides only cost $1. Wednesday and Thursday nights unlimited ride pass for $12.95 with Pepsi can. Free concerts on Friday nights.
Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak AvenueGreat bonfire pits at this beach.
Giant Redwoods and a river, without too long of a walk. They have a great redwood loop that's less than a mile long.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdGiant Redwoods and a river, without too long of a walk. They have a great redwood loop that's less than a mile long.
Wonderful hikes through open fields on the inland side of the highway, and beautiful cliff side hikes on the ocean side. Also world class mountain biking.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdWonderful hikes through open fields on the inland side of the highway, and beautiful cliff side hikes on the ocean side. Also world class mountain biking.
Delicious fancy drinks and a patio overlooking downtown. This is Santa Cruz at its most upscale.
43 locals recommend
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar StDelicious fancy drinks and a patio overlooking downtown. This is Santa Cruz at its most upscale.
This is the best beginner's surf spot in the world. Go at low tide to find waves, you can walk out very far in the ocean. No attitudes here, everybody's learning and surfing straight ahead.
40 locals recommend
Cowell Beach
Front StThis is the best beginner's surf spot in the world. Go at low tide to find waves, you can walk out very far in the ocean. No attitudes here, everybody's learning and surfing straight ahead.
Sightseeing
Beautiful 3.5 miles walk along the cliff above the ocean, towards Natural Bridges State Park. Walk, bike, run. Watch the world quality surfers at Steamer's Lane by the lighthouse.
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveBeautiful 3.5 miles walk along the cliff above the ocean, towards Natural Bridges State Park. Walk, bike, run. Watch the world quality surfers at Steamer's Lane by the lighthouse.
Entertainment & Activities
Quieter than the Main Beach, and has bonfire pits. Walk over the trestle bridge (seen in the Lost Boys movie) on the left side of the Boardwalk to reach this beach; 10-15 minute walk from the house.
59 locals recommend
Seabright State Beach
Quieter than the Main Beach, and has bonfire pits. Walk over the trestle bridge (seen in the Lost Boys movie) on the left side of the Boardwalk to reach this beach; 10-15 minute walk from the house.
This is an enclosed beach cove so the kids can play and boogie-board without worrying about them.
33 locals recommend
Sunny Cove
This is an enclosed beach cove so the kids can play and boogie-board without worrying about them.
Atlantis Fantasyworld
1020 Cedar StBest comic book store in town... kids love it.
Shopping
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific AveI can spend hours in this bookshop....
They rent wetsuits and surfboards by the day. It's a 2 block walk from the house, across from the beach.
11 locals recommend
Cowell's Beach Surf Shop
30 Front StThey rent wetsuits and surfboards by the day. It's a 2 block walk from the house, across from the beach.
Drinks & Nightlife
Kind of feels like a real pub. Beer only. A locals hangout.
10 locals recommend
Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
320 Cedar StKind of feels like a real pub. Beer only. A locals hangout.