Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Arts & Culture
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar StIntimate setting for great music.
Kaiser Permanente Arena
140 Front StSanta Cruz Warriors basketball
Giant Dipper, Looff Carousel, Marini's Candies, Neptune's Kingdom, Cave Train, chocolate-dipped cones, lemonade slushies, and so much more!
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StGiant Dipper, Looff Carousel, Marini's Candies, Neptune's Kingdom, Cave Train, chocolate-dipped cones, lemonade slushies, and so much more!
Food Scene
Delicious. If you can't get reservations for a table, try the bar menu. Well worth it.
70 locals recommend
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel AveDelicious. If you can't get reservations for a table, try the bar menu. Well worth it.
Soif
105 Walnut AveWine and gourmet plates.
Laili
101 Cooper StBeautiful setting with delicious food. Try their mint, ginger drinks.
Chocolate the Restaurant
1522 Pacific AveVariety of hot chocolate to top off the evening.
Ice-cream that's like no other. They also have a kiosk in front of Bookshop Santa Cruz.
64 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery
913 Cedar StIce-cream that's like no other. They also have a kiosk in front of Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Lulu's at the Octagon
118 Cooper StGood coffee in a beautiful space.
Whenever my friend Ramy visits from Rochester, MN, she asks that we have breakfast at Zachary's-- it's the coffee cake.
47 locals recommend
Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific AveWhenever my friend Ramy visits from Rochester, MN, she asks that we have breakfast at Zachary's-- it's the coffee cake.
Shopping
LOGOS BOOKS & RECORDS
1117 Pacific AveGreat books go with the beach.
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific AveLarge selection of books, magazines, gifts, book talks.
Wide variety of gifts, toys, t-shirts, posters, stationery, and one-of-a-kind surprises.
Paper Vision
1345 Pacific AveWide variety of gifts, toys, t-shirts, posters, stationery, and one-of-a-kind surprises.
Shoes you won't find on line or in other stores. Socks, tights, "art" shoes for men and women.
8 locals recommend
Sockshop & Shoe Company
1515 Pacific AveShoes you won't find on line or in other stores. Socks, tights, "art" shoes for men and women.
Everything for the kitchen and dining-- things you want, need, and didn't know you wanted and needed.
Toque Blanche
1527 Pacific AveEverything for the kitchen and dining-- things you want, need, and didn't know you wanted and needed.
Everything Else
Swim (if you are looking for a swim partner let Maria know), surf lessons, stand-up paddling.
40 locals recommend
Cowell Beach
Front StSwim (if you are looking for a swim partner let Maria know), surf lessons, stand-up paddling.
Main Beach
Swim, relax between Boardwalk rides.
Mike Fox Skate Park
299 San Lorenzo BlvdBest skatepark in Santa Cruz
Seabright State Beach
Swim, best for body surfing.
Our favorite bakery. Croissants, bear claws, pecan sandies, devil's food cake for your sweet tooth. Delicious and healthy savory dishes as well but be sure and leave room for dessert.
133 locals recommend
The Buttery
702 Soquel AveOur favorite bakery. Croissants, bear claws, pecan sandies, devil's food cake for your sweet tooth. Delicious and healthy savory dishes as well but be sure and leave room for dessert.
Where locals shop. Local and organic produce, a real butcher, and an extensive wine selection at reasonable prices. Package up a picnic basket or souvenirs for your friends back home.
76 locals recommend
Shopper's Corner
622 Soquel AveWhere locals shop. Local and organic produce, a real butcher, and an extensive wine selection at reasonable prices. Package up a picnic basket or souvenirs for your friends back home.
Longest wharf in California. Sea lions, great views of Monterey Bay and the Boardwalk. Rent a kayak, go whale watching, have a delicious meal.
6 locals recommend
Municipal Wharf
Municipal WharfLongest wharf in California. Sea lions, great views of Monterey Bay and the Boardwalk. Rent a kayak, go whale watching, have a delicious meal.
Sightseeing
Check out the surfers. Bring your hula hoop and juggling skills if you're there at dusk.
81 locals recommend
Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff DrCheck out the surfers. Bring your hula hoop and juggling skills if you're there at dusk.
Beautiful sunsets, water life (may spot a whale or two), views of Monterey,...
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveBeautiful sunsets, water life (may spot a whale or two), views of Monterey,...
Great view and slides that they just don't make anymore (ask Andy and Maria for some wax paper to sweeten the ride.)
18 locals recommend
Ocean View Park
102 Ocean View AveGreat view and slides that they just don't make anymore (ask Andy and Maria for some wax paper to sweeten the ride.)
Running and hiking trails among the redwoods. Check out the relics of the Polo House (featured in "Lost Boys"). Emma McCrary bike trail will join up with trails to Henry Cowells. Ask Maria for maps.
18 locals recommend
Pogonip
501 and 410 Golf Club DrRunning and hiking trails among the redwoods. Check out the relics of the Polo House (featured in "Lost Boys"). Emma McCrary bike trail will join up with trails to Henry Cowells. Ask Maria for maps.
Informative display on the mission era in Santa Cruz. The Galleria shop sells some beautiful artwork as well. The square is a lovely place to sit and relax. Surprisingly under visited.
14 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
144 School StInformative display on the mission era in Santa Cruz. The Galleria shop sells some beautiful artwork as well. The square is a lovely place to sit and relax. Surprisingly under visited.
You can run/walk/bike along the levee path/riverwalk behind our house and join up with paths to Pogonip, the beach/Boardwalk, WestCliff, Yacht Harbor,... Check out herons, egrets, and ducks.
Santa Cruz Riverwalk
Santa Cruz RiverwalkYou can run/walk/bike along the levee path/riverwalk behind our house and join up with paths to Pogonip, the beach/Boardwalk, WestCliff, Yacht Harbor,... Check out herons, egrets, and ducks.
Drinks & Nightlife
Andy: 99 bottles of beer
Maria: Brisket sandwich and waffle fries
20 locals recommend
99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall
110 Walnut AveAndy: 99 bottles of beer
Maria: Brisket sandwich and waffle fries