Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
They have never disappointed. Super good food and service. They are known for their rotisserie chicken, fresh fish, good burgers.
88 locals recommend
Café Cruz
2621 41st AveThey have never disappointed. Super good food and service. They are known for their rotisserie chicken, fresh fish, good burgers.
They have a dog-friendly patio. They have live music on occasion - please check in with them prior to expecting it. Great local brewery - there is a growler above the stove in the cupboard that can be used during your visit. My fave is the Pelican Pale.
74 locals recommend
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveThey have a dog-friendly patio. They have live music on occasion - please check in with them prior to expecting it. Great local brewery - there is a growler above the stove in the cupboard that can be used during your visit. My fave is the Pelican Pale.
The highest end restaurant in the Neighborhood. I've had some amazing meals there and it's super peaceful! Sort of a hidden gem.
62 locals recommend
La Posta
538 Seabright AveThe highest end restaurant in the Neighborhood. I've had some amazing meals there and it's super peaceful! Sort of a hidden gem.
Best sushi restaurant in town. They get packed up very easily so get there early or late but not during rush hours as you will find yourself waiting in long lines!
54 locals recommend
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveBest sushi restaurant in town. They get packed up very easily so get there early or late but not during rush hours as you will find yourself waiting in long lines!
Best Prime Rib in town! They have specials every night so check in with them when you arrive to see if you may be interested. One of the most iconic restaurants in Santa Cruz County - they have been in business since 1947. They have an amazing garden you see as you walk down to the restaurant via the stairs or you can use the TRAM. This place is amazing!
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdBest Prime Rib in town! They have specials every night so check in with them when you arrive to see if you may be interested. One of the most iconic restaurants in Santa Cruz County - they have been in business since 1947. They have an amazing garden you see as you walk down to the restaurant via the stairs or you can use the TRAM. This place is amazing!
This place is always busy. It is in walking distance - sort of pricey though.
67 locals recommend
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveThis place is always busy. It is in walking distance - sort of pricey though.
This is by far my favorite breakfast location. Priced right and large portions. I always get the seafood omelette and they always prepare my hash browns to order. They also have a dog-friendly patio. This is in walking distance but across the harbor.
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th AveThis is by far my favorite breakfast location. Priced right and large portions. I always get the seafood omelette and they always prepare my hash browns to order. They also have a dog-friendly patio. This is in walking distance but across the harbor.
Great pizza and gnocchi! Fairly quiet place. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
38 locals recommend
Tramonti
528 Seabright AveGreat pizza and gnocchi! Fairly quiet place. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
I used to live a block from here and it was my go-to spot. They always have the freshest oysters! They have a dog-friendly patio and have live music on occasion.
48 locals recommend
Café Rio Aptos
131 EsplanadeI used to live a block from here and it was my go-to spot. They always have the freshest oysters! They have a dog-friendly patio and have live music on occasion.
This is my favorite coffee. I don't drink coffee often but when I do, it's VERVE. They also have some amazing pastries. It's a short walk from here. Not much in the way of inside seating but they do have a few tables outside.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveThis is my favorite coffee. I don't drink coffee often but when I do, it's VERVE. They also have some amazing pastries. It's a short walk from here. Not much in the way of inside seating but they do have a few tables outside.
This place is closer than VERVE but not as good in my opinion. They do have inside and outside seating though and less expensive than VERVE...
26 locals recommend
Java Junction
519 Seabright AveThis place is closer than VERVE but not as good in my opinion. They do have inside and outside seating though and less expensive than VERVE...
Most delicious corned beef and cabbage. Also have yummy shepherds pie and bangers & mash. Oh and their fish and chips aren't too shabby either...
19 locals recommend
Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant
355 Santana RowMost delicious corned beef and cabbage. Also have yummy shepherds pie and bangers & mash. Oh and their fish and chips aren't too shabby either...
So this place has some amazing beers as well as some yummy food!
34 locals recommend
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart StSo this place has some amazing beers as well as some yummy food!
Another local brewery that delivers strong in food and brews. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly on the patio.
55 locals recommend
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveAnother local brewery that delivers strong in food and brews. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly on the patio.
They are just a short drive away or about a 20 minute walk. My favorite is the Pho but they have plenty of bowls that are delicious.
80 locals recommend
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel AveThey are just a short drive away or about a 20 minute walk. My favorite is the Pho but they have plenty of bowls that are delicious.
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center AveGreat Mexican food!
Real Thai Kitchen
1632 Seabright AveBest Thai around and super close!
One of the highest rated Italian places in town - I literally refused to go there my first couple years here because they always had ridiculous lines and I hate waiting in lines. Now they have expanded almost four times the size and are still always busy. I recommend reservations. Their risotto balls are so good. So is there Gnocchi. And their Lasagna. I could go on and on... Beer and wine only...
125 locals recommend
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveOne of the highest rated Italian places in town - I literally refused to go there my first couple years here because they always had ridiculous lines and I hate waiting in lines. Now they have expanded almost four times the size and are still always busy. I recommend reservations. Their risotto balls are so good. So is there Gnocchi. And their Lasagna. I could go on and on... Beer and wine only...
They have great cheese plates, wine, food and are in a wonderful location downtown.
32 locals recommend
Assembly
1108 Pacific AvenueThey have great cheese plates, wine, food and are in a wonderful location downtown.
Getting Around
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
919B Ocean StFamily Cycling Center
914 41st AvePacific Ave Cycles
153 Pacific AveBike Rentals - never used them but have heard good things!
Parks & Nature
Seabright Beach
If you like to Mountain Bike - this is your spot. Also great for hiking. You can park outside the park and walk or ride in to pay for parking or you can drive in and pay to park.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadIf you like to Mountain Bike - this is your spot. Also great for hiking. You can park outside the park and walk or ride in to pay for parking or you can drive in and pay to park.
It's absolutely beautiful - you can witness the Monarch migration October through early February.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrIt's absolutely beautiful - you can witness the Monarch migration October through early February.
So this is probably my favorite beach in Santa Cruz County. The views will not disappoint. It is directly off highway one about 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz.
15 locals recommend
Waddell Beach
So this is probably my favorite beach in Santa Cruz County. The views will not disappoint. It is directly off highway one about 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz.
Great hiking trail - flat land with an amazing ocean view. No beach access unless you want to risk your life. There is also a great hiking/biking trail opposite side of highway one.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdGreat hiking trail - flat land with an amazing ocean view. No beach access unless you want to risk your life. There is also a great hiking/biking trail opposite side of highway one.
Shopping
This is the iconic Santa Cruz Boardroom that has plenty of Santa Cruz gear as well as skateboards.
9 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Boardroom
825 41st AveThis is the iconic Santa Cruz Boardroom that has plenty of Santa Cruz gear as well as skateboards.
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific AveGreat book and even funky socks available!
O'Neill Surf Shop
110 Cooper StGreat surf gear!
Sockshop & Shoe Company
1515 Pacific AveSock and shoe store...
They have plenty of CD's and Vinyls for every genre - must visit for all you music lovers out there!
Streetlight Records
939 Pacific AveThey have plenty of CD's and Vinyls for every genre - must visit for all you music lovers out there!
Arts & Culture
This museum is located on East Cliff Drive just a short walk from the apartment and is on the opposite side of the stree of the coastline of Seabright beach.
50 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 E Cliff DrThis museum is located on East Cliff Drive just a short walk from the apartment and is on the opposite side of the stree of the coastline of Seabright beach.
Local stories that make up the history of Santa Cruz. Enjoy!
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StLocal stories that make up the history of Santa Cruz. Enjoy!
Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting artifacts tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. The museum shop specializes in great surfing books and surfing related items.
75 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrOverlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this little gem of a museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting artifacts tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. The museum shop specializes in great surfing books and surfing related items.
Felix Kulpa Gallery
107 Elm StHave not been there personally but have read some great reviews.
Everything Else
There are quite a few restaurants and shops on the wharf. You can fish from eat, check out all the Sea Lions, rent boats etc. A huge tourist attraction.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfThere are quite a few restaurants and shops on the wharf. You can fish from eat, check out all the Sea Lions, rent boats etc. A huge tourist attraction.
Drinks & Nightlife
So this place has a great eclectic nightlife. They have a downstairs and upstairs portion on different entrances.
I prefer the upstairs lounge. They also serve food and is reasonably priced.
16 locals recommend
The Redroom
1003 Cedar StSo this place has a great eclectic nightlife. They have a downstairs and upstairs portion on different entrances.
I prefer the upstairs lounge. They also serve food and is reasonably priced.
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific AveThey always bring good music to town.
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayDancing and live music.
Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
320 Cedar StIrish pub that only serves beer...
They are dog-friendly. Have a ton of seating! Have corn hole, ping-pong and darts for your amusement. Super great staff.
There is a limited food menu.
82 locals recommend
Beer 30
2504 S Main StThey are dog-friendly. Have a ton of seating! Have corn hole, ping-pong and darts for your amusement. Super great staff.
There is a limited food menu.
Soif
105 Walnut AveGreat food and wine bar!