Guidebook for Santa Cruz Area

Judy
Guidebook for Santa Cruz Area

Food Scene

Below are places we have visited; do let us know if you find a great place you think we should add!
close by, locally owned...
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Coffee Nine
9505 CA-9
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
close by, locally owned...
Great space for larger groups; to grab some study/work time.
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Coffee Cat
255 Mt Hermon Rd
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Great space for larger groups; to grab some study/work time.
Locally owned; good Italian food PLUS a beer garden!
49 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ristorante Casa Nostra
9217 CA-9
49 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Locally owned; good Italian food PLUS a beer garden!
Locally owned...great for breakfast/lunch (closes at 3 pm).
Mollie's Country Cafe
219 Mount Hermon Road
Locally owned...great for breakfast/lunch (closes at 3 pm).
Locally owned, coffee is good and it is across from New Leaf Market (healthy foods) and on your way to Henry Cowell Redwoods state park entrance (on HWY 9). Small gifts/local art.
39 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
White Raven
6253 Hwy 9
39 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Locally owned, coffee is good and it is across from New Leaf Market (healthy foods) and on your way to Henry Cowell Redwoods state park entrance (on HWY 9). Small gifts/local art.
Locally owned; classic diner without trying to be that.
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Spanky's
9520 Hwy 9
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Locally owned; classic diner without trying to be that.
Locally owned; nice patio; wine tasting next door...
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Heavenly Roadside Café
1210 Mt Hermon Rd
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Locally owned; nice patio; wine tasting next door...
Great food and you get to get a sense of "midtown" Santa Cruz as well. Can get crowded...
133 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave
133 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Great food and you get to get a sense of "midtown" Santa Cruz as well. Can get crowded...
Locally owned; great baked goods and breakfast/lunch items. On the 'westside/hipster" area of Santa Cruz. Next door is a brewery; wine tasting and New Leaf Market close by...a good place to grab some more "foodie" picnic items before you head to the beach !
98 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Kelly's French Bakery
402 Ingalls St
98 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Locally owned; great baked goods and breakfast/lunch items. On the 'westside/hipster" area of Santa Cruz. Next door is a brewery; wine tasting and New Leaf Market close by...a good place to grab some more "foodie" picnic items before you head to the beach !
Great sandwiches...worth the time they take to create them for you. Some breakfast offerings too.
Castelli's Deli Cafe
6965 Hwy 9
Great sandwiches...worth the time they take to create them for you. Some breakfast offerings too.
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Gilda's
37 Municipal Wharf
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
37 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
El Palomar Restaurant
1336 Pacific Ave
37 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
17 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Woodstock's Pizza Santa Cruz
710 Front St
17 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
A bit more expensive but the venue is very nice, can get busy so reservations are best!
38 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Scopazzi's
13300 Big Basin Way
38 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
A bit more expensive but the venue is very nice, can get busy so reservations are best!
I local legend; tons of flavors...and don't forget to try the Nutty Bars...a great value. Can get busy so plan to take a ticket for your turn; fun local vibe. Tables to relax at as well...
38 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean St
38 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
I local legend; tons of flavors...and don't forget to try the Nutty Bars...a great value. Can get busy so plan to take a ticket for your turn; fun local vibe. Tables to relax at as well...
Great pizza and a local business to boot. Plenty of seating too.
20 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Redwood Pizzeria
6205 CA-9
20 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Great pizza and a local business to boot. Plenty of seating too.
Family place, food is fine:)
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Otoro Sushi
235 Mt Hermon Rd
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Family place, food is fine:)
Very good Japanese cuisine, small venue, call ahead to see if have room for you:)
Sushi Blossom
11 Camp Evers Ln
Very good Japanese cuisine, small venue, call ahead to see if have room for you:)
104 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Laili
101 Cooper St
104 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
70 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Oswald Restaurant
121 Soquel Ave
70 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Alderwood Santa Cruz
155 Walnut Ave
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Woodies Café
25 Municipal Wharf
Deli, hot foods, gourmet cheeses, good wine selection..and close by!
27 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ben Lomond Market
9440 Mill St
27 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Deli, hot foods, gourmet cheeses, good wine selection..and close by!

Entertainment & Activities

745 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach St
745 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Walk, eat, buy fun gifts and treats, observe the sea lions at the end of the wharf!
143 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal Wharf
143 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Walk, eat, buy fun gifts and treats, observe the sea lions at the end of the wharf!
Too awesome to even describe. World renowned...worth a day trip.
668 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
668 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Too awesome to even describe. World renowned...worth a day trip.
Simply the coolest experience: hitch a ride on a real steam train...various tours available; check it out online.
150 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill Rd
150 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Simply the coolest experience: hitch a ride on a real steam train...various tours available; check it out online.
31 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Kayak Connection
413 Lake Ave
31 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
80 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister Way
80 lokalinvånare rekommenderar

Sightseeing

Great place to walk, see surfers, get the feel for Santa Cruz!
49 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Lighthouse Field State Beach
49 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Great place to walk, see surfers, get the feel for Santa Cruz!
Great place to walk/bike/see the ocean, watch surfers and get a feel for Santa Cruz beach scene!
193 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive
193 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Great place to walk/bike/see the ocean, watch surfers and get a feel for Santa Cruz beach scene!
Outdoor venue: shopping, movie theatres, people-watching, lots of food options...quintessential Santa Cruz!
88 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Pacific Avenue
Pacific Avenue
88 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Outdoor venue: shopping, movie theatres, people-watching, lots of food options...quintessential Santa Cruz!
67 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
University of California at Santa Cruz
Arboretum Road
67 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
40 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Santa Cruz Harbor
135 5th Ave
40 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
If you can't make it to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey (about an hour drive) this is your next best bet to explore the wonders of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
35 Pacific Ave
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
If you can't make it to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey (about an hour drive) this is your next best bet to explore the wonders of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.
Have to see it to believe it!
208 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot Rd
208 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Have to see it to believe it!

Parks & Nature

THE place (15 minutes away) to walk among the redwoods; take a longer hike; explore the Nature center.
335 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park Rd
335 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
THE place (15 minutes away) to walk among the redwoods; take a longer hike; explore the Nature center.
5 minutes up the road...easy hiking trails, place for a picnic, a pond to enjoy...a beautiful place right in the "back yard" to explore the unique Santa Cruz Mountains "sandhill habitat".
21 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
800 Quail Hollow Rd
21 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
5 minutes up the road...easy hiking trails, place for a picnic, a pond to enjoy...a beautiful place right in the "back yard" to explore the unique Santa Cruz Mountains "sandhill habitat".
California's FIRST state park! Awesome easy to difficult hiking trails amongst the redwoods...there is a store, a nature center...something for everyone.
230 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way
230 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
California's FIRST state park! Awesome easy to difficult hiking trails amongst the redwoods...there is a store, a nature center...something for everyone.
Wonderful place to explore the past: historic farmhouse, barn, etc. Fantastic hike along the ocean cliffs as well as other trails up in the hills.
219 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast Rd
219 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Wonderful place to explore the past: historic farmhouse, barn, etc. Fantastic hike along the ocean cliffs as well as other trails up in the hills.
Iconic place to be by the ocean, tidepools, AND monarch butterflies (nature center too).
261 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Dr
261 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Iconic place to be by the ocean, tidepools, AND monarch butterflies (nature center too).
Less crowded than the beach in front of the Boardwalk. Bathrooms, lifeguards (summer season), firepits. Can be a bit of a challenge to park, but it is worth it. Waves can be a bit rough at times.
59 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Seabright State Beach
59 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Less crowded than the beach in front of the Boardwalk. Bathrooms, lifeguards (summer season), firepits. Can be a bit of a challenge to park, but it is worth it. Waves can be a bit rough at times.
Amazing walks/hikes/bike trails into the redwood/oak forest and/or along a river.
272 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Road
272 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Amazing walks/hikes/bike trails into the redwood/oak forest and/or along a river.
88 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ano Nuevo State Park
88 lokalinvånare rekommenderar

Arts & Culture

Very informative gallery covering the history of Santa Cruz. Check out all the other art exhibits too! Great food options next to the museum, recently renovated. Great for "foodies" and cocktail lovers. The museum is right downtown next to Pacific Avenue - one can wander about and get a sense of Santa Cruz culture.
133 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St
133 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Very informative gallery covering the history of Santa Cruz. Check out all the other art exhibits too! Great food options next to the museum, recently renovated. Great for "foodies" and cocktail lovers. The museum is right downtown next to Pacific Avenue - one can wander about and get a sense of Santa Cruz culture.
Santa Cruz Art League
526 Broadway
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
9341 Mill St
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar

Shopping

A wonderful place if you love plants (nursery) and homegoods for the "homesteader"...also has a nice gift shop. Locally owned.
22 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
9550 CA-9
22 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
A wonderful place if you love plants (nursery) and homegoods for the "homesteader"...also has a nice gift shop. Locally owned.
Further away BUT the closest place for "big box" stores: Target, Macy's, Kohls, etc etc. Home depot, Best Buy and a Safeway are close by across Hwy 1 on 41st avenue.
15 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Capitola Mall station
15 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Further away BUT the closest place for "big box" stores: Target, Macy's, Kohls, etc etc. Home depot, Best Buy and a Safeway are close by across Hwy 1 on 41st avenue.
Wonderful place to find all sorts of new and used books, magazines; great children's books and some toys; cards and gifts. Full slate of author book signings/events as well.
57 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave
57 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Wonderful place to find all sorts of new and used books, magazines; great children's books and some toys; cards and gifts. Full slate of author book signings/events as well.
The place to check out all sorts of guitars...sheet music too.
Sylvan Music
1521 Mission St
The place to check out all sorts of guitars...sheet music too.
All sorts of new and used vinyl records and, well, you may find that old DVD/CD you were looking for!
Streetlight Records
939 Pacific Ave
All sorts of new and used vinyl records and, well, you may find that old DVD/CD you were looking for!
167 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey Ave
167 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
88 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Pacific Avenue
Pacific Avenue
88 lokalinvånare rekommenderar

Essentials

17 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Safeway
6255 Graham Hill Rd
17 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
89 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Wild Roots Market
13159 Central Ave
89 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
CVS
6247 Graham Hill Rd
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Dominican Hospital
1555 Soquel Dr
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Sutter Urgent Care - Westside
1301 Mission St
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
37 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center and Medical Offices
700 Lawrence Expy
37 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
27 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ben Lomond Market
9440 Mill St
27 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Amazing beer collection plus other goodies, tri tip sometimes that Masood BBQ's himself.
Masoods Liquor & Deli
7970 CA-9
Amazing beer collection plus other goodies, tri tip sometimes that Masood BBQ's himself.