Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Drinks & Nightlife
Moe's is a fun venue for live music several nights of the week, featuring Latin, blues, reggae, and funky soulful blends. The venue is intimate, yet the dance floor is big enough for some fun!
83 locals recommend
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayMoe's is a fun venue for live music several nights of the week, featuring Latin, blues, reggae, and funky soulful blends. The venue is intimate, yet the dance floor is big enough for some fun!
Good selection of beers, delicious seafood bisque, live music some nights, nice outdoors setting with heat lamps for warmer nights.
74 locals recommend
Seabright Social
519 Seabright AveGood selection of beers, delicious seafood bisque, live music some nights, nice outdoors setting with heat lamps for warmer nights.
Delicious beers with fun names! Tasty appetizers, soups, and salads with local, organic ingredients. They trade hops for delicious pork dishes from another local restaurant. Well work checking out!
55 locals recommend
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveDelicious beers with fun names! Tasty appetizers, soups, and salads with local, organic ingredients. They trade hops for delicious pork dishes from another local restaurant. Well work checking out!
A beautiful drive through the mountains to this peaceful and scenic setting surrounded by redwoods. Wonderful selection of wines to taste and some fun poetry to read, too!
Poetic Cellars
5000 N Rodeo Gulch RdA beautiful drive through the mountains to this peaceful and scenic setting surrounded by redwoods. Wonderful selection of wines to taste and some fun poetry to read, too!
Gorgeous setting perched above Soquel Creek- large selection of wines to taste, including some fun dessert wines. Sometimes they feature art festivals and music events.
31 locals recommend
Bargetto Winery
3535 N Main StGorgeous setting perched above Soquel Creek- large selection of wines to taste, including some fun dessert wines. Sometimes they feature art festivals and music events.
A lovely site for wine tasting on a ridge overlooking Santa Cruz County. This is on a nice alternative route to highway 17- a windy country road through redwood and oak forests.
15 locals recommend
Burrell School Vineyard and Winery
24060 Summit RdA lovely site for wine tasting on a ridge overlooking Santa Cruz County. This is on a nice alternative route to highway 17- a windy country road through redwood and oak forests.
Lupulo Craft Beer House
233 Cathcart StWe haven't been here yet, but hear it's very popular!
Fun and inspired cocktails and yummy appetizers. Live music often, and comfy, relaxed seating with some couches.
43 locals recommend
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar StFun and inspired cocktails and yummy appetizers. Live music often, and comfy, relaxed seating with some couches.
Sample a variety of fine wines and appetizers to start your evening off with a rosy glow...
55 locals recommend
Soif
105 Walnut AveSample a variety of fine wines and appetizers to start your evening off with a rosy glow...
New Bohemia Brewing Co.
1030 41st AveGreat selection of brews and a lively atmosphere!
A very popular place to try lots of craft beers! You can order food from a restaurant next door, too.
82 locals recommend
Beer 30
2504 S Main StA very popular place to try lots of craft beers! You can order food from a restaurant next door, too.
Food Scene
A gorgeous setting and delicious California fresh dishes. Live music some nights and a lovely place to go for a cocktail. A creek flows through it and a lovely view of Soquel Creek below. Free taxi!
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdA gorgeous setting and delicious California fresh dishes. Live music some nights and a lovely place to go for a cocktail. A creek flows through it and a lovely view of Soquel Creek below. Free taxi!
Delicious, healthy vegetarian food at a reasonable price. Lots of choices and a pleasant space.
62 locals recommend
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdDelicious, healthy vegetarian food at a reasonable price. Lots of choices and a pleasant space.
Best pizza in town. A good place to watch a game, too! Lots of choices for pizza by the slice or whole. My son makes a point of taking some home every time he comes into town!
141 locals recommend
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadeBest pizza in town. A good place to watch a game, too! Lots of choices for pizza by the slice or whole. My son makes a point of taking some home every time he comes into town!
Local coffee shop with a real neighborhood feel. Wifi and gathering place. Owner is an expert on electric golf cart type vehicles for getting around town.
13 locals recommend
Peoples Coffee
1200 17th AveLocal coffee shop with a real neighborhood feel. Wifi and gathering place. Owner is an expert on electric golf cart type vehicles for getting around town.
Delicious coffee and a happening scene. There are always lots of locals! Near good surf spot, delicious pastries to go with a wonderful cup of coffee.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveDelicious coffee and a happening scene. There are always lots of locals! Near good surf spot, delicious pastries to go with a wonderful cup of coffee.
My favorite breakfast spot! Delicious scrambles, including tofu, great pancakes, small and intimate setting right near a wonderful walk overlooking the ocean.
26 locals recommend
Cliff Cafe
815 41st AveMy favorite breakfast spot! Delicious scrambles, including tofu, great pancakes, small and intimate setting right near a wonderful walk overlooking the ocean.
Wonderful selection of egg dishes, including eggs benedict. A popular place for locals right near the yacht harbor.
102 locals recommend
Harbor Café
535 7th AveWonderful selection of egg dishes, including eggs benedict. A popular place for locals right near the yacht harbor.
Good place for a quick breakfast burrito- my son's favorite breakfast stop!
24 locals recommend
Chill Out Cafe
860 41st AveGood place for a quick breakfast burrito- my son's favorite breakfast stop!
Delicious seafood buffet on Friday nights and brunch buffet on Sunday mornings. Expensive, but definitely worth it! Incredible views of Santa Cruz from the edge of the mountains and nice hiking, too!
30 locals recommend
The Spa at Chaminade
1 Chaminade LnDelicious seafood buffet on Friday nights and brunch buffet on Sunday mornings. Expensive, but definitely worth it! Incredible views of Santa Cruz from the edge of the mountains and nice hiking, too!
Incredible views of the harbor, good for sunset watching and drinks on the patio! Good salads and seafood, dancing some nights in the upstairs bar.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrIncredible views of the harbor, good for sunset watching and drinks on the patio! Good salads and seafood, dancing some nights in the upstairs bar.
Delicious Thai food in a quiet, intimate setting. Food is fresh!
16 locals recommend
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine
5050 Soquel DrDelicious Thai food in a quiet, intimate setting. Food is fresh!
One of my favorite restaurants! Unusual Mexican-inspired combinations that are healthy and delicious.
42 locals recommend
Haute Enchilada Café
7902 Moss Landing RdOne of my favorite restaurants! Unusual Mexican-inspired combinations that are healthy and delicious.
Good place for breakfast on a sunny day! You can sit at an outdoor patio right on Capitola Beach. Good brunch dishes, plus clam chowder, seafood, and sandwiches for later. Live music some nights.
68 locals recommend
Zelda's on the Beach
203 EsplanadeGood place for breakfast on a sunny day! You can sit at an outdoor patio right on Capitola Beach. Good brunch dishes, plus clam chowder, seafood, and sandwiches for later. Live music some nights.
Our favorite sushi bar! Delicious rolls, indoor or outdoor seating with heat lamps, fun sake bomb ritual by owner on Saturday nights.
28 locals recommend
Mobo Sushi
105 River St SOur favorite sushi bar! Delicious rolls, indoor or outdoor seating with heat lamps, fun sake bomb ritual by owner on Saturday nights.
The best hot chocolate in town! Plus delicious soups, salads and hearty dishes. Luscious soy latte and amazing chocolate truffles. Good late night place to get a bite or drink.
28 locals recommend
Chocolate the Restaurant
1522 Pacific AveThe best hot chocolate in town! Plus delicious soups, salads and hearty dishes. Luscious soy latte and amazing chocolate truffles. Good late night place to get a bite or drink.
Amazing ice cream!! They use fresh ingredients from local farmers. You've never tasted ice cream like this! Black sesame is my favorite...
45 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveAmazing ice cream!! They use fresh ingredients from local farmers. You've never tasted ice cream like this! Black sesame is my favorite...
Darn good burger with grass-fed beef and fresh ingredients. Sweet potato fries are delicious and yummy shakes, too!
65 locals recommend
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright AveDarn good burger with grass-fed beef and fresh ingredients. Sweet potato fries are delicious and yummy shakes, too!
Delicious, fresh, mostly raw and organic vegetarian and vegan dishes. Excellent juices and luscious guilt-free desserts!! This is often my choice for birthday dinner...
39 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
103 Lincoln StDelicious, fresh, mostly raw and organic vegetarian and vegan dishes. Excellent juices and luscious guilt-free desserts!! This is often my choice for birthday dinner...
Amazon Juices
1066 41st AvenueFresh juice bar has some healthy light meals.
Healthy and affordable Asian dishes- a popular local spot! Open until 11 pm- one of the few places to get a late-night meal.
80 locals recommend
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel AveHealthy and affordable Asian dishes- a popular local spot! Open until 11 pm- one of the few places to get a late-night meal.
Delicious breakfast featuring homemade muffins and egg or tofu scrambles. Close to a nice beach for an after-breakfast walk.
67 locals recommend
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveDelicious breakfast featuring homemade muffins and egg or tofu scrambles. Close to a nice beach for an after-breakfast walk.
Delicious vegetarian food from Sri Lanka! Delightful drinks that you've probably never heard of and a wonderful variety of flatbreads, curries, salads, and appetizers.
22 locals recommend
Malabar Restaurant
514 Front StDelicious vegetarian food from Sri Lanka! Delightful drinks that you've probably never heard of and a wonderful variety of flatbreads, curries, salads, and appetizers.
A new local favorite! Wonderful selection of comfort food- soups, salads, burgers, appetizers and hearty meals. Great cocktails, too, with an inviting heated outdoor courtyard!
59 locals recommend
The Hideout
9051 Soquel DrA new local favorite! Wonderful selection of comfort food- soups, salads, burgers, appetizers and hearty meals. Great cocktails, too, with an inviting heated outdoor courtyard!
Yum!! Plenty of wonderful things to choose from- salads, sandwiches (try the chicken terragon croissant!), hot meals, and of course amazing pastries and breads. A great stop for picnic food!
155 locals recommend
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveYum!! Plenty of wonderful things to choose from- salads, sandwiches (try the chicken terragon croissant!), hot meals, and of course amazing pastries and breads. A great stop for picnic food!
One of my favorites for dinner! Gorgeous setting with outdoor patio and scrumptious organic Mediterranean and middle-eastern influenced food.
104 locals recommend
Laili
101 Cooper StOne of my favorites for dinner! Gorgeous setting with outdoor patio and scrumptious organic Mediterranean and middle-eastern influenced food.
Samba Rock Acai Cafe
291 Water StGreat selection of smoothies and acai bowls!
A local favorite for a yummy breakfast! Less than 2 miles away in Soquel village.
8 locals recommend
Sunrise Cafe
4718 Soquel DrA local favorite for a yummy breakfast! Less than 2 miles away in Soquel village.
Michael's on Main
2591 S Main StCalifornia Cuisine on the river.
The Jerk House
2525 Soquel DrThe food is delicious and a great deal!
Relaxing Reggae music, too!
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveDelicious sushi and a local hot spot.
This is one of the few places that stay open late. The food is okay- delicious bread and soups! Live music many nights and a lovely outdoor patio where it's a little quieter.
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveThis is one of the few places that stay open late. The food is okay- delicious bread and soups! Live music many nights and a lovely outdoor patio where it's a little quieter.
Essentials
Health spa with several weight rooms, cardio machines and classes, yoga, spin, outdoor lap pool and indoor water aerobics pool, stream and sauna rooms, jacuzzi, outdoor gym. It has it all!
7 locals recommend
In-Shape Health Clubs
1200 41st AveHealth spa with several weight rooms, cardio machines and classes, yoga, spin, outdoor lap pool and indoor water aerobics pool, stream and sauna rooms, jacuzzi, outdoor gym. It has it all!
Simpkins Family Swim Center
979 17th AveGood pool for lap swimming.
Entertainment & Activities
Closest theater to see a movie- you can walk there from our house in about 15 minutes.
23 locals recommend
CineLux Capitola Cafe and Lounge
1475 41st AveClosest theater to see a movie- you can walk there from our house in about 15 minutes.
Good place to rent stand up paddleboards. You can tour the yacht harbor to get your feet wet ;-) before heading out to the Monterey Bay (if you're comfortable!).
19 locals recommend
SUP Shack Santa Cruz
2214 E Cliff DrGood place to rent stand up paddleboards. You can tour the yacht harbor to get your feet wet ;-) before heading out to the Monterey Bay (if you're comfortable!).
Kayaking is a great way to experience the coast! If you're comfortable being out on the ocean, this company will set you up with good gear and give you some guidelines!
31 locals recommend
Kayak Connection
413 Lake AveKayaking is a great way to experience the coast! If you're comfortable being out on the ocean, this company will set you up with good gear and give you some guidelines!
Whale watching at its best! The crew are engaging and knowledgeable- I've seen whales every time! Boat is large enough to be comfortable- inside or outside seating with two levels.
14 locals recommend
Blue Ocean Whale Watching on the Monterey Bay
7881 Sandholdt RdWhale watching at its best! The crew are engaging and knowledgeable- I've seen whales every time! Boat is large enough to be comfortable- inside or outside seating with two levels.
Sail out into Monterey Bay and you may see whales, jellyfish, birds, sea lions, otters and sunsets. The Chardonnay has been here forever and does a wonderful business taking people out for a sail!
45 locals recommend
Chardonnay Sailing Charters
790 Mariner Park WaySail out into Monterey Bay and you may see whales, jellyfish, birds, sea lions, otters and sunsets. The Chardonnay has been here forever and does a wonderful business taking people out for a sail!
It's a 45 minute drive from our house and a fun way to spend a rainy day- or even a beautiful day! Lots of wonderful large tanks to get an idea of the amazing life in our Sanctuary.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowIt's a 45 minute drive from our house and a fun way to spend a rainy day- or even a beautiful day! Lots of wonderful large tanks to get an idea of the amazing life in our Sanctuary.
A fun, relaxing way to get a local history lesson and enjoy a tour by train through the redwood forest. You learn some interesting facts about the old trains, as well as the amazing redwoods!
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdA fun, relaxing way to get a local history lesson and enjoy a tour by train through the redwood forest. You learn some interesting facts about the old trains, as well as the amazing redwoods!
A theater with heart- delicious popcorn with a variety of seasonings to add, as well as chai and hearty desserts. Here you will see some alternatives to the main stream films.
63 locals recommend
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln StA theater with heart- delicious popcorn with a variety of seasonings to add, as well as chai and hearty desserts. Here you will see some alternatives to the main stream films.
Great popcorn with a variety of toppings, chia or tea, and delicious desserts. A more refined selection of films than the average theater!
Aptos Cinemas
122 Rancho Del MarGreat popcorn with a variety of toppings, chia or tea, and delicious desserts. A more refined selection of films than the average theater!
Shopping
My favorite healthy grocery store. Lots of raw choices and fresh organic produce. Juice bar with coffee, best chai, and yummy salads, soups, good pizza, and wraps. Plenty of gluten free choices.
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveMy favorite healthy grocery store. Lots of raw choices and fresh organic produce. Juice bar with coffee, best chai, and yummy salads, soups, good pizza, and wraps. Plenty of gluten free choices.
You'll see lots of locals here, plus a huge selection of books! Good travel section. Chairs and benches to sit on while sampling the goods.
57 locals recommend
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific AveYou'll see lots of locals here, plus a huge selection of books! Good travel section. Chairs and benches to sit on while sampling the goods.
Complete health food store with body products, herbs, produce, meats and seafood, hot food bar, salad bar, soups, juice and coffee bar.
69 locals recommend
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel AveComplete health food store with body products, herbs, produce, meats and seafood, hot food bar, salad bar, soups, juice and coffee bar.
Some of the most beautiful blown glass vases I've ever seen! Sometimes you can watch them blowing glass. Davenport is a fun little town to check out, too!
Lundberg Studios Art Glass
131 Old Coast RdSome of the most beautiful blown glass vases I've ever seen! Sometimes you can watch them blowing glass. Davenport is a fun little town to check out, too!
Open 24 hours and you can find just about anything there in the way of groceries, household items, health and personal care, etc.
82 locals recommend
Safeway
2720 41st AveOpen 24 hours and you can find just about anything there in the way of groceries, household items, health and personal care, etc.
Parks & Nature
Lovely trails next to the San Lorenzo River or through an old growth redwood forest. One tree used to be a hotel room! Wonderful nature center for natural history facts.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdLovely trails next to the San Lorenzo River or through an old growth redwood forest. One tree used to be a hotel room! Wonderful nature center for natural history facts.
Lots of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Some along Aptos Creek, one is a good climb up to an incredible view of Santa Cruz, and a long one goes to a seldom visited waterfall. Picnic tables, too
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadLots of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Some along Aptos Creek, one is a good climb up to an incredible view of Santa Cruz, and a long one goes to a seldom visited waterfall. Picnic tables, too
The longest beach walk ever! Great place to watch the sunset perched on a cliff- bring a picnic dinner! You can walk for hours on a wide beach with not a lot of people. Ask us for other free entrance.
24 locals recommend
Sunset State Beach
Sunset Beach RoadThe longest beach walk ever! Great place to watch the sunset perched on a cliff- bring a picnic dinner! You can walk for hours on a wide beach with not a lot of people. Ask us for other free entrance.
Nice long beach walk with gentle waves for swimming, too. You can walk all the way to Rio del Mar, under the pier that goes to the old cement ship. Whale fossils can be seen on minus tides in winter.
45 locals recommend
New Brighton State Beach
1500 Park AveNice long beach walk with gentle waves for swimming, too. You can walk all the way to Rio del Mar, under the pier that goes to the old cement ship. Whale fossils can be seen on minus tides in winter.
Great place for birdwatching and some nice hiking trails along an abundant wetlands. Nature Center is small, but very informative.
22 locals recommend
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Great place for birdwatching and some nice hiking trails along an abundant wetlands. Nature Center is small, but very informative.
Our first state park and home to some of the largest redwoods in the area. Lots of trails to choose from. You can also take a bus up to the park, hike 12 miles to the sea where another bus back.
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayOur first state park and home to some of the largest redwoods in the area. Lots of trails to choose from. You can also take a bus up to the park, hike 12 miles to the sea where another bus back.
A 2 1/2 hour walking tour to see elephant seals breeding, mating, nursing, and sometimes fighting. It only happens Jan-early April, so call to make a reservation if you're interested. An amazing site!
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
A 2 1/2 hour walking tour to see elephant seals breeding, mating, nursing, and sometimes fighting. It only happens Jan-early April, so call to make a reservation if you're interested. An amazing site!
Sightseeing
Good trails go through open meadows, oak forest, and redwoods. One has 7 Bhuddist lessons with a meditation bench in front of each. Beautiful prayer wheel to spin and temple with large golden Bhudda.
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdGood trails go through open meadows, oak forest, and redwoods. One has 7 Bhuddist lessons with a meditation bench in front of each. Beautiful prayer wheel to spin and temple with large golden Bhudda.