Guidebook to the Santa Cruz mountains
Great redwood hikes
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdWilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdGreat ocean views. They also have an education center
Great redwood hike that is shorter than other parks, plus the creek is next to the trail on a lot of it.
8 locals recommend
Fall Creek Trail
Fall Creek TrailGreat redwood hike that is shorter than other parks, plus the creek is next to the trail on a lot of it.
Beautiful big redwoods! A great short hike that has interesting info about the redwoods.
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdBeautiful big redwoods! A great short hike that has interesting info about the redwoods.
Unique Buddhist temple and conference center with 6 miles of redwood forest hikes for a donation. They also have a multitude of drop in classes. Although I am not Buddhist I enjoy this relaxing and peaceful environment.
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdUnique Buddhist temple and conference center with 6 miles of redwood forest hikes for a donation. They also have a multitude of drop in classes. Although I am not Buddhist I enjoy this relaxing and peaceful environment.
Short hike through a self guided tour that will give you a better appreciation of just how amazing our redwood trees are.
Big Tree Grove
Short hike through a self guided tour that will give you a better appreciation of just how amazing our redwood trees are.
Saratoga Gap Preserve
17301-17399 Skyline BlvdMiles of remote hiking. Can be steep in spots.
Some redwoods but great Zayante Soil landscape experience (specialty soil in our area) with California oaks.
21 locals recommend
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
800 Quail Hollow RdSome redwoods but great Zayante Soil landscape experience (specialty soil in our area) with California oaks.
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadSteam train down to the beach
Historic area with fun old town feel. You can ride the train down to the ocean/boardwalk and back. You can also access Henry Cowell park for some amazing hikes.
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdHistoric area with fun old town feel. You can ride the train down to the ocean/boardwalk and back. You can also access Henry Cowell park for some amazing hikes.
Food scene
Local favorite for calamari. Go upstairs to the bar and sit outside for the best views
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrLocal favorite for calamari. Go upstairs to the bar and sit outside for the best views
Indoor food court with vegan restaurant, outdoor seating. Dog friendly. Great lunch option. Sometimes there is outdoor music.
32 locals recommend
Abbott Square
118 Cooper StIndoor food court with vegan restaurant, outdoor seating. Dog friendly. Great lunch option. Sometimes there is outdoor music.
Redwood Pizzeria
6205 CA-9Has gluten free and vegan options
Rockys Cafe
6560 Hwy 9Know for it’s great breakfast
Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific AveGreat breakfast, local favorite
inexpensive, organic, locally sourced fast food, relatively healthy Asian food
80 locals recommend
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Aveinexpensive, organic, locally sourced fast food, relatively healthy Asian food
Handmade, organic, with gluten free and vegan options. Good beer selection
20 locals recommend
Redwood Pizzeria
6205 CA-9Handmade, organic, with gluten free and vegan options. Good beer selection
Great burger with lots of varieties. Has vegan/veggie options. Great beer selection. Also has second spot near Nicene forest
burger. Santa Cruz
1520 Mission StGreat burger with lots of varieties. Has vegan/veggie options. Great beer selection. Also has second spot near Nicene forest
White Raven
6253 Hwy 9Small local coffee shop. Great chai
Saratoga
Small town with high end restaurants
The Penny Ice Creamery
913 Cedar StHandmade, delicious, unique flavors
They have a small but heated outside patio. The sushi is consistently delicious
28 locals recommend
Mobo Sushi
105 River St SThey have a small but heated outside patio. The sushi is consistently delicious
Historic, interesting food
Cowboy Bar & Grill
5447 Hwy 9They have 2 locations-one around the corner from our location and one in Scotts Valley
49 locals recommend
Ristorante Casa Nostra
9217 CA-9They have 2 locations-one around the corner from our location and one in Scotts Valley
Unique restaurant close to hiking big basin, castle rock, and Saratoga gap. Known for it’s family owned, locally sourced hearty fare.
65 locals recommend
Alice's Restaurant
17288 Skyline BlvdUnique restaurant close to hiking big basin, castle rock, and Saratoga gap. Known for it’s family owned, locally sourced hearty fare.
Interesting music scene
Felton Music Hall
6275 Hwy 9Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel AveUnique events from outdoor films to music to comedy
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific AvenueLocal music venue with a variety of talent
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayUnique music venue
Mountain Winery
14831 Pierce RdOutdoor setting with comfortable music venue
Groceries
Ben Lomond Market
9440 Mill StGreat deli, local selection,
high end market
Wild Roots Market
13159 Central AveLocal, fresh, lots of novel foods. High end.
Corralitos Market & Sausage Co
569 Corralitos RdKnow for it’s meat and sausage products
Sightseeing
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowHuge aquariums, great exhibits
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
52801 CA-1The best views of Big Sur
The oldest wooden roller coaster in the US. Then walk to the boardwalk for some great seafood
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach StreetThe oldest wooden roller coaster in the US. Then walk to the boardwalk for some great seafood
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrA small, fun museum with old time surf memorabilia
National Steinbeck Center
1 Main StWell done museum of all thing Steinbeck
Ano Nuevo State Park
Local beach know for its large number of elephant seals
Historic stone landmark. Good tide pools at low tide. The monarch butterfly area is walking distance when the are hibernating here during certain times of the year.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Historic stone landmark. Good tide pools at low tide. The monarch butterfly area is walking distance when the are hibernating here during certain times of the year.
Capitola
Cute, scenic area along the beach
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln StIndependent movie theater
Great place to learn how to surf. There’s a surf shop right across the street that rents boards and gives lessons
40 locals recommend
Cowell Beach
Front StGreat place to learn how to surf. There’s a surf shop right across the street that rents boards and gives lessons
Easy flat 3 mile hike on the sidewalk with views of the ocean the whole way. Close to the boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf
193 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveEasy flat 3 mile hike on the sidewalk with views of the ocean the whole way. Close to the boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf
West Cliff Drive
West Cliff DriveAn easy walk along the ocean
Castle Rock State Park
15451 CA-35Known for great bouldering/rock climbing
Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Graham Hill RoadUnique covered bridge
You can rent paddle boards and check out the seals. Close to the Crows Nest
40 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Harbor
135 5th AveYou can rent paddle boards and check out the seals. Close to the Crows Nest
Close to the boardwalk, lots of good restaurants with great views
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfClose to the boardwalk, lots of good restaurants with great views
Pasatiempo Golf Course
20 Clubhouse RdFun course
Delaveaga Park Golf Course
401 Upper Park RoadGolf or disc golf
Marini's At the Beach
400 Beach StLocal candy shop. Known for their salted taffy
Big Sur
Amazing rugged scenery