Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Parks & Nature
Easy access to Giant redwood groves along the San Lorenzo River
335 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdEasy access to Giant redwood groves along the San Lorenzo River
Take a ride on an old railroad to The Santa Cruz Beach Board Walk or just explore the old town and picknick grounds. Sometimes they host amazing music venues
58 locals recommend
Roaring Camp, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad Station
North Big Trees Park RoadTake a ride on an old railroad to The Santa Cruz Beach Board Walk or just explore the old town and picknick grounds. Sometimes they host amazing music venues
One can hike or bike from the ocean up to within 3 miles of the cottage.
Hiking, biking and horseback trails with incredible views of the Monterey Bay.
There are trails along the ocean winding the headlands to 4 mile beach
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdOne can hike or bike from the ocean up to within 3 miles of the cottage.
Hiking, biking and horseback trails with incredible views of the Monterey Bay.
There are trails along the ocean winding the headlands to 4 mile beach
This is a beautiful park with trails out to the ocean, where the elephant seals come to breed and you can get very close to these amazing huge animals
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
This is a beautiful park with trails out to the ocean, where the elephant seals come to breed and you can get very close to these amazing huge animals
Long sandy beach where windsurfers and kite surfers will amaze you with their colorful sails and acrobatics
15 locals recommend
Waddell Beach
Long sandy beach where windsurfers and kite surfers will amaze you with their colorful sails and acrobatics
Great hiking and biking trails with an incredible view at the top.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadGreat hiking and biking trails with an incredible view at the top.
Great beach for swimming and boogie boarding and fantastic place to observe the Monarch Butterflies
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrGreat beach for swimming and boogie boarding and fantastic place to observe the Monarch Butterflies
Cute seaside town with great bakery and good restaurants.
Incredible beaches some with sea glass.
20 locals recommend
Davenport beach
446 CA-1Cute seaside town with great bakery and good restaurants.
Incredible beaches some with sea glass.
Some of the oldest redwoods can be accessed easily.
There are trails all the way to the ocean that pass by 4 different waterfalls
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WaySome of the oldest redwoods can be accessed easily.
There are trails all the way to the ocean that pass by 4 different waterfalls
Great hiking trails and this park can be accessed by walking out the front door of the cottage.
36 locals recommend
Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire RoadGreat hiking trails and this park can be accessed by walking out the front door of the cottage.
Moon Rocks
Only a few miles away and on the way to Davenport
Amazing sandstone formations
Beautiful Beach. This creek runs all the way from the top of Bonny Doon to the Sea.
Laguna Creek Beach
Beautiful Beach. This creek runs all the way from the top of Bonny Doon to the Sea.
Pescadero Creek Road
Pescadero Creek RoadVery Rural and beautiful
From the lighthouse you can watch surfers right below you.
49 locals recommend
Lighthouse Field State Beach
From the lighthouse you can watch surfers right below you.
Great views across the Monterey Bay.
Lots of surfers and otters and whales and dolphins and even some Orcas at times
29 locals recommend
Lighthouse Point Park
700 W Cliff DrGreat views across the Monterey Bay.
Lots of surfers and otters and whales and dolphins and even some Orcas at times
Seacliff State Beach
State Park DriveSandy beaches that stretch for miles and miles
Access to the incredible cliffs and coves of the north coast
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Access to the incredible cliffs and coves of the north coast
Can see whales very close to the shore and otters and packs.
You can rent kayaks and water bikes and explore Elkhorn slough
37 locals recommend
Moss Landing State Beach
Can see whales very close to the shore and otters and packs.
You can rent kayaks and water bikes and explore Elkhorn slough
Elkhorn Slough
access from the ocean up through the slough to view wildlife.
Twin Lakes Beach
995 Live Oak AvenueGreat Beach where you can have a fire on the beach
Gazos Creek State Beach
Beautiful beaches
Scott Creek
sandy beach with surfers and wind surfers
Great hiking trails along coast
long sandy beaches
Luxury cabins, tent cabins and Campgrounds
Nice restaurant and bar
8 locals recommend
Costanoa
2001 Rossi RdGreat hiking trails along coast
long sandy beaches
Luxury cabins, tent cabins and Campgrounds
Nice restaurant and bar
Meder Street
Meder StreetAt the end of Meder street begins a trail overlooking the bay
Coast Dairies State Park
California 1Hiking and beaches
Davenport Landing Beach
335 Davenport Landing Rdsmall beach with wind surfers and surfers
Entertainment & Activities
The oldest wooden roller coaster on the west coast
Free music on the beaches Friday nights during the summer
Free Movies on the beach Wednesday night during the summer
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThe oldest wooden roller coaster on the west coast
Free music on the beaches Friday nights during the summer
Free Movies on the beach Wednesday night during the summer
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowSimply amazing aquarium
Great restaurants and boat trips and kayak rentals paddle board rentals
40 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Harbor
135 5th AveGreat restaurants and boat trips and kayak rentals paddle board rentals
Shopping
Center of Santa Cruz Life
4 separate Movie Theaters
Many restaurants
Music Venues
Lots of Shopping
Great people watching
27 locals recommend
Pacific Wave
1502 Pacific AveCenter of Santa Cruz Life
4 separate Movie Theaters
Many restaurants
Music Venues
Lots of Shopping
Great people watching
Swift Street Courtyard
746 Swift Stunique shops bakery and butcher shop
Sightseeing
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
144 School StOld mission and church
Boulder Creek
Sweet old town with many restaurants and shops
Felton
Mountain town with many restaurants shops and groceries stores
Nestled in the redwoods they offer zip line tours and canopy walks
49 locals recommend
Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference DrNestled in the redwoods they offer zip line tours and canopy walks
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point Roadhistoric lighthouse and hostile
Drinks & Nightlife
great view with the best beach front location
Good food and happy hour from 4-6
Free music on the sand on Thursday nights during the weekend
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff Drgreat view with the best beach front location
Good food and happy hour from 4-6
Free music on the sand on Thursday nights during the weekend
Built along the river with a trolley car ride down the hill
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdBuilt along the river with a trolley car ride down the hill
Soif
105 Walnut Avegreat wine and food
Beauregard Vineyard
10 Pine Flat RdGreat location for tasting local wines close to cottage
Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room
450 CA-1wine tasting
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StOrganic Beer
West End Tap and Kitchen
334 Ingalls Stgood food
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific AveGreat music venue
Pool tables 2 Bars and 2 different stages
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WaySmall venue for good music and nice bar an dgood food
Henfling's of Ben Lomond
9450 CA-9Very small music venue and locals bar
Fantastic music venue small and intimate
Good bar and good food
52 locals recommend
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar StFantastic music venue small and intimate
Good bar and good food
Felton Music Hall
6275 Hwy 9Great music venue and good food
Nice locals bar
Great crepes and food
Small venue in bar for live music
Fun locals place
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveGreat crepes and food
Small venue in bar for live music
Fun locals place
Arts & Culture
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StRotating exhibits
Essentials
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveNatural health food store
Homeless Garden Project Farm
Shaffer RoadGiant garden where you can pick tour own produce in season
Wild Roots Market
13159 Central AveClosest Natural health food store to cottage
Trader Joe's
700 Front StAll your food food needs