Guidebook for Aptos
Food Scene
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel DrGreat for brunch on weekend or dinner in the evenings
I put Abbot square here as a leap off point. Once yup find Abbot Square you can enter Pacific Drive where there are many shops for fun shopping, anything from fashion, skate shops, local artist shops, shoes, food, street music, bars, late night clubs, etc. This is downtown Santa Cruz which is a hop and skip from the Boardwalk.
14 locals recommend
Abbot square market
725 Front StI put Abbot square here as a leap off point. Once yup find Abbot Square you can enter Pacific Drive where there are many shops for fun shopping, anything from fashion, skate shops, local artist shops, shoes, food, street music, bars, late night clubs, etc. This is downtown Santa Cruz which is a hop and skip from the Boardwalk.
Akira Aptos
105 Post Office DrNice Sushi just down the road
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveBest coffee in town
Pacific Coffee Roasting Co
7554 Soquel DrGood coffee, easy and fast
Great Mediterranean food that is close to my location
49 locals recommend
Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
7528 Soquel DrGreat Mediterranean food that is close to my location
Cantine Winepub
8050 Soquel DrWinery, beers on tap and tapas
Parish Publick House Aptos
8017 Soquel Drmodern pub foods with a full bar including sports.
The Hideout
9051 Soquel DrNice location with local art with good foods. Out door heated patio.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great music comes through here all the time. Get a Uber, taxi , Lyft from bottom of hill and enjoy dancing and drinks
83 locals recommend
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayGreat music comes through here all the time. Get a Uber, taxi , Lyft from bottom of hill and enjoy dancing and drinks
Keep an eye for events thrown in this iconic historic hotel. The rooms are so much fun to check out as well as the bar. great place for a night our dancing.
Bayview Hotel Bed & Breakfast
8041 Soquel DrKeep an eye for events thrown in this iconic historic hotel. The rooms are so much fun to check out as well as the bar. great place for a night our dancing.
Wednesday nights are the nights to dance the night away. they also have music most nights on the weekends as well
13 locals recommend
Motiv
1209 Pacific AveWednesday nights are the nights to dance the night away. they also have music most nights on the weekends as well
Red Room
Two story bar, with food and great decor.
Beer 30
2504 S Main Stso many yummy beers, dog friendly, kid friendly
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveGreat Beer and great food, dog and kid friendly
Corralitos Brewing Company
2536 Freedom BlvdOrchard location, kid and dog friendly, good beers
Parks & Nature
This state park is known for its hiking, running and mountain biking trials. There is a flowing creek that runs through it as well as old building that show the old logging history of this area.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadThis state park is known for its hiking, running and mountain biking trials. There is a flowing creek that runs through it as well as old building that show the old logging history of this area.
Great beach! Or try State park beach or any beach. There are so many. Look in the folder that I leave you for more fun places to go
63 locals recommend
Rio Del Mar State Beach
Great beach! Or try State park beach or any beach. There are so many. Look in the folder that I leave you for more fun places to go
This has the famous Monarch butterfly migration stop for thousands of butterflies. Hiking trails, beautiful beach and is the beats spot to watch the sunset. both locals and visitors alike stop to watch the sunset here.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrThis has the famous Monarch butterfly migration stop for thousands of butterflies. Hiking trails, beautiful beach and is the beats spot to watch the sunset. both locals and visitors alike stop to watch the sunset here.
Learn about the redwood national park, this location is a drive from my cabin, but it is beautiful.
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayLearn about the redwood national park, this location is a drive from my cabin, but it is beautiful.
Arts & Culture
Great art gallery to get a feel of local artist as well of an explanation of Santa Cruz history, usually has an interactive element for all ages.
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StGreat art gallery to get a feel of local artist as well of an explanation of Santa Cruz history, usually has an interactive element for all ages.
local artist studios and dance classes are here for visitors t watch or participate
14 locals recommend
Tannery Arts Center
1010 River Stlocal artist studios and dance classes are here for visitors t watch or participate
Essentials
This is the closest grocery to our cabin, however if you are into health food stores there are many: New Leaf (locally owned), whole foods, staff of life or Aptos Natural (expensive). If you need medication or other essentials you can find Rite Aid located in the same shopping center as Safeway.
82 locals recommend
Safeway
2720 41st AveThis is the closest grocery to our cabin, however if you are into health food stores there are many: New Leaf (locally owned), whole foods, staff of life or Aptos Natural (expensive). If you need medication or other essentials you can find Rite Aid located in the same shopping center as Safeway.
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveHealth food
Entertainment & Activities
This is a favorite among both visitors and locals. Entry is free. you pay for rides and you are located right on the beach. Also if you are into natural wonders you can dive to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium (50 minute drive) or Seymour Center (local small and about $10 entry but you get to pet a shark and see a giant whale skeleton) in Santa Cruz.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThis is a favorite among both visitors and locals. Entry is free. you pay for rides and you are located right on the beach. Also if you are into natural wonders you can dive to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium (50 minute drive) or Seymour Center (local small and about $10 entry but you get to pet a shark and see a giant whale skeleton) in Santa Cruz.
World famous, breath taking, need to visit in your life time Aquarium.
17 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Seafood Watch Program
886 Cannery RowWorld famous, breath taking, need to visit in your life time Aquarium.
This is a much smaller aquarium then Monterey, but it is lovely and much more affordable. You can pet a shark and see a few great whale skeletons.
80 locals recommend
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayThis is a much smaller aquarium then Monterey, but it is lovely and much more affordable. You can pet a shark and see a few great whale skeletons.
Rent a kayak and paddle through up and down the brash water to observe wild life including birds, otters, and believe it or not clams.
14 locals recommend
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Rent a kayak and paddle through up and down the brash water to observe wild life including birds, otters, and believe it or not clams.
Motion Pacific Dance
131 Front StIf you are a dancer and want a drop in class, this is my favorite dance studio.
Nisene Marks is the biggest State park in CA. Hike through the redwoods and along the creek or rent an EV bike in Aptos and explore the redwood forest.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadNisene Marks is the biggest State park in CA. Hike through the redwoods and along the creek or rent an EV bike in Aptos and explore the redwood forest.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowSightseeing
Fallow State Park drive toward the ocean, pay to get in or use your state park pass to see an old cement ship while having picnic and visit the natural history museum to learn the history. Jump in the ocean and relax.
State Park Drive
State Park DriveFallow State Park drive toward the ocean, pay to get in or use your state park pass to see an old cement ship while having picnic and visit the natural history museum to learn the history. Jump in the ocean and relax.