Guidebook for Santa Cruz and Watsonville
Food Scene
Tasty Americana food with healthy options, outdoor seating, and kombucha on tap!
16 locals recommend
Ella's At The Airport
100 Aviation WayTasty Americana food with healthy options, outdoor seating, and kombucha on tap!
Family owned sushi restaurant with great options and friendly service
11 locals recommend
Miyuki Restaurant
452 E Lake AveFamily owned sushi restaurant with great options and friendly service
Picnic Basket has local and fresh made ice cream, sorbet, salads, soups,and sandwiches. It's the perfect gourmet lunch place for a beach picnic and is very reasonably priced!
50 locals recommend
The Picnic Basket
125 Beach StPicnic Basket has local and fresh made ice cream, sorbet, salads, soups,and sandwiches. It's the perfect gourmet lunch place for a beach picnic and is very reasonably priced!
Surfrider Cafe
429 Front StDelicious burgers and shakes!
The tastiest Sri Lankan/ SE Asian fusion food in a beautiful ambiance. Very innovative flavor combinations from a family run restaurant. Reasonably priced.
22 locals recommend
Malabar Restaurant
514 Front StThe tastiest Sri Lankan/ SE Asian fusion food in a beautiful ambiance. Very innovative flavor combinations from a family run restaurant. Reasonably priced.
Delicious fish tacos and salsa. Go here Tues/Th for $5 taco & beer specials.
32 locals recommend
Olitas Cantina & Grille
49 Municipal WharfDelicious fish tacos and salsa. Go here Tues/Th for $5 taco & beer specials.
Want a huge breakfast to get the day off to a solid start? Get the Mike's Mess and enjoy a breakfast of eggs, bacon (or not) home fries, sour cream, and homemade breads or sourdough pancakes.
47 locals recommend
Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific Ave Want a huge breakfast to get the day off to a solid start? Get the Mike's Mess and enjoy a breakfast of eggs, bacon (or not) home fries, sour cream, and homemade breads or sourdough pancakes.
Reliable late night diner food in a VERY unique and Santa Cruz original environment.
21 locals recommend
Saturn Cafe
145 Laurel StReliable late night diner food in a VERY unique and Santa Cruz original environment.
Everything Else
The Boardwalk is fun for people of all ages. Come here for miniature golf, video arcade, laser tag, and a variety of rides most of the year.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StThe Boardwalk is fun for people of all ages. Come here for miniature golf, video arcade, laser tag, and a variety of rides most of the year.
Late night bowling and karaoke are always a good time. This bowling venue offers movie nights and other entertainment.
46 locals recommend
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff StLate night bowling and karaoke are always a good time. This bowling venue offers movie nights and other entertainment.
Come check out the very reasonably priced exploration center for interactive games to learn about the ocean and how to protect Pacific Ocean wildlife.
25 locals recommend
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
35 Pacific AveCome check out the very reasonably priced exploration center for interactive games to learn about the ocean and how to protect Pacific Ocean wildlife.
Check out the history of how surfing came to Santa Cruz and then walk outside to see surfers of all ages shredding up the advanced surf spot: Steamer's Lane.
75 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
701 W Cliff DrCheck out the history of how surfing came to Santa Cruz and then walk outside to see surfers of all ages shredding up the advanced surf spot: Steamer's Lane.
Come to all award winning MAH and partake in interactive art exhibits and learn about Santa Cruz history too.
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StCome to all award winning MAH and partake in interactive art exhibits and learn about Santa Cruz history too.
Check out the Golden State Warriors D-League team at the arena downtown.
7 locals recommend
Kaiser Permanente Arena
140 Front StCheck out the Golden State Warriors D-League team at the arena downtown.
Pretty good music venue that pulls major national musical performers & bands but is still not that big when packed.
81 locals recommend
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific AvePretty good music venue that pulls major national musical performers & bands but is still not that big when packed.
Drinks & Nightlife
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial WayA favorite live music & dancing spot.
Great cocktails and swanky atmosphere. Two bars in one. Downstairs is the more laid back version, upstairs is more of a lounge with velvet couches and a fireplace. Both have tasty food until late.
21 locals recommend
The Reef Bar & Restaurant
200 Locust StGreat cocktails and swanky atmosphere. Two bars in one. Downstairs is the more laid back version, upstairs is more of a lounge with velvet couches and a fireplace. Both have tasty food until late.
Sightseeing
Local nearby beach that doesn’t get too busy, especially week days. Enjoy a relaxing beach that’s not overcrowded and stretches out for miles in both directions. Great for a beach run, boogie boarding or surf/SUP.
55 locals recommend
Manresa State Beach
1445 San Andreas RdLocal nearby beach that doesn’t get too busy, especially week days. Enjoy a relaxing beach that’s not overcrowded and stretches out for miles in both directions. Great for a beach run, boogie boarding or surf/SUP.