Ian’s guidebook
Food scene
Awesome food! A great place for a morning walk. Open for breakfast and lunch. Smash burgers on weekends with great fries as well!
Picnic benches in the cypress trees. One of the best views in town! Directly across from the iconic Steamer Lane.
Only 0.7 mile walk and mostly through Lighthouse Park.
If you brought your furry friend they will love the park and then head down to It’s beach for the full time dog party. No leash tickets there.
18 locals recommend
Steamer Lane Supply
644-670 W Cliff DrAwesome food! A great place for a morning walk. Open for breakfast and lunch. Smash burgers on weekends with great fries as well!
Picnic benches in the cypress trees. One of the best views in town! Directly across from the iconic Steamer Lane.
Only 0.7 mile walk and mostly through Lighthouse Park.
If you brought your furry friend they will love the park and then head down to It’s beach for the full time dog party. No leash tickets there.
One of the best places to eat in town! Everything is delicious. Acai bowls, juices, Coxina!!
Try the chicken a franceza (maybe add a poached egg).
0.8 miles from the house.
79 locals recommend
Cafe Brasil
1410 Mission StOne of the best places to eat in town! Everything is delicious. Acai bowls, juices, Coxina!!
Try the chicken a franceza (maybe add a poached egg).
0.8 miles from the house.
Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrGreat coffee and breakfast burritos.
The best Italian food around! I've never had a bad meal here. Try the Sunday gravy with meatballs!
125 locals recommend
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveThe best Italian food around! I've never had a bad meal here. Try the Sunday gravy with meatballs!
Close to the house and so good! Menu changes daily.
Don't panic, It's organic!
94 locals recommend
Bantam
1010 Fair AveClose to the house and so good! Menu changes daily.
Don't panic, It's organic!
Shogun Japanese Restaurant
1123 Pacific AveAwesome sushi, close to the house on Pacific St.
A little less traditional, more hip sushi spot. Expect a wait. A little further drive, about 10 minutes. Worth it! Everyone loves Akira. Happy hour is 2-4pm
54 locals recommend
Akira Sushi
1222 Soquel AveA little less traditional, more hip sushi spot. Expect a wait. A little further drive, about 10 minutes. Worth it! Everyone loves Akira. Happy hour is 2-4pm
Our local market! Everything you need. I rarely shop anywhere else. Local tip for the kids- There's soft serve ice cream at the coffee bar. The sushi is good, and made all day. Hot food bar, sandwiches, soups, great butcher, all the produce you could wish for..
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveOur local market! Everything you need. I rarely shop anywhere else. Local tip for the kids- There's soft serve ice cream at the coffee bar. The sushi is good, and made all day. Hot food bar, sandwiches, soups, great butcher, all the produce you could wish for..
Companion Bakeshop Westside Santa Cruz
2341 Mission StThe best bakery!
Amazing view for sunset! Taco & Margarita deals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check out the sea lions at the end of the pier! Lots of restaurants and shops, candy and ice cream too!
32 locals recommend
Olitas Cantina & Grille
49 Municipal WharfAmazing view for sunset! Taco & Margarita deals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check out the sea lions at the end of the pier! Lots of restaurants and shops, candy and ice cream too!
Wednesdays. All the farm fresh produce you can imagine, plus lots of food vendors. Check out H&H for some shucked oysters. The Indian food is awesome too.
8 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Market
700-798 Cedar StWednesdays. All the farm fresh produce you can imagine, plus lots of food vendors. Check out H&H for some shucked oysters. The Indian food is awesome too.
Always a fun time with delicious food and surf movies constantly playing. Great cocktails too
102 locals recommend
Hula's Island Grill
221 Cathcart StAlways a fun time with delicious food and surf movies constantly playing. Great cocktails too
Sightseeing
Super cool place. Whale skeleton on the cliff, great views. Good place for kids. Only open Friday- Sunday 10-4
80 locals recommend
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WaySuper cool place. Whale skeleton on the cliff, great views. Good place for kids. Only open Friday- Sunday 10-4
Go out to the end of the pier to see the sea lion! You'll hear them and know where to look. Everyone loves watching them. Lots of restaurants and shops out on the wharf.
143 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfGo out to the end of the pier to see the sea lion! You'll hear them and know where to look. Everyone loves watching them. Lots of restaurants and shops out on the wharf.
Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire RoadMake some time to go for a walk in the redwoods!
Santa Cruz Yoga
402 Ingalls StAwesome studio. Close to the house.
Less than 2 mile walk along the coast to get to Natural Bridges. Check out the tide pools when the tide is low, and don't forget to look for Monarchs on the monarch trail- Typically the monarchs begin arriving in mid-October and leave by mid-February.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrLess than 2 mile walk along the coast to get to Natural Bridges. Check out the tide pools when the tide is low, and don't forget to look for Monarchs on the monarch trail- Typically the monarchs begin arriving in mid-October and leave by mid-February.
Saturdays. Look for Holy Roller Bagels. The best bagels in California!
11 locals recommend
Farmer’s Market West Side
Saturdays. Look for Holy Roller Bagels. The best bagels in California!