Ann’s guidebook
Coffee shops
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveCoffeetopia
3701 Portola DrCat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola DrPeoples Coffee
1200 17th AveZelda's on the Beach
203 Esplanade11th Hour Coffee
1001 Center StFood scene
The View restaurant opens at 7am and is only one mile up the road. It offers outdoor seating with an excellent view of The Monterey Bay
Hiking trail and spa services are on site also - definitely worth a visit!
Linwood's Bar & Grill at Chaminade Resort
1 Chaminade LaneThe View restaurant opens at 7am and is only one mile up the road. It offers outdoor seating with an excellent view of The Monterey Bay
Hiking trail and spa services are on site also - definitely worth a visit!
Iconic Capitola Restaurant. A favorite celebration spot. Bonus - our Airbnb is within Shadowbrook’s complimentary vintage taxi shuttle service, so make reservations ahead and arrange your pick up time!
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdIconic Capitola Restaurant. A favorite celebration spot. Bonus - our Airbnb is within Shadowbrook’s complimentary vintage taxi shuttle service, so make reservations ahead and arrange your pick up time!
Started as a 12 table top restaurant years ago and has since moved and grown to a weekend hot spot and in my opinion it’s the Best Italian Restaurant in town! Reservations recommended.
125 locals recommend
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveStarted as a 12 table top restaurant years ago and has since moved and grown to a weekend hot spot and in my opinion it’s the Best Italian Restaurant in town! Reservations recommended.
HOME
3101 N Main StFarm to Table - see if you can get a seat in the Wine Cellar!
Café Cruz
2621 41st AveFarm to Table just down the road. The inside Garden is magical.
Farm to Table daily changing menu and always delicious for lunch and dinner. Reservation’s recommended.
31 locals recommend
Gabriella Café
910 Cedar StFarm to Table daily changing menu and always delicious for lunch and dinner. Reservation’s recommended.
Pleasure Point eatery with a great menu and outdoor seating. Take a stroll on Pleasure Point when your done, it’s just down at the end of 41st street a few block to the Ocean.
59 locals recommend
Süda
3910 Portola DrPleasure Point eatery with a great menu and outdoor seating. Take a stroll on Pleasure Point when your done, it’s just down at the end of 41st street a few block to the Ocean.
Newer Capitola eatery off the main drag offering delicious menu and drink options.
10 locals recommend
Trestles Restaurant
316 Capitola AvenueNewer Capitola eatery off the main drag offering delicious menu and drink options.
It’s been a staple to Capitola for decades, a place to visit and sit Beach Side.
68 locals recommend
Zelda's on the Beach
203 EsplanadeIt’s been a staple to Capitola for decades, a place to visit and sit Beach Side.
Lots of Eatery Options right in Downtown Santa Cruz next to the Museum which is worth a visit as well. First Fridays are a happening time in Abbot Square.
32 locals recommend
Abbott Square
118 Cooper StLots of Eatery Options right in Downtown Santa Cruz next to the Museum which is worth a visit as well. First Fridays are a happening time in Abbot Square.
If you like fresh Crepes you’ll love this and enjoy your time there outside in the Garden.
109 locals recommend
The Crêpe Place
1134 Soquel AveIf you like fresh Crepes you’ll love this and enjoy your time there outside in the Garden.
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdVegetarian and Vegan Staple with Locals.
Quick, delicious mediterranean inspired dishes. Take a stroll along 41st Street shopping and Pleasure Point when your done here.
19 locals recommend
Zameen At The Point
851 41st AveQuick, delicious mediterranean inspired dishes. Take a stroll along 41st Street shopping and Pleasure Point when your done here.
Santa Cruz Diner
Classic Santa Cruz Diner open late!
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Beachside
Busy Santa Cruz Local Breakfast spot in downtown, usually there’s a wait on the weekends.
47 locals recommend
Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific AveBusy Santa Cruz Local Breakfast spot in downtown, usually there’s a wait on the weekends.
Davenport stop to grab a bite before hitting the Davenport Beaches. There are a couple other eatery options on the same couple of blocks.
21 locals recommend
Whale City Bakery
490 CA-1Davenport stop to grab a bite before hitting the Davenport Beaches. There are a couple other eatery options on the same couple of blocks.
Local ingredient hand made Ice Cream with several locations walk along Pleasure Point and 41st Street shopping when you’re done.
45 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveLocal ingredient hand made Ice Cream with several locations walk along Pleasure Point and 41st Street shopping when you’re done.
Staple hand made ice cream shop in Santa Cruz - enjoy it while it lasts as they are building condos in its place. They will have a new location and currently have locations at the Boardwalk and West Side.
38 locals recommend
Marianne's Ice Cream
1020 Ocean StStaple hand made ice cream shop in Santa Cruz - enjoy it while it lasts as they are building condos in its place. They will have a new location and currently have locations at the Boardwalk and West Side.
Sightseeing
Natural Bridges Monarch Trail
2531 W Cliff DrThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdCapitola By The Sea
Directly down the road on 7th Ave
Next to the Harbor and restaurants and coffee shops.
Twin Lakes State Beach
Directly down the road on 7th Ave
Next to the Harbor and restaurants and coffee shops.
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Wharf
21 Municipal WharfCarmel Beach Walk
Brewery and Wineries
Local, fun, beee garden with activities outside.
West side popular brewery with great beer offerings and outdoor seating.
50 locals recommend
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
820 Swift StWest side popular brewery with great beer offerings and outdoor seating.
Local, nearby, great offer of excellent beers, indoor and outdoor seating.
55 locals recommend
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveLocal, nearby, great offer of excellent beers, indoor and outdoor seating.
Beer 30
2504 S Main StWest side brewery, excellent offerings, outdoor seating, near other local fun restaurants.
94 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
334 Ingalls StWest side brewery, excellent offerings, outdoor seating, near other local fun restaurants.
Equinox Sparkling Wine
334 Ingalls StIf you like sparkling - champagne styles
MJA Vineyards
328 Ingalls StSoquel Vineyards
8063 Glen Haven RdStorrs Winery & Vineyards
1560 Pleasant Valley RdByington Vineyard & Winery
21850 Bear Creek RdGreat views and picnic areas
Hallcrest Vineyards
379 Felton Empire RdWrights Station Vineyard & Winery
24250 Loma Prieta Ave