Guidebook for our Guests
Sightseeing
Off the beaten path, The Forest of Nisene Marks is a refreshing retreat from the busy towns and beaches along Highway 1 near Santa Cruz. Its dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rises from near sea level to steep coastal mountains.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadOff the beaten path, The Forest of Nisene Marks is a refreshing retreat from the busy towns and beaches along Highway 1 near Santa Cruz. Its dense second- and third-growth redwood forest rises from near sea level to steep coastal mountains.
The Santa Cruz coastline awaits discovery on Wilder Ranch State Park’s 7,000 acres. From the crest of Ben Lomond Mountain, the landscape rolls down ancient wave-cut terraces through the marsh lands of a nature preserve to the seashore.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdThe Santa Cruz coastline awaits discovery on Wilder Ranch State Park’s 7,000 acres. From the crest of Ben Lomond Mountain, the landscape rolls down ancient wave-cut terraces through the marsh lands of a nature preserve to the seashore.
If you love the muffled quiet of a redwood forest broken only by the murmur of a creek and the faint echo of a Buddhist gong, it’s time to get on your hiking boots and explore the Land of Medicine Buddha.
68 locals recommend
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott RdIf you love the muffled quiet of a redwood forest broken only by the murmur of a creek and the faint echo of a Buddhist gong, it’s time to get on your hiking boots and explore the Land of Medicine Buddha.
Rio Del Mar is an expansive beach that features swimming, picnic areas, nearby restaurants,
63 locals recommend
Rio Del Mar State Beach
Rio Del Mar is an expansive beach that features swimming, picnic areas, nearby restaurants,
Home to one of the most unusual attractions in Santa Cruz, Seacliff State Beach is best known for the SS Palo Alto, a concrete ship sticking out of the water off the end of its fishing pier.
97 locals recommend
Seacliff State Beach
State Park DriveHome to one of the most unusual attractions in Santa Cruz, Seacliff State Beach is best known for the SS Palo Alto, a concrete ship sticking out of the water off the end of its fishing pier.
Located at the east end of town, this 95-acre state beach and coastal park features campgrounds, picnic areas, fishing, swimming, and a nearby pine and oak forest off Highway 1
45 locals recommend
New Brighton State Beach
1500 Park AveLocated at the east end of town, this 95-acre state beach and coastal park features campgrounds, picnic areas, fishing, swimming, and a nearby pine and oak forest off Highway 1
Capitola is a popular urban beach with a large fishing pier, the Capitola Wharf. In the summer months, Capitola hosts movie nights, art shows, and twilight concerts on the Esplanade Stage.
167 locals recommend
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveCapitola is a popular urban beach with a large fishing pier, the Capitola Wharf. In the summer months, Capitola hosts movie nights, art shows, and twilight concerts on the Esplanade Stage.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is outstanding for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving, and jogging.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is outstanding for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving, and jogging.
17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees
54 locals recommend
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile Drive17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees
Food scene
Enjoy the award winning menu while over looking the coastline.
Restaurant is located downstairs. Grab a burger and a glass of wine and take in the beauty of a sunset!
40 locals recommend
Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort
1 Seascape Resort DrEnjoy the award winning menu while over looking the coastline.
Restaurant is located downstairs. Grab a burger and a glass of wine and take in the beauty of a sunset!
Persephone serves a seasonally changing farm to table menu with influences ranging from Italian to Middle Eastern.
25 locals recommend
Persephone
7945 Soquel DrPersephone serves a seasonally changing farm to table menu with influences ranging from Italian to Middle Eastern.
Small & large plates of Californian cuisine & wine in a warm, cozy setting with a retail shop.
55 locals recommend
Soif
105 Walnut AveSmall & large plates of Californian cuisine & wine in a warm, cozy setting with a retail shop.
Restored post office & general store is a standby for a casual yet elegant French dining experience.
79 locals recommend
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel DrRestored post office & general store is a standby for a casual yet elegant French dining experience.
Pino Alto Restaurant and Catering is operated by classes that are part of the Cabrillo College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program. Students operate a full service restaurant for both lunch and dinner as well as a catering operation.
Pino Alto Restaurant
6500 Soquel DrivePino Alto Restaurant and Catering is operated by classes that are part of the Cabrillo College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program. Students operate a full service restaurant for both lunch and dinner as well as a catering operation.
Down-home venue offering BBQ dishes & a variety of local beers on tap, with live blues shows daily.
95 locals recommend
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StDown-home venue offering BBQ dishes & a variety of local beers on tap, with live blues shows daily.
City/town information
Carmel by the sea
San Antonio AvenueExplore Carmel by the Sea and Art Galleries and town
Moss Landing is a popular spot for antiquing, surfing and nature watching. It's located at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough, one of California's largest wetland areas and home to hundreds of species. With so much to see, it's easy to fill up a full day.
37 locals recommend
Moss Landing
Moss Landing is a popular spot for antiquing, surfing and nature watching. It's located at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough, one of California's largest wetland areas and home to hundreds of species. With so much to see, it's easy to fill up a full day.
Always a favorite! Located in the heart of Capitola Village with its many shops and restaurants. Lots of swimming, surfing, volleyball, kite flying and beach activities for the whole family. Capitola Beach has been voted a favorite and written up in many magazines as one of the top ten beaches on the west coast.
151 locals recommend
Capitola
Always a favorite! Located in the heart of Capitola Village with its many shops and restaurants. Lots of swimming, surfing, volleyball, kite flying and beach activities for the whole family. Capitola Beach has been voted a favorite and written up in many magazines as one of the top ten beaches on the west coast.
Few places on earth can live up to their own mythology, but Monterey is a notable exception. No matter what you’ve heard or seen in feature films, nothing can prepare you for the jaw-dropping beauty along Monterey's fabled coast and village-like pedestrian thoroughfares. John Steinbeck was a frequent visitor, and drew considerable inspiration from area landmarks including Cannery Row, which he helped to immortalize in his novel of the same name. Today, iconic attractions like Cannery Row, Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have helped make Monterey a favorite destination for visitors from around the world.
39 locals recommend
Monterey
Few places on earth can live up to their own mythology, but Monterey is a notable exception. No matter what you’ve heard or seen in feature films, nothing can prepare you for the jaw-dropping beauty along Monterey's fabled coast and village-like pedestrian thoroughfares. John Steinbeck was a frequent visitor, and drew considerable inspiration from area landmarks including Cannery Row, which he helped to immortalize in his novel of the same name. Today, iconic attractions like Cannery Row, Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have helped make Monterey a favorite destination for visitors from around the world.
Santa Cruz is a city on central California’s coast. Its long wharf, with eateries and shops, stretches into Monterey Bay. Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Downtown, Pacific Avenue has vintage clothing stores, cafes and galleries. Along West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach is known for its bridge-shaped rock formation.
242 locals recommend
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a city on central California’s coast. Its long wharf, with eateries and shops, stretches into Monterey Bay. Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Downtown, Pacific Avenue has vintage clothing stores, cafes and galleries. Along West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach is known for its bridge-shaped rock formation.