Guidebook for Aptos
Food Scene
Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
7528 Soquel DrConsistently good food, casual
Bakery, Rosticceria, Food to Go... Eat at Gayle's or take away... Expensive but well worth it.
155 locals recommend
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveBakery, Rosticceria, Food to Go... Eat at Gayle's or take away... Expensive but well worth it.
Panda Inn
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdOkay, consistent Cantonese Chinese food.
Palapas Restaurant & Cantina
21 Seascape VillageGood Mexican. Full bar.
Miyako Japanese Restaurant
1820 41st AveGood Japanese Lunch Buffet
Laili
101 Cooper StGood restaurant. Nice courtyard eating in back.
Linda's Seabreeze Café
542 Seabright AveGood for breakfast
Kelly's French Bakery
402 Ingalls StGood pastery
Lillian's Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel AveGood Italian
La Posta
538 Seabright AveGood Italian
Okay Indian food; lunch buffet and dinner buffet too
24 locals recommend
Ambrosia India Bistro - Aptos
207 Sea Ridge RdOkay Indian food; lunch buffet and dinner buffet too
Hwy 1 & Davenport Ave (Cash Store) station
Good breakfast, nice gift shop. Nice atmosphere.
Nepenthe
48510 CA-1Good to eat burgers when in Big Sur
Big Sur Bakery
47540 CA-1Good sandwiches to go, good breads
Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific AveBreakfast
Essentials
Deluxe is less than 1 mi. away. It has everything! Meat counter, hot bar, sushi, deli, organic veggies, good selection of everything. Pricey but worth it...
78 locals recommend
Deluxe Foods of Aptos
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdDeluxe is less than 1 mi. away. It has everything! Meat counter, hot bar, sushi, deli, organic veggies, good selection of everything. Pricey but worth it...
Aptos Natural Foods
7506 Soquel DrGood local natural food store
Everett Family Farm
2111 Soquel San Jose RdBuy organic produce at a food stand
Shopping
Fleet Feet Sports
7960 Soquel DrGood store for running shoes and sporting clothes. Very good service.
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel DrBuy local produce
Parks & Nature
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadHiking!!!
Platform beach Aptos
Good for walking and enjoying the sea
Seacliff State Beach
State Park DriveAnother good beach!
Beautiful, varied hiking trails by see to hidden beaches and up mountain for miles. Beautiful views.
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdBeautiful, varied hiking trails by see to hidden beaches and up mountain for miles. Beautiful views.
Nice hiking under forest, creek, paths. Parking can be tough if you don't get there early.
36 locals recommend
Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire RoadNice hiking under forest, creek, paths. Parking can be tough if you don't get there early.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdHiking trails, big redwoods, a train
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayHiking, big redwood trees, creeks...
Byrne-Milliron Forest
809 Browns Valley RdGood hiking place
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Beautiful
Andrew Molera State Park
45500 CA-1hiking
Ewoldsen Trailhead
Good hike
McWay Falls
See it
Limekiln Trail
Limekiln TrailHiking...
Pacific Valley Bluff Trail
Pacific Valley Bluff TrailHike
Cruickshank Trail to Villa Creek Camp, 6 miles - Great mountain, ocean and creek views, along with a wide variety of tree and plant life. This trail has it all.
After an initial set of switchbacks, the Cruickshank Trail is a fairly straight run along the canyon above Villa Creek, eventually winding down towards Villa Creek Camp and it's gorgeous redwood setting near several small waterfalls and sun-dappled pools of water.
Cruickshank Trailhead
California 1Cruickshank Trail to Villa Creek Camp, 6 miles - Great mountain, ocean and creek views, along with a wide variety of tree and plant life. This trail has it all.
After an initial set of switchbacks, the Cruickshank Trail is a fairly straight run along the canyon above Villa Creek, eventually winding down towards Villa Creek Camp and it's gorgeous redwood setting near several small waterfalls and sun-dappled pools of water.
Willow Creek Trail (3.6 miles) - Although a little out of the way, the Willow Creek Trail winds through huge redwoods, a beautiful rocky creek, and a bit of history.
Several campsites also dot the well-maintained path which starts off as an old rocky road and includes a crumbling homestead site in addition to gorgeous trees and scenery.
Willow Creek Trail
Willow Creek TrailWillow Creek Trail (3.6 miles) - Although a little out of the way, the Willow Creek Trail winds through huge redwoods, a beautiful rocky creek, and a bit of history.
Several campsites also dot the well-maintained path which starts off as an old rocky road and includes a crumbling homestead site in addition to gorgeous trees and scenery.
Mill Creek Trail (3.2 miles) - Less than a mile from Highway 1, but worth the 2 or 3 hour hike into Mill Creek Canyon. A moderate 3.2 mile out and back hike, the scenery varies from California Bay forests to huge Redwood groves and rocky streams. The trail is a bit sketchy in places, but mostly flat and straight.
Mill Creek Trail
Mill Creek TrailMill Creek Trail (3.2 miles) - Less than a mile from Highway 1, but worth the 2 or 3 hour hike into Mill Creek Canyon. A moderate 3.2 mile out and back hike, the scenery varies from California Bay forests to huge Redwood groves and rocky streams. The trail is a bit sketchy in places, but mostly flat and straight.
Mill Creek Trailhead
Mill Creek TrailThe trailhead for Mill Creek Trail
Partington Cove Trail (1 mile) - A quick and steep hike takes you down through a tree-lined canyon to a scenic rocky beach and through a tunnel to Partington Cove. Used as a loading point for tanbark around the turn of the nineteenth century, Partington Cove's history comes alive as you walk through the 60 foot tunnel and pop out in a secluded cove where rusty remains of the loading apparatus perch on the rocks.
Partington Cove Trail
Partington Cove TrailPartington Cove Trail (1 mile) - A quick and steep hike takes you down through a tree-lined canyon to a scenic rocky beach and through a tunnel to Partington Cove. Used as a loading point for tanbark around the turn of the nineteenth century, Partington Cove's history comes alive as you walk through the 60 foot tunnel and pop out in a secluded cove where rusty remains of the loading apparatus perch on the rocks.
Drinks & Nightlife
Restaurant and bar... during the day, get a table out on the patio, look over the ocean, and drink a glass of wine!
40 locals recommend
Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort
1 Seascape Resort DrRestaurant and bar... during the day, get a table out on the patio, look over the ocean, and drink a glass of wine!
Everything Else
S.S. Palo Alto
201 State Park DrWorth seeing before it is gone!
Yoga Within
8035 Soquel DrGood yoga teachers
Yoga Center Santa Cruz
846 Front StExcellent yoga instruction. Try teacher Kofi Busia!