Guidebook for Santa Cruz
Food Scene
It's a fun neighborhood breakfast place and the food is good. Plus you can walk to it!
26 locals recommend
Cliff Cafe
815 41st AveIt's a fun neighborhood breakfast place and the food is good. Plus you can walk to it!
The food is good, there are vegetarian dishes, and many ingredients are organic. Plus you can walk along the ocean and down Portola and be there in 15 minutes.
59 locals recommend
Süda
3910 Portola DrThe food is good, there are vegetarian dishes, and many ingredients are organic. Plus you can walk along the ocean and down Portola and be there in 15 minutes.
It's romantic and has great food. It is also in the hood, a five to ten minute drive up 41st Ave.
88 locals recommend
Café Cruz
2621 41st AveIt's romantic and has great food. It is also in the hood, a five to ten minute drive up 41st Ave.
If you like pizza and you want to walk along the ocean to dinner, try Pleasure Pont Pizza. For you vegetarians, there are some great choices.
25 locals recommend
Pleasure Pizza
4000 Portola DrIf you like pizza and you want to walk along the ocean to dinner, try Pleasure Pont Pizza. For you vegetarians, there are some great choices.
Location, location, location. Walk here from the house, enjoy sitting outside and people watching. You can feel the ocean air fro here.
51 locals recommend
Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery
800 41st AveLocation, location, location. Walk here from the house, enjoy sitting outside and people watching. You can feel the ocean air fro here.
It's unique and very Santa Cruz. It's a five minute drive or 30 minute walk and has great food and outside seating. They bake their own bread and serve a great veggie and rice dish.
20 locals recommend
Windmill
21231 E Cliff DrIt's unique and very Santa Cruz. It's a five minute drive or 30 minute walk and has great food and outside seating. They bake their own bread and serve a great veggie and rice dish.
It your are vegetarian, or even if you aren't, Dharma's is a great restaurant for any meal. They have a varied menu ranging from soups and salads to pasta dishes and burritos. We love it!
62 locals recommend
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdIt your are vegetarian, or even if you aren't, Dharma's is a great restaurant for any meal. They have a varied menu ranging from soups and salads to pasta dishes and burritos. We love it!
Okay, if you are in Santa Cruz, you have to go to the Shadowbrook. The gardens are gorgeous, the old outside elevator down is really fun, and the bar has good food and drinks. There is also live music. The restaurant itself is smancy and has a view of the river.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdOkay, if you are in Santa Cruz, you have to go to the Shadowbrook. The gardens are gorgeous, the old outside elevator down is really fun, and the bar has good food and drinks. There is also live music. The restaurant itself is smancy and has a view of the river.
You CANNOT beat the coffee here. You can walk to it, sit outside, and enjoy your cuppa. There is also a Verve downtown on Pacific Avenue.
220 locals recommend
Verve Coffee Roasters
816 41st AveYou CANNOT beat the coffee here. You can walk to it, sit outside, and enjoy your cuppa. There is also a Verve downtown on Pacific Avenue.
They make their own organic ice cream and sorbet. You can walk here. My husband's favorite is the Verve coffee ice cream, and mine is the chocolate sorbet. But ask for tastes!
45 locals recommend
The Penny Ice Creamery Pleasure Point
820 41st AveThey make their own organic ice cream and sorbet. You can walk here. My husband's favorite is the Verve coffee ice cream, and mine is the chocolate sorbet. But ask for tastes!
Entertainment & Activities
A classic landmark not to be missed for exciting rides and great ocean views from the top of the loop.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StA classic landmark not to be missed for exciting rides and great ocean views from the top of the loop.
Pogonip Creek Nature Loop
Pogonip Creek Nature LoopIt's a great place to take a hike.
CineLux Capitola Cafe and Lounge
1475 41st AveClose by, recently remodeled movie theater.
It's a Santa Cruz icon and they many good and alternative films here.
63 locals recommend
Landmark's Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln StIt's a Santa Cruz icon and they many good and alternative films here.
It's downtown on Pacific Ave. so you can stroll around downtown and catch a movie and a meal.
51 locals recommend
Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific AveIt's downtown on Pacific Ave. so you can stroll around downtown and catch a movie and a meal.
Parks & Nature
Easily accessible, beautiful hiking trails, old growth redwoods.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadEasily accessible, beautiful hiking trails, old growth redwoods.
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdIt's a beautiful place to hike. You will love it.
Arts & Culture
Combination of local history and comtemporary art shows,
many interactive features.
133 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front StCombination of local history and comtemporary art shows,
many interactive features.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great ocean views, full bar, good food, good service, near the marina.
276 locals recommend
Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff DrGreat ocean views, full bar, good food, good service, near the marina.
Sightseeing
We have a great little downtown. You can find movie theaters, great cafes, restaurants, and shops. It's only 15 minutes from the house, part of the drive along the ocean.
88 locals recommend
Pacific Avenue
Pacific AvenueWe have a great little downtown. You can find movie theaters, great cafes, restaurants, and shops. It's only 15 minutes from the house, part of the drive along the ocean.
Essentials
Not only does our corner market sell groceries, but you can find good coffee, Kombucha, wine and beer, and all kinds of odds and ends. They also sell food and people love to eat their burritos overlooking the ocean. It's very convenient at just a couple of blocks away.
17 locals recommend
Pleasure Point County Park
East Cliff DriveNot only does our corner market sell groceries, but you can find good coffee, Kombucha, wine and beer, and all kinds of odds and ends. They also sell food and people love to eat their burritos overlooking the ocean. It's very convenient at just a couple of blocks away.
It's a great store for the health conscious traveler. They have organic produce, a vast array of other things, and a good hot bar and deli section
248 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair AveIt's a great store for the health conscious traveler. They have organic produce, a vast array of other things, and a good hot bar and deli section